City seeks to unlock R1,5 billion for Clifton development, including ‘Maiden’s Cove Urban Park’
The City of Cape Town has today, 12 March 2016, invited tenderers to participate in the purchase and lease of portions of three City-owned erven in the Clifton and Camps Bay area. The tender specifications have been developed as the direct result of an in-depth public participation exercise which the City undertook last year. In particular, we have paid attention to the public calls for the protection of Maiden’s Cove, the upgrade of public infrastructure, and for social housing. Read more below:
The tender is built on a large-scale public infrastructure investment drive which it is expected will see an obligatory investment by the private sector in return for the development opportunities on offer of an estimated R190 million for the upgrade of existing public spaces and facilities in the area.
As a response to the public request for social housing and improved community integration, 10% of the financial offer of the sale/lease proceeds by the successful tenderer will be earmarked for future City-developed, near inner-city social housing projects – the sites of which would be determined in the future.
It is foreseen that approximately R55 million will be invested in expanding our beloved Maiden’s Cove picnic area to develop this under-utilised public asset between Clifton and Camps Bay in a manner that is similar to the City’s popular Green Point Urban Park.
Our envisaged ‘Maiden’s Cove Urban Park’ will be transformed to about three times its current size to an inclusive, environmentally protected, safe and accessible place for all Capetonians.
It is estimated that R30 million will be required for a proposed safe and well-lit boardwalk between Clifton Beach, Maiden’s Cove, Glen Beach and Camps Bay Beach, which will be an extension to the pedestrian network on the Atlantic seaboard.
The design also requires the successful tenderer to undertake an upgrade and renewal of transport and non-motorised transport infrastructure along Victoria Road at a cost of an estimated R25,5 million, while requiring an estimated R23 million for the establishment of the Bantry Point Caves boardwalk to enhance public access in this rocky area.
An estimated R18 million would also be required for the proposed upgrade of The Glenn forest trail and a walkway along Kloof Road from Victoria Road to Kloof Nek. It is also foreseen that the existing aged Steps leading from Victoria Road down to the beaches at Clifton and Glen Beach require an upgrade to the tune of an estimated R2,5 million. The Glen Country Club and its facilities will be redeveloped as part of the overall development.
City approval will be required for all of the detailed plans, budgets and construction programmes undertaken with regard to the proposed upgrades.
Pertaining to the development opportunities, the tender includes two single residential parcels of land for the development of 52 Clifton-style dwellings.
The other development opportunities comprise the lease and development of a boutique hotel or apartment site (3 500 m² of bulk); a commercial component of 5 000 m² of bulk (restaurants and retail), and a mixed-use component (offices/studios/apartments) of 2 250 m² and a parking facility consisting of approximately 700 bays, including for residents in the area and members of the public. This property lends itself to development opportunities without negatively affecting the scenic viewpoints towards the coast and the mountain as it comprises various terraces that are below the level of Victoria Road.
Importantly, these specific commercial development opportunities will be based on a 50-year leasehold which means that the enhanced and developed asset will revert back to the City and the generations to come.
The site is approximately 16 ha in size and it is foreseen that only about 5 ha will be developed. The value of the development is anticipated to exceed R1,5 billion.
The City has balanced the diverse and often conflicting input and interests that have been received and we truly believe that this tender, with its strict conditions and investment drive to enhance our public spaces at no cost to the City, shows that we have listened to and considered the public input that we received.
Upon completion of the competitive bid process, further public participation will be undertaken as a Heritage Impact Assessment, land use and rezoning application and an Environmental Impact Assessment will be triggered.
This tender is a great example of how we are trying to leverage City-owned assets to unlock investment and economic opportunities, while at the same time requiring the private sector to help us to invest in public infrastructure which we cannot otherwise afford due to the many pressing needs of our communities across the city.
Statement issued by Alderman Ian Neilson, Executive Deputy Mayor, City of Cape Town, 13 March 2016
