Latest news with #City-owned
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town's Streetscape aims to secure housing for 14000 homeless residents
Streetscape's mission to house the homeless in Cape Town Streetscape, a non-profit organisation in Cape Town, is launching a new initiative to provide housing for the city's homeless population, aiming to raise R2.5 million to purchase City-owned properties. Image: supplied The streets of Cape Town are believed to be home to 14000 people. For those in Streetscape's reintegration pro-gramme, hope shines as the organisation raises funds to purchase seven City-owned properties in the CBD for apartments. Over the past year, the non-profit organisation, via their programmes, have helped 209 homeless people get off the streets and into accommodation. They have reached 3 500 people through daily outreach, with 150 in work readiness programmes and 30% of work graduates supported with formal employment. Fifty percent have graduated, having successfully completed the programme. With this success, Streetscapes now hopes to buy the City-owned units in Harrington Street, which are expected to house those who are in the programmes. They are working hard behind the scenes with crowd-finding projects to raise R2.5 million to purchase the properties and secure an additional R2 million for renovations and eco-friendly infrastructure, including solar power systems and water treatment and conservation systems. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Jesse Laitinen, Streetscapes founder and manager, said the vision was reintegration and for the project to grow. 'We integrate these systems into all our housing projects, reducing long-term utility costs and contributing to Cape Town's environmental sustainability by lowering the ecological footprint of our buildings.' She said they were now appealing for businesses and corporates to come on board, adding that they would be working with residents as soon as the discussion processes begins. 'These units are right in the CBD,' Laitinen said. 'We are working with the residents and there will be a public participation process. 'We are seeking a corporate sponsor. 'We need someone to see the value in this once off payment. 'The buildings need a lot of refurbishment and we would like companies and construction companies to come on board. 'If this goes well, it can open the doors for many NGOs. 'The seven buildings have two floors, four bedrooms, and we want to make them into apartments. 'Transitional houses where people will move from there and others to fill it again.' In response to Streetscape's plans, the City said no decision has been reached concerning the sale of the properties as yet, and they would not discuss the price tag. 'No decision has been made for these units to be sold to an NGO and therefore no details including that related to the sale price are available,' the City said. 'The City received an application from an NGO requesting to purchase City-owned properties in Harrington Street, which is still in the process of being assessed and considered. 'As part of the consideration process, public participation will be undertaken and Council approval will need to be obtained. 'The City may consider selling at a discounted rate. "Council's policy on the management of some of the City of Cape Town's Immovable Property provides for social care properties to be sold at a purchase price of between 10% to 25% of fair market value, subject to a reversionary clause being registered against the title deed limiting the usage of the properties for social care purpose.' According to Laitinen, Streetscapes has helped hundreds move from the streets into stability, through housing and daily structure, psychosocial support, and meaningful work. The reintegration unit would make a difference for beneficiaries such as Jonathan Manuel, 38, who lived on the streets of Cape Town for 20 years and is desperate to have his younger brother join him in the programme and into a home. Today, after seven months, Manuel is working and is inside a home (Streetscape programmes) and is determined to one day move into his own home and become independent. He said he and his two siblings had humble and sad beginnings with their mother dying at a young age after working as a sex worker to support her family. They landed in foster care where they were abused by one of the families, which led him to the streets. 'I am staying inside a house now and there is a feeling of warmth in my family,' he told the Cape Argus. 'I will be very glad to get my own place. My baby brother is still living on the streets." 'I am trying to motivate him. 'I am very happy, Streetscapes opened my eyes. 'They showed me to work for your money, that street life isn't the way. 'I don't do drugs anymore. They are making big changes.' Another is Clinton Hendricks, peer field worker at Streetscapes. Streetscape's mission to house the homeless in Cape Town Streetscape is raising funds to purchase city-owned units in Cape Town's CBD to provide homes for the homeless, with a successful reintegration programme that has already helped hundreds find stability. Image: supplied 'I was homeless, moving between gangs, destroying myself with drugs, dug through bins for food and robbed tourists to feed my habit," said Hendricks. "Prison became a revolving door. Those years are lost to me now. 'When I found Streetscapes, I had lost touch with reality. Weekly counselling helped me rebuild. I learned how to communicate, grew more confident, and started to believe in myself." Cape Argus
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
City of San Diego replacing EV chargers, offers free charging in May
