Papatoetoe (Auckland) 23 March – Old Papatoetoe town centre is getting new footpaths and trees, along with upgraded street lighting on St George Street. Auckland Transport and the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board are working together to make the footpaths in the main shopping area safer and cleaner for residents. Construction on the project is scheduled……. to start on 29 March with completion expected to be in mid-June. The footpath between Shirley Road and Wallace Road on St George Street will be upgraded. The upgraded footpaths use concrete finishes to make it easy to remove chewing gum and keep it clean, ensuring the footpath remains clean and an area where people are happy to walk. The changes will also remove tripping hazards, making it easier and safer for people to shop in Old Papatoetoe.
The existing granite pavers which highlight places and buildings of historical significance will be retained allowing people to continue to be able to learn about the history of the area as they walk along the street. The trees along St George Street will be replaced with fresh evergreen trees of the same species. Businesses along St George Street will remain open throughout the construction period, with some offering an alternative entrance through the rear of the shop. Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Chair Fa’anānā Efeso Collins says the upgrade is part of the local board’s commitment to economic development in the area.
This will give Old Papatoetoe a fresh look and make it safer for everyone to walk along St George Street. The upgrades also tie into Panuku Development Auckland’s wider project to revitalise the town centre. The mall area will be opened up into a new plaza space with better connections from Saint George Street to new shops. These footpath upgrades are a much needed improvement that will make the town centre more user-friendly.
