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Creating the modern equivalent of a village green community hub is the latest aspiration of local business association, Silverdale Business.
The organisation hopes to create this hub, including a covered market, within the Pioneer Village at the top of Silverdale Street.
The proposal, presented to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board at its Community Forum last month, includes moving one of the historic buildings and constructing a substantial new building to provide cover for a 7-day a week, high quality market. It would also be a flexible space for community use, including entertainment.
Once the building is up, stallholders who currently operate on the street at the Saturday market in Silverdale Village could potentially be asked to move into it.
The plan also aims to increase opportunities for walking and cycling.
Silverdale Business chair Theo Simeonidis and committee member Gary Browne (who is leading the project) told the local board the idea is “to give Silverdale a heart”. They want a community-led approach to the development, with only limited Auckland Council involvement and funding.
“We see it as a way to bring the business association, local businesses and the community together,” Mr Browne said.
They asked local board members for their approval in principle, and received an enthusiastic response.
Silverdale Business will proceed to look at feasibility and ascertain community support for the project.
The organisation is liaising closely with the Silverdale & Districts Historical Society, which looks after the Pioneer Village. Its vice president, Paul Maguiness, says they are excited by the plans, and that a key thing for them will be a development that is sensitive to its historic surrounds.
