A proposal to demolish two derelict buildings at New Street Park, near the Somerset West central business district (CBD), has brought mixed reactions from the community.
While some are in favour of clearing the space, which they say poses a safety risk as it attracts vagrants, others are of the opinion the structures could easily be repurposed to suit the needs of the community and preserve its heritage-related significance.
According to City of Cape Town records, factors that motivate a recommendation to demolish the structures are that the disposal by way of demolition will relieve council of maintenance costs and eliminate current security and safety risks as these have been declared “problem buildings”.
A few years ago the City investigated the property for possible sale and lease due to its not requiring the asset.
“The City tried to dispose via Tender 91P/2016/2017 (sale), but the bidder did not have the funds while a lease to Somerset West Night Shelter also never materialised,” reads a report on the matter. “The building has subsequently been vandalised and identified as a problem building in terms of the City of Cape Town’s “Problem Building Bylaw 2010”, and the City is required to take action to remedy the situation.
“The Department of Recreation and Parks intends to demolish the building as it is in a state of disrepair and incorporate the land into the park. The City’s Environment and Heritage Resource Department supports the demolition. It has submitted an application to Heritage Western Cape to approve a permit to demolish the structure”.
Opposed to the demolition
According to heritage-commenting body Helderberg Renaissance Foundation (HRF) the building was presumably built in the early 1900s and, although the heritage status may not be “highly critical”, it would make sense to repurpose it to serve the community.
“We are opposed to the demolition and have submitted an objection to Heritage Western Cape,” said Rob Young-Pugh, member of HRF.
He pointed out no actual evaluation on the heritage value of the building had been conducted, and has been requested from Heritage Western Cape.
Another member of HRF, Annemie Vermeulen, commented that according to the City’s own bylaw, every owner of a property must maintain the property in a good state of repair and in a safe condition and not permit it to be unlawfully occupied or used for criminal activities.
“The City is the owner of the property and therefore should adhere to their bylaw and maintain the property, instead it’s been left to go to ruin,” she said.
Together they urged for due diligence to be conducted before such a drastic decision is taken, and alluded to the Somerset West Renewal Project as an indicator of how the area can be revitalised and buildings repurposed to the benefit of the community.
“Our suggestion is for the building to be re-advertised for a 10-year lease or find the right community organisation to make use of the buildings, it can add so much value to the park instead of just demolishing it,” said Young-Pugh.
Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and the Environment Eddie Andrews clarified that as the building is older than 60 years old it may not be altered or demolished without first obtaining a permit from Heritage Western Cape (HWC), in accordance with Section 34 of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999. ’
“HWC has requested that a Heritage Statement be provided before making a decision,” he said. “This would assess the significance and condition of the building and recommend a way forward.”
Luthando Tyhalibongo, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town, added that in the past its Recreation and Parks Department initiated a process to lease the land to a local shelter for a period of 10 years in 2018, but the lease never materialised and, as a result, the building has remained vacant and become prone to vandalism.
A way forward
“Given the extent of vandalism,” he said, “the Recreation and Parks Department is investigating all possible options to establish a way forward for the building. Further engagements are underway with Heritage Western Cape and the Helderberg Renaissance Foundation. The department will engage interested and affected parties through required legislative processes.”
Member of the Friends of New Street Park group Frans van den Heever said, whatever the outcome, one thing was for certain, the derelict buildings at the park cannot just remain as is.
“It either needs to be repaired and leased out or demolished,” he said. “In its current state it does attract vagrants and is a crime hot spot.
“We would prefer if it could be repurposed to conserve the heritage value and incorporated into something beneficial for the community. We have some suggestions, such as using the buildings as a workshop for a local NPO cycling academy, among others, but this needed to be fast-tracked, as currently it’s a security risk.”
According to Young-Pugh the best way forward should be decided by the entire community, which ought to be informed of all the factors affecting the buildings at New Street Park.
“It just makes sense to use the building instead of demolishing it,” he said.
“The City should re-advertise it and see if it is now feasible to enter into a lease agreement with a community organisation. All over Somerset West there are exciting initiatives, such as the one driven by the Somerset West City Revival Group, to re-establish many areas, and this is working wonderfully, and the same can be done at New Street Park.”
