The challenge of revitalising Taylor Square

BY MICK ROBERTS

The transformation of a tired Taylor Square into a fitting city gateway is another step closer.
Eminent urban design firm Jahn Associates have been given the challenge by the City of Sydney Council to develop ideas to beautify, revitalise and invigorate Taylor Square South.
Graham Jahn is researching the site, its history and issues, to develop design strategies for the area after a series of public workshops later in the year.
Following the workshops, Council will prepare a concept plan.
A City of Sydney spokeswoman said the project doesn’t seek to comprehensively redesign Taylor Square South.
‘It will build on the South Sydney City Council upgrade to make it more pedestrian friendly, lively, vibrant, attractive and safe,’ the spokeswoman told The City News.
Community representatives have welcomed the announcement saying Taylors Square presently gives a bad first impression to the city.
Nichols Street Community Group spokesman Brian Nichols said the Square is a gateway into the CBD and deserves better.
‘Residents understand City Council is planning re-development of the infamous ‘Gilligan’s Island’ and the water feature that rarely works,’ Mr Noad said.
He said 10 years ago, Taylors Square was interesting, quirky, friendly, and safe. ‘It was, of course, known as a gay and lesbian precinct with robust but good-natured late night activity,’ he said.
‘It was delightful. Over the past several years, however, the precinct has become a filthy, violent centre of drug and alcohol abuse.
‘Now Taylor Square is a central area for the gathering of drug-fuelled, aggressive young men and equally drunken young women who do not live in the area but inflict their anti-social and abusive behaviour on local residents,’ Mr Noad said.
As The City News reported earlier in the year, initial concept plans for Taylor Square North include the adaptive re-use of the substation and toilets, along with the creation of an iconic glass building, providing a dramatic asset to the urban landscape.
The Council spokeswoman said the building could house a 67 seat restaurant or café, operating as a meeting place, while balancing the cultural, heritage and social significance.
‘An expression of interest will test the market’s response to the concept and help identify suitable operators before public consultation begins,’ she said.
‘The Taylor Square plans are part of a broad strategy to revitalise Oxford Street while retaining its distinctive character.’
A key project is the Oxford Street Cultural Quarter Strategy. A co-coordinator, Deborah Mills has been appointed by Council to develop an Implementation Plan for the Strategy.
Deborah Mills, as the City’s new Oxford Street Cultural Quarter Coordinator, will start short term projects, while working on a model for the ongoing management of the area.
Key work for Taylor Square includes the redevelopment of Council-owned properties to achieve an attractive and lively precinct:
* Food, services and lifestyle emporium: a new multi-level retail hub offering fresh food and basic needs
* New shopfronts and lighting: the upgrade of shopfronts in an art-deco style that compliments heritage features of the area. The improved facades will also improve access and help strengthen the fashion and restaurant precinct, while cultivating creative commercial space.
* Mid range tourist facility: a proposal to develop 110-122 Oxford St into a boutique-style 47 room hotel, encouraging tourism to the cultural precinct, while supporting retail and major events like Mardi Gras
* Foley Street: refurbishment and retail expansion into Foley Street, providing a new link with Oxford street and the potential for innovative, cutting edge and quirky retail outlets
Mr Noad said while he welcomed the appointment of Ms Mills, he said Council needs to develop long-term projects for Oxford Street.
‘Residents say attracting international department stores is a fantastic idea, as well as more cafes, theatres, and anything cultural,’ he said.
‘And at least let buskers perform in Taylor Square after 10pm, to help bring at least some niceness to the square.
‘If necessary, small gay businesses could even be subsidized for a few years to establish themselves, subsidized by those nightclubs where gay bashers patronise.’