Debate Argument in Support of Option 2: Purchase an Existing Building and Establish an Arts Hub

Introduction: The proposal to establish an arts hub by purchasing and refurbishing an existing building in Nelson has garnered significant support from the community, as evidenced by the numerous positive comments received during the public consultation phase. This option aligns with the city's strategic goals to enhance the arts and creativity sector, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution.

Community Support and Sentiment: The sentiment analysis from the public submissions shows a strong positive response towards Option 2, with a mean positive sentiment of 0.1678, significantly higher than the other options. This indicates a robust community backing and a collective vision for a vibrant arts scene in Nelson.

Economic and Environmental Considerations: Many residents have expressed that utilizing an existing building for the arts hub is not only a cost-effective approach but also environmentally prudent. This option reduces the need for new construction, thereby minimizing environmental impact and preserving the architectural heritage of Nelson. The adaptive reuse of buildings is seen as a way to revitalize the city center, potentially increasing property values and business opportunities in the surrounding areas.

Cultural and Social Impact: The arts hub is envisioned as a central point for cultural and social interactions, which is crucial for the community's well-being. Comments highlighted the potential of the arts hub to bring back Nelson's reputation as a cultural center, attract tourists, and provide a space for local artists to thrive. The hub could serve multiple purposes, not only for art exhibitions but also for workshops, youth activities, and other community events, making it a versatile community asset.

Inclusivity and Accessibility: Submissions emphasized the importance of the arts hub being accessible to a diverse range of people, including those from lower-income households. The central location would facilitate easier access for all residents, promoting inclusivity and ensuring that the arts are a part of everyone's life in Nelson. This aligns with the broader goals of social equity and community cohesion.

Long-term Sustainability: The long-term vision for the arts hub includes not just immediate benefits but also future growth and sustainability. Comments suggested that while the initial focus might be on refurbishing an existing building, there could be scope for expansion or even moving to a purpose-built facility if required in the future. This flexible approach ensures that the arts hub can evolve according to the community's needs and the sector's growth.

Conclusion: Option 2, which proposes the purchase and refurbishment of an existing building for an arts hub, stands out as the most supported and viable option. It balances economic efficiency with environmental considerations, fosters cultural enrichment, and promotes social inclusivity. The overwhelming positive response from the community underscores the collective desire for a dedicated space that supports and enhances the arts, making Nelson a cultural beacon once again. This option not only meets the current needs but also provides a foundation for future cultural development in the city.

