No intention to develop hotel in Rhodes Park
The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) maintains that there is no intention to develop a hotel in Rhodes Park.

Kensington residents are outraged following rumours about a hotel development proposal apparently put forward by a member of the public.
These rumours surfaced on several occasions in the past and residents say that they will not allow such a development to go ahead on yet another piece of open space in Johannesburg.
In the July 7, 2009 edition of the EXPRESS it was reported that a Bedfordview resident proposed a five-storey hotel for the park. He said a car guard based at the Kensington Community Centre who became a close friend of his, said that something needed to be done to eradicate crime in the park.
The resident believed a hotel, a soccer clinic and rehabilitation centre was the answer because it would automatically mean an increase in security.
At the time, City of Johannesburg (CoJ) rejected the proposed development.
Mr Virgil James, spokesperson for CoJ, said the proposal was rejected by City Parks and the sports and recreation department because they did not support development of this kind on open space. He said that these departments would look at ways to enhance the park before considering a hotel.
Rumours of a proposed development surfaced again last year
It was previously reported that Clr Carlos da Rocha, ward 66, said he was informed by a colleague that a man claimed to have investors ready to plough money into the park to develop a hotel.
Last year City Parks maintained that there was no development proposal on the cards for Rhodes Park.
Spokesperson, Ms Jenny Moodley, said City Parks will have to follow due diligence processes if such a proposal is received. She said this was a mandatory requirement by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. A proposal such as this would require a detailed environmental impact assessment and extensive public consultation.
Earlier this month, Mrs Lornette Joseph, chairperson of the I Love Kensington Association (Ilka), said there has been confusion and uncertainty among residents about council’s plans for the park.
She said some of the latest rumours were that Rhodes Park will be closed by a group of people and the swimming pool will be fixed and gates and lights installed while other rumours were that a hotel will be developed on the park.
“If they are installing lights and security, this is great. I am happy because residents will feel safer. However, I also have to look at access to residents and how will this impact us all,” she said.
Mr Brian Mahlangu, from JPC, said although the city is currently repairing and refurbishing the Rhodes Park Library, it does not intend to develop a hotel in the park.
“Facilities will be upgraded starting with the library and moving on to the swimming pool and other facilities in the park,” said Mr Mahlangu.
Crime
Concerns about crime in Rhodes Park have been raised by members of the public on numerous occasions.
However, most of them would prefer to see an increase in security measures rather than the recreational facility disappear.
JPC has been considering a number of safety measures to address crimes such as robberies in the park. Cleveland SAPS also conducts regular patrols and has made several arrests. Ilka’s aim is to increase the number of local residents visiting the park and to protect the facility against deterioration.