Cape Town - Several prime properties of industrial and commercial space owned by the City of Cape Town, which it says are not required for municipal purposes, will go on auction.
The upcoming round of public sales, via a mandated competitive bidding process, comprises land not required for municipal use.
The online nature of the platform, which will be data-cost free to bidders, will make the auction more accessible to the public.
These include more than 86 000m2 of industrial and commercial space across 12 sites, sought-after commercial kiosks in the CBD and Simon’s Town, and a prime commercial site in Century City.
The auction will take place on November 23, and interested bidders have been encouraged to register and bid online.
Mayco member for economic growth James Vos said that all of the 37 properties up for auction have been thoroughly assessed. In total, 119 417m² will be up for sale.
“The best economic and social value will be derived from the release of these properties for a range of uses, from industrial to community and private-sector-led residential development, depending on the zoning.
“In this way, the City is supporting our economic recovery as smart real estate transactions create jobs through construction and generate revenue for municipal service delivery.
“The auction is a competitive way of disposing of land without fear or favour, ensuring the best use while being caring, consistent and confident of our processes,” Vos said.
“The release of land and opportunities to lease to the market underpins so many elements of our economic growth.
“The volumes and value of property disposals and leases handled by the property management department speak to our smart real estate approach to get the best economic and social value of our assets.
“This is the end of the long administrative road, so to speak, and we are taking our assets to market,” he added.
In the upcoming auction, 12 commercial and industrial sites totalling 86 271m² will be made available across Cape Town.
A further 21 land parcels have been made available for residential use as well as four community/social care sites.
A further addition is the auction of business and retail lease opportunities.
There are 10 kiosks located in the sought-after St George’s Mall, Waterkant and Strand Street in the city centre that will be able to lease.
A 50m² shop is being made available in the prime location of Jubilee Square in Simon’s Town. Additionally a vacant site in Century City is also on offer.
“The site is an exciting chance to secure and build call centre offices, company headquarters and/or a medical facility. The revenue derived from the auction is used for municipal service delivery.
“Also on the list are an assortment of improved properties. The majority of these residential and business sites were previously acquired by the City for road-widening purposes.
“The de-proclamation of the road-widening schemes results in the municipal need falling away. Offering the properties to the market unlocks rare access to properties within the confines of the City Bowl,” Vos said.
“The disposal of public land, albeit vacant or improved, for its designated use does not negate the City’s commitment to scrutinise land holdings that may be suitable for public housing services.
“All of the intended auction sites have been carefully screened in terms of the zoning and best use and are now ready for private sector uptake.”
Further details on the properties, are available to be seen at HighStreetAuctions.com.
Ndifuna Ukwazi, activist organisation and law centre that advocates for access to well-located land and affordable housing, has called the move short-sighted.
“While we are pleased that the City seems to be selling less land, which is suitable for housing projects, we have and always will maintain that selling public land without trying to influence how it will be used in the future is a short-sighted and unsustainable way of raising revenue.
“Once public land is sold, it is gone forever. The City should resist the temptation of short-term cash injections and rather also consider the long-term social value and potential of its assets," said spokesperson Nick Budlender.