JPC discusses building lease

The building has been vacant for several years and has fallen into disrepair. Several members of the community, including residents’ associations, complained in the past about the state of the building. Vagrants use the building as shelter while criminals are believed to be using it as a hideout and targeting visitors who come to the park.

All fittings have been removed, the ceilings and flooring damaged as well as windows broken. The city was slammed for allowing a building such as this to fall into such disrepair.

Although the JPC stated as far back as 2011 that proposals were being considered, that a lease would be awarded and that the premises would be operational, this failed to materialise. A lease for the use of the building was issued but was soon cancelled.

According to the JPC, the lease was cancelled because of the lessee’s non-performance.

In response to an enquiry sent to the JPC recently, Mr Kululwa Muthwa, the chief operations officer, said the bid evaluation for the building was completed and the final award was made by the Executive Adjudication Committee (EAC) on January 31 this year.

“The JPC is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the lease agreement with the successful bidder for a period of nine years and 11 months. A development lease will be concluded and the obligations of the lessee in terms of effecting the improvements and maintenance of the existing structures will be indicated,” he said.

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