Comments

Option_Selected	Comment
Option 2	It is important to have a hub but does not need to be a new building. Possibly in the long term, if the growth and impact of this service requires a more suitable hub.
Option 2	Our preference is for Nelson CBD to a single building house art, library, and conference facilities in one place.  The Blenheim conference center is a good example.What Nelson really needs is a community building with the necessary support services wrapped around it that will allow 24/7 patronage
Option 2	Purchase an existing building of which there appear to be quite a few in the city that could be made fit for purpose.
Option 2	This will help to ensure a vibrancy in the city centre
Option 2	purchase a building and have an environmentally conscious architect upgrade the building. Have a local group build the fit out out of reused materials, creating a showcase of whats possible locally and supporting a potential new industry of reclaiming and reusing
Option 2	This is a fantastic proposal and would be an amazing asset for the Nelson community.
Option 2	Nelson lost its way on arts when ir allowed WOW to go to Wellington and swell those coffers.At that time a truly ambitious arts and concert hall,allowing for big concerts and performances could have been constructed instead of ‘messing around’ with the Trafalgar centre ,still a white elephant.A little vision and ambition could bring NZ opera,ballet,orchestras as well as major pop and other performer. Blenheim managed this!,
Option 2	I fully support council investing in our arts community, it's a vital part of Nelson's DNA and delivers significant value. I particularly appreciate the services provided by the community art hub and would like to see investment to secure its future.
Option 2	The arts are critical in generating a positive vibe in the city! There is so much thinking and action in the arts community on how we can make our city the Arts Capital of Aotearoa New Zealand - as it used to be when I first arrived in 1982. We have lost that impetus and need to re-gain it. An arts hub will be pivotal for increased collaboration and better use of all resources and personnel committed to this area. The arts sector is on a roll - it needs a central hub to really capitalise on the momentum created by MakeShift Spaces and many others working in this space.
Option 2	I strongly support the need for a new arts hub building in Nelson, but adaptive reuse of an existing building is the most cost effective and environmentally sound way forward.However, the long-term sustainability and suitability of any chosen building must be fully investigated, with input from the communities and organisations which will use the building
Option 2	If the budget was not outrageous then I would not say no to new building BUT it would have to be put forward for community consultation...
Option 2	…be great to combine art hub with youth hub for a vibrant setting and get 2 birds with one stone.  They would complement each other as  the arts poses as somewhat high one the ‘cool’ factor with the youth and could bring a lot of worth to our community.  Other great combinations are daycares with senior homes.  Haha….getting off topic
Option 2	There is plenty of empty buildings in Nelson, better to make use of existing facilities than build new
Option 2	Please try to involve a possibility to have indoor skateboarding as part of the hub. I don't need to be a whole skatepark, just a mini ramp that's 6m x 12m. Skate Nelson Bays will be open to help fund raise the money to have the ramp built
Option 2	an arts space specifically for youth would also be great - if that could be included as part of the arts hub, that would be great.
Option 2	This would be a valuable addition to increase the name Nelson has already of being an art centre.  However, it is important this does not reduce the annual support to the iconic arts centres; Nelson Centre for Musical Arts and Theatre Royal.  We cannot lose them.
Option 2	as a Fibre  creative I would like to see space for exhibitions.
Option 2	Nelson used to be defined by it's artists. We have many beautiful buildings downtown that sit empty that could be repurposed for art! Bring the arts back to Nelson and give us a large music/performance venue either in an old building or build a new one. This is vital to Nelson.
Option 2	The Community Art Works should have a new home within the new arts hub, they have served the nelson community and city council for over 25 years
Option 2	I would say option 2 and as the city continue downtown redevelopment - look to either increase that space with other buildings acquired or renovated or go option 3. The arts are important to a community but they also can't be forced by the public sector so whichever option goes, it needs to be sure that there is plenty of breathing room for the artist community without public sector intervention.
Option 2	More space for community workshops. It would be great to have a multi use facility with art groups, cooking groups, yoga classes, craft groups etc being able to hire out for free if not for profit or at a low charge if for profit. We have such a huge community of florists, cake decorators, potters etc etc. There's potential for some really cool classes to be run, both as passion projects and a career via hire rooms. This would be excellent for people in their 20s to 30s as well as there is a severe lack of facilities for people my age here.
Option 2	The strong creative community in Nelson draws visitors from all over. Let's get our creative industries recognised and supported better! An Arts hub or precinct would be such an asset for the community.
Option 2	Nelson should continue to support and celebrate the arts
Option 2	ACN fully support this initiative.
Option 2	Council needs to up its spending on the arts and bring it into parity with sports funding.
Option 2	Community Artworks has been a hugely valuable resource for Nelson art and culture. I know many amazing masks and props have been made their for shows festivals like the Mask Parade. It's absolutely vital CAW is given a fit-for-purpose space to use so it can continue the amazing services and support it offers our community.
Option 2	We recognise that art and culture is essential to people’s wellbeing. We believe money should be put into existing arts spaces that have been running on shoestring budgets.There needs to be consideration of the location, accessibility of the arts hub for a diverse range of people, lower-income households etc. Cultural Conversations would be interested in being part of a new arts hub. There needs to be recognition of the importance of language access and culturally appropriate resources to create an inclusive and diverse art space.
Option 2	PAGE 37-38 ARTS HUB
