Forresters Lane upgrade

Forrester’s Lane is a private laneway off Tory Street, which is home to the Sustainability Trust, Forresters Lane bar and the soon-to-be created Paramount retail area. 

We are working closely with the businesses to regenerate the area to provide a safe, vibrant, inviting space that encourages people to visit the businesses located there.

Planned work

We are going to:

• highlight the lane entrance with a mural so it’s easier for people to find
• install energy efficient lighting to create a safer, brighter laneway 
• create a better pedestrian space outside the Sustainability Trust to make this area more inviting to pedestrians and encourage patrons of the Sustainability Trust to sit and enjoy the space
• install new low planters, planted out with natives, to increase the number of plants along the laneway and to improve sightlines
• move existing trees to the space outside Sustainability Trust.

Timeframe and traffic disruptions

There may be some times when getting up and down the lane will be harder than usual. We will try to keep disruption to a minimum and we will have signs in place to let you know what is going on and when. 

If we have to close the lane, or parts of the lane, for a period we will use signs and traffic lights or 'stop/go' people to manage access. 

Some of the privately owned car parks are being changed so there may be some interruption to car parking. We will let affected tenants and building owners know when this is happening. 

The project will take about three months to finish, if the weather gods are kind, slightly longer if they are not.

Background

As the population of the inner city continues to grow it is becoming more and more important to provide accessible and high quality greenspaces where people can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Laneways offer shorter and more attractive pedestrian routes through large city blocks. Our many laneway projects are part of a bigger plan to transform areas of the city centre to improve Wellington’s walkability and make it a more attractive and interesting place to visit and live.

Cost

Funding for all the laneways projects was allocated in the Long-Term Plan. Forresters Lane is a relatively small project which will cost under $150,000.

More information

If you want to keep up with this project we will be updating this webpage and emailing regular progress reports.

Call us on 04 499 4444 or email: UD.Forresters@wcc.govt.nz if you have questions.

Project updates

Update 2 – August 2018

Things are progressing well with the Forresters Lane upgrade work.

Over the next 2-3 weeks we will be installing a fence next to the Sustainable Trust.

We’ll be changing the parking arrangements at this end and moving the existing concrete tree planters into it to make a more accessible space for pedestrians and patrons.

Along the main stretch of the lane we’re taking out the timber bollards and replacing them with new corten planters. The planting of these will come a bit later, but once they are planted they will become community planters which the businesses and people in the street will maintain and care for. The Sustainable Trust is taking the lead on this but anyone in the lane can use them. 

The last piece of work will be the street lighting.

Update 1 – July 2018

Weaving and Waving (Forresters Lane Mural)
Artist: Laura Woodward

Forresters Lane is located in an historic area of the city centre. In early times, waves from the iconic Wellington Waterfront would have lapped much closer, bringing with them people and supplies for the manufacturing plants in the area. 

The title Weaving and Waving is a reference to the vitality of Wellington's picturesque harbour. It also describes the way people can cross the city, using its small blocks and many service ways to weave through the city on their own unique path.  

In Weaving and Waving a tubular shoot transports you from one end of the lane to the other along a meandering path and acts as an example of how to make the most of a compact city. 

When the distance between two points is not far, pedestrians can choose to take “long-cuts” and sightsee, to enjoy the journey and take pleasure in discovering hidden gems, histories and communities.

The installation of this bold mural marks the beginning of the work to refresh and regenerate this historic site.