Widened footpaths to replace carparks in $5.4m upgrade to Gordon town centre

Widened footpaths will replace car parks in the Gordon town centre as part of a $5 million upgrade.

A concept image of the upgrade along St Johns Ave.

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Widened footpaths will replace car parks in the Gordon town centre as part of a $5.4 million upgrade.

A masterplan released by Ku-ring-gai Council has outlined a string of major works to breathe new life into the retail precinct and support its growing reputation as a food hub.

Describing the area as an “eat street”, the council said the upgrade would include replacing “patchwork paving” on St Johns Ave with widened walkways to encourage outdoor dining.

There would also be “fun food-themed” sculptures installed in Heritage Square, landscaping works and new “street trees”.

The upgrade will various works to the western side of Gordon Station.

A concept plan of the works on St Johns Ave.

Plans show 16 on-street carparking spaces will be removed on St Johns Ave to make way for the project.

Early feedback from business owners has proved mixed with concerns flagged over the potential impacts that reduced parking could have on fast food restaurants.

Curry Monitor owner Kumar Giri, however, said an upgrade to the street was “overdue” and would support the growing number of food retailers opening in the area.

“I’ve been running this restaurant for 10 years - when I started there were only five restaurants, now there are more than 30,” he said.

Before and after: Plan shows parking spaces would be replaced with widened footpaths.

“People keep moving into the area, the street is getting busier (and) there hasn’t been any upgrade here for a long time.

“Making the street more pedestrian friendly I think will be a good thing for the area.”

The council has proposed to offset the loss of carparking spaces with additional short term parking within the Wade Lane carpark.

Plans show the upgrade will also include raised pedestrian crossings, street lights and relocating the “kiss and ride” zone near Gordon Station to the western side of the Pacific Hwy.

An overview of the masterplan.

The council hopes the revamp will transform St Johns Ave into a “showcase” for the town centre.

“The upgrade may trigger renewed interest in the area and provide a community space which does not currently exist in Gordon,” the plan states.

Early feedback showed the key priority for residents included new trees, upgraded pavements and improvements to traffic flow.

Further community consultation is due to be held in August before plans are finalised.

The council has allocated $400,000 towards design costs and $5 million for construction in the 2021/22 financial year.