Cape Town - The Bellville South Residents Association has welcomed the proposed local spatial development framework (LSDF) for the Bellville central business district as a drawcard for residents and businesses who were mostly excluded and marginalised from the economic opportunities that the CBD ought to bring.
The development framework was currently out for public participation with an open day scheduled for Saturday at Bellville Public Library.
Among other projects proposed by the LSDF were plans to improve Voortrekker Road with Bellville South to ensure better movement and mobility between the metro south-eastern and northern district, and the implementation of a new vertically integrated multi-modal Bellville public transport Interchange.
It also proposed the release of vacant City-owned land for mixeduse development, including the establishment of a “government precinct” accommodating a mix of public uses, facilities and services.
Bellville South Residents Association chairperson Michael Graayenstein said all previous City spatial projects in Bellville CBD were focused on aesthetics rather than redevelopment that addressed the needs of those who use Bellville CBD for their livelihood.
“A case in point is our opposition to the spatial redevelopment of Kruskal Avenue, which is said to cost around R20 million. The same road, which is not primary in the CBD, was redeveloped a few years ago.
“We cannot agree to and accept such wasteful expenditure in the name of beautifying and making the CBD ‘attractive’,” he said.
Graayenstein said they also welcomed that the City was now taking a holistic view on the matter, which he said was complex and required various stakeholders to reach a consensus about roles and responsibilities.
The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) CEO Warren Hewitt said they also welcomed the long-term investment plans for the regeneration of Bellville.
Hewitt encouraged interested and affected residents to comment on the proposals before the July deadline.