POLOKWANE – The municipality intends to close a portion of Genl Joubert Street in the central business district, to make provision for a parking area for those visiting the African Market, which is not yet up and running.
There is still time for people who wish to give input in this regard to do so, even though participation and stakeholder management meetings were already held to discuss the closure of the road.
Layout plans showing particulars of the proposed closure are available for inspection on week days from 13:30 to 16:30 at the office of the municipality’s manager of city planning and property management in room 146 on the first floor of the west wing of the civic centre.
The African Market will be used by hawkers and other entrepreneurs for trading in a regulated and orderly way.
The informal business sector showed so much growth that it has started infringing on formal businesses’ territories as well as pedestrian walkways.
The market is meant to offer formalised business and trading premises for hawkers and other entrepreneurs, as well as being used as a flea market to attract tourists and visitors so that they can support local businesses.
The structure, which was part of the municipality’s hawker management and support plan, had been planned since 2004 and R5,8 million was committed to this development, with construction being completed in 2011.
However, no occupation certificate could be issued as the municipality failed to comply with their own building regulations and by-laws in that no provision for parking was made. The building has not yet been occupied.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene said any input regarding the street closure could be submitted in writing to the municipality’s manager of city planning and property management no later than March 10.
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