May 26, 2005
By Tammy O'Reilly
AS PART of its commitment to rejuvenating sections of Johannesburg that are lagging behind in economic and other development, the City council has tagged one more area for enhancement.
Benrose, a concentrated commercial and industrial node interspersed with residences south of the city, is to benefit from the formation of a City Improvement District (CID).
CIDs are specific areas in which the majority of property owners agree to fund additional and current services provided by the City council. It is believed that by enhancing aspects of that area - like security, cleanliness and tourism - it will attract more visitors and so an increase in investment.
"The Central Johannesburg Partnership and Kagiso Urban Management are already in the process of rounding up business support," says Keith Swanepoel, the manager of strategic support in Region 8. "They are also setting up public meetings and informing people of their plans for area."
The Central Johannesburg Partnership and Kagiso Urban Management, which provide comprehensive solutions for urban management and urban regeneration, will manage the improvement district.
Their job is to liaise with the local authority on behalf of stakeholders to improve service delivery at this level and to develop programmes that will promote the overall image of the area.
There will also be an emphasis on attracting jobs and investment, carrying out market analysis, developing and maintaining databases and securing finance for development projects.
"The Benrose CID has already been legislated," says Hans Jooste, the manager of the Central Johannesburg Partnership.
"By 1 June we will be ready to put our plans into action and the benefits for the area and the entire region are huge. Regeneration will take place, businesses will boom, vacant properties will become occupied and property values will be raised."
If other established CIDs, like Sandton Central and Braamfontein, are an example, business owners and residents will benefit in terms of maintenance, parking and transport, assistance in event co-ordination, dealing with crime and grime, and infrastructure development.
Also, any issues that negatively affect the area will be dealt with on an integrated level, with involvement from both residential and business stakeholders.
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