Auckland City Centre Residents' Group ngā kainoho o te pokapū o tāmaki

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City Centre Masterplan - Action Plan

Graeme Gunthorpe - Programme Director City Centre, Auckland Transport oresented to our 4/9/23 CCRFG meeting, focussing on where we are now heading with the CCMP and A4E - some actions and timelines, 1-3 years being a good start.

We are really focussed on the who/why/what and WHEN of CCMP especially the parts that directly target residents - Outcome 6 Residential City Centre Neighbourhoods, and A4E of course.

What do these mean for residents?

How residents might influence the next round of CCTR projects that will no doubt go into the LTP

CITY CENTRE ACTION PLAN UPDATE PRESENTATION Summary

Te Paparahi Toi Māori - Walks in the City

Māori identity is New Zealand’s unique point of difference in the world. In Auckland this is reflected through art and design elements embedded into the fabric of the city.

These help to reveal Māori histories, cultural perspectivesand concerns that lie underneath the modern façade of the city. They offer insights into the rich indigenous culture, Māori values, knowledge and ways of being.

The eight walks mapped here showcase sixty sites comprising private and public art, urban and architectural design and sites of significance. They celebrate Māoriidentity, history, knowledge and contemporary presence.

City Centre Place Activation and Placemaking

Annual report 2021/2022

"Placemaking means creating places and focuses on transforming public spaces to strengthen the connections between people and these places"

Many of the installations and smaller events that take place in the city centre are a result of the hard work and creative mahi of the council activation team and artists employed to create the works.

Read the report to see what they activated over the year.

VPST & Grafton Cricket Club Presentation to WLB 19 May 2020

Waterfront Swimming & Jumping Opportunities

Such a joyful past time, and quite difficult in the city centre given all that is going on in our waters - not all of it creating safe swimming!

Eke Panuku have been looking at options to improve safety at the existing facility at Karanga Plaza, as well as scooping other possible sites for future use.

Aotea Square . Te Papa Tū Wātea Planting Proposals

At CCRG’s August and September meetings,, Council arborist David Stejskal & Zoë Avery, Director, The Urbanist presented on Aotea Square - Te Papa Tū Wātea trees/plantings. The death of a handful of trees has enabled some new designs that apply more current thinking about climate, bio diversity and enjoyment, while balancing the various uses and demands made upon this place.

We like these designs and approach.

NZ Drug Foundation proposes overdose prevention centre in central Auckland

This would provide a safe, medically-supervised setting for people who are taking drugs.

The international evidence is clear after many years of seeing what works and what doesn't.

And the evidence shows that a health-based approach works,And the evidence shows that these centres have a range of benefits to the local communities and neighbourhoods around these centres, that go well beyond the obvious primary benefit of preventing overdose deaths.

30 - 40% of those going to the centres start engaging and benefitting from the other services (health, addiction, GP, housing etc) that are on offer there.

So far NZ has mostly avoided the fentanyl catastrophe overseas, but it is surely only a matter of time, and we must be prepared.

Harbour Bridge Park Upgrade

The area along Curran Street to the west of the harbour bridge, known as Harbour Bridge Park, is being redesigned to create an enhanced space for Aucklanders. Pushing the road back and making a much bigger and more pleasant area for pedestrians, a separated cycle way, space for fishing and more greenery.

What’s not to like!

Feedback is open from July 2022

PEDESTRIANISE queen street - sign the petition

We’re calling on Auckland Council to get moving with the pedestrianisation of Queen Street.

A new petition is calling for faster action to make Auckland's Queen Street more pedestrian friendly.

The call has come from Green MP for Auckland Central Chlöe Swarbrick and the City Centre Residents' Group.

CCRG support this, for the thousands of people who live on and near Queen Street and call it home.

Making it better to live on will attract even more residents, vibrancy & activity. Cleaner air, quieter - Wins everywhere.

We have the plans and agreements, and the tools - let's get on with those. Sign the petition

Time to commit, time to do it well. Add your voice with to make the pedestrianisation of Queen Street a reality.

Downtown living: Heart still beats in Central city June 2022

As the city centre recovers from the effects of Covid there are many pundits out there with opinions and possible solutions. What is often missing is a resident’s perspective so it has been heartening to see some media trying to address this bias.

