A world class exhibition facility awaits residents of Bellville and surrounding areas, with a planned development at the Bellville Velodrome.
A meeting was held between the developer, representatives of the business sector and other stakeholders last week during which a presentation on the development of the velodrome and adjacent areas was given and future plans were discussed.
The area is the vacant land framing the velodrome and the athletics track, as well as the area boasting Mr Price Home and the Virgin Active at the moment.
Areas for commercial use, retail hotels and a conference center will be erected, while the stadium will remain the property of the City of Cape Town.
As part of this development, roads and infrastructure in the area will be upgraded. The application for rezoning has been made and in all probability this will be approved by the end of the year.
Gerhard Swart, consultant to the developer, said the first phase of the development, consisting of the basement area, will take approximately two to two and a half years to construct.
With this project, the principle of “new urbanism” is promoted. This entail a diverse, compact and vibrant mixed use development.
“The Tygervalley/Belville CBD node will be transformed into a vibrant urban environment – the second CBD of Cape Town,” said Swart.
A total of 56 000m2 will be used for retail, 20 000m2 for hote, 18 000m2 for residential units and 32 000m2 for commercial use.
Three levels will be erected for retail purposes, while the hotel will consist of 250 rooms.
Access to the centre will be available from Bill Bezuidenhout Avenue (two existing accesses), the existing Blowmhof Street access, two accesses from Carl Cronje and one from Mispel Road.
A recommendation was made that the City fast-track the expansion of the IRT network towards Bellville and Durbanville and the IRT system be implemented along the Durban Road corridor.
A bicycle facility will be erected along Durban Road and Willie van Schoor.
Upgrades will be made to bulk sewer pipelines on Carl Crone Drive and in Bellville South.
A total of 3 900 new traffic bays are also proposed for the new development.
This article appeared in the Bellville edition of The Tygerburger on 3 August 2011.