WORK has begun on turning the Marketplace’s Forsyth Street carpark into new shops – and now a prominent Wagga business figure believes turning the thoroughfare into a pedestrian mall should be considered.
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When its redevelopment is complete, the Marketplace will boast 20 additional retailers and employ more than 100 extra people across the centre.
With the carpark off Forsyth Street to go to make way for the new shops, Wagga Business Chamber president Tim Rose believes the time is right to explore the potential of a pedestrian mall along the road currently dividing the CBD’s two major shopping centres.
“I think (a pedestrian mall) distinguishes a town a little bit,” he said.
“It gives a focal point for people to come – they understand this is a place to shop.”
Mr Rose believes council should investigate the idea given pedestrian malls have worked in other centres.
Others, however, are split on the idea of where a pedestrian mall in the CBD should be located.
Committee4Wagga chief executive Chris Fitzpatrick suggested parts of Baylis Street would present as a better candidate for closing off traffic for shopping.
According to the man heading up the Marketplace redevelopment, ISPT development services general manager Chris McCluskey, enhancing the centre’s Forsyth Street interface is one of the project’s key goals.
The development is set to attract major national chains to the centre, with a focus on bringing those never seen before in Wagga to town according to Mr McCluskey.
“We’re looking for national, and selectively any internationals (tenants) that want to be present in Wagga,” he said.
The centre’s Baylis Street entrance is set to be revitalised, with plans to bring more eateries to the area to create a vibrant alfresco dining precinct.
The Marketplace’s redevelopment is the first major extension to the complex since it was built in 1997. A minor cosmetic refurbishment was undertaken in 2006.
The redevelopment is scheduled to be completed in June next year.