Deep Blue eyesore to be demolished
The demolition of the Deep Blue structure along the Strand beachfront is expected to take place in early next month. Demolition of the iconic Deep Blue structure along the Strand beachfront, currently submerged in sand and just a fragment of its past, is expected to commence in the second week of next month, the City of Cape Town confirmed this week.
Looking into the history of the building, it was found the exact age of the building is not known, but records show that it did not exist prior to 1960 and, as such, it is not older than 60 years. It is assumed the building was built in the mid 1970s as an ablution facility and café.
It has since become defunct and derelict, a popular place for sunbathers to tan on the roof in the summer months, a makeshift playground for children and sometimes a haven for the homeless.
But the eyesore is way past its sell-by-date and the City is adamant that redevelopment is not an option. It believes the best way forward is to make it disappear.
The much anticipated demolition will entail site handover, demarcation of the site, demolition of the top structure, fittings and fixtures, removal of the foundations and disposal of all rubble to a licensed landfill site.
According to Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, the demolition itself is not expected to be challenging, but the location of the building below the high-water mark and on the beach requires that the contractor plan its programme by taking into account the risk of sea water inundation and the requirement to limit any impact from the demolition on the surrounding beach area.
“To mitigate such risk the contractor is working closely with the City’s Coastal Management branch, which will monitor all works on site to ensure the necessary mitigation measures are taken and that there is minimal impact on the adjacent beach amenity. We expect there will be about six to eight people on site.”
Nieuwoudt added that most of the work will be undertaken mechanically.
“Local labour will be employed to assist with the rubble collection, removal and keeping the adjacent beach areas clean. We expect there will be limited impact on the parking and portion of the beach, as all machinery will park on site when not in use,” she explained.
“The parking directly adjacent to Deep Blue will be impacted for a minimal time during rubble removal when one or two parking bays will be required for the trucks while waiting to be loaded. Any inconvenience is not expected to last for longer than a week, if all goes as planned.”
Nieuwoudt further confirmed that the entire project – from the time of site handover to site closure – is expected to not be more than two weeks, and that all work will be carried out in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Construction Regulations.
The City has employed a health and safety consultant to oversee the health and safety requirements, and undertake the necessary audits for the duration of the project.
All rubble, fixtures and fittings will be taken to a licensed landfill site, including the top structure and the foundations which will be removed, as well as all associated rubble as a result of the demolition.
After demolition the area will be levelled and revert to beach for recreational use.
There is also no proposed redevelopment. Niewoudt said the City has not supported proposals that the building be renovated or developed for a restaurant or other uses, as the building is located seaward of the coastal edge and below the high-water mark. Therefore, she said, the site and building is not appropriate for redevelopment, among several other reasons also cited.
Asked for clarity on the demolition of the dilapitated Macassar Pavilion, Nieuwoudt stated: “We are still busy quantifying the cost of demolishing the Macassar Pavilion. Depending on costs and the available operating budget, the demolition or partial demolition will be undertaken by the end of the financial year, through a tender similar to that in the Deep Blue demolition.”
original article: https://www.netwerk24.com/ZA/Distrikspos/Nuus/deep-blue-eyesore-to-be-demolished-20200226-2