GEORGE NEWS - George development company Dynarc Capital will this month submit plans to George Municipality for its proposed aerotropolis development opposite George Airport.

According to Prinsloo Botes of Dynarc, the R26-million first phase of the development is 2 500m² and includes a BP filling station with convenience facilities such as a Pick n Pay branch, wine boutique and large butchery.

They are hoping to start construction during November with the preliminary opening date set for September next year. "This is the culmination of years of hard work and sweat before we could get the green light. Among the conditions we have had to meet was compiling a roads master plan for the airport area for the George Municipality," said Botes.

"This is a development node for George that has to be done and we feel now is the time. Last year about 800 000 passengers passed through the airport. We foresee that it will also be a convenience shopping destination for Herold's Bay residents and people living in the rural areas surrounding the airport whose nearest shops are in George."

The second phase of the development will comprise an industrial park of 92 000m² with warehousing and airport support services. 

This will be developed in collaboration with a listed company that remains anonymous as per their cooperation agreement with Dynarc.

A new traffic circle at the entrance to the airport on the R404 is part of the design. Botes said the authorities are yet to make a decision regarding the building of a second circle at the accident hotspot at the intersection between the R404 and R102. Dynarc has been trying for the past three years to obtain approval for building this circle.

The aerotropolis will be located on the land to the northeast of the airport's entrance.

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