Included in the proposal is a plan to pedestrianise Lower Cuba St, potentially extending the mall by another 150 metres. Cuba St was named after an early settler ship and built on Te Ati Awa land. Cuba Mall’s story begins in 1965, during a temporary closure of one block of Cuba st between Dixon St and Ghuznee St, retailers noticed a significant uptick in shopper numbers. Council planners recommended in 1976 the road should be paved further from Dixon St to Manners St, with Manners St also turned into a pedestrian mall. Compared to Cuba St, Manners did not have as many long-standing retailers or an existing sense of community.

Source: Stuff September 17, 2021 16:52 UTC