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The City of San Diego is working to replace old EV chargers at parks, beaches and libraries, and in celebration of National Clean Air Month, EV charging at City swap out locations will be free for the entire month of May. Crews will be working starting Monday through May 23 to swap out old electric vehicle chargers with new ones at the following City locations: Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center Ocean Air Recreation Center Hourglass Community Park Nobel Fields and Recreation Center South De Anza Cove Park Mission Bay Aquatic Center Mission Bay Park Bonita Cove Ocean Beach Lifeguard Station San Diego Zoo Ruben H. Fleet Science Center San Diego Central Library Thousands of volunteers to remove 100,000 pounds of litter in San Diego The City of San Diego is encouraging the community to transition to zero-emission vehicles through its Public Electric Vehicle Charging Program (PEVCP), part of its Climate Action Plan Measure 2.3 goal of going net zero by 2035. Part of the project, the City says EV charging will be free at the new chargers throughout May. The Public Electric Vehicle Charging Program (PEVCP) site installations will take place in five categories. Public EV chargers at City locations will be replaced EV charger installation at public City facilities — libraries and recreation centers — are listed under priority one EV charger installation at City workplaces — offices, police stations, fire stations and more — are listed under priority two EV charger installation at new City facility construction projects will be determined by construction timeline EV charger installation at other city properties will be determined by the vendor Brand new, all-electric San Diego library branch set to open The City has entered into an exclusive 10-year concession agreement with EVerged to provide EV charging access to communities across the San Diego, which will be responsible for financing, designing, permitting, operating and maintaining EV chargers at City-owned parking lots. The community can share their thoughts on EV charging in the City of San Diego with the EV Community Input Survey. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Have your say on the Strand Street Quarry redevelopment project
Residents and interested parties are encouraged to comment on the land use application for the Strand Street Quarry. Residents and interested parties have until May 30 to comment on the land use for the proposed redevelopment of the Strand Street Quarry site. The City of Cape Town is proposing that the quarry, located along Strand Street bordering Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant, be transformed into a multi-use community precinct that integrates sports, culture, economic activities and tourism in a unique setting that will benefit the community for years to come. The land use application includes the consolidation, subdivision, and rezoning of certain City-owned erven to obtain development rights for the proposal, as well as application for consent uses and departures. The Strand Street Quarry, one of three quarries in Bo-Kaap, is a national heritage site that has always been an asset, however, the site has been left derelict and underutilised for decades. According to the City, multiple local governments have been working on studies, assessments and development proposals since 1976 with no tangible results. In March 2023, the City initiated a concept design workshop with community representatives, City professionals, and stakeholders. The proposed Strand Street Quarry redevelopment project also includes a Living Heritage investigation, which was conducted in unison with the draft concept design process in 2023, with the project collecting and recording oral histories and intangible cultural heritage and social history of the Bo-Kaap community, particularly their connection to the quarry site and broader surrounding area. Following the conclusion of this public participation process related to the heritage impact assessment and environmental impact assessment, all reports were finalised and submitted to the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning for a decision on the environmental authorisation application, said the City. Deputy mayor and the Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said the City has been collaborating with community stakeholders since 2023 on a shared vision for this important site. "The application makes provision for phased implementation over time, and by different role-players. I encourage residents and interested parties to submit their comments." The quarry has been a concern for residents for years due to illegal occupation and criminals using it as a hideout. It has also been a topic in previous Cape Town Central Community Policing Forum (CPF) meetings, where the police and the community have raised constant concerns about crime, fires and other social ills in the vicinity of the quarry. The site is being used for training by FC Bo-Kaap after the City recently cleaned and secured it. Resident and cultural heritage activist Jacky Poking said it should be a space for sports and recreation. "Bo-Kaap is in dire need of these types of spaces. We don't need more spaces for tourists. "The buildings that are there can be used as change rooms, club rooms, and community gathering space - maybe even a space for trading with food. We currently only have the Bo-Kaap community Centre in Yusuf Drive that all organisations try to use and it's not enough. "The quarry belongs to Bo-Kaap and we said from the start that it should be a sports and recreation space." The chair of the Bo-Kaap Neighbourhood watch, Ebrahim Christians, also said the quarry should be used as a sports facility for the youth. "The field belongs to Bo-Kaap... we do not have any grounds in the area for our youth to practice on. FC Bo-Kaap should continue to use the field." All of the relevant documents related to the proposed redevelopment are available on the City's website: Redevelopment of Strand Street Quarry, Cape Town Cape Argus
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City adopts ‘international' agenda to improve relations, spur trade
