By Patrick Cull

The first phase of the Govan Mbeki Avenue upgrade will be completed by the end of this month and work on the second phase between Donkin Street and Russell Road will start on January 15.

Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) chief executive officer Pierre Voges told the municipality‘s economic development, tourism and agriculture committee an electric escalator linking Govan Mbeki with Chapel Street would be installed early next year.

He said the philosophy behind the project was that “investment of R31-million in phase one will lead to an economic multiplier in further investment”. Property prices had already increased and reinvestment was “slowly happening and will increase exponentially”.

Voges said R25-million had been allocated for phase two and the design would be completed by the end of this month, with tenders called for in October, the contractor appointed by December 15 and work starting one month later.

With regard to the redevelopment of the old tramways building, Voges said five proposals had been received. He said construction should start in the first quarter of 2008.

Against the backdrop of the development of the tramways building, a lower Baakens precinct plan would be developed that would include a feasibility study to identify possible further developments down the Baakens River.

“The precinct plan will be used as a catalyst for further developments around the tramways building.” A number of private sector plans in the area, such as an A-grade office block, had been submitted to the municipality.

As far as Strand Street is concerned, it was unlikely the freeways would be removed “in the short to medium term” and the future development of Port Elizabeth “will determine whether freeways will be replaced by a tunnel or a double carriageway”. He said the beautification of Strand Street had been identified as a key element in the strategic spatial implementation framework. A tender would be issued in the next two months.

Turning to Parliament Street, he said a design team had been appointed for the upgrade between Lawrence and Rink streets and this would be completed by next month, with tenders called for by the end of the year and construction under way on January 15.

He said the upgrade would include resurfacing, trees and street art, and would be a catalyst for redevelopment and new investment in the area.

The Herald