The guiding vision of the Bus Rapid Transit route along Louis Botha Avenue is one of a more compact and integrated city built along the new transit system.
The council resolution, which approved the City’s acquisition of some properties along Louis Botha Avenue’s BRT route, (which runs through Upper Houghton and Orange Grove) will enable infrastructure upgrades and the development of new parks, clinics schools and social housing.
The resolution specifically mentions that estate agents will be appointed and mandated to approach properties on behalf of the City of Johannesburg on a ‘willing seller, willing buyer’ basis at market-related value.
After hearing reports of estate agents misusing their mandate… [and using] the word ‘expropriation’ in these approaches, discussions took place between this councillor and the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) to resolve the problem.
The JPC has assured me that any agent found to deviate from the ‘willing seller, willing buyer’ mandate will be struck off the panel and must be reported.
The acquisition programme is a long-term one.
Some 20 properties have so far been purchased. The upgrading of the corridor will be extremely welcome as it suffers from urban blight after many years of neglect.
Details: marcelle@ortsa.org.za
