Hill street upgrade to commence in February
BLAIRGOWRIE – The Hill Street Pedestrian Mall was converted in the '70s and the infrastructure is in need of an upgrade.
Joburg Development Agency (JDA) and various stakeholders held a meeting on 19 November at Blairgowrie Recreational Centre about the Hill Street Mall upgrade.
The five-month-long Randburg precinct public environment upgrade project is expected to commence in February and last until June next year. This after the Agency embarked on the Hill Street Pedestrian Mall upgrade at the beginning of this year.
The project was scheduled to take only a few months – to complete the three blocks from Kent Avenue to Bram Fischer and Jan Smuts intersection – but took eight months with only one of the three blocks completed.
Ward 102 Councillor David Potter said the current Hill Street Pedestrian Mall was converted in the ’70s and the infrastructure was is in need of an upgrade.
“While the disruptions are unfortunate and unavoidable, Randburg is due for an upgrade. I trust that the JDA will complete this work in record time, with minimal disruption to the pedestrians and business owners along the pedestrian mall,” he explained.
Councillor Potter further explained that it was hoped that in the future the City, through JDA and the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), would have the hideous bridge across Bram Fischer removed and upgraded the Randburg Municipal precinct where various departments of the City are located.
“The building is unmaintained and could be put to better optimal use instead of paying the huge rent that the City pays for the regional offices they rent in Auckland Park,” he concluded.
Urban designer Andrew Luke said the project would encourage owners to upgrade their buildings, promote improved social cohesion, and encourage further investment and upgrading in the area as well as promote public transport and pedestrian movement.
“The first phase was implemented – this phase will create clear lines of CCTVs and allow the business units to start operating even at night,” said Luke.
JDA stakeholder, relations manager Seipati More, said the entity was seeking to register and appoint local SMMEs, general labourers and community liaison officer from Ward 102.
“Applications can be submitted at the Blairgowrie Recreational Centre and Randburg Library, corner Bram Fischer and Selkirk drives from 1 until 7 December from 10am until 3 pm,” said More.
Details: Ward 102 Councillor David Potter, david@oursuburb.co.za; Joburg Development Agency, 011 688 7860.
Related articles:
Plans for street mall upgrade discussed
