MPs could walk to work if proposed R3.5bn project in CBD gets go-ahead

And the relocation of MPs to a new parliamentary precinct could free up Acacia Park in Goodwood for 6 500 affordable housing opportunities, providing accommodation for up to 3 000 people. 

 

The creation of inner city housing for MPs forms part of a R3.5 billion plan by Irish developer Eurocape to create a processional street and a full-scale development on Roeland Street. 

 

If the project gets the nod from the provincial and national governments, the relocation of MPs from their parliamentary accommodation in Acacia, Pelican and Laborie parks would release land that could be used for the development of much-needed affordable housing opportunities. 

 

Eurocape sales and marketing manager Simphiwe Mathebula said the project was still being discussed with government. Although it was hoped that the legal contracts would be in place by the end of last year so that the project could be completed by 2012, it was more likely that the development would be ready in 2013. 

 

Parliamentarians would save on travel costs and time by being able to walk to work. Their relocation to the new precinct would unlock land around Acacia Park, in Eppping Industria, Parow Industria, Montague Gardens, Century City, Ndabeni and Maitland for middle-income housing. 

 

Eurocape's head of business development, Japie Hugo, said the company owned a 7 500 square metre site that had approved bulk rights for development. Plans for this site, which compromises a section on Roeland Street and a midblock section on Hope Street, include the construction of a hotel, offices and retail space. 

 

The two sites would be connected and upgraded, while encouraging the upgrade of surrounding buildings. If the provincial-owned land was released for development, the overall mixed-use would include 47 000m2 of office space, a 200-room three-star hotel and 190 residential flats. There could be as many as 2 000 parking bays, 400 flats for parliamentary housing and a retail and entertainment centre. 

 

There will be a pedestrianised facade on Iziko's Rust & Vreugd's historical gardens. 

 

The proposed precinct has been welcomed by Cape Town Partnership chief executive Andrew Boraine, who said it would do for the East City what the Cape Town International Convention Centre did for the Foreshore and the Waterfront for a formerly under-used part of town. 

 

"Both of these massively successful projects relied on a strong public-private partnership."

 

Cape Times, Anél Lewis

01 July 2009