New George Mall located next to the Garden Route Mall - I hope not

[kilos]

This Mall was on the cards 3 years ago while the other GR Mall was finished being built. This poses an interesting question
Are Malls the demise of the CBD ?
In last weeks George Herald the article highlighted that quite a few shops have closed down in the CBD as well as the Checkers Center

Eden Meander application for Environmental Impact Assessment
http://www.admins.co.za/custpics/Eden Meander EIA application.pdf

Article from The Herald

A PROPOSED new commercial centre for George is meeting opposition from business owners as existing commercial buildings and shopping centres in the CBD stand empty.

The 60000m² Eden Meander development is proposed at Blue Mountain Village near the Garden Route Mall on the outskirts of George.

A shopping centre, offices and mixed residential development are earmarked for the property.

However, the proposal has drawn an outcry from business owners in the George central business district. Businessman Imel Rautenbach yesterday said a development like this would lower the value of his and other properties in the CBD where buildings were standing empty.

“My concern is that by allowing businesses to move out of the CBD, we‘ll end up in the same situation that has happened in Port Elizabeth or Johannesburg where it has cost the municipality a fortune to rejuvenate the inner city that has fallen into decay.”

Eden Meander spokesman Loot Steyn said the company would respond in detail after a board meeting on Friday. He said the window of opportunity in terms of economic viability for the development was open for 18 years.

“This means we have 18 years to develop. It‘s not as if we are going to put this up overnight. People must understand that George is slowly positioning itself as the future metropole of the Southern Cape.”

Environmental assessment practitioner Dupré Lombaard said the extent of a project like the Eden Meander could take years to reach approval but “George is a growth point and projects need to be put forward timeously to meet future needs”.

 

[DWPTA]

WTF??? What about that one just outside of George, en route to Knysa? Is it going to be built near it?

Just a waste of time and money, imo. Besides George CBD is nothing like JHB CBD. I love walking in George CBD when I'm there.

 

[Slootvreter]

Most likely on a much smaller scale than the Garden Route Mall, with offices and such.

 

[kilos]

WTF??? What about that one just outside of George, en route to Knysa? Is it going to be built near it?

Just a waste of time and money, imo. Besides George CBD is nothing like JHB CBD. I love walking in George CBD when I'm there.

If you look in the EIA report their are the erf numbers, but I think it is in this region next to the existing GR Mall
Their was an article in last weeks George Herald and when that really opens ones eyes as to how many vacant shops their in these centers.
George Muni has spent a fortune on re-vamping the CBD,walking around George

CBD is safe as long as you stay away from the Taxi rank side of Town,plenty of bag snatching, cell phones, abit of fighting not much.
Police are very responsive in George

 

[DWPTA]

Arg, I wish the company moves me down to George, or find a job in George. But ja not much in the IT field there.

 

[Slootvreter]

Arg, I wish the company moves me down to George, or find a job in George. But ja not much in the IT field there.

This is true, and the salary scales are really bad. And it's not as if things are cheaper there!

 

[DWPTA]

I know. But I can always dream.

 

[kilos]

Arg, I wish the company moves me down to George, or find a job in George. But ja not much in the IT field there.

If you find an IT job you are lucky to get R10k/month, I worked in George for many years, living in paradise at lousy salaries. You win some and you loose in $$$. Youngsters out of school are earning R2500+ in IT jobs. Best bet would be to work for Arivia.com Comparex (all old names now) and get re-located to George. You travel alot if you are into a Hardware job,covering the Garden Route (from Mossel Bay to Plett) Swellendam, Ladismith, Beaufort West, Uniondale

Housekeeping at a well known hotel R3500 + R500 transport

 

[gboy]

The IT salary is realy realy crap. I know that a small flat in george is about 3.5k, and then food is expensive.

most of the time, it is cheaper to buy stuff in joburg / cpt /pe and ship it than buy it in George / Knysna