This will come as a relief to developers and the Christchurch Catholic diocese.

The diocese was providing $30 million towards development costs - funds it raised for the purpose.

Plans with developers were well underway last month when Council announced two-way Lichfield Street would become a one way system.

The precinct and carpark plans relied on the two-way system.

Developers said they will cancel plans to work in the area.

One-way systems just don't work for them there. Two-way systems do.

The latest option

Besides answering developers' desire for a two-way street, the Council says its new design aims to answer safety concerns. It will also offer additional space for people and outdoor dining than is currently the case.

It seems good news for supporters of the new Catholic precinct and parking building. The comprehensive design includes offices for youth ministry and social services staff, plus accommodation for the bishop and priests.

When it was first announced, Christchurch's then Catholic Bishop Paul Martin said he was keen for the Cathedral to be at the city's heart.

The precinct will be handy for the congregation, school groups and the public, with room for up to 1000 people, he said at the time.

He was pleased the precinct would stay open to the public to walk through. It would provide a pedestrian link from New Regent St to the Avon River.

All up, costs for the carpark building and precinct are in the millions. Fundraising for the Church's estimated share including land and buildings has begun, to cover:

• $85 million for the Cathedral
• $11 million for the relocated St Mary's primary school
• $30 million for the diocesan share of a joint venture for the 600-space parking building.

Source

• Stuff

Rising from the ruins of the devastating 2011 earthquakes, plans for the exciting development include a brand new Catholic cathedral, a commercial building, a 600-space car park, diocese offices, apartments and commercial space.

"It is very exciting. It will be a fantastic addition to the city."

Thompson says the new precinct will open up the Avon River to the city and provide north-facing hospitality and retail.

"We will have tourists who will want to walk up there and extend New Regent Street."

"This is the vision, and then we will look at how we make it work," he says.

Thompson says the project budget and completion dates still need to be determined and will depend on how the project is funded.

Last May, however, Christchurch Diocese Administrator and Co-adjutor Archbishop of Wellington, Paul Martin predicted the precinct would take five years and might cost $100 million.

That amount included $40m for the cathedral.

As far as raising the money to pay for the project is concerned, Thompson says any and all options are being considered.

One option involves the diocese selling parts of the precinct as bare land, or developing and then selling them.

Another option could see the diocese divesting land or buildings.

While plans are being made, there is still much to be done before the first sod is turned.

One of the first tasks is to obtain resource consent, which will be sought in two stages.

At present, the diocese is seeking consent for the car park, diocese offices and priests' accommodation buildings.

Assuming consent is given, Thompson says work on this part of the project will begin next year. It will take about two years to complete.

Thompson says the second phase of the project will see the cathedral and the fourth building constructed.

Plans for the cathedral and a fourth building are not yet publicly available.

They will be submitted for resource consent separately, in about two months.

Last May, Christchurch firm Warren and Mahoney and American firm Franck & Lohsen were announced as the architects.

Franck & Lohsen, which will lead the design work, specialises in Catholic architecture.

Source

• Stuff
• Image: Stuff