Wider footpaths, seating and planting are in place outside Wellington Town Hall as the completed Wakefield Street upgrade restores two-way traffic through the precinct.
The work includes paving at the new Town Hall entrance through the Annex, improvements to the southern footpath, new trees and green space, and reinstated car parks.
Wellington City Council chief operating officer James Roberts said the street would be more attractive for pedestrians and improve the connection between Lambton Quay and Te Aro.
The project completes street works around Te Ngākau Civic Square. Council, Tiaki Wai and other contractors coordinated underground and surface work to reduce repeated disruption.
The street reopening is separate from the return of Te Whare Whakarauika Town Hall. With Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library and City Gallery Te Whare Toi already back, Mayor Andrew Little said the Town Hall was next, in February, followed by the City to Sea Bridge in April.
The Town Hall is intended to provide music, recording, rehearsal and performance facilities alongside civic and community events. It will house a National Music Centre involving the council, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music, Te Kōkī.
