10 Nov 2017

The new Lichfield Street Car Parking Building has opened, kicking off the Christchurch City Council’s 1-hour free parking offer at all its off-street car parks.

Christchurch Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner officially opened the building this morning. The building opens to the public at midday.

A car drives into the newly opened Lichfield St Car Park.

The Lichfield Street Car Park opens to the public midday Friday.

“The Council budgeted $32.3 million for this project and it’s been delivered for $31.3 million – coming in $1 million under budget is an excellent result from the project team,” he said.

The original building on the site was demolished after being badly damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. Its replacement is one of the most technically advanced car parking buildings in New Zealand. It has 805 parking spaces, including 24 disability parks and 10 charging parks for electric vehicles. A bike stand on the ground floor, at the corner of Lichfield Street and Plymouth Lane has space for 96 bikes.

The Council’s Transport Operations Manager Aaron Haymes said the opening is a boost for the central city.

“It’s great to have this building open,” he said. “There’s so much going on in the city centre now and I hope people will come in and spend some time shopping and exploring.”

The building may be new, but it is very familiar.

“It’s very like the old building, only better,” Mr Haymes said. “I’m sure a lot of people who have been a bit worried about where to park will now venture into the city centre, which is changing almost every day. The 1-hour free offer for the next four months is an added incentive, just in time for Cup and Show Week.”

When Ballantynes finishes its new building there will be pedestrian access into the store from the car parking building, and down to the old Guthrey Centre where the new farmers market will be.

Cr Turner said the new parking building will definitely help central city businesses.

“These business owners took a big risk in returning to the city while all the construction work has been going on around them,” he said. “They’ve shown a lot of faith, and I think they’d agree that the completion of this project signals a significant turning point in the city’s recovery.”

Parking rates at the Lichfield Street Car Park

  • Casual Hourly Rate: $2.80 per hour or part hour, seven days a week 6am to 6pm
  • Night Rate (6pm to 10pm): $2.50 per hour or part hour, maximum of $5.00, seven days a week
  • All Day Rate: $10, maximum for a 24-hour period