What exactly do we need a riverside for anyway?

[Nort]

With Labors win in the election it seems certain now that the RAH relocation will go ahead, which combined with the research center will use up a lot of the land there preventing it from acting as a riverside entertainment precinct.

There have been lots of ideas for riverside precincts that seem to rely on transplanting interstate concepts here. Melbournes Crown Casino and Brisbanes South Bank are often cited as prime examples. There appears however to be little thought given to the differences here.

In Adelaide the Torrens is essentially a lake. Aside from popeye cruises and paddleboats it serves no transportation use and almost purely exists for decorative means only. Brisbane is an entirely different matter as activity in the Brisbane CBD revolves around the river and Southbank feels like a natural extension of that.

I am not saying that any riverside developments are a bad thing, I am saying instead that we should be looking to those strengths which Adelaide already has. Rundle Mall is a bustling location during the day, and Rundle Street is popular at night. Why not look at more initiatives to increase nightlife in Rundle Mall? The restaurant kiosks are a good start, increasing the number of them through the mall would bring life and vibrancy into the evenings there. With increased foot traffic numbers it could become viable for some stores to open later. Once a certain level of activity is reached it increases itself naturally. More things to do attracts more people, which attracts more things to do and so it continues.

Adelaide is blessed with vast amounts of public parks, both inside and surrounding the CBD. They should be the jewel in our crown. Hindmarsh square is perfectly positioned to take spillover from Rundle Street/Rundle Mall. Imagine a beautifully landscaped public square with alfresco dining dotted around and nighttime entertainment. Victoria Square has so much potential, but I won't go there in this post since it has been done to death.

Many of the biggest cities in the world have both rivers, and great entertainment hotspots, with the two not colliding. Think of London and New York and the first names that jump into your head. I will bet that they aren't destinations based around staring at the river.

Yes, the land itself is useful, but while I want to see a bustling city as much as anyone you can't force it. It is a small town mentality to think we need to force everything into the CBD or else it won't look like we have enough. The Entertainment Center has an objectively great location right now close to train, tram, and bus routes while also sitting right on the city ring road. The same with Hindmarsh stadium, instead of moving the soccer stadium into the CBD why not instead extend the tram line right to the doorstep of Hindmarsh Stadium?

I am not suggesting that any of these are perfect solutions, just that the pessimism is unwarranted. There are great cities which had used up all their available space before Adelaide was even an outline in Lights sketchbook yet still today manage to fit in new and exciting things. I think we should look more at enhancing what makes Adelaide good and different before trying to wholesale copy other cities.

[olliepee]

I agree 100%. Working in the West End, and with a few good friends in the East End with businesses I know for a fact that something would have to give with a riverside entertainment area at this current point in time. And I'd bet on the riverside. It's too far away from residents, it's not a natural walkway and (IMO) would end up becoming a theme park of generic pubs, restaurants and bars. Completely lacking the culture and atmosphere of Adelaide. Hideous.

It's one reason I support Labours riverside upgrade - it's a small but very much needed 1st stage upgrade that would give people waiting for trains, tourists, and footie supporters somewhere to stay for a quick bite/drink before they moved on.

There are plenty of other natural places to grow into great spaces in Adelaide.

Oh, and Hindmarsh Stadium is already very much walking distance from the tramline now.

[Nort]

Oh, and Hindmarsh Stadium is already very much walking distance from the tramline now.

I know, it's a big psychological thing though. A bit like how the entertainment center is walking distance from a train station but I bet the park'n'ride wouldn't do as well if the government was suggesting people walk the distance to the train station. Simply having "Hindmarsh Stadium" as a destination on the front of the tram would do a lot more to encourage people to use it to get there.

[olliepee]

I know exactly what you mean. Maybe it's as simple as saying what is near each stop; like Rundle Mall.. 'for shopping and entertainment precients'? Perhaps there needs to be better signage on the stops? Advertising on trams? Icons on timetables/maps? All of the above?

