The Mandela Bay Development Agency is taking the strategy for the revival of the Port Elizabeth inner city to local residents through a series of exhibitions at leading shopping centres.

The agency is inviting shoppers to spend time finding out more about the work being done to turn downtown Port Elizabeth and the surrounding suburbs into a vibrant, 24-hour hub for work and play, said MBDA chief executive Pierre Voges. He said the road show also marked the end of the planning process, ushering in the start of implementation of the revival project.

“This is not just talk. There are already extra security personnel and cleaners on the streets of the city centre and Central.

“Soon, we will be starting with the environmental upgrade of Govan Mbeki Avenue between the City Hall and Donkin Street,” said Voges.

“Exciting things are happening downtown, and we would like the people of Nelson Mandela Bay to come down and experience the difference for themselves.”

Voges said the road show was also aimed at investors and property developers.

Similar city centre revivals elsewhere in South Africa and the rest of the world had resulted in property booms as demand for residential, retail and office space rose, said Voges.

“We expect the same to happen in PE,” said Voges. The display can be viewed at Cleary Park shopping centre over the weekend. It then goes to Pier 14, Greenacres, Centenary Hall, Bayworld, South End Museum and the EP Society of Arts and Crafts Art Gallery.

The display will also be erected at the annual general meeting of the PE Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be held in May.

“After the interest shown in the display at Walmer Park and Summerstrand Village, it has been decided to look for more venues,” said Voges.

“In short, we are going out of our way to ensure that many people are informed about what is happening in the city.”

The MBDA has held numerous consultative meetings with the public and various sectors of the community where it has explained its plans on the inner city development, including the pedestrianisation of Govan Mbeki Avenue.

Initially, businesses along the street and the Anglican cathedral expressed concern at the proposed developments, but after such meetings were held, and their input included, a win-win situation was arrived at.

About R12-million has been budgeted for the first phase of the development – from the City Hall to Donkin Street.

This will include the realigning of the kerbs, pavings, construction of canopies and small counters for informal traders and provision of extra lighting and ablution facilities.