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The Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID) team is working hard to generate support from commercial property owners in the area to sign up for the GSCID.
University of Cape Town (UCT) has already committed itself to sponsoring R4.5 million towards the establishment of the GSCID as well as signing up their 53 properties in the area at a recent public meeting.
One of the largest property groups in South Africa, Growthpoint Properties Limited, has also pledged its support for the GSCID. David Stoll, Regional Manager of Growthpoint Cape Town said: “As a board director of the Claremont CID (CIDC) I’ve seen firsthand the value that City Improvement Districts (CID’s) bring to an area. Not only do they preserve the cleanliness and safety of an area but also promote the upgrading of public space while enhancing property values.
“It makes sense for us to be part of this initiative, particularly as many of our property portfolios fall within other CID boundaries such as the CIDC and City Central Improvement District (CCID). We are excited to be part of the GSCID and what it will bring to this area,” said Stoll.
With the second UCT student, Dominic Giddy, murdered in the past 4 months on 12 February the urgency for the formation of a CID in this area is more vital than ever. UCT vice-chancellor Max Price said: “Our hearts go out to the Giddy family as they face this tragic loss. We spend millions on campus security to safeguard our staff and students against crime and we have been successful at driving crime down. We are a relatively safe campus yet our students and staff become victims in the areas around campus where they live.
“UCT is this year leading the way in establishing the Groote Schuur Community Improvement District which I hope will reduce crime in the areas bordering on UCT and covering most residences and digs.”
Anthony Davies, coordinator of the GSCID and formerly founder and Executive Manager of the Claremont Improvement District Company, said “This tragic incident highlights the urgency of implementing a CID in this area. We are in the midst of an intense campaign to fulfill the statutory requirements to establish the GSCID. We therefore appeal to commercial property owners to agree by voting ‘yes’ for its formation on or before 25 February,” said Davies.
The area under consideration is situated along and adjacent to the Main Road from Sans Souci Road at the Newlands swimming bath, to Anzio Road at St Peter’s Square in Observatory.
Special Rating Area’s (previously known as CIDs) are established in terms of a City of Cape Town By-Law. In the case of the GSCID, levies will be charged to commercial property owners in order to fund this work. Residential property owners will not be required to pay the levy, but benefit from a cleaner, safer, more pleasant environment. UCT proposes to partner with commercial property owners within this area to establish the GSCID.
Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. UCT is a client of HWB
