Inner-city development starts

EXECUTIVE mayor Clr Herman Mashaba joined the City of Johannesburg MMCs for economic development and development planning, as well as the city manager, key stakeholders, and members of the press on a walkabout tour to the first three of 84 inner-city buildings set for development on January 24.

This event officially set off the journey of rejuvenating the inner-city through the provision of quality low-cost accommodation for the residents, which is a long-standing quest to help the city address a housing list backlog that easily exceeds 300 000 units.

Mashaba said since coming into office, the multi-party coalition government has made tackling the City’s housing crisis one of its top priorities for bringing change to Johannesburg.

It has always been the current administration’s belief the key to bringing about this change is unlocking the massive potential of the inner-city – not only for the purpose of meeting the housing challenges head-on, but for the purpose of creating jobs as well.

It is estimated that the City of Johannesburg’s inward migration is set at about 3 000 people per month, which undoubtedly adds greater pressure on the city to deliver services efficiently.

In October 2017 a tender was advertised to the public, availing 13 properties in various areas of the inner-city. The response received from developers was encouraging both at the briefing session, the acquisition of the tender documents and the submissions.

In addition to this, between 80 and 100 buildings will be released this year with a potential of just over 500 buildings that can truly change Johannesburg’s skyline.

“Today, this process has culminated in the awarding of Vannin Court and Beaconsfield Court, and vacant land at 82 Gwigwi Mwrebi Street, Newtown, to EGC Properties and Johannesburg Housing Company, respectively.

“The three properties have been awarded to these two developers who have a proven track record in the area of affordable housing and inner-city development. The developers have committed a proposed total investment of just over R204-million. Both Hillbrow properties and their associated buildings earmarked for refurbishment are expected to be completed in the next 12 months – availing 384 units for the residents of Johannesburg,” explained the mayor.

These developments speak to the multi-party government’s priorities which focus on:

• ensuring pro-poor development that addresses inequality and poverty and provides meaningful redress;

• creating a City that responds to the needs of residents;

• building an inclusive society with an enhanced quality of life for residents; and

• growing a diverse and competitive economy that creates jobs.

Based on the three proposals for buildings handed over, these three projects will also create around 900 jobs during construction. The majority of the completed 384 units (the developments cater for mixed-use purposes) will see a maximum rental of R900 per unit per month – excluding municipal services.

Both EGC Properties and Johannesburg Housing Company have worked extensively in the inner-city, a great relationship with the private sector will ensure the city continues to collaborate in the future with other investors, so it can realise a thriving inner-city where the residents can live, work, and play safely.

“The proposals also showed a strong commitment to skills transfer through artisan training and development, women’s empowerment, small, medium and micro-sized enterprise support, and green buildings – we are excited for the residents who will participate in this. I would like to encourage all other developers to submit their tenders by February 28, to be considered for the remaining 81 properties that will also be available. The properties available for tender are shown in the prospectus that can be downloaded from www.jhbproperty.co.za

“Tender documents can also be downloaded from this site at no charge,” he said.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

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