A cleaner and greener Edenvale in 2015
“The ECID is merely a vehicle that attempts to mediate in this enforcement. Money alone will not solve their, or Edenvale’s, problems and will certainly not stop the degradation and rot,” said Dr Agostinetto.
“Since the inception of the Edenvale City Improvement District (ECID) in 2012, we have been unable to remove the same obstacles that are required to allow the ECID board from progressing.”
This was said by Dr Paolo Agostinetto, the chairman for the ECID board of directors.
His message to the members and businesses in the ECID area for 2015 is one of a reality check.
“The members, which includes Ekurhuleni as is the biggest single shareholder, business owners, landlords and the remaining members, must realise that paying their levies will not single handily solve their problems,” said Dr Agostinetto.
He added that for the ECID to yield results, it will require the input and support of all involved to “force the municipality, the SAPS and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) to deliver on what they are supposed to”.
“The ECID is merely a vehicle that attempts to mediate in this enforcement. Money alone will not solve their, or Edenvale’s, problems and will certainly not stop the degradation and rot,” said Dr Agostinetto.
The motto for the ECID is clean, green and safety.
“Our aim is to claim and restore Edenvale back to ‘the jewel of the east’ by making it attractive to investors and businesses. The rest will follow,” he said.
In 2015, one of the most anticipated projects will be led by Mr Sundelowitz, an ECID board director and architect.
Through the project, it is hoped the Edenvale CBD will be rejuvenated.
“We are also looking at an annual Mardie Gras, to be held in the centre of Edenvale. This follows on the successful Christmas Festival held at Horwood’s Farm,” said Dr Agostinetto.
“The ECID will not give up with the continued negotiations to get Ekurhuleni to abide by their accepted obligations to not only support the ECID, but to adhere to their service level agreements. This includes potholes, drain restorations, enforcing bylaws and actually ensuring that fines are metered out and paid, stamping out corruption in all departments and ensuring that there is accountability,” he said.
One of the main focuses of the ECID for 2015 will be the prevention of illegal dumping by CBD tenants.
“Without the cooperation of the property and business owners in enforcing the bylaws, the ECID cannot succeed,” said Dr Agostinetto.
“We will also work closely with city planning to seek solutions to parking problems in the CBD area,” he said.
Also on the list of plans for the ECID in 2015 is to establish Edenvale as a public transport hub.
“We want to promote Edenvale as a desirable business investment centre with a possible emphasis on education.
“We also want to market Edenvale as a healthy and trendy town and hope to incorporate bicycle and gym tracks, safe walking paths and a Mediterranean style shopping complex,” he said.
Around the clock monitored CCTV cameras in the ECID area will promote a safe entertainment environment, especially at night.
“This would be a genuine attempt, together with the SAPS, to create a special public-private partnership,” said Dr Agonstinetto.
He added that cleaning and beautifying Edenvale with benches and landscaping, painting and cleaning up will go a long way towards restoring the CBD to its former glory.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners in Ekurhuleni, as well as with our councillor Bill Rundle to realise our dreams,” said Dr Agonstinetto.
