The Atlantis Business Hives at the local taxi rank recently had a makeover and are nearly ready for business.
This according to Alderman James Vos, Mayco Member for Economic Development, during his visit to the site Monday 19 June.
He said the project was about upgrading the 15 business hives that were in derelict condition.
“The upgrades form part of Area Economic Development (North)’s vision to ensure uniformity and standardised services and infrastructure in business hives across its jurisdiction.”
Vos said the upgrading, maintenance, and repairs of the hives were crucial to ensuring continuous investments in infrastructure that support informal businesses with adequate services, such as ablution facilities, electricity, water, and other amenities.
The upgrade work is twofold, the first part involving upgrading and provisioning new shopfronts, burglar doors, toilet repairs, tilling, painting internal and external surfaces, roof and ceiling repairs, electrical work, plumbing work, new sinks, new windows, stone guards, outside lighting, and the installation of fire extinguishers. The second part involved hard surfacing and landscaping around the trading facility.
The project commenced on 1 December 2022 and at that time the available budget of R744,588.52 could not cover the overall project scope. Thanks to the January 2023 budget adjustment additional funds were made available.
Vos commended the contractor on the practical completion of the project, achieved on 14 June.
He added there were a few snags that had been identified that the contractor was busy with and completion expected to be done last Friday (23 June), and included repairs to the asphalt surface and closing potholes, flashing of the roof, application of epoxy paint to the concrete surface and cleaning the facility.