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso has adopted what it is calling its first 'International Policy Agenda,' the City said in a news release on Monday, April 14. This historic policy provides 'a strategic framework to guide binational collaboration, attract foreign direct investment, and modernize critical City-owned infrastructure, including international bridges and trade corridors,' the City said. 'El Paso is a global gateway, and this agenda formalizes our commitment to leading on issues that matter across borders — from economic growth and infrastructure to public health and climate resilience,' Mayor Renard Johnson said. 'With more than $145 billion in annual trade flowing through El Paso and over 1.4 million monthly pedestrian and vehicle crossings, the International Policy Agenda positions the City to better manage growth, promote safety, and enhance competitiveness on a global scale.' The agenda outlines three core goals, according to the City: Strengthening international partnerships with Ciudad Juárez, the State of Chihuahua, and the Government of Mexico through joint trade missions, shared programming, and data-driven collaboration; Improving border infrastructure for trade and mobility, including feasibility studies and modernization projects for the Ysleta-Zaragoza, Paso del Norte, and Stanton ports of entry— many of which are City-owned assets; and Facilitating trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) through incentive programs, site readiness efforts, and targeted prospecting with regional business organizations. 'El Paso's international assets are key to our long-term success,' City Manager Dionne Mack said. 'This agenda ensures we are not only maximizing the value of our City-owned infrastructure, but also taking concrete steps — like coordinating trade missions, developing shared FDI strategies, and advancing port modernization plans — that will drive economic opportunity for generations to come.' For more information, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Work of art to rubble': Austin reevaluating public art program, addressing concerns
AUSTIN (KXAN) — After concerns were raised about elements of the city of Austin's Art in Public Places (AIPP) program, the city is reevaluating it. 'Created in 1985, by action of Austin City Council, the City ordinance establishes 2% of eligible capital improvement project budgets as a set-aside commitment to commission artists or purchase art for City-owned property and facilities,' the AIPP website reads. As part of the AIPP reevaluation, city staff said they would look at the program's public-private partnerships, public art requirements and accessibility, use of funds, solicitation and artist engagement, barriers to local artists' participation, and stakeholder engagement. 'We appreciate the City Council's leadership in this effort and will provide updates on our assessment and program improvements. ACME looks forward to collaborating with the City Council, artists, and the community to uphold the integrity and impact of Austin's public art program,' said Austin's newly created Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) in a Wednesday memo. One set of concerns was about the artists selected for large-scale art contracts at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, leading to reevaluation of those contracts. Three contracts for artwork at AUS, totaling $10.6 million, were initially scheduled for discussion at the March 27 Austin City Council meeting. But ACME withdrew those items from the agenda. Agenda items on art at Austin airport removed from next council meeting The three contracts would go to: Saya Woolfalk, Jim Campbell and Yvette Mayorga. According to biographies for those artists online, Woolfalk is based in New York, Campbell in San Francisco and Mayorga in Chicago. 'Phase I of the public art plan has been temporarily paused to ensure meaningful participation from Austin-based artists. ACME, in partnership with AUS leadership, is reassessing the selection process to better reflect Austin's unique cultural identity,' the memo said. City staff said a revised process would be presented to the city council within a month. This year's South by Southwest was the last before the Austin Convention Center closes for a massive expansion and reconstruction process. Some Austin artists raised concerns about what was being left behind. Several pieces of art at Convention Center deemed 'infeasible for relocation' 'Four pieces were identified as infeasible for relocation due to site-specific design constraints, but artists were given the opportunity to reclaim their work where possible,' said an Economic Development Department public information officer earlier this month. 'For artworks that cannot be saved, we are documenting them to honor their cultural significance.' Margo Sawyer, who made 'Index for Contemplation,' a piece of art identified as 'infeasible for relocation,' called the city's process 'very opaque' at a Tourism Commission meeting earlier this month. John Yancey's 'Riffs and Rhythms,' which has been in the convention center since 1996 is another artwork set to be destroyed with the building. 'In contradiction to this assertion, I have secured a bid on my own and have a company lined up to do the installation for $40,000. However, there are currently no funds to pay this company,' Yancey told the Tourism Commission earlier this month. 'Consequently, on or about May 1 the city is still scheduled to reduce this valuable work of art to rubble and toss it into the dumpster like so much garbage.' But ACME's memo appears to backtrack on that. 'ACME has taken immediate steps to preserve and relocate these pieces. Based on input from artists, stakeholders, and the Tourism Commission, ACME is actively exploring meaningful alternatives to ensure these culturally significant works remain accessible to the public,' the memo reads. KXAN has reached out to the city of Austin to understand the change in stance. You can read the city of Austin's memo on the subject here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
