Ellis Park 'gateways' for 2010
Anish Abraham
11 January 2007The area surrounding Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium is to be given an extreme makeover, with the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) planning major upgrades of the area ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
The JDA's plans - also targeting Joburg's central business district, Newtown and the area around Park Station - were presented to potential inner city investors at a function this week.
According to Agmat Badat, the JDA's senior manager in charge of the project, northern and southern gateways to the Ellis Park precinct will be established, making the area more accessible, safe and aesthetically pleasing.
"This are the major entry points into the area and we want to make a statement of arriving in the Greater Ellis Park precinct," Badat said.
The Ellis Park Stadium features on Fifa's list of host stadiums for the 2010 World Cup and is expected to host several group matches as well as a quarterfinal.
To the north, the agency is targeting open public spaces in the area, as well as pedestrian routes along Joe Slovo Drive, Charlton Terrace, Hadfield Road and Sivewright Avenue in Doornfontein.
The northern gateway upgrade is expected to cost about R21.5-million for the civil work and R3.5-million for the electrical work, with funding coming from the City and the national Department of Transport.
According to Badat, work on the northern gateway and along Siemert and Sivewright avenues should be completed by June. "Environmental upgrades will include improved pedestrian circulation, feature lighting, safety and security features as well as a public art component."
Interventions at the southern gateway, entered through Bezuidenhout and Bertrams roads, are improved accessibility and signage. These are targeted at those coming into the area from OR Tambo International Airport and the city's eastern and southern suburbs
Source: City of Johannesburg
