THE restoration of Beyers Naude Square and Harry Hofmeyr Parkade in central Joburg is finished, presenting a fresh new image in this busy part of the CBD.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) was responsible for the R8-million refurbishment, which was carried out in two phases over two years.
According to the JDA development manager, Celestine Mouton, the project involved sealing leaks in the roof slab over the underground parking and creating a space where people could relax.
“We have created an urban space where people in the inner city can sit down and interact with one another,” said Mouton “There are now tables with mosaic game boards that encourage people to sit and play games.”
Work on the site began in May 2009, with the demolition of steel structures that were built in the 1980s, to create open spaces and improve visibility. These structures had deteriorated from a lack of maintenance and had become a haven for the homeless and criminal activity.
Other interventions made by JDA involved:
- Highlighting and improving access to the basement parking garage beneath the park;
- Flattening or improving park levels, include highlighting some increased level flowerbeds; and
- Implementing a public artwork that was relevant to the park, its context and history.
The square and the underground parking were handed over by the JDA to the Gauteng provincial legislature on 29 July, after the work was completed. The square now includes a tiered, semi-circular seating area around the east of the cenotaph and a wall that demarcates specific multi-level areas on both sides of Simmonds Street.
Old lightening standards were removed and replaced with new lightening facilities.
User friendly
John Des Fountain, the director of operational support services for the legislature, described the new park as user friendly and accessible with a multitude of seating areas to relax.
“In due course, the newly planted grass and trees will turn the park into a square which will draw members of the public to meet and relax in the centre of Johannesburg. It will also become a value-add to the initiatives currently under way in improving the city centre, as the word spreads,” he said.
The Gauteng provincial government was very proud of the completed project and especially about what had been done to the park and for the benefit it would give to the people of Johannesburg, said Des Fountain.
Beyers Naude Square is a heritage site. Previously known as Market Square, it was once a meeting point for strikers. It is bounded by Market, President, Simmonds and Sauer streets.