Calls are intensifying for the Christchurch City Council to consider compulsory acquisition of a long-vacant building at 52 New Brighton Mall to advance redevelopment plans in the seaside suburb. The former SaveMart building has stood empty for over a decade, with previous council attempts to purchase the property having failed.

The building was identified in May as one of six properties impeding New Brighton's revitalisation efforts. Councillors and community board members have urged the council to invoke its powers under the Public Works Act to compel the sale, with some describing the situation as the council being “held to ransom” by the property owner.

Last month, Grant Doonan, the building’s owner, submitted a consent application seeking to reinforce the structure to reach 34 percent of the current New Building Standard. While Doonan has expressed a desire to rejuvenate the premises before the summer months, he has not provided further details, and did not respond to requests for comment last week.

The council’s interest in the property stems from plans to extend Oram Avenue through the mall to Hawke Street, creating a new north-south corridor that is expected to foster commercial activity such as cafes, bars, and restaurants. The orientation of the corridor is designed to maximise sunlight exposure and offer protection from prevailing winds, aligning with the objectives laid out in the New Brighton Master Plan launched in 2015.

Progress has been made in recent years, including the acquisition and demolition of a neighbouring former Westpac Bank building to establish a pedestrian pathway linking to the Hawke Street car park. However, the project falls short of the master plan’s vision, which indicates a road passing through the site of the SaveMart building.

Burwood ward councillor Kelly Barber expressed frustration that the issue remains unresolved after so many years, calling for tighter deadlines on negotiations. “We’re basically being held to ransom by landowners standing in the way of council plans,” Barber said, suggesting a one-year period for reaching an agreement before pursuing compulsory acquisition.

Similarly, Coastal ward community board member Alex Hewison argued that the building owner has stalled New Brighton’s progress for over a decade and advocated for the council to take stronger action. Hewison warned that without intervention, the project risks being abandoned, noting the significant investments already made by both the council and private developers.

Council representatives maintain that plans to create the north-south corridor remain a priority, with a preference to secure the SaveMart building through negotiation but remaining open to alternative solutions. They emphasised no final decisions have been made regarding the timing, location, or details of the project. However, officials indicated that compulsory acquisition is considered a last resort, given the high legal requirements involved, and that the building is not currently impeding progress since the council’s immediate focus is completing a $4.2 million upgrade of Brighton Mall, a project slated over several years.

Coastal ward councillor Celeste Donovan supported exploring all avenues, including compulsory acquisition, to ensure progress. “What I’m looking for is progress, whatever that looks like. We should be exploring all avenues,” Donovan said, calling for urgency and for staff to report on the range of options available, noting that the master plan is several years old and may require updating.

The council’s ongoing discussions highlight the challenge of balancing redevelopment ambitions with the rights and intentions of private property owners as Christchurch seeks to reinvigorate New Brighton’s commercial and community spaces.