South Dunedin Library and Community Complex to be built sooner than expected

The Dunedin City Council has partnered with local property investor Positive Property Limited (PPL) which means a new library and community complex for South Dunedin will now be built sooner than planned, with a new location secured for the long-awaited facility.

Council has agreed to purchase a new building to be constructed at 138-156 King Edward Street – the site of the old Wolfenden and Russell building – as the home for the new South Dunedin Library and Community Complex.

Mayor Jules Radich notes “this is a prime site in the heart of the South Dunedin community and the new facility will really help to bring people together.

“As well as providing a library and DCC service centre, the new complex will also provide space for community use including meeting rooms, creative and IT learning spaces, plus a recording studio. It will have wide a range of uses and I’m sure it will appeal to a wide range of people.”

These features were identified by a 2019 Community Co-design Panel as being important to the community. The panel included representatives from sectors including mana whenua, disability advocacy, older people, child and youth, migrant and refugee communities, Pasifika, local businesses, community support, environment, and residents from across South Dunedin.

Mayor Radich added “the end result will be a stunning, welcoming facility, in a convenient location, which everyone can be proud of. This is an exciting development for South Dunedin and for the city.”

Eleanor Doig, former South Dunedin Community Network Chair and a member of the Community Co-design Panel enthused “we are thrilled that we will finally have our long awaited Library in South Dunedin, and in such a wonderfully central space.”

Council had originally planned to develop the site it owns at 278 King Edward Street into the new library and community complex.

However, Council has recently worked with local property investor and owner of 138-156 King Edward Street, Positive Property Limited (PPL), on a proposal to build the new library and community complex there. PPL purchased the site after a fire destroyed the old Wolfenden and Russell buildings in 2020.

The matter was recently considered by the Council, which voted unanimously in favour of the proposal to purchase the land and the building to be constructed at the old Wolfenden and Russell site because it can be built sooner and more cost-effectively than originally planned.

PPL will build a two-storeyed building to a shell stage, and the DCC will then complete the fit out. In total, this is estimated to cost $21.4million with the fit out concept still under development. This is significantly less than the latest high-level estimate for the demolition of existing buildings at 278 King Edward St and the construction including fit out of a new complex there.

It is expected the new facility could now be open by mid-2025, whereas work on 278 King Edward Street wasn’t due to begin until at least 2025.

PPL Director Justin Stott shared “I grew up in South Dunedin and am proud and excited to help play a part in revitalising this special area. This site is a great location for what will be a popular and well-used community facility. I can’t wait to see it come to fruition.”

Artist’s impression of new building at 138-156 King Edward Street. Credit Dunedin City Council.