[Originally published 19 July 2015] A scale model of the proposed Kopanong Precinct was prominently on display at the Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference at Gallagher Estate this week. According to a project flyer distributed to attendees the project will entail the rehabilitation, development and management of twenty-one inner city buildings. The objectives of the project are:
- Improvement of service delivery through efficient and functional interrelation
- Identification of a vehicle of changing ownership in the CBD
- Eliminate process and work disruption by stability of tenure
- Create an urban design through office accommodation to regenerate the inner city of Johannesburg
It is clear that the provincial government is pursuing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) vehicle “to deliver the project and manage the precinct and precinct buildings”. The project is listed as an official PPP project on the website of National Treasury. At the end of June 2015 the Gauteng Department of Finance also issued a tender for the appointment of a PPP transaction advisor. The tender documents note that four buildings in the precinct are listed heritage sites (namely the New Library Hotel, SARB, Clegg House and Montrose House) and that six buildings are older than 60 years (New Library Hotel Building, ABSA Building, Old Reserve Bank Building, SA Permanent Building, SARB and Clegg House). [The information regarding listed heritage sites should be checked with the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng (PHRAG) and local heritage groups. We have not been able to find official documentation stating that these sites have been officially declared. This in no way diminishes their significance of course].
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