Asked how liveable the city centre is, CCRG says negative commentary isn't hard to find but often stems from those looking in from the outside.

"I think it's more liveable than what a lot of pundits and the commentariat have been suggesting and I do want to draw to your attention that a lot of those people don't live there."

CCRG joins call for TradeMe to take leadership in regards to rental property listings

CCRG joined 11 other community group demanding Trade Me takes further steps to stop illegal properties being listed.

40,000 would-be tenants view their rental listings each day.

For this reason, Trade Me ought to support the visibility of the Healthy Homes Standards and encourage compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act on their platform.

We are disappointed by the lack of leadership taken by Trade Me in regards to rental property listings and have signed an open letter in solidarity with 11 other organisations calling for change.

Renting is an integral & critical part of city centre living - everyone deserves liveable and compliant apartments.

We support the call for:

Trade Me to require that landlords and property managers state in their listings whether a property complies with the Residential Tenancies Act and Healthy Homes Standards.

Trade Me to ban advertising by landlords and property managers who repeatedly breach standards or are reported to the ‘Community Watch’ team.

Policing, Alcohol Abuse & Safety in the City centre

Media release 14 March 2022

Auckland city centre residents are appealing for a police substation to be returned to the downtown area.

We also want more enforcement of existing public alcohol bans to combat anti-social behaviour.

A spate of recent assaults, many alcohol-fuelled, are concerning those who live in apartments in and around Queen Street and Karangahape Road, says the Auckland City Centre Residents’ Group (CCRG).

Fort St Police Station returns? We could have a fab hub there - Scooter + locky dock outside. Walking 🚶‍♀️ and cycling info.

Team up with walky tours too, the Night Tsar base, smoko base for AT parking wardens, community patrol hub, selling HOP cards, dishing out paper maps and keeping an eye on a city-wide network of rising bollards to control access for A4E.

Image Robbie Macfarlane

Covid-19 - Isolating in Apartments

24 Feb 2022 Update - Ministry of Health’s practical guidances on managing Covid isolation in apartments, complete with a check list and FAQ.

Makes giving building management instruction much easier.

MoH: COVID-19: Self-isolation, managed isolation/quarantine

Innovating Streets for People Emily Place Trials

November 2021 Update

Emily Place Innovating Streets for people project feedback and evaluation is in, and the project will be staying. Additionally there has been an announcement that the City Centre targeted rate project is being brought forward to 2022. Also looking to progress some picnic tables and a community library, and of course a community event for spring and summer.

CCMP VISION for city centre neighbourhoods

Viaduct Cycleway and Enhancements (Project WAVE) - Nov 21 update

Since May, Auckland Transport (AT) has trialled a new street layout within the Viaduct that includes a cycleway, a one-way system, and increased loading zones.

The Viaduct cycleway has been popular, with around 500 riders recorded on weekdays. The new loading zones and drop-off areas for taxi and rideshare are also well used, and the one-way system has calmed traffic.

In the next project phase the cycleway and street enhancements will be taken to a higher quality, permanent standard, and engage with local concerns.

The Waterfront - Plans & Strategies from Wynyard Quarter to Queen’s Wharf

At our November monthly meeting Eke Panuku presented on the past present and future of some of our cherished public spaces on our waterfront.

• Transform Waterfront Update –highlights & what is planned across Westhaven to Wynyard Quarter (including the new public park planned for Wynyard Point)

• Waterfront Transitional uses strategy – specific to the AC36 bases.

• Queens Wharf – current issues and future plans

For some more info and background docs on various parts of the waterfront- see HERE

And for a wonderful view and summary of our waterfront, then, now (2011) and (partly) speculative future. Check THIS out!

CCRG Statement on Vaccination Rates

The CCRG commends centre city residents for their high uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine and for doing their part for New Zealand’s public health response to the pandemic. We condemn anti-lockdown protestors for risking public health and safety.

Life in a 'vertical neighbourhood' — the housing young buyers covet - Stuff nz

Great article from Ethan Te Ora on AKl & Wgtn city centre/apartment living and its appeal, from the perspective of many 20-30 year olds. Convenience, climate, jobs, diversity, transport and so much more. CCRG's Secretary Oscar Sims features prominently.

