By Nangamso Mabindla
1 September 2006

THE East London beachfront looks set for major progress if the Buffalo City Development Agency (BCDA) gets its way and acquires two properties earmarked for development.

The two properties, the Sleeper Site and Signal Hill are positioned perfectly for the development of the beachfront. Both sites currently belong to Transnet.

BCDA chief executive Gaster Sharpley said negotiations with Transnet for the Sleeper Site in Quigney, which links the esplanade with the CBD, were in progress and the Amathole District Municipality had already shown interest in building its offices on the 53-hectare property.

"We are looking at a R73-million project to house the district municipality offices. Also the University of Fort Hare would like to build an inner city campus there - we have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with them. The South African Revenue Service and the Post Office have also shown interest; the rest of the property will then be opened up for commercial development," said Sharpley.

Sharpley said the BCDA had also set its sights on Signal Hill next to East London Harbour, as this was one of the prime sites on the beachfront.

"This site has attracted a lot of interest; we are looking at mixed development, hotels, apartments and retail development." The agency was currently investigating acquiring the site – "a lot of interest has been generated. We are looking to have better direction so that within the next five years we know where we are going," said Sharpley.

Sharpley added that the agency would be advertising two sites in September - the Old Caravan Park and the Sea View Terraces on the beachfront, prime spots for hotel development.