Cape's Foreshore Freeway proposal sweetened

The City of Cape Town has thrown three more properties into the mix for prospective bidders to consider developing, as part of requests for proposals to develop the Foreshore Freeway Precinct, that includes the unfinished highways and bridges. According to the prospectus which will be released next Friday when the tender opens, bidders may include proposals for developing the site of the city’s transport maintenance depot in Ebenezer Road, the site of the MyCiTi service depot in Prestwich Street and the Gallows Hill Traffic Department, all in Green Point. Mayco member for transport Brett Herron said on Thursday that while proposals for the future of the unfinished highways did not have to include these sites, submissions could make suggestions for these properties as part of a more integrated development plan.

Last week, mayor Patricia de Lille announced plans by the city to make available 6ha of land on the Foreshore underneath the unfinished highways, provided that proposals included options for the development of social housing. Despite public calls for the highways to be completed, the city said it did not have the money to finish them nor to address the traffic congestion in and out of the CBD. All proposals would have to be self-funded. “We are looking to eliminate if not completely, then reduce the burden on city ratepayers,” said Herron. The prospectus, which also includes geo-technical information, the bridge designs and a video, does not prescribe whether or not to finish the highways as a whole or in part, and they could be destroyed as part of a new design.

But proposals must indicate what should happen to all the incomplete roadways - the unfinished highway on the western side of the Foreshore, the one opposite the Cape Town International Convention Centre where parking has been constructed and the unfinished highway on the eastern side which comprises an inbound and outbound portion. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for urban developers to address the city’s traffic woes and affordable housing needs in return for the rights to develop one of the most valuable, vital and iconic precincts in the city,” said Herron. The city would not prescribe how much of the development had to be used for affordable housing and it also did not have to be built within the Foreshore precinct. The request for proposals comprises two stages. In the first, bidders will have five months to compile their proposals including detailed designs and a 3D model. Those which pass the initial assessment will be asked to present their proposals to a multi-disciplinary bid evaluation committee.

The chosen designs will be on display at the city for three weeks for public comments. In the second stage, qualifying bidders will enter into agreement with the city. Bidders will have until December 8 to submit their proposals and models.