CJP background: CJP as catalyst / coordinator of strategic developments
Transitional housing
The CJP developed a Transitional Housing Model allying the provision of shelter to training and job creation. The model was adopted by the Johannesburg Trust for the Homeless which purchased and renovated a property in Cornelius Street with funding from ICHUT and grant moneys from USAID. Cornelius House became operational in early 1998 and today provides accommodation for approximately 200 persons.
Van der Byl Square (Gandhi Square)
During 1998 the CJP was approached by an owner of a property bordering on Van der Byl Square who had a vision for the revitalisation of the area.
The Square had been allowed to deteriorate dramatically, was a centre for homeless people and street children and petty crime was at a high level with a resultant negative impact on the viability of the surrounding buildings.
The CJP established the Van der Byl Square Consortium consisting of the majority of property owners contiguous to the Square.
A lease agreement over the Square was negotiated with the Council which required the Consortium to upgrade the Square and maintain it at their cost.
The Consortium renamed the Square 'Gandhi Square' in recognition of the significant role that Mahatma Gandhi had played in Johannesburg and the fact that he had represented many South African Indians and Chinese in the struggle against discrimination in the Law Courts which had originally been sited on the Square, then known as Government Square.
The project was completed in 1999 but the CJP has an ongoing responsibility on behalf of the Consortium to maintain and manage the Square.
Fox Street
The CJP coordinated the funding and upgrading/ pedestrianisation of a portion of Fox Street between Kruis and Eloff Streets. Funding was provided by contiguous property owners. The project was completed in late 2000 but the CJP has an ongoing responsibility to maintain and manage the upgraded area.
Braamfontein Corporate Precinct
Corporate property owners in Braamfontein approached the CJP in 2003 to assist in co-ordinating funding for the upgrading of the public environment. Corporate funding of some R12 million was secured. Following negotiations through the JDA, the City Council agreed to provide an additional R28 million for further public environment upgrading. The CJP established a CID in the upgraded area during 2004.
Legal Precinct – High Court Precinct
The CJP was requested to co-ordinate the funding and upgrading of the area around the High Court through the creation of an identifiable Legal Precinct. The project is due for implementation during 2004/5.
Main Street
In 2003 the CJP was appointed project co-ordinator for the major redevelopment of Main Street. The project entailed the complete re-design and re-construction of Main Street over six city blocks between McClaren and Rissik Streets. The re-designed Main Street limits vehicular access, has extended pavements to allow for open air coffee shops and restaurants and is extensively planted. New lighting based on historic 19th century city light standards and heritage artifacts that relate to the mining industry provide a mining theme which complements the concentration of mining houses and associations that still operate in the buildings that line the street.
Seed capital was supplied by the City Council via the JDA and the major funding was raised from relevant property owners. The CJP also manages the public space via a CID under the name of Main Street Mall.
Fashion District
The CJP is part of a team led by the Johannesburg Development Agency which is researching an existing mixed-use precinct for regeneration as a 'fashion' and 'garment manufacturing' specialist node. The CJP is responsible for developing an appropriate institutional model and for the establishment of a City Improvement District in the area and providing research around the issue of appropriate use of public open space and informal trade management.
Civic (Legislature) Precinct
During 2002 the CJP undertook research into appropriate use of the Library Gardens area and submitted its findings to the Gauteng Legislature.
Alexandra Informal Business
The CJP undertook an overview of the informal sector in Alexandra and an analysis of by-law applicability and implementation – 2002.
Joburg Art City
In late 2001, the CJP were approached by a final year Wits University student with a concept of utilising the city as a large art gallery for massively enlarged South African Art. The CJP, working with the Johannesburg Inner City Business Coalition (JICBC), JDA and Business & Arts South Africa (BASA) and the City Council, has developed the concept into a major project with two main objectives, the promotion of South African Art and artists to the general public and the showcasing of the projects under construction in the city during the period August 2002/March 2003 to coincide with the World Summit, Arts Alive and the Cricket World Cup.
In 2004 the CJP were approached by the City Council with the request that the project be re-instituted as part of the city's 'Ten Years of Freedom' celebrations. The 2004 project was held in two phases. The first was an exhibition, 'Images of Defiance' that was held in Museum Africa showcasing posters that arose during the struggle period of the 1980s. The second was a repeat of the 2002 project but the art competition called for entries themed around the aspect of 'Freedom'.