'elected as secretary of the Auckland City Centre Residents’ Group. CCRG almost seems like an oxymoron: a progressive residents’ group. They want to bring light rail to Auckland, and pedestrianise the streets'

“We’re not driving as much. We don’t even have to rely on public transport; we can walk everywhere. It’s density as another marker of sustainable living.”

Queen street changes 2021 - 2022

Dec 2021 - Construction of the 3 remaining zones (Shortland St to Mayoral Dr) begins early January 2022. The 3 zones are divided into six construction stages.

19.12.21 LETTER for Queen Street Residents & businesses to explain what to expect over the coming months, and the staging plan. Enabling works will start on 10th January.

More INFO

September 2021 - Feedback from the July consultation on the Queen St changes has come back, with majority support in favour of reductions in car traffic and parking, as well as for improving pedestrian spaces and micro-mobility. We are now pushing for these changes to actually be enacted. You can view a copy of the feedback results below.

Queen street changes july 2021

In the ongoing rounds of Queen Street changes, another short consultation/feedback has just finished. These latest proposals can be found HERE.

These are a real retrograde step for residents, and we oppose them.

Emily Place | INNOVATING STREETS FOR PEOPLE PROJECT

Innovating Streets for People Emily Place Trials August 2021 Update

21 May Final plan for implementation.

After lots of time, effort, discussions, feedback, the process has led us to this moment - a plan for implementation and trial.

There will be trialling these of temporary changes from June until September when a decision will be made to keep the changes, modify them, or remove them depending on project evaluation and feedback.

Read below for how we got here, recent changes, and the exciting Road art in partnership with Ngāti Whātua artist, Graham Tipene, who has designed a cultural pattern for the street and new pedestrian space. called ‘Matarae – Koru’ (Headland – Growth).

Wai Horotiu Queen street Valley Pilot May 2021

Extension of city centre targeted rate

The City Centre Target Rate (CCTR) funds many of the projects making the city centre a better place for residents and others. All residents and businesses contribute to paying the rate.

The rate for residents is currently $62.40 per annum or $1.20 per week per residential unit.
2024/25 is the end date for collecting the rate.

CCRG support the continuation of the city centre targeted rate beyond the 2024/2025 financial year.
If the targeted rate is not extended, council is likely to have insufficient funding to realise the outcomes set out in City Centre Masterplan beyond 2024/25.
CCRG also believes that the current rate is very low for each residential unit.

Here is report to the City Centre Advisory Board on:

• info on the CCTR

• the reasons why continuing the rate is a good idea

• process for continuing the rate

• two options for extending the CCTR

It is Waitematā Local Board Plan 2020 Time!

Every three years, the Local Board formulates a Plan - a 3 year strategy for our local board area, and must be in place by 31 Oct 2020.

Once approved by the WLB at their 16 June meeting, it will come to us all for consultation from 13 July to 13 August & will be available to view online at www.akhaveyoursay.nz.

The draft Waitematā Local Board Plan 2020 includes six aspirational outcomes
that integrate social, economic, environmental and cultural objectives to set a three-year strategic direction for Waitematā Local Board area. Each outcome has a set of high level objectives.

Queen ST ACcess for Everyone Pilot Update to City Centre Advisory Board May 2020

City Centre Advisory Board supports the development of the Access for Everyone (A4E) concept, a fundamentally new way of managing transport in the city centre, which has also been adopted into the City centre MasterPlan. A4E encourages trials of temporary street treatments to improve walking, cycling and urban amenity.

Covid-19 adds to the urgency in achieving more efficient use of space in Queen street
A pilot for A4E on Queen Street has been requested for implementation by March 2021 with a part-fund allocation of $600,000 from the City centre Targeted rate .
Auckland Transport (AT) will lead this pilot, with support from the Auckland Design Office, and the Development Programme Office, and NZTA.

Covid-19 Info and Message to City Centre Residents

Council to relax rules around construction noise

On 29 April New Zealand moves to level 3 & Auckland Council is temporarily relaxing the rules around construction noise in the region.

“Construction can recommence once we move to level 3”, Auckland Council’s Regulatory Compliance Manager Steve Pearce says.

A 3-tier system will operate, with the potential for 24/7 applications.

He waka eke noa – we are all in this together

We are all sharing a very challenging new experience caused by the Coronavirus and it will require all of us to be considerate, careful, and caring.

