Design revolution for Joburg metro

An artists' impression of the new Metro Cente precinct in Rissik Street, Braamfontein. Work has already started on the R200 million council chamber which is expected to be complete in May next year. 220515 Civi precinct. Picture: Handout/Supplied

An artists' impression of the new Metro Cente precinct in Rissik Street, Braamfontein. Work has already started on the R200 million council chamber which is expected to be complete in May next year. 220515 Civi precinct. Picture: Handout/Supplied

Published May 27, 2015

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Johannesburg - Joburg residents can look forward to hearing the sound of drum rolls echoing through the streets once a month next year.

The City of Joburg, through its Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), has announced a R2.5 billion upgrade of the Metro Centre on Rissik Street, Braamfontein, and some of its regional offices.

The Metro Centre is to be turned into a new precinct which will include a much larger council chamber, a retail component with shops and restaurants, residential apartments, a hotel, a gym, a crèche for council employees’ children, an open-air amphitheatre, food gardens, a banqueting hall for large events and government departments such as Home Affairs and the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).

At the centre of the council chamber will be a golden tower.

JPC chief executive Helen Botes said the Metro Centre was over 40 years old and had never been renovated.

It had become too small.

Also, many of the city’s departments are scattered in surrounding buildings around Braamfontein, which is inefficient. They are also paying rent to landlords.

“The idea of the renovation, plus the construction of space for these departments, makes financial sense as we will no longer be paying rent. It will also add a valuable asset to the city,” she said.

The theme of the precinct is traditionally African.

The round council chamber represents a drum. The walls will be made from glass, indicating transparency, she said.

“There will now be lots of space for the public and the media to come and attend council meetings and events whereas there is very little space in the current chamber.

“There will also be screens outside the chamber, in the people’s square, so people can sit in a restaurant and watch proceedings,” she said.

There will be a separation of the executive and legislative offices, which does not happen currently.

“The new precinct will also improve Hillbrow as there will be a direct link with Braamfontein. Gautrain’s Park Station and the Rea Vaya buses will link all the planned and existing corridors of freedom, so there will be no need for cars,” she said.

The Civic Theatre, Constitution Hill and Jorrisen Street will form part of the precinct linking the various tertiary education institutions including Wits and the University of Johannesburg.

The interior will also be special, said Botes, reflecting the diversity of the regions.

All seven regions will have a totem pole showing an aspect that is peculiar to them.

It could be arts or crafts or business, said Botes.

Construction has already started on the R200m council chamber and is expected to be completed by next May.

“The precinct will become a one-stop centre where people can visit council departments, make payments, get their pensions, shop and enjoy a cup of coffee by just getting on to public transport,” said Botes.

The residential component will be affordable, offering units at under R1m.

The number has not yet been decided.

The entire project, which includes creating regional offices and people’s centres and public squares in all the regions, will take about 15 years to complete.

The first regional offices to be constructed will be in Alexandra near the Watt Street interchange, Randburg and Ivory Park/Midrand.

The project is expected to create 50 000 jobs.

It is planned that it will also create new business opportunities for SMMEs and youth in the construction, interior décor and related industries.

“We are hoping that the large construction companies we use will make use of new entrants into the business.

“We are talking to Wits and UJ telling them what skills we will be needing so we can bring new entrants into the market,” she said.

“There will be many opportunities in construction, interior design, furniture and other aspects,” said Botes.

The Star

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