R6 MILLION PLANNED UPGRADE TO ST PETERS PRECINCT

After years of approval delays, the Mandela Bay Development Agency will now forge forth with the R6 million St Peters Precinct

After years of approval delays, the Mandela Bay Development Agency will now forge forth with the R6 million St Peters Precinct. The St Peters Anglican Church was built in 1875, which was an integral part of the old South End community. It was part of the landmarks affected by the forced removals of the apartheid government in the 1960s. By 1972, the empty building was vandalized and irreparable. The MBDA has since purchased the land and has partly restored the historic St Peter’s church. The partial restoration started with the timber walkway that provides visibility of the ruins of the church and a beautiful view of the ocean.

MBDA’s Operations Executive, Debbie Hendricks said, “St Peters is a special place of remembrance; comprised of heritage, social, environmental, and commercial elements. The MBDA is a cultural and heritage sensitive agency. It aims to restore and revive what once was, back to life.” “After extensive consultation with interested stakeholders regarding the St Peters development: it was decided to build a coffee shop, a curio shop, a lounge, and a deck. Artists will sell their works in the curio shop while people will be able to sit on the deck as they enjoy the view of the harbour. The construction would be set in an indigenous garden, in the southern corner of the St Peter's site; off Gardner Circle, above the ruins of the church. The modular designed will be built off-site with solar panel installation.” added Hendricks. Ward 5 NMBM Councillor, Terri Stander said, “The project could be a catalyst for positive change. This is an opportunity for the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, spearheaded by the MBDA and together with the community and SMMEs, to bring our economic development back.”

The successful contractor is “All Fired Up Construction Co” from Motherwell. We are now in the process of concluding all the contractual elements pertaining to SMME participation. 10-12 general workers from Ward 5 will join the contract team and the arrangement with SMMEs is being finalized. We are not able to go out on tender until National Treasury lifts the hold on all public tenders because of the latest con court ruling. The MBDA has commissioned artwork by design competition winner, Michael Barry. The concrete conceptual artwork of the old cross is based on the old wooden St Peter’s cross, which ships coming into Port Elizabeth harbour once used as a marker beacon. “The Precinct will honour the conversation around St Peter's, bring people to the site and create awareness. It will activate and bring to life the church.”, concluded Hendricks.