Living in an apartment building makes us much closer to others, and that is both good and potentially not so good.

Good, because people and neighbours are usually nearby when help is needed, and not so good because of the proximity to others.

The most important thing we can do is to WASH OUR HANDS WITH SOAP REGULARLY AND FOR A MINIMUM OF 20 SECONDS.

Another small thing is to make sure when we open doors, use lifts or handrails, shopping trolleys etc., use a tissue/paper towel that can be disposed of readily.

Remember that wet wipes might be good but they are not good for our environment – do NOT flush them down your toilet unless you want to help block sewage pipes.

The really good news is that we will be able to walk around our city centre in relative peace and quiet breathing in wonderful clean air, when we are going on essential trips.

And another positive is that this provides us with the all the evidence we need to demonstrate that it is vehicles – cars, buses, trucks, planes and ships, that create our air pollution, so having less of these needs to be our primary objective for our future city centre.

In the meantime, the four links below provide us all with all the information we need to get through this crisis.

Ministry of Health

Unite Against Covid19!

Auckland Council's COVID-19 response

COVID-19: Essential Services in the city centre to remain open (Heart of the City)

He waka eke noa – we are all in this together

An important lesson from Italy’s experience of the pandemic is the crucial importance of collaboration between citizens and official institutions.

The Italian government has locked down public life, forced millions of people into a de facto quarantine and faced unknown economic costs, because this is the only effective prescription to stem – and ultimately defeat – the virus.

But for that to be successful, it is necessary for every individual citizen to play their part responsibly.

Since we are a democracy, there is a constitutional limit to the obligations that can be imposed on citizens.

Hence the importance of personal responsibility.

It is vital for everyone to understand the importance of the limitations they accept, and to participate consciously in their application, so that the result is the one desired: defeating the virus and returning to normality.

Ngā mihi nui from the CCRG team

Support for Homeless People during the Covid-19 Crisis

Homeless people are some of the most vulnerable and worst affected by the Covid-19 crisis. There is some great work being done to help, especially by the Auckland City Mission. eg 400 food packs are being prepared daily, so there is enough for those who need it. The food packs are being prepared and packed in the Council commercial kitchen.

The Mission is an essential service & is working to get the homeless into housing as a matter of urgency & has facilities on site to help the homeless and those in need who are experiencing health issues.

What can we do as a community and as individuals?

update on the Access for Everyone – High Street pilot project March 2020

The City Centre Advisory Board March 2020 meeting was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Rāhui. An update on this essential project has been provided.
This project now merges and progresses two vital city centre programs - the move to trialing a pedestrian-prioritised High Street, and using that trial to inform the rollout of the hugely popular Access For Everyone (A4E) project (which in itself has the potential to dramatically improve the city centre for its tens of thousands of residents).

Talk of the town - Stories of City Centre Residents

Cool article in the March 2020 edition of Auckland Council's Our Auckland about a range of our City Centre residents called 'Talk of The Town'.

An increasing number of Aucklanders and their families opt to call the central city home. Tom Sadler talks to some of them about why they chose to move inward, what inner-city life is like for them and what the changes mean for the future.

Wynyard Point Open Space

Panuku, presented to our December 2019 meeting about the proposed open space park at the end of Wynyard Point. Those discussions will also form a part of the waterfront strategy work that CCRG will be discussing with Auckland Council as part of our agreement to withdraw our appeal against the Quay Street Public Space.

Panuku framed some questions for us to assist in providing feedback to them on what our preference is for this area.

The questions to be addressed are -

1. Character of the location that makes it distinctive
2. Continuation of the green link axis from Daldy Street to the destination park
3. Coastal breeding &nesting habitat for the sea birds roosting along the western edge
4. Public access at the edges and the seawall edge conditions
5. Shelter from the prevailing south westerly and the north easterly winds
6.Public open space activities along the green link (0.8ha) and the park (4ha)
7. Working waterfront activities in Jellicoe Harbour
8. Wynyard Wharf as a public space and the inter-tidal space (15m) between the wharf and the eastern seawall edge

Laneway Event Albert Park Anniversary Weekend 2020

Laneway Festival is a music festival held in Albert Park at Anniversary weekend, with up to 15,000 paying attendees.

