A MAJOR facelift for the gateway to Frankston has been unveiled by the state government after two years of community consultation and a nationwide design competition.
A new train station designed by Genton Architecture will be the centrepiece of a planned rejuvenation of the centre of Frankston including a revamp of Young St now underway.
Labor Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke congratulated the Melbourne-based architectural firm for seeing its design for the train station chosen from 40 entries in a nationwide competition.
Construction work on the new train station, part of a $63 million revamp of the Frankston train station precinct, will begin later this year.
“Frankston has been fighting for this investment and we’re delivering it – a new station, safer community and a better place to live,” Mr Edbrooke said. “After years of hard work, it’s so exciting to see our new station. I can’t wait to see work start later this year.”
A panel of six judges — Victorian government architect Jill Garner, Mr Edbrooke, Frankston Council CEO Dennis Hovenden, architect Peter Elliott, urban designer Felicity Stewart and Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources director Geoff Oulton — made the final decision to go with the Genton design for the train station.
The station will include a new bus interchange, wider footpaths, landscaping and road improvements.
“It was important to the jury to find a design solution that responded to the particular nature of Frankston as a city by the sea,” Ms Garner said.
“The winning design suggests a light and airy place embedded in an abstract beach landscape – it knits into the Young Street works while extending delightful coastal planting right onto platforms.”
Genton Architecture director Steven Toia said the firm is “excited” to be working with the state government to “contribute to a revitalised Frankston”.
“A renewed Frankston station will be a significant and uplifting arrival and departure experience for commuters as well as an icon for the city of Frankston.”
An expansion and partial rebuild of Chisholm TAFE in central Frankston is also underway as part of a plan to rejuvenate the centre of Frankston.
This article will be published in the Frankston Times – 27 March 2017
