Gauteng+provincial+precinct+tunnel+given+go-ahead,+Star



=Gauteng provincial precinct tunnel given go-ahead=

=//Environmental study says construction will have no negative impact on the area//=

The Star, Johannesburg, February 20, 2006

 * By Anna Cox**

A tunnel under Market Street, for the construction of the R2,5-billion Gauteng Provincial Government Precinct in the inner city of Johannesburg, has been given the green light by an environmental impact study (EIA).

The decision by the provincial government to establish a 5 000sq m precinct has brought howls of protest from residents, historians and architects after the South African Heritage Resources Association (SAHRA) approved the demolition of 10 city buildings to make way for it.

A key feature will be the construction of an underpass or tunnel under a portion of Market Street which will assist in the creation of an open space in the Johannesburg CBD.

The open area will allow for easy access between the provincial departments.

The tunnel extends under Market Street, starting just after West Street. It will go underground at Kort Street and will emerge after Harrison Street before Rissik Street.

It will run along the width of the present two centre lanes of the four-lane Market Street. In the tunnel, entrances and exits will be located on the northern side entering the Harry Hofmeyer parkade and on the southern side entering the proposed New Heritage Parkade.

The EIA report says there will be no significant negative environmental impact which should prevent the development of the tunnel.

There will, however, be a significant heritage negative impact on the surrounding buildings with the construction of ramps.

But, "the impact was considered by an independent panel and, from SAHRA's perspective, the proposed development of the tunnel will have no significant negative impact which should inhibit the development of the tunnel provided all the recommendations and mitigation actions are adhered to."

The provincial government decided to establish the precinct in order to bring together certain government departments in a cost-effective and efficient manner. It is expected to create a civic focal point for Johannesburg and play a role in revitalising the CBD.

The ten buildings to be demolished to make way for the precinct are Clegg House, Custom House, RSA Building, Second New Library Hotels, SARB House, Second Rand Water Building, Volkskas Building, Peoples Bank Building, FNB Building and Thusanong/Lithom Building.

SAHRA approved the demolition after its advisory committee found that the buildings did not represent the best examples of the kind of heritage they represent. But facets of some of the buildings are to be memorialised in the precinct's open space.

In its report, SAHRA said the advantage of housing the provincial departments in one area far outweighed keeping the buildings.

It added that in line with the new dispensation in the country, SAHRA had also considered the socio-economic spin-offs, stating that if the project went ahead, the regeneration of the inner city would be enhanced.

It further stated that there were 100 other art deco buildings in the inner city.

The South African Technical and Careers Organisation (Sabtaco) has welcomed the new precinct.

James Ngobeni, acting chief executive said: "The image of Johannesburg which represented the old order of planning and architecture is for a change receiving urgent attention through the government initiatives to develop a precinct with a strong character which bridges the gap between colonial architecture and planning to the new features which will incorporate the historical footprint of the indigenous people of South Africa.

"The move by Gauteng Legislature to modify and improve the public space around the Library Gardens to be in line with other civic centres of the world is much applauded.

"With the movement of most of the big businesses out of the city centre, the economy of the city has been adversely affected. For some time there has been strong indications of deterioration in certain parts of the city. Bearing in mind that Johannesburg is not only the capital of Gauteng Province, but also the economic powerhouse of South Africa, initiates to regenerate the city to turn the "Smart Province" concept into reality has now become critical.

"This demonstrates how government has given a high priority to the regeneration of our major city as can be seen in other initiatives such as the development of the Sci-bono Discovery Centre and … Mandela Bridge. Sabtaco … applauds this initiative," he said.

Neil Fraser of Urban Inc, an urban consultancy dedicated to the revitalisation and regeneration of cities, said the implications for heritage conservation and quality public open space were bleak indeed. "It is sending a signal to every developer that heritage buildings are fair game for demolition and redevelopment.

"Government, the custodians of the national estate, should be setting an example particularly in regard to the preservation of historic resources," he said.

DA member of the provincial legislature Jack Bloom said this was going to be another Gautrain saga.

"They are going to try to railroad this project through again. Estimates before were around the R1-billion mark. It has now already escalated by more than double. What are we getting for this money?" he asked.


 * From: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=129&fArticleId=3119089**

845 words