The City of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to pave the way for the mixed development of the Bellville Park University property located along the N1 freeway.
According to a joint statement, Stellenbosch University has purchased a property of some 69 hectares from the former Bellville Municipality in 1982 with the specific objective of establishing a satellite campus in Bellville.
Part of the property currently accommodates the University’s Business School, the School of Public Leadership, the Division for Part-time Studies and the Bellvista Lodge, while another portion is occupied by a golf driving range and toboggan track.
The remainder of the property is vacant, although large areas of the site totalling approximately 23 hectares are not suitable for urban development due to an old waste dump site and a quarry which have not been sufficiently stabilised.
Mayco member for assets and facilities management, Stuart Diamond, says the MOA concluded between the City and the University now makes provision for the development of non-academic facilities such as offices, retail space and residential facilities on the property, in addition to academic uses as per the original purchase agreement.
“The City and University will share the net income received from the sale and/or lease of portions of the land, primarily to invest into the further development of the property.”
Rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University, Professor Wim de Villiers, says a combination of mixed development and the expansion of the academic campus, together with the protection of substantial areas of sensitive habitat, will benefit the university, the City, the Tygerberg business community and local communities.
“We look forward to this innovative and mutually beneficial partnership with the City of Cape Town and other role players in the interest of economic development and financial sustainability.”
The MOA ties in with the City’s intention to revitalise the Bellville central area, inclusive of the public transport interchange.
