FREO CBD SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Almost every day of the week I walk through the Piazza, Paddy Troy Lane and Fremantle Malls, and shake my head in disbelief that no one appears to be interested to make significant changes and improvements in those prime locations, and develop them.

The Piazza is the best of the three. It has colour and looks quirky, maybe even a bit kitschy, but I quite like it. But a residential component there would make a big difference.

The Fremantle Malls have been a desolate disappointment for far too many years. I cannot believe the many owners don’t want to develop it. Imagine 4-6 storey buildings there. A mix of residential, offices, hospitality and retail. It would be a game change for Fremantle to have hundreds of people living and working there.

Paddy Troy Lane has so much potential to become a cute laneway, with small bars and cafes, but it needs more care from the City of Fremantle. It needs new pavement, more trees, public seating and art. The large trees there are yelling out to have alfresco in their shade, but sadly the Sam Bloor Handshakes pavement art does not do it for me. The white letters just looks messy.

The Federal Hotel has put more tables, benches and umbrellas outside their walls, and that is a welcome small improvement, while the back of the Manning building looks inviting and cared for.

There are so many great opportunities in that area. If only I had the money to do it myself.

Roel Loopers