Masterton's Queen St is due for a facelift early next year. Photo: LDR/SUE TEODORO
Central Masterton is set for a makeover early next year, with details being shared closer to the time.
A spokesperson for Masterton District Council said last week while exact details were still to be confirmed, plans were being made to ensure pedestrian access to retail outlets remained and was encouraged.
"Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project and the community are encouraged to keep shopping local while the work is happening," they said.
Support for retailers and shoppers during construction would include workshops, advertising, signage, window cleaning, and giveaways.
"We are in discussions about a possible "shop and win competition", working with Brent Gare and the team at Mediaworks, but this is still very early days so we don't know what it will look like yet."
The spokesperson said there would always be pedestrian access to shops, with giveaways planned to help keep Queen St busy.
The Queen St focussed project involves critical infrastructure upgrades, including the replacement of the ageing water main, road resurfacing, and the reconstruction of footpaths to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early March, after the Golden Shears and Shearing World Championships, and is expected to be completed within six months.
Contractors will remove and replace everything currently on the footpath including bins, benches, and trees.
The work will be done in three sections from Jackson St to Park St, with the schedule to be finalised.
Road closures would be notified on the council's website and through the Antenno app. Free public parking maps would be available from participating stores and the council office.
Council group manager of infrastructure and assets, Maseina Koneferenisi, said the project would deliver secure water infrastructure for the town's future while working alongside local retailers to shape the CBD's look and feel.
"We've been listening to our business community about their vision for Queen St. The recent business summit kicked off conversations about local aspirations as part of our Our Future Our Story project and the Masterton Retail and Commercial Strategy, and this upgrade gives us a chance to bring some of those ideas to life," she said.
"Discussions will continue with retailers around on-street upgrades to incorporate what works for their customers and what will make Queen St a better place to visit and do business."
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
