An exciting plan for a R25-million public recreational park on the Esplanade, complete with an open-air theatre and gym, electrified trading places, fountains, walkways and trees has been unveiled.
The grubby ground bordered by Osners Hotel, the Windmill, Virgin Active and the Esplanade has been transformed in an artist’s impression into a free multipurpose space.
Despite its splendid ocean and harbour views and prime position, the ground has been used for decades by fairground machines, pop-up concerts, motorbike rallies and hawkers, as a random parking space and an informal latrine.
The project was presented to the public on Monday evening to general acceptance, although questions were asked about business opportunities available through construction and operation of the public park.
The project is being driven by the revived Buffalo City Metro development agency.
The agency, which is funded by the Buffalo City Metro, confirmed that the project is valued at R25-million.
Speaking at the meeting, Terreco environmentalist Ayanda Mpambana said the gathering was part of an obligatory environmental impact assessment, which appealed to residents to raise their concerns ahead of a project that would see a large portion of the Esplanade reconstructed.
“When there’s a project we need to calculate the environmental impact it may have on water, air and soil, economically and socially, and to minimise the negative impact,” she said.
While none of the Quigney residents who were at the fairly full Orient Theatre expressed any concerns about the environment, questions raised surrounded the opportunities that would come with the multimillion-rand development, which is expected to begin early next year.
Leading consultant and architect Pat Dalgleish of the Mda Consortium, which is dealing with the project, said development of the free multipurpose space would benefit everyone within the metro.
“We are aiming to get all the projects and proposals approved by December, and planning on issuing out adverts for contractors early next year.
“The whole project involves the upgrading of sewers, street lighting, roads, pedestrian walkways and ‘breathing’ spaces which will have lots of trees and interactive water features to beautify the beachfront and make it a tourist attraction as well as a great place for everyone who visits it.
“We are also looking to have an outdoor theatre and built-in open-air gym, among other recreational activities,” he said.
Dalgleish said they would also formalise the market for vendors who sell along the walkway area.
“We plan on putting them up in cubicles and market stores, and giving them resources like electricity and storage facilities which they can pay a minimal fee for, according to the option of their choice,” he said.
DA PR councillor Lindsey Pollock, along with a number of people present, welcomed the proposal, but raised concerns about maintenance.
“Any development along our beachfront can be applauded, but we’d hate to see it look like the rest of the metro, which is derelict due to not being maintained,” she said.
BCMDA infrastructure development project manager Gcina Yawathe said their job was to beautify the beachfront with the intention of changing the entire landscape of the Quigney.
“The entire Quigney area has been declared an urban development zone (UDZ) and, in line with the development of the Esplanade, we want to see a ripple effect into the commercial and residential areas as we work towards changing the entire landscape of the area. When an area is a UDZ it means that people who rehabilitate their properties within the area can get rebates on expenses incurred for renovations,” he said.
Informal traders raised concerns about what would what happen to them, and some residents asked when development would take place at the popular picnic spot Ebuhlanti.
Ward 47 councillor Vusumzi Njece said although minor developments were under way for Ebuhlanti, a separate IDP meeting would be held to discuss that venue. He urged informal traders to form co-operatives and legalise their businesses. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
R25m for Esplanade upgrade
The grubby ground bordered by Osners Hotel, the Windmill, Virgin Active and the Esplanade has been transformed in an artist’s impression into a free multipurpose space.
Despite its splendid ocean and harbour views and prime position, the ground has been used for decades by fairground machines, pop-up concerts, motorbike rallies and hawkers, as a random parking space and an informal latrine.
The project was presented to the public on Monday evening to general acceptance, although questions were asked about business opportunities available through construction and operation of the public park.
The project is being driven by the revived Buffalo City Metro development agency.
The agency, which is funded by the Buffalo City Metro, confirmed that the project is valued at R25-million.
Speaking at the meeting, Terreco environmentalist Ayanda Mpambana said the gathering was part of an obligatory environmental impact assessment, which appealed to residents to raise their concerns ahead of a project that would see a large portion of the Esplanade reconstructed.
“When there’s a project we need to calculate the environmental impact it may have on water, air and soil, economically and socially, and to minimise the negative impact,” she said.
While none of the Quigney residents who were at the fairly full Orient Theatre expressed any concerns about the environment, questions raised surrounded the opportunities that would come with the multimillion-rand development, which is expected to begin early next year.
Leading consultant and architect Pat Dalgleish of the Mda Consortium, which is dealing with the project, said development of the free multipurpose space would benefit everyone within the metro.
“We are aiming to get all the projects and proposals approved by December, and planning on issuing out adverts for contractors early next year.
“The whole project involves the upgrading of sewers, street lighting, roads, pedestrian walkways and ‘breathing’ spaces which will have lots of trees and interactive water features to beautify the beachfront and make it a tourist attraction as well as a great place for everyone who visits it.
“We are also looking to have an outdoor theatre and built-in open-air gym, among other recreational activities,” he said.
Dalgleish said they would also formalise the market for vendors who sell along the walkway area.
“We plan on putting them up in cubicles and market stores, and giving them resources like electricity and storage facilities which they can pay a minimal fee for, according to the option of their choice,” he said.
DA PR councillor Lindsey Pollock, along with a number of people present, welcomed the proposal, but raised concerns about maintenance.
“Any development along our beachfront can be applauded, but we’d hate to see it look like the rest of the metro, which is derelict due to not being maintained,” she said.
BCMDA infrastructure development project manager Gcina Yawathe said their job was to beautify the beachfront with the intention of changing the entire landscape of the Quigney.
“The entire Quigney area has been declared an urban development zone (UDZ) and, in line with the development of the Esplanade, we want to see a ripple effect into the commercial and residential areas as we work towards changing the entire landscape of the area. When an area is a UDZ it means that people who rehabilitate their properties within the area can get rebates on expenses incurred for renovations,” he said.
Informal traders raised concerns about what would what happen to them, and some residents asked when development would take place at the popular picnic spot Ebuhlanti.
Ward 47 councillor Vusumzi Njece said although minor developments were under way for Ebuhlanti, a separate IDP meeting would be held to discuss that venue. He urged informal traders to form co-operatives and legalise their businesses. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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