George Street, Dunedin

[3] Numerous other buildings on George Street also have Historic Places Trust protection, notably Knox Church (Category I).

In early 2018, Barnes Dance crossings were introduced at either end of this block, at George Street's intersections with The Octagon and Moray Place.

At the northern end of the main shopping area the skyline is dominated by the spire of Knox Church, designed by R. A. Lawson.

Shortly after crossing the Leith, George Street ends, after passing under the Pine Hill Extension (part of State Highway 1).

In response, George Street jeweller Brent Weatherall organised a petition opposing the proposed upgrade, which attracted several thousand signatures by December 2019.

[22] In early May 2020, Weatherall and fellow retailer John Bezett submitted a 6,000-strong petition requesting that George Street remain two-way with ample parking.

In addition, quotes by Merekihereke Hape and Hone Tuwhare were inscribed into concrete pavers on the corner of George and St Andrew streets.

[26] Further inscriptions were added elsewhere in the project later during the work, with words by Dunedin writers ranging from poets Ruth Dallas and Peter Olds to local rock band The Clean.

Former critic Weatherall, who had been elected the previous month as a Dunedin City councillor, praised the redevelopment as a "vast improvement on what was there before" but questioned the 10km speed limit.

[29] On 10 February, DCC staff warned that redesigning George Street to incorporate "two-way design" could delay further construction by four to eight months, potentially costing $1 million.

According to the Otago Daily Times, the George Street redevelopment (including replacing pipes) was estimated to cost about NZ$40 million.