WINDHOEK – The B1 City project is expected to be completed by September this year and would include a service station, shopping centre as well as a medical centre as part of the development.
The B1 City project, situated along Independence Avenue, will be known as ‘The People’s Mall’.
The project was initially halted after its owner, Vincent Sorensen died in April 2013.
At the time of Sorensen’s death, the property was about 75 percent complete.
Mid-2014, Dr Christo Burger of the Khomas Medical Centre bought Arovin, a company that holds shares in /Ae //Gams Engineering – the developer of B1 City project.
The project accumulated monthly interest of about N$450 000 since Sorensen’s demise.
An amount of N$60 million has already been spent on the development and following the death of Mr Sorensen, the project came to a standstill until the company was bought by Dr Burger,” read City of Windhoek council minutes.
The B1 development, as per Dr Burger’s request, will be completed and sold in three phases.
Karen Trümper, the Chief Executive Officer of the Khomas Medical Centre, told New Era that the existing building loan accrued an interest of about N$450 000 per month due to various legal processes such as the estate appointing a new developer, the finalisation of financing as well as the approval of building plans with phase development, Trümper noted.
She explained that the first phase of the development, which includes a taxi rank and a service station, is due for completion by June this year.
Trümper said the shopping mall, which is the second phase of the development, should be completed by September this year when the anchor tenant (Pick ‘n Pay) completes shop fitting.
“However, most of the line shops will be completed and ready for trade by July 2015,” said Trümper.
The medical centre, which is the third phase of the development, is expected to be completed by September, this year.
Furthermore, she said a number of factors delayed the initial plans to have a service station operational by end of February, among other plans.
“Given the current construction programme and granted that the weather will not cause any further delays, the external works should be completed by May 24, 2015.
“Some of the line shop owners will also be able to receive beneficial occupation by next week to address internal construction and shop fitting needs for completion by end of June 2015,” said Trümer.
The finalised project could render a different facade to Independence Avenue as it would, among others, provide a transport facility that will alleviate the current problems experienced by taxis and long distances buses on the B1 road, Dr Burger said in a letter to the City of Windhoek.
The developers agreed a parking servitude would be registered over the area where the market and transit facilities are situated and that the City of Windhoek will be responsible for the management and maintenance of the area, stated the council minutes.
The City of Windhoek bought the plot on which the B1 project is being developed from the Lutheran Church.
The erf was sold on tender in 2005 with conditions that a public transportation facility be developed because of the location of the property.
“Over the past 10 years, there were various factors that delayed the full development of the property and consequently the much-needed transport facility,” read the council’s minutes.