PROBABLY later than sooner, but planners are even allowing for rail access to the Port Shepstone CBD in an ambitious, but welcome urban renewal programme.
Clive Manci, a director of Madulo Properties, unveiled the plan at Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s monthly meeting on Tuesday.
The plan is to convert the Port Shepstone taxi rank into an integrated, ‘intermodal’ facility which is also to include a new shopping mall.
The existing bus rank is to be converted into a temporary taxi rank at a cost of R10 million within the next few months.
Then the plan is to convert the current taxi rank into the ‘intermodal’ facility which will also include the mall.
Major food franchises have already expressed an interest in the development. The mall will also include parking on the mezzanine level with access from Ryder Street and provision for informal traders and kiosks outside.
The idea is to combine all commuter services, even with the possibility of rail in the long term.
The municipality will retain ownership of the land, but will grant long leases in public/private partnerships.
The project also means more employment opportunities and a boost to the local economy.