Event Info HERE

This event take over and closes Albert Park to residents (unless you are attending of course!) so some info about the impacts is provided here.
Park closed to public 5pm Saturday 25 January until morning Tues 28 Jan.

Event is Monday 27th Jan - Midday until 10.30pm

And event Pack in/out goes from Wed 22 Jan to Thurs 30 Jan

Residents Hotline for duration of the event should they have any concerns:

0800-LANEWAY (0800-5263-929)

However Council recommends ringing Council call centre on 09 301 0101 to log any concerns.

auckland anniversary weekend 25 - 27 January 2020

So much on across the city centre with a lot focused on the waterfront:

Lots on all weekend at Queens wharf including the Auckland Anniversary Weekend Queens Wharf Market in the Cloud, 3x3 basketball by the Cloud, and the Art Street Fair

Silo Park Silo Cinema, Food TRucks, Ice Cream trucks, Photo exhibitions, climbing walls..

There’s the wonderful International Buskers Festival on Karanga Plaza and Te Wero Island - all weekend.

Kids Gone Fishin’ on North Wharf - a Free Fishing Event run by New Zealand Blue Light.

And not forgetting Ports of Auckland’s huge SeePort Festival - a three-day celebration of Auckland City’s beautiful waterfront and rich maritime heritage. The family-friendly festival is one of New Zealand’s largest free events, returning in 2020 for its seventh year of seaside fun, with one of the highlights being the SUNSET SYMPHONY & FIREWORKS on Sunday night.

And Heart of the City have more events HERE

ENJOY Anniversary Weekend in our the City Centre

City Centre New Year's Eve 2019 - streets opened

The City centre attracts well over 100,00 people to its streets to celebrate and welcome in the New year.

All those people walking must be prioritised - who wants to be breathing in vehicle fumes? This year’s streets opening and re-allocated to people are:

Federal St :
3am Tuesday 31 December 2019 - 4am Wednesday 1 January 2020

Albert St, Elliot St, Darby St, Queen St, Lorne St, Victoria St West, Durham St, Bowen St, and Rutland St.:
10pm Tuesday 31 December 2019 - 2am Wednesday 1 January 2020

Creating Urban Public Space

Opinion Piece by Pip Cheshire from Architecture Now (NZ), The architect’s folly -"Public realm: “architecture has nothing to do with buildings but is all about the space between them”.

Excellent article on how the establishment of the public realm, be it street or square, is crucial in the creation of the city. Much of the work involves regaining streets ravaged by traffic engineers to provide more hospitable urban space.

Elections: Local Government Oct 2019

See the Auckland Councils Elections 2019 page for everything to know about the October 20219 elections. Straight to results and voter turnout

The City Centre sits in the Waitematā and Gulf Ward Rohe o Waitematā me te Whanga o Hauraki, and elects 1 member out of 21 (Mayor + 20 Councillors from 13 wards) to the Auckland Council Governing Body - the ultimate decision-maker for Auckland City.

Pippa Coom is our 2019 - 2022 Ward Councillor

The Waitematā Local Board/Te Poari ā-Rohe o Waitematā is the elected board (one of 21 across Auckland City) charged with decision-making on local issues, activities and services, and providing input into regional strategies, policies, plans and decisions.

The local board has 7 elected members:

tales of the city centre

Interviews with city centre residents on life in the the city centre, courtesy of Auckland Council’s Our Auckland

Safer Speeds Programme - a 30 KH City Centre

City Centre Development Plans Update November 2018 “Building a City Centre for People”

Check out he very impressive things that are going to happen in our city centre over the next few years. It’s all about putting people first.

CCRG held the First Great Big Jumbly Bumbly sale
Sat 20 Oct 10am - 2.30pm

A fantastic effort raising about $900 for the City Centre Community Fridge. At the end, remaining clothes were distributed to homeless people as well as Auckland City Mission City Mission taking a van load of goods for their services - thanks! - so all went to good places. Thanks again to Jen and team at Pā Rongorongo to Splice AKL Waitemata Local Board and to all who helped and dropped by and to the entertainers Ramona Rudolph , Mark Laurent & Luke Hurley

Regional FACILITIES Auckland

A Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), RFA manage many prominent City Centre venues and entities including: Aotea Centre, Aotea Square, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland Town Hall, The Civic, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Queens Wharf.

