Is Joburg Property neglecting Randburg CBD?

The Randburg Civic Centre in Bram Fischer Drive appears to be neglected with litter all over the place, overflowing bins and beer bottles dumped in the parking lot.

Ward 102 Councillor David Potter said some of the problems reported in April have been overlooked, including the large tree stump that was not removed and grass growing in paving, by the wall. Although the garden work was recently done, Potter indicated that the centre, which is owned by the Joburg Property Company (JPC), was neglected by the cleaning consultants who failed to carry out the work, properly.

“The small garden in the middle of the walkway, close to the entrance of the civic centre, has not been maintained in ages, which leads us to enquire whether the garden service contract actually exists,” said Potter. He also complained about the paving – recently repaired by a contractor of JPC – in that it poses a huge risk to the public because the work wasn’t done correctly.

As if this isn’t bad enough, another property owned by the JPC also adds to the dilapidated state of the Randburg CBD. Hill Top taxi rank, on the corner of Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue is neglected. The state of the property with overgrown grass, litter, weeds and broken fencing, is worrying. The area is also used by residents to dump building material.

“This property is currently owned by Prop 5 Corporation (Pty) Limited, who has an ongoing dispute with JPC. Can’t JPC ensure that this property gets cleaned?” asked Potter. JPC confirmed that they entered into an agreement with Prop 5 in March 2011 to develop the old taxi rank.

“Prop 5 has not delivered according to the agreement and we have started negotiations with the developer to establish what is holding them up,” said Alan Dinnie, Senior Manager Property Development. According to Dinnie they also noted that the developer was experiencing difficulties in obtaining development rights. Dinnie pointed out that the civic centre was earmarked for the City of Joburg’s Office Space Optimisation (OSO) programme, which would improve service delivery at the council offices.

The project seeks to deliver a vibrant mixed-use development, focusing on well-framed and connected public spaces, which will take two to three years to complete.

Details: Joburg Property Company, 0800 002 587.

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