By Bongani Majola
MAYOR Amos Masondo on Wednesday urged motorists to use alternative routes to the Bertha/Jan Smuts roads intersection in Braamfontein, ahead of the commencement of the more than R1 billion Regeneration Project next week.
From 7 May, the mayor announced, the first phase of the project begins at the Wits University gateway, rendering the northbound as well as the southbound lane on Bertha Street unusable "because of the road upgrade".
"Total road closures will be announced in due course when the project gets to the next phase," Masondo said.
The area and street upgrade of this magnitude would inevitably lead to some inconvenience for road users and residents of Braamfontein, said Masondo.
Giving momentum to the regeneration of Braamfontein is the construction of Constitution Hill and the Newtown Cultural Precinct, the two developments that are key components of what Masondo called "the cultural arch - a conceptual link through innovative use of public art, performance and the creative use of public open space".
Enhancing this revitalisation project is the construction, fast nearing completion in July, of the groundbreaking Nelson Mandela Bridge, whose girders already impose an impressive view on entering the city from Jan Smuts Avenue.
Throughout the year and until March 2004, Braamfontein streets, including Jorisson Street, as well as major shops, buildings, parks and pedestrian paths will be revamped. Trees will be planted along certain streets for the greening of the area, while pedestrian-oriented lighting will be installed, creating beautiful sidewalks.
"With innovative and strategic designs," Masondo said, "we will create a Braamfontein where a multiplicity of economies, including the human economy, and ways of experiencing the city come together".
The rejuvenation project will see the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) spending an amount of R25 million over two years. Other partners that will contribute to the project include the City of Johannesburg and property owners in the area such as Apex Hi, Sappi, JD Group, Gensec, SAB Miller, Wits University and Liberty Life.
Liberty Life, the largest property owner in Braamfontein, will coordinate corporate activity through a Braamfontein Business Improvement District (BID), a non-profit company to which all ratepayers in the area will contribute. The efforts of the BID will include urban redesign and greening of open spaces, improved lighting and signage, dedicated cleaning and security, installing a CCTV network and "improving the public space and environment for residents, office workers and other members of the public," said JDA spokesperson Tshepo Nkosi.
"The project will provide Braamfontein with a new identity and sense of place," said Nkosi. "But it is also an investment to upgrade, regenerate, consolidate and stimulate investment opportunities in the greater Braamfontein area. Thus businesses that wish to be part of this revitalisation are advised to contact JDA."
Andre Oberholzer, corporate affairs manager for Sappi, one of the partners in this project, said Braamfontein was of one of the most central places for a company to have its location. "It's easily accessible for staff members, has a very cosmopolitan character, parks, a theatre and a university close to each other, giving it a great mix of business and nightlife".
Oberholzer said as Sappi's head offices are in Braamfontein, the company had considered moving out or rejuvenating the precinct a couple of years ago. "Finding partners in the City and in the mayor's commitment to revitalise the place, together with Liberty Life and other organisations, we set out to uplift property value through the Braamfontein Regeneration Project".
Perhaps more than any other organisation, said Wits University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, "Wits is prominent and permanently stuck in Braamfontein. We are happy with such exciting development on our doorstep and are indeed happy partners in improving our environment".
As part of the regeneration, the Wits School of Arts will move to the old dental clinic at the corner of Jan Smuts/Bertha and Ameshof Streets, "to add to the project's cultural arch", Mthembu said.
