Bank St parklets doomed for failure from outset, says property owner

ONE of Bank Street’s largest landlords says he warned the State Government a $1 million upgrade of the strip would cause trouble.

A PROMINENT business identity and one of Bank Street’s largest landlords says he warned the State Government against a $1 million upgrade of the city street arguing it would lead to trouble.

Luke Koumi, who with his wife owns the building on the western corner of Bank and Hindley streets, has added weight to calls for a rethink of the upgrade of the street linking Hindley St and North Tce.

Mr Koumi, whose property is home to tenants including Cibo, Zambrero and the Motel Adjacent Casino, said he met with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure during a consultation period before last year’s upgrade, which included installing raised seating areas called ‘parklets’.

“At the time I put forward the opinion that the installation of the parklets was not only an ugly development but it would lead to problems relating to anti-social behaviour and cleanliness,” he said.

“I warned that the parklets would be used as toilets and sleeping quarters.

“I saw what would happen and I told them that and basically they told me that they didn’t believe that would happen.

“I knew this because prior to the redevelopment of the ground floor of our property the tenant at the time had the unenviable task of cleaning the deposits from the previous night away from her front door, located in an alcove, before she could open for business.

“What hope was there that the parklets would not be used for the same purpose?”

Mr Koumi said he had hopes of Bank St becoming similar to the upgraded Leigh St when the upgrade was first mooted, but this had failed to materialise.

He said Bank St would be better served by removing the parklets, levelling the street off so there were no gutters and giving traders outdoor tables and chairs that would be packed up when businesses closed.

“I believe that would have been a much less expensive and aesthetically pleasing outcome than that which we have now,” Mr Koumi said.

“The sooner the parklets are removed to a more suitable location and Bank St is upgraded in a manner recognising the unique challenges of its location the better.”

But Mr Koumi is not holding his breath things will change in a hurry.

“It cost $1 million and governments are loathe to think that they are wrong,” he said.

Concerns about the Bank St upgrade attracting more anti-social behaviour peaked last weekend after a fracas involving more than 100 people on the street on Friday night.

Traders called for better lighting and policing of the strip to prevent people sleeping, urinating and loitering in the parklets.

The Government’s upgrade was designed to turn the street into a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare linking Adelaide Oval and North Tce with the city’s entertainment precinct.