‘Big Six’ Considerations

Town Centre Activity

We are wanting to transform the existing town centre into one that offers a range of activities and social experiences enticing people to visit, play and spend time in the Levin Town Centre.

Spatial Orientation

Oxford Street and State Highway One traffic mean that the current town centre is dominated by a north-south aspect with commercial properties stretching down Oxford Street. By embracing the assets, we have the Nola Simpson Rose Gardens and Thompson House Gardens to the east, and the Levin Domain and Levin Aquatic Centre to the west.  There is an opportunity to create an east-west connection within the Levin Town Centre. If we develop and activate the town centre to improve the diversity of activity on offer, this will help boost the vibrancy in public areas. 

Earthquake Prone Buildings

With several Earthquake Prone Buildings classified as priority one around the Levin Town Centre, building owners have a timeframe to strengthen or demolish their buildings.  While the timeframe presents a challenge to building owners, it can create an opportunity to transform our town centre through new building configuration and design.

While the Ō2NL bypass will remove highway related retail spend, and make it easier for people to leave town to shop in Kāpiti and Wellington, as well as Palmerston North, the positive side is the new expressway provides an opportunity to attract retail spend from other areas, and will change the form and function of how Oxford Street is used, especially if Levin offers a unique town centre experience. While the expressway is being constructed, we expect to see an increase in both population and the local economy with people relocating to work on the construction of the expressway from 2025.

At present, the Levin Railway Station is located outside the town centre and there are limited public transport options servicing Levin. Although there are plans to increase train and bus services by 2029. Cycling and walking infrastructure is also limited. Improving the variety of transport options to service the town centre will attract residents and new residents to the area if this connectivity to the north and south is improved. 

Town Centre Identity

The town centre does not currently have a strong reflection of the unique history and culture of Levin. Displaying a town identity in the design and activities offered will help develop the town centre as a destination with a clear identity to attract visitors and investment.