Detailed designs of a new Welcome Arch celebrating the Vietnamese community’s contributions to Footscray have been unveiled.
The million-dollar archway will be built as part of the $12.5 million redevelopment of the Little Saigon precinct, along with a new building featuring ground floor retail and multi-level parking, a pocket park, street trees and an upgrade to Byron Street.
An update to last night’s Maribyrnong Council city development special committee provided a progress report on the Little Saigon precinct activation plan, noting about 100 extra on-street parking spaces have already been created and about 60 trees will be planted in the precinct from next month.
The draft Welcome Arch design, prepared with a community design group representing traders and the Vietnamese community, will go to public consultation before final approval.
The state government will contribute $420,000 to the archway, Maribyrnong council will spend $300,000 and a further $200,000 is being raised by the community.
Mayor Nam Quach said the redevelopment aims to introduce more open space while making better use of existing council assets.
“A car park is in my view a great use of that space,” he said.
“We’re going vertical to make better use of space and we’re also introducing that economic opportunity with retail and commercial space on the ground floor.
“ I think that’s going to be quite innovative.”
Maribyrnong council chief executive Stephen Wall said planning approvals had already been granted in February and detailed design work is now well underway.
“It will hopefully lift that whole precinct, with a quality retail offering and some quality open space that can be accessible and used by the public,” he said.
“And an increase in parking.”
Expressions of interest for the construction of the building and plaza and upgrade of Byron Street open in May.
The project is due to be finished by late next year.
