Green light for multibillion rand BCM ‘sleeper site’

THE Buffalo City Metro council has finally approved the multibillion rand property development known as the “sleeper site” project.

At the metro’s last council meeting for the year last week, acting city manager Nceba Ncunyana presented the long outstanding development framework report for the massive project.

The “sleeper site” covers 13 hectares of prime inner city land previously owned by Transnet and bound by the central railway station, Quigney and Arcadia.

The development will include the construction of a new civic centre, new council chambers, shopping malls, accommodation and office parks.

Ncunyana requested council to approve the development plan and implementation of the project funded by National Treasury.

In addition, it was also agreed that the council would engage a wide range of stakeholders “to develop and maintain a clarity of vision and purpose for the sleeper site development as well as the central business district (CBD) and surrounds”.

The stakeholders include tertiary institutions, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, civic organisations, residents’ associations, taxi owners and other businesses.

Ncunyana said responsible directorates would also implement all “necessary detailed infrastructure and road network development studies” and oversee the implementation of infrastructure and road network improvements over an extended period of time, as detailed in the implementation plan.

“The sleeper site development project (should) be incorporated into the Metro Growth and Development Strategy,” said Ncunyana.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday BCM mayor Xola Pakati said the roll-out of the project would begin in January.

“We are at the implementation point now. We have an agreement with National Treasury on the rollout plan as the department is funding the massive project.

“We have a five-year plan and the initial phase will cost about R53.3million,” said Pakati.

Ncunyana said that during the feasibility studies external stakeholders, including Amathole district municipality, University of Fort Hare , Border-Kei Chamber of Business, World Bank and National Treasury had been consulted.

The stakeholders were also consulted during the formulation of the development framework process.

Ncunyana highlighted that improving the appearance of Oxford Street was critical to the plan. Other plans include: ● The conversion of Cambridge Street and a section of Oxford Street to one-way roads.

● The development of a pedestrian crossing over the railway line to link the site to Buxton Street and the City Hall. ● Linking the city to the sea. All BCM departments have been instructed to enforce by-laws and commence with the tidying up and “repair of the CBD in order to restore investor confidence as well as to make the CBD safer and more usable”.

Ncunyana said the city needed a “crime and grime campaign”.

The council also agreed that quarterly reports in respect of the implementation of the project would be submitted to the council to keep track of the project. —