Settler Houses

In parts of Central you can still find some of the first homes to be built in Port Elizabeth. These old Settler houses have become quite a popular investment lately and a lot of people are renovating them to their former glory. The area was starting to be one of the most run down parts of the city and it is good to see that some people are having pride in the city's and their heritage and doing something about it.

Parliament Street afterparty

This isn't the greatest photo, again the light was green in our favour and there was no time to compose or zoom. It was taken recently from the intersection of Russell Road and Rink Street just before 5am on a Saturday.

The Parliament Street all night party begins to ease up, and the last revellers converge on the apron of the Service Station across the road, dancing to music that blares from various cars. All this would be quite festive if it wasn't for two unfortunate habits... urinating in the street and breaking the liquor and beer bottles as they are emptied. Since we have been doing neighbourhood watch patrols, I have had to repair my tyres 4 times, because it is sometimes impossible to see the glass on the streets at night, until it is too late.

We have seen cleaners trying to keep the street clean throughout the night, presumably employed by the committee that looks after the Parliament Street upgrade. I wonder if this doesn't just make the party-goers even less responsible for their actions... they rightly surmise that their bad habits are creating employment for others, so they carry on regardless. Rather than feeling bad about anti-social behaviour that costs the City a fortune, they feel good that they are benefitting the cleaners!

After the Party

Our shift of Neighbourhood Watch patrol was from 2-5am this morning, so we got to see the end of the New Year's Party in Parliament Street. This was taken at 4.48am, when the party had just ended, and the street took on a warm glow from the lights reflecting on the wet streets. By the way, judging by all those pavement decorations, are we to assume the architects of this new look had a lot of balls? hehe.

Parliament Street Upgrade

I strolled down to the bank in Rink Street this morning and took the opportunity to check out the upgrade of Parliament Street, which seems to be coming on quite nicely, with staff putting in extra time to get the job done.

The street should be quite picturesque when complete, with the curved lamp poles and decorative balls along the pavement, though I suspect some unwary pedestrians may end up having bruised shins. Collin I hope you like what you see - it should soon be over.

Holy Rosary Convent - What a waste

What's left of Holy Rosary Convent.

A picture paints a thousand words

Holy Rosary Convent

Holy Rosary Convent in Bird Street is another historical building that has been trashed. With the initiatives of the Mandela Bay Development Agency and the Heritage Trust it is hoped that steps can be taken to reverse this tide and restore these buldings to their former glory.

Parliament Street Upgrade

We have often spoken about the urban decay which has hit the historic Central area of town, and the moves that are being made to reverse it. Another exciting project by the Mandela Bay Development Association which is in full swing is the upgrade of Parliament Street.

Until recently, this area was the site of many street fights and muggings due to the proliferation of illegal pubs that took over, and Max has been known to refer to it as the longest urinal in town.

But now it is closed off, and, with the co-operation of business owners in the street, is being turned into a one way street with ample parking, wide pavements with sidewalk cafes, beefed up security and a pleasant atmosphere... YAY!