They are currently refurbishing the Aotea centre with plans to build the Aotea Studios behind. Read more below for a slideshow summary of RFA - what they do, their achievements and finances, presented in September 2018 to the City Centre Advisory Board.

Waitematā Local Board Annual Report 2017-18

The Annual Report is a legislatively required document. The annual report is a key communication to residents to inform them of the key local initiatives and achievements, and how the results in delivering services in the Local Board area. Telling a clear and balanced performance story, in plain English, and in a form that is accessible,

 CCRG Supports Showers for homeless people

The CCRG has partnered with the Ellen Melville Centre and the Auckland City Mission to offer a programme of showers to homeless people this winter, thanks to a generous local grant from the Waitematā Local Board.  We are pleased that the local board recognizes the need for such services, and we note that it aligns with their 2017 Local Board Plan:

 “Outcome 1: Inclusive communities that are vibrant, healthy and connected. Ensure all members of the community have access to shelter and warmth. … Support initiatives that enhance public amenities in the city centre.”

 The shower at the Ellen Melville Centre will be available to homeless people from 5 July until 30 August, Mondays and Thursdays, 7am - 9.30am. 

'One Sense at a time' - SENSING THE CITY THROUGH our senses

Walking the city streets may seem like just an everyday experience:  But what changes when you try walking more attentively, making use of your senses?

“Walking – one sense at a time” asks precisely that question. In the first of a series of creative city explorations,focussing on one specific sense per walk: smell, sound, visual, tactile, taste. The first walk on 22 May was 'Smell'  - read about what we found, and there was plenty to discover smell-wise, in the city centre.

Auckland Waste Management & Minimisation Plan 2018

Waste grows with te city, particularly from the construction and development sectors. 
Household waste has  reduced by 10 per cent in 2010-2016. But we need to include commercial
waste streams, where around 80 per cent of our waste to landfill comes from.

This plan sets out to continue the collaborative approach of the first plan, working with
communities, businesses, mana whenua and mataawaka. In particluar finding ways to work
more closely with business and industry to find ways to reduce commercial waste and
divert waste materials into new economic activities.

CRL VIDEOS: How Lower Queen Street and its surrounds will look in 2020

The City Centre Targeted Rate (paid by city centre businesses and residents), is funding $10 million  to theses streetscape works.

Videos - CRL May 2018

Stretched Auckland’s civic infrastructure - in this case sewage/stormwater that affects all of us who border the Waitematā  and other waterways. Discussed at the AGM was the revised Central Interceptor project now renamed Western Isthmus Water Quality Improvement Plan (WIWQIP). This large pipe will probably run from Cox's Bay via Western Springs and Mt Albert to the MāngereWastewater Treatment Plant. Work will start on this very soon. An announcement on the scope of the work is expected from Council this month.

In addition the AGM considered a discussion sheet (click below) about the implications of a targeted rate. 

Click below for a brief sheet explaining "SASOC at a glance" which gives a quick overview of SASOC.

Britomart Station Surrounds includng Lower Queen Street - September 2017

A 67-page document looking at a whole range of designs, design elements, and focussing on people and pedestrians, not only in the areas directly in front of Britomart Station, but also in the surrounding streets. 

The CRL report is the detailed source document.
Greater Auckland also have a useful analysis and commentary on the proposals.

Buyer beware: The law is failing to protect Kiwi apartment owners

5 July 2017 by Maria Slade from NOTED

If you are an apartment owner you will know about the Unit Titles Act (UTA) and its shortcomings. A much-needed review of this Act is underway.  But the review recommendations do not go far enough this article says.

ACP cladding investigation update
Enhanced review underway

30 June 2017 - Auckland Council

In light of  issues raised by the London disaster, Auckland Council is undertaking a much-needed review &  investigation into buildings  that potentially have aluminium composite panels (ACP) in their construction. Read their press release, info on ACPs in Auckland, and what they are doing.

Skyscraper schools for auckland

5 July 2017NZ Herald

The number of people living in the city centre alone is rising fast. Already over 40,000 (including 2,000 school-age children), this number will rise quickly and is forcing a re-think on where space for the tens of thousands of extra students expected in the future will come from.

Common in urban entres overseas,this will mean a new type of urban school for Auckland - those with high-rise classrooms and no sports fields.