Formerly an apartheid government dumping ground for forcibly removed people, Atlantis, on the northern edge of the Cape Town Metropole, has suffered high unemployment and poverty despite being zoned for industry. But with the City proposing a future development corridor all the way to Saldanha Bay, business owners expect to see positive growth in Atlantis over the long term.
This positive outlook has been spurred by the City's recent release of 22 industrial plots ranging in size from between 1 501m² to 44 940m², and 120 individual plots ranging in size from 330 to 400 m².
Additionally, the redevelopment of the Atlantic City shopping centre is set to instil confidence in the under-serviced community.
Managing director of Classic Developments, Nizaar Petersen, said the redevelopment of the shopping centre was set to offer shoppers a "new and exciting" experience as well as restore dignity and respect within a "forgotten community".
Petersen said the redevelopment, which is expected to open by October, would increase the amount of rentable floor space in the centre by 5000m².
He said the existing building would be furnished with a new structure that will boast modern architectural desings and offer tenants a wide range of stores varying in size from 600m² squared for big retailers to 35m² squared for smaller stores Tenants included Pick 'n Pay, Pep Home, Russels, and Mr Video.
Owner of Property Café, Hugo Shlechter, said the development would be "beneficial" to both the community and investors, and he was "excited" that more businesses were coming back to the area.
"This is what Atlantis has been waiting for, in order to bring change," said Shlechter.
Mayoral committee member for development and tourism, Simon Grindrod, said the release of 22 serviced industrial properties followed last year's sale of 13 erven to 11 industrialists.
Grindrod said it was expected the development of those properties would create 1 400 jobs over the next two years, with a capital investment cost of about R180 million.
The release of 22 more plots was as a result of strong demand for industrial land, he said.
He said all tenders would be evaluated on the basis of proposed business ideas, socio-economic considerations, development time frames, the HDI (Human Development Index) status of the tenderer, as well as the price offered.
"The City wants to see the land being used as soon as possible for the creation and economic development. Tenders, who do not intend to immediately establish an industry on the land, will not be considered," he said.
The City has also announced that the 120 individual plots released in the Beacon Hill suburb were aimed at families in the gap housing market earning between R3 500 and R7 000 per month.
In a statement, the city said the starting price for the plots would be R17 000, with the most expensive site not costing more than R26 000.
The sale of the land would be subject to purchasers agreeing not to sell the land on until it was developed. – Brenda Nkuna, West Cape News
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