Option 2	NPHS Te Waipounamu supports the purchase of an existing building and establishment of an arts hub. There is a growing body of evidence showing how arts and creativity can make a significant difference to people’s health and wellbeing.10 NPHS strongly recommends that equity and inclusiveness is considered in all aspects of the facility, including all ages, demographics and physical abilities.
Option 2	Purchase Cement Factory and create a new Art Hub in its place
Option 2	Arts is Essential for our future
Option 2	Make use of an existing building while improving capacity for the arts in nelson sounds good, doesn’t seem worth it to build a whole new purpose built hub i think there are plenty of spaces in nelson that the arts hub could function from
Option 2	This option seems to be the less impactful to the environment and perhaps the least expensive?
Option 2	Overview: ‘Basic Assumptions’a) Climate Change: It was of some concern to see the LTP document subtitled“Beyond the Storm”, as if the recent storm events were an exception. However, onfurther reading I was pleased to see climate change is acknowledged as affectingour climate with the probability of more extreme weather events in and aroundNelson. The LTP does recognise the vulnerability of much of Nelson’sinfrastructure to the effects of weather; sea (coastal) and earthquake plus theprobability of regular on-going cost to repair; replace and upgrade infrastructure.This will be an increasing and on-going cost to NCC.b) Demographics: It was good to see the likely ageing population recognised (from21% to 26% over 65). This was stated to provide more on fixed incomes and howthat might affect rate increases. However, it did not make mention of how thatmay affect the housing needs. Older people generally look to downsize to smaller,easy-care dwellings such as apartments or units. This could/should free up largerhouse for younger couples? Plan Change 29 does make provision for this change.Plan Change 29 also states: “Enabling the intensification of development onland…………….that is not within areas potentially affected by significant naturalhazards” [My highlighting] This provision has certainly not hindered, to date, theproposed Mahitahi/Kaka Valley development in the Maitai Valley!c) Vested Assets: These are assets paid for by developers and vested to Council. Theassumption is that “vested assets will remain the same over the term of the plan”.However, is this an accurate assumption? I do not think so!Firstly it is agreed in the LTP that climate events are likely to be more extreme asin a) above. Will not this potentially INCREASE the maintenance of these latervested assets? I would say “YES”Secondly, this assumption makes no provision for the possible/probabledevelopment of Mahitahi/Kaka Valley during the term of the LTP. Thedevelopment area has steep slopes; and a flood-prone valley floor. Back-up waterfrom a large flood can be damaging enough, but stormwater if not contained onsteep slopes can cause serious damage to infrastructure, let alone down-streamdamage. This would all become NCC’s responsibility. It could even create aliability for buying-out houses if the damage was serious enough. Has this beenconsidered? I do not think so!Thirdly, there will be accelerated run-off from the hillside development inMahitahi/Kaka Valley. As we saw in Atawahai in the recent storm events (andpossibly other places) even with holding tanks in place, these only provide a shortdelay until overwhelmed by the water! And what of all the down-stream effects?Pollution; erosion and perhaps more serious flooding along the lower Maitai?Conclusion: I do not want to see NCC take over responsibility for a high-riskvested asset in the form of the proposed Mahitahi/Kaka Valleydevelopment. We have enough infrastructure at risk. Why take on more?The on-going cost is hard to predict, but it has been dismissed as “similar tocurrent” However other parts of the LTP acknowledge that extreme weather is anincreasing risk. As a ratepayer, I DO NOT want Council to take on more risk if theycan avoid it. That is not smart management in my view!I have objected to the proposed Mahitahi/Kaka Valley development from thestart. It is the wrong place for an intensive subdivision. It will not enhance thequality of life in Nelson/NCC ; it will in fact detract. The adverse impacts havebeen well-documented such that around 13,000 people have petitioned againstthe development.The storm events of recent times have highlighted the fragility of much of the NCCenvironment.One of the NCC’s Long Term Plans is to phase out commercial forestry from theland surrounding Nelson, and why is that? It was found that the land under pineforest was far more prone to slipping in heavy rain events than under nativeforest. (I was involved in one of the workshops where it was explained anddiscussed). Perhaps this suggests that for consistency, much of the Kaka Valleyshould be replanted into native forest?The Mahitahi/Kaka Valley is a development with very high-risk environmentalconsequences both during its development and once vested to Council. They areforeseeable risks that can and should be avoided. My understanding is that todate, the developers have not provided any modelling to analyse these risks, sohow can NCC simply “accept” that eventually the development will be vested toCouncil?I object to NCC being seen to support the proposed Mahitahi/Kaka Valleydevelopment by allocating funds to provide supporting infrastructure to this highriskdevelopment in a highly sensitive area of the Maitai River.Graeme Ferrier
Option 2	Essential to Nelson's future
Option 2	A thriving arts community is vital for community well-being. So we support this again, but as with previous comments - that all projects are viewed through a climate lens and therefore all steps of the procurement and modification process be as low-emission as possible.
Option 2	We support investment in the Arts Hub and the proposal to purchase an existing building. The region is proud of its arts and creativity sector and we know it has been an important of Nelson's branding over decades We encourage council to ensure that this building is in the city centre. The presence of the Refinery Art Space on Hardy Street has been beneficial to the Arts Sector and to surrounding businesses. With Magenta Art Space now located in Selwyn Place on the other side of Rutherford Mews it makes sense to locate it in close proximity.
Option 2	We recognise the importance of art and culture in people’s wellbeing. There needs to be consideration of the location, accessibility of the arts hub for a diverse range of people, lower-income households etc.  As Nelson is becoming increasingly diverse, we need to ensure this is a multicultural space representative of our residents, and to recognize the importance of language access and culturally appropriate resources to create an inclusive and diverse art space.
Option 2	8Arts Hub: Support option 2. I also think it would be a good fit with a new library so temporary premises will be required.
