GEORGE NEWS - The renovation and upgrading of the former York High hostel to create additional municipal offices started recently.
Lauren Waring, Director of the Human Settlements, Planning and Development and Properties Directorate, upon enquiry said her department will be housed here, with service desks for other functions as required. The current budget for the project is R23m.
She said due to its very poor state, the whole building had to be gutted, including flooring, windows, ablutions, kitchens, all the woodwork and the roof.
"New outer walls, parking, a new lift for the disabled, a service centre, and a training room will be installed."
The revamped building will have an open plan, hot desks and shared offices, as well as some individual offices. She said a new build would have cost more than R60m.
The building, located on the corner of Cradock and Market streets, has been standing empty for more than 15 years. It belonged to the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW).
Waring said the staff complement of the municipality has expanded and there is a need for additional office space.
"As the population increases, there is a need for the municipality to adapt and expand its resources to effectively meet the growing demands and expectations of the community," she said.
"George has experienced significant growth in recent years, both in terms of its population and the demand for municipal services.
"Statistics SA census results show that the George population has grown from 193 672 in 2011 to 294 929 in 2022.
Adapting to the increasing demands ensures that the municipality can continue to provide essential services effectively."
The project should be completed by September 2025, if all goes according to plan.
Ruwacon is the main contractor, the architects are SDK Architects, consulting engineers Urban Engineering and the quantity surveyors are Leap Quantity Surveyors.
New outer walls, parking, a new lift for the disabled, a service centre, and a training room will be installed.
Ruwacon is the main contractor.
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