The South Australian Government has announced a significant allocation of $1.5 million towards the upgrades of Charles Street and James Place, two central thoroughfares in the Adelaide CBD, aimed at enhancing pedestrian connectivity and safety near Rundle Mall.
The state’s contribution includes $1 million dedicated to the Charles Street Upgrade Project and $500,000 for the revitalisation of James Place. This funding supplements an additional $350,000 previously provided to the City of Adelaide to cover the detailed design stage of the Charles Street project.
Charles Street serves as a key north-south link extending from North Terrace to Rundle Mall, bridging a crucial route from the South Australia Museum and Art Gallery to the state’s premier shopping precinct. The planned upgrades for Charles Street focus on converting it into a pedestrian and services-only zone. Improvements will include enhanced lighting, increased greenery, new stormwater drainage solutions, upgraded paving, and the installation of safety bollards.
The $5.9 million rejuvenation of Charles Street is set to bolster the retail experience for shoppers and merchants alike, creating approximately 36 jobs throughout the construction phase.
In parallel, James Place is another significant pedestrian link running from Rundle Mall to Grenfell Street, situated behind the newly finished $450 million development at 60 King William Street. The revitalisation endeavors for this laneway encompass the installation of high-quality paving, feature lighting, public artwork, protective bollards, and additional greening efforts. This project is estimated at $1.5 million in total costs.
Nick Champion, MP and Minister for Housing and Urban Development, remarked on the projects, stating, “These two upgrades are important projects to improve the vibrancy, connectivity, and safety of CBD laneways.” He highlighted the benefits each project brings, from enhancing tourist connectivity in Charles Street to daily commuter use in James Place.
Construction on Charles Street has already commenced, with completion projected by February 2025. Meanwhile, James Place is still in the design phase, with construction expected to start before the end of this fiscal year.
Lucy Hood, MP for Adelaide, shared “I’m excited to see the transformation of these two laneways off Rundle Mall, including the safety and connectivity improvements.”
The Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Jane Lomax-Smith, echoed the sentiment of revitalisation. She said “Both upgrades present an opportunity to improve key laneways between the Mall and North Terrace that are used by thousands of people every week.
“Visitors to Charles Street can expect to see an upgrade that prioritises pedestrians with kerbing removed, high-quality stone paving and improved street lighting.
“James Place is a hive of activity with fantastic new and existing food and retail offerings but there’s opportunities for improvements such as extra greening and we look forward to sharing our ideas that will build on the recent momentum and investment in the laneway.”
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