Auckland Council Backs Renovating Shelter Tunnels

Could be another profitable attraction.
"Auckland Council has thrown its weight behind an ambitious proposal to reopen and renovate a network of WWII tunnels lying beneath Auckland's CBD.
On Tuesday Auckland Council's planning committee unanimously backed a proposal to turn the dilapidated air raid tunnels beneath Albert Park into a "subterranean city", complete with cycleway, glowworm attraction and privately owned businesses, like a wine cellar.
It was supported by all councillors, including Auckland mayor Phil Goff.
The 3.5 kilometres of tunnels, which were built to keep up to 22,000 people safe in the event of Auckland being bombed, have been sitting idle since they were sealed off just after the war.
The main tunnel, running from Victoria St East in the CBD to Beach Rd in Parnell, is 4.4 metres wide and 3m tall and lined with timber beams.
Bill Reid, who has worked on reopening the tunnels for the past 30 years, and his business partner Nick Andreef, propose converting the tunnel into a pedestrian and cycleway link between the city, University of Auckland and Parnell with two sets of elevators connecting the tunnel to Princess St and Symonds St.
The tunnel restoration, estimated to cost up to $19 million, would effectively be an extension of a concourse to Aotea Station, being built as part of the City Rail Link.
Reid said the project had received support from both the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology."
Auckland Council backs proposal to reopen WWII air raid tunnels in Auckland's CBD