Option 2	I feel that this would do much to establish a more vibrant Arts presence in Nelson and attract creative persons.
Option 2	27 April 2024
Option 2	The Arts is a key differentiator for Nelson which has been lost a bit over the years. We still have so much talent in the region, its just hard to see it or find ut. The Arts Hub is a fantastic idea to revitalise this sector and help put Nelson back on the map.
Option 2	Note - I have a conflict of interest here as a consultant to NCC on the arts. Absolutely support the retrofit and retention of existing buildings. I encourage a wider consideration around a network of arts hubs - including provision for Āwhio Toi, Community Art Works (CAW), Magenta, The Refinery etc and recognition of our privately held strengths such as The Kiln, The Bench, Centre for Fine Woodwork etc.It is critical we support organisations doing it tough right now to find suitable accommodation and establish a new central arts hub in one of the existing buildings crying out for occupancy and use.
Option 2	Please consider having a mixture of spaces for community groups; bookable spaces for short term projects; and long term leases for artists. The space needs to be supported by both an exhibition space and a separate dealer gallery/ retail shops to allow emerging artists to trial how the community responds to their work both artistically and as a saleable product. Shops in this complex have the potential to be vibrant drawcards that will attract both locals and tourists.
Option 2	lets use some of the empty space we have. If we determine we need to build. Then that is also preferable.
Option 2	I  fully support the arts scene in Nelson, it is one of the reasons we live here.
Option 2	Utilize buildings that are already standing.  Stop spending on new builds.
Option 2	In full support of the establishment of an Arts Hub, plus the expansion of Nelson Arts Council into an Arts Development Agency as part of He TaaTai Whetu. So much good work is done by ACN, with the potential for so much more.
Option 2	I would like to see arts promoted and funded as much as sport is.
Option 2	there is a perfectly empty space in that big yellow or green building in Montgomery Square that has nothing happening with it. Why not put the art hub in there? Bonus: have it open on weekends and public holidays to take advantage of the markets on. Yes you loose parking spaces to it but I think that is a good use of a vacant building
Option 2	Our learners would like to see their culture art and crafts publicly displayed, whether at a dedicated arts hub or at a public facility like a library or museum. They would like to show off their culture to others in Nelson, and seeing their culture displayed would also enhance their sense of inclusion in the community. Our learners who live in Stoke would like to see more cultural offerings near them, as well as in the city centre. One very common theme that was raised when we talked with the learners about what they would like in their city was a place they could use to host cultural shows and community festivals. We would like to suggest that the proposed arts hub incorporate a space for hire, for community groups.
Option 2	The arts sector is an integral part of our identity and our economy.
Option 2	this should also include a music venue for 500 to 1000 people think the old artery
Option 2	With the destruction of The Hub in New Street Nelsons art and youth community has suffered, I fully support a new arts hub.
Option 2	Will fill a number of critical gaps.  Thank you for getting on with this.
Option 2	As manager of the Refinery ArtSpace I firmly support the second option. Permanent premises in the CBD that provide accessible, affordable making spaces for the community can only lead to favourable outcomes. The Refinery ArtSpace  (Arts Conucil Nelson) provides an important programme of exhibitions and events that encourage community and innovation in the arts as well as being a connector and cruciable for other arts organisations and initiatives. A permanent home in the CBD will provide an anchor point for the creative community with the Arts Developmemt Agency housed there and along with strategic partners will foster a vibrant inner city creative culture that attracts residents and visitors and cements us as a creative centre.
Option 2	But please be mindful of wasteful spending in doing so, who ever has this portfolio!
Option 2	This needs to be progressed as quickly as possible.
Option 2	Arts is chronically underfunded, has the ability to bring people to nelson, livens up out city so it needs some extra support.
Option 2	The purchase of a historic building that is under private ownership and not being maintained would be an ideal option, so that history can be preserved and a building that represents art of the past with art of the future combined.
Option 2	I'm actually torn between options two and three, but if a suitable building can be found I'll live with option two. The arts is every bit as important as sports. What I ultimately want to see is a modern performing arts centre like Blenheim has - seating maybe up to 2,000 people. With amazing acoustics.
Option 2	But why just an arts hub?  Why not a community hub?  Still repurpose existing buildings.  It could have a community garden, community meeting spaces, community run zero waste cafe.  The wider community needs a hub in the cbd, especially as more people start moving into the city.
Option 2	Comment:
Option 2	The work that Arts Council Nelson (ACN) is about to embark on will transform the arts sector here in Whakatu. The Arts Development Agency could achieve even more if, in partnership with Council, its' current building is purchased to assist with the delivery of objectives outlined in He Tātai Whetū, including the establishment of an arts hub, artists residencies, artists studios, administrative offices for arts, marketing, festival development, and a strong arts community who can easily connect and collaborate within this space.
Option 2	This needs to allow community to participate not just watch professionals take part. Public interaction and participation in creating art is really important
Option 2	Arts HubTBCA supports Option 2 – the purchase of an existing building to refurbish and establish as a permanent arts hub in Nelson TBCA believes that a dedicated physical space for arts and creativity would further activate arts in the city centre by providing a workshop, gallery and office space as well as a place to connect, collaborate and coordinate efforts across the sector, allowing it both to deliver best outcomes and thrive.
Option 2	NRDA supports the proposal to establish an arts hub in the city centre through purchase of an existing building (Arts Hub Option 2), as a follow-through of the Nelson Arts and Creative Strategy, He Tātai Whetū, to enhance the Creative Economy, with further implications for talent and investment attraction, and enhancement of the visitor economy.
Option 2	Please see attached submission