By Sipho Masondo

The second phase of the upgrade of Govan Mbeki Avenue, between Donkin Street and Russell Road, will go ahead as money has been secured for the project.

The Mandela Bay Development Agency has been granted about R25-million by the municipality.

The agency‘s planning consultant, Jonathan Mercer, said: “The upgrading of the area between Donkin and Russell roads had always been part of the original plan. When we started, the idea was to develop from Market Square to Russell Road, but there wasn‘t enough money.”

Now that the money was available, the agency envisaged that construction workers would be on site by the end of January, he said, adding that the money came from the municipality‘s current budget.

The MBDA will brief interested and affected parties at 5.30pm on Wednesday about preliminary designs and the course the upgrade will take.

“We are busy with the planning. That‘s what the public meeting is for,” Mercer said.

The second phase will be almost identical to the first, the difference being that traffic will move both ways this time.

“Tenders for the project will be advertised next week,” Mercer said. “We want to finish all work by Christmas next year. The whole idea is to create a pedestrian mall and make it more accessible to shoppers.”

Rand Civils, the company upgrading the first phase between Donkin Road and Market Square, would have to tender like any other company, he said.

It would, however, be helpful if the company handled the second phase as it was well acquainted with the road.

Although many motorists might be concerned about the lack of adequate planning, there would be parking in Chapel and Strand streets.

“We will address and discuss the issue of parking further in the meeting,” he said.

The first phase, which cost the municipality about R31-million, will only be completed in May. Mercer said this was because paving still had to be done and escalators leading to Chapel Street had to be installed.

On November 30 the municipality will officially open the first phase with a street carnival.

“All metro residents are invited. It will be a big party featuring famous musicians.”

The MBDA is the custodian of the city‘s endeavours to revitalise and re-engineer the CBD and surrounding areas and to facilitate economic development, as well as to lure businesses back to the CBD.

The Herald