Cape Town’s famed Long Street is getting a new lease on life thanks to an innovative revitalisation project that is set to revive the Central City economy and counter the harsh economic effects of Covid-19.
The renowned street, which starts on the Foreshore at Walter Sisulu Ave and travels right up to Buitensingel St, is an important lifeline to the city centre and a key contributor to its economy. As one of the oldest and most popular streets in the Mother City, Long Street is an institution with its interesting architecture and wide array of restaurants, specialty shops and, of course, lively bars and clubs.
While it is still a magnet for revellers, it has lost a lot of its appeal and “has gradually fallen behind other areas of the city as the entertainment destination of choice,” says Giancarlo Bruno, chairperson of the Long Street Association and CEO of Hizone Investment Group (HIG). Bruno says the situation has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the street is now a shadow of its former self. Explains Bruno: “Covid-19 has had a negative impact resulting in a loss of traders and tenants due to the decline of foot traffic into the street and the CBD.“
From left to right: Giancarlo Bruno (chairperson of the Long Street Association) & Grandt Mason (vice-chairperson of the Long Street Association).
REJUVENATION PROJECT
Enter the Upper Long Inner City Rejuvenation Project, which aims to re-establish Long Street as Africa’s cultural and entertainment capital. The focus area for the project is Upper Long Street between Pepper St and the Long Street Baths. Improvements to breathe life into the space include increasing safety and security, deep cleaning, greening, lighting, signage, pedestrianisation and inner-city toilets.
All this will be done under the LOVE LONG banner with slogans such as “Live Long”, “Work Long”, “Play Long, and “Upper Long” incorporated into the area. The first phase of the project includes:
- Installing 10 to 15 parklets to “reclaim the street” for pedestrian traffic;
- Placing over 300 potted trees in Upper Long Street in the next 180 days;
- Introducing the traditional colours of the Bo-Kaap in the street;
- Painting murals and installing works of art;
- Creating dedicated spaces for pop-ups and artists to showcase their wares; and
- Increasing pedestrianisation after hours.
COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY
The first activation, planned for June 2021, will be a “food truck market setup within the pedestrianised zone”. Explains Bruno: “We will use this event to test our safety and security plan, working closely with the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), City Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service (SAPS).”
He adds: “The single biggest 'ask' we have is for the public to return to Long Street. We are working hard to make it a beautiful, safe, and engaging space. Without public support, we will not be able to achieve anything.”
The key driver of the project is the Long Street Association (LSA), a collective of newly elected stakeholders including residents, retailers, and landlords. The project was conceptualised on behalf of Indigo Properties, which owns several buildings in the area, by LSA vice-chairperson Grandt Mason, an industrial designer and private consultant. It was presented and adopted by the LSA.
A member of the CCID's Urban Management team tasked with cutting wine barrels for tree planting.
COMMON GOAL
CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos says he is heartened to see so many stakeholders participating in a community-driven revival of the area. He adds: “Any plan that addresses public space management and has the involvement and buy-in from the community is a winner. We need more of these initiatives.”
Hendricks says the CCID is working closely with the LSA and has been involved in the drafting of the proposal. “All stakeholders share a common goal for the Upper Long Street area, and this initiative is an example of how businesses and the City can work together for the common good,” he says. “We are all users of the space and have to work together to improve the status of the area. If the business community is initiating an upliftment project, they deserve the support of all public agencies.”
The CCID is providing services including Safety & Security, Urban Management, Social Development and Communication. Currently, Urban Management is cutting, sanding and varnishing 45 wine barrels for planting trees. So far, Urban’s four-man Technical team has cut 30 wine barrels in half, creating 60 wooden planters. When the team is done in the next few weeks, there will be 90 in total.
Urban Management Precinct manager Carlisle Marankey says the work is outside the normal scope of the team’s day-to-day duties and provided an opportunity for team members to learn new skills. He says: “It was a case of trial-and-error as sawing wine barrels in half and securing the metal rings is not an easy task but now it’s full steam ahead.”
Similar to CCID Safety & Security, Urban has also played a facilitating role in bringing LSA and City of Cape Town Recreation and Parks Department representatives together. This resulted in City Parks donating 300 Olive and Celtis Africanus trees for the barrels. Marankey adds, “We will continue to assist and help bridge the gap between the City of Cape Town and all relevant stakeholders.”
Mason believes the CBD is in dire need of an “intervention”. He says: “Through collaboration and creative thought, we believe we can turn the situation around and pave the way for something which can benefit the inner city as well as greater Cape Town.” He is grateful for the support and interest of councillor Matthew Kempthorne (chairperson of the Good Hope Sub Council) and the CCID, including Safety & Security manager Muneeb “Mo” Hendricks. “Matthew Kempthorne has been incredible in guiding the project and Mo Hendricks has an infectious passion for Long Street. It’s the type of enthusiasm all stakeholders in the area should have,” says Mason.
IMAGES: CCID