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Source: ONE News -
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Eight finalists have been unveiled in a design contest for the development of Auckland's Queen's Wharf.
Come the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the wharf will be party central but there is concern the designs lack vision.
Some Aucklanders say the eight finalists are the stuff of nightmares and believe that out of the hundreds of entries there must have been better efforts.
One top architect is questioning the speed of the process which began just two month ago.
"There were some really strong designs that didn't make it past the first cut and yes I was a little underwhelmed by the ones that made it into the second stage," says Ken Crosson.
The eight favoured designs incorporate a range of ideas from modern glass buildings to overbridges, viewing platforms and even a central city beach.
But some believe they lack vision.
Crosson says the multi-cultural city has a fantastic harbour but there's nothing that says wow.
"This is a really important piece of design to take us forward and project us to the world," says Crosson.
The mega makeover was spearheaded by the plan to use Queen's Wharf as a party venue for the next rugby world cup and the winner will be announced in three weeks.
