One council and two government-owned buildings remain on a list of problem sites, which the Christchurch City Council say are holding up the rebuild of central city.
The category 1 heritage building, the Odeon Theatre, was built in 1883. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham
In May the Christchurch City Council released a list of 30 buildings it said were barriers to the regeneration of the central city, and if left unrepaired, could lead to a negative perception of the city.
An updated version of the list shows there is progress on half of the buildings, ranging from under active improvement to positive dialogue and commitment to action.
It said there were 15 buildings on which there has been limited information, or the progress was unknown.
The council has warned it wants to encourage action to tidy up the sites, and if there is no progress it would look at measures such as new fees and charges, abatement notices or using the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act to undertake works or acquire the land.
The buildings on the list include the council's own building, Our City on Oxford Terrace, and two buildings acquired by Land Information New Zealand - The Odeon theatre and 216 Madras Street.
This Christchurch City Council-owned building was formerly the council offices. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham
The council is working on an updated report for its Strategic Capability Committee, but no-one was available to explain why the council has not been able to get any progress or information on its own building.
A council spokesperson said the council has recently agreed on a process and will shortly seek expressions of interest for uses for the Our City building.
Land Information New Zealand's group manager Canterbury Recovery Crown Property, Jeremy Barr, said his organisation was working closely with the council on progress on its two buildings on the list.
He said the building at 216 Madras Street was purchased by the Crown for the proposed multi-use stadium anchor project.
However, it shares a wall with the neighbouring building, the NG building, and its owners were not willing to sell to the Crown. Therefore the property is unlikely to be demolished until negotiations to acquire the NG building are completed.
This site in Madras Street is intended to be part of the proposed multi-use sports stadium. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham
The Odeon Theatre was inherited by LINZ from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.
Mr Barr said they were currently in discussion with Heritage New Zealand, who are undertaking an assessment of the building.
He said some of the building had already been demolished when LINZ acquired it.
"All of the seating area had been removed, so effectively what we've inherited is slightly more than a facade. There is probably three to four metres depth to it, but basically there is just the front part of it."
He said he hoped to have the assessment from Heritage New Zealand before Christmas.
"It's important to note that there has already been a lot of progress in the city and things are gaining some momentum around that. We are more than happy to work with the council to try and get the best outcome."
The council's head of Urban Regeneration, Ceciel DelaRue, said the progress on the list was due to efforts, cooperation and good will of building owners and council.
She said each site involved different circumstances, discussion and negotiations.
"Common matters arising include unresolved insurance matters or financing that is delaying redevelopment or repair opportunities. Staff offer a range of incentives and support to owners, these include buildings where heritage grants have been important to progress development."
She said if action was considered to be insufficient enforcement action might be taken, but this would be foreshadowed in a report to council.
