Beachfront promenade and upgrade off to fine start
ITS ALL systems go as construction work begins, that will see Durban’s Beachfront promenade extended.
This week, ethekwini Municipality hosted a sod turning ceremony attended by city leaders, developers, officials and Mayor Zandile Gumede.
The 750m promenade forms part of the R3.5 billion Point Waterfront Development.
The promenade, is to be extended from ushaka to Vetch’s Pier. This will allow people to walk all the way to the harbour entrance.
The improvement phase of the project is mooted to cost around R300m, with improvements expected to existing infrastructure around the beachfront.
Bevarah Soban, chief executive of the Durban Point Development Company, said the extension would take the Golden Mile to a whole new level, with significant improvements to the change rooms, ablution and staff facilities.
“The extension of the promenade will not only benefit developers but also the general public, including beach strollers.
“The rejuvenated promenade will provide them with better access to the beach to view our beautiful sea and surrounding areas which are also going to be renewed,” said Soban.
The construction of an amphitheatre for beach events is expected to be completed and open by next year.
This is expected to be followed by the first phase of the Point Waterfront Development plan, which will see the city aimimg to unlock major investment, including a residential tower, retail mall and a hotel.
Gumede said she was excited about the project as job opportunities would be created. It was anticipated that the development would make an impact on the city’s rates revenue .
“This sod-turning ceremony is evidence and an indication of how much impact we can make in advancing radical economic transformation if we work together.
“This development impacts on and contributes to our overall agenda of strategic investment, with the purpose of stimulating economic activity, creating jobs and improving lives of our people,” she said.
“The addition provided by the Point Waterfront Development to the tourism of Durban will indeed be significant. This will also make a sizeable impact in diversifying our range of existing tourism products in Durban.”