Vision for new Civic Link to connect Parramatta CBD to river

FORGET the grandeur of the Champs-Élysées in Paris or even Barcelona’s trendy Las Ramblas, Parramatta will soon have its own world-class pedestrian boulevard.

An artist impression of the planned Parramatta Civic Link.

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Forget the grandeur of the Champs-Élysées in Paris or even Barcelona’s trendy Las Ramblas, Parramatta will soon have its own world-class pedestrian boulevard.

Almost half a kilometre long and 20 metres wide, the boulevard will cover four city blocks, connecting the $2 billion Parramatta Square project to River Square and the Parramatta River City foreshore precinct.

Parramatta Council administrator Amanda Chadwick said the Civic Link aimed to create a vibrant, new public space extending to the Parramatta River foreshore.

The design will celebrate heritage buildings including the Roxy Theatre.

The design draws inspiration from the famous Las Ramblas in Barcelona.

“It will allow a new arts and cultural precinct to flourish with spaces for local businesses, small bars and cafes and collaborative work,” she said.

“The link will provide a vibrant, cultural spine that connects and activates key elements of the CBD and is a realisation of council’s ambition to create green, liveable streets.”

The draft concept design draws inspiration from internationally-acclaimed public spaces such as the High Line in New York and Las Ramblas in Barcelona, as well as celebrating specific heritage items within the corridor including Dr Pringle’s House, the Civic Arcade, and the Roxy Theatre.

The council is the majority land owner of the link, which includes the Horwood Place car park, which will be closed to make way for the development.

The project has been designed as a collaboration between ASPECT Studios and SJB.

ASPECT Studios director Sacha Coles said the Civic Link would be a highly connected place that links people with the city, nature and technology.

“The civic link will be unique to Parramatta. There is nothing quite like this anywhere in the world,” he said.

“At almost 500m long the Civic link will provide Parramatta with a sustainable, green, civic-promenade where by-day people will meet and work outside, kids and families will play, and visitors will stroll past urban gardens down to the river. By night it will provide the safe and dynamic platform to exhibit Parramatta’s vibrant arts and culture scene, with small bars, music and performance returning to the heart of the city.”

The council says the promenade will “allow a new arts and cultural precinct to flourish”.

The project will provide a pedestrian boulevard connecting Parramatta Square the river foreshore.

The plan now on public exhibition will be used to guide development along the Civic Link, with the first stage to be delivered as part of the Parramatta Square project. It is estimated the entire porject will take 10 years to deliver at a cost of $20 million.

“The proposed strategy would create a green heart for Sydney’s Central City with a North-South spine through the heart of the commercial core,” Ms Chadwick said.

The council is also seeking feedback on its Charles Street Square Strategy, which proposes a revitalised public domain at and around the ferry terminal.

Under the concept design the existing public space at the corner of Phillip and Charles streets, which will become known as the Charles Street Steps with the landscaped stairs serving as a meeting place as well as a centre for events.

It is estimated the entire boulevard will take 10 years to complete.

The High Line in New York City also provided inspiration for the design.

“Charles Street Square has been designed to provide a seamless transition from the river to the city,” Ms Chadwick said.

“The historic river journey will once again be celebrated as the steps become a new gateway into the city and a meeting place for residents, workers and visitors.”

The Charles Street Square project is set to be delivered as part of the Parramatta Quay precinct.

Other projects within the precinct include the proposed upgrade to Parramatta Ferry Wharf as part of the State Government’s Transport Access Program, and the Escarpment Boardwalk.