The Mandela Bay Development Agency has called for planning and design proposals for the upgrading of a section of Parliament Street between Lawrence and Rink streets.

The proposal must include broad concept sketches on how the consultant team proposes to deal with the area's environmental upgrading.

This is the third project the MBDA (an implementing arm of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality) has undertaken in its area of jurisdiction, and in line with its mandate of urban renewal.

The other projects which it has already called for development proposals are the Baakens River valley and the upgrading of the old Tramways building. The MBDA's allotted area is North End, Central, South End, Humewood and the beachfront.

MBDA chief executive Pierre Voges said R10-million had been allocated by the municipality for the upgrading of Parliament Street, and work starts in September.

The Parliament Street upgrade is part of the MBDA's urban renewal master plan which has already seen Govan Mbeki Avenue made pedestrian-friendly.

Although the street would not be turned into a mall, Voges said trees would be planted along the street, there would be increased lighting and sections of the street would be paved. The idea is to have coffee shops, with tables on pavements, boutiques, curio shops and restaurants.

He said the upgrading of the street would discourage drug dealers, as the environment would be too clean and transparent for them to operate.

"People must start investing in Central now, because in two years they will regret not having done so earlier, as a property boom is anticipated," Voges said.

Only last month, a R2-million business and leisure complex opened in Parliament Street.

It comprises a former church which was renovated and turned into a 100-seater conference centre with a big screen, a restaurant called the Spotted Cow, an alfresco dining area and a three-floor nightclub.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is April 16, and a briefing session on the project will be held on Tuesday at the MBDA offices, seventh floor, Kwantu House, at 10am.

Eastern Province Herald