[Aidan]

The problem isn't just access to Hindmarsh Stadium, it's also that the stadium itself is inadequate.

[Vee]

With Labors win in the election it seems certain now that the RAH relocation will go ahead, which combined with the research center will use up a lot of the land there preventing it from acting as a riverside entertainment precinct.

In Adelaide the Torrens is essentially a lake. Aside from popeye cruises and paddleboats it serves no transportation use and almost purely exists for decorative means only.

There is still an area of riverbank, particularly the area adjacent Elder Park / Festival Centre and the Convention Centre that is crying out for rejuvenation. I passed through this area recently during the Festival and realised how dead and barren it is. The cafe? and outdoor area at riverside level is quite sad really.

The Festival Centre bistro (which tries to look out over the riverbank) has a great location but is stuck in a time warp in the Dunstan era. This could be a real winner with an extension, clever design and modern refurbishment.

I would love to see the popeye brought into the 21st century. (The new modern, bright trams act as a magnet to residents and visitors alike. Why not a modern popeye?)

I do love the idea of the footbridge to connect both sides of the riverbank. Build it soon!

[Nort]

The problem isn't just access to Hindmarsh Stadium, it's also that the stadium itself is inadequate.

For what right now? It's very rare for matches there to be sold out, and if Adelaide United ever reaches a point where the ground is regularly being filled there is plenty of space on the site for more seating.

If you want to host a world cup game then yes, but we shouldn't be making major infrastructure decisions for the city based on a handful of matches that could possibly be played in a few years maybe.

[jk1237]

If the RAH goes west, what about an entertainment precinct for the old hospital site. The grand old redbrick buildings lining North Tce and Frome Rd are heritage listed and (rightfully so) will be kept, however all the other Soviet style buildings will be flattened and the land given to the Botanic Gardens. I hope about 60% is given into parklands but I hope 40% is kept for something urbanish. Theres thousands of uni students to give its day time vibe, its near to the east end precinct, and its right next to one of our major tourist attractions - the Botanic Gardens, and the old architecture remanining will give it a more sophisticated entertainment style than some Darling Harb type project which can be a bit tacky. I think this will connect better with the city than a brand new entertainment precinct way out on the railyards

[Nort]

If the RAH goes west, what about an entertainment precinct for the old hospital site. The grand old redbrick buildings lining North Tce and Frome Rd are heritage listed and (rightfully so) will be kept, however all the other Soviet style buildings will be flattened and the land given to the Botanic Gardens. I hope about 60% is given into parklands but I hope 40% is kept for something urbanish. Theres thousands of uni students to give its day time vibe, its near to the east end precinct, and its right next to one of our major tourist attractions - the Botanic Gardens, and the old architecture remanining will give it a more sophisticated entertainment style than some Darling Harb type project which can be a bit tacky. I think this will connect better with the city than a brand new entertainment precinct way out on the railyards

There were rumours a couple of years ago that Skycity was eying off the site, however I haven't heard anything like that lately.

[flavze]

The problem isn't just access to Hindmarsh Stadium, it's also that the stadium itself is inadequate.

For what right now? It's very rare for matches there to be sold out, and if Adelaide United ever reaches a point where the ground is regularly being filled there is plenty of space on the site for more seating.

If you want to host a world cup game then yes, but we shouldn't be making major infrastructure decisions for the city based on a handful of matches that could possibly be played in a few years maybe.

there's space for more seating, but i wouldn't call it plenty. It's more the facilities thats the problem, a severe lack of general spectator facilities is clearly evident whenever the crowd gets over 10k and the lack of sufficient corporate facilities is a major reason as to why AUFC is losing money.
It's a great stadium for watching the game in nice weather but it also is very unconfortable in extreme hot or cold and wet conditions, i'm undecided on wether it's worth spending money on upgrading it ever or building a new rectangular stadium of around 25-35k capacity in a better located posistion that can later be expanded to meet further needs down the track.