Town centre set for facelift
Major changes could soon be coming to the centre of town, with a City of Albany-led community committee hard at work on a plan to revitalise the central business district.
City strategy and improvement facilitator Steve Grimmer said the plan would be informed by a previous strategy put together in 2010, which was apparently shelved amid the turbulence of the time.
Mr Grimmer said there were four main areas being considered — improved traffic and parking, enhanced streetscape aesthetics, a revitalisation of the town centre area from Alison Hartman Gardens to the Town Hall and a possible extension of the UWA campus.
Possible ideas discussed so far have included a roundabout at the intersection of York Street and Serpentine Road to control traffic flow and creating a shared community space between the library and town hall.
Mr Grimmer said that area could suit the Albany Farmers’ Markets, which are currently held in a car park on Collie Street.
He said there was also potential for UWA to extend to some of the old education buildings around and behind the library.
However, he stressed planning was in a very early stage and nothing had been decided yet.
“We are very keen to engage the community during the process,” he said.
The committee consists of Albany architect David Heaver, arts representative Jan Waterman, Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Russell Clark, UWA Albany director Jennifer O’Neill, a Department of Transport representative and city councillors and staff members.
It has met four times with another meeting scheduled for today.
Mr Grimmer expects the strategy will be completed by June.
The project is expected to link in with a separate strategy to revamp the waterfront area near the Brig Amity and WA Museum.
If you have any ideas for the revitalisation of York Street, email subsdesk@albanyadvertiser.com and share them.
