Woodstock and Observatory Improvement Districts provide a vital service intervention and add value
Category Property Tips
If you are not yet familiar with the work of the Improvement Districts which operate across the Observatory and Woodstock neighbourhoods, then please take some time to visit their respective websites - http://wid.co.za/ for the Woodstock Improvement District (WID) and https://obsid.org.za/for the Observatory Improvement District visit (OBSID).
A City Improvement District (CID), also known as a Special Ratings Area (SRA), is a non-profit organisation which operates within a defined geographic area. They are funded by an additional levy paid by property owners, often businesses, but also in some instances by residential property owners as well as businesses in an area.
These organisations are set up in partnership with the City of Cape Town and provide security and cleaning top-up services for the respective areas. Their services include a 24-hour control room and 24/7 public safety patrol and monitoring as well as contacting SAPS and Emergency Services when needed. They also assist with cleaning staff to keep public areas clear of litter and other dumped items.
They assist further with logging service calls with the City of Cape Town and provide vital assistance to travellers/tourists such as those who visit Woodstock and Observatory during the tourist seasons. Another important service that they provide related to social assistance to homeless persons to assist in directing them to shelters and so on.
Woodstock Improvement District (WID)
The WID is currently funded by the businesses in the suburb, but its services benefit all who live and work in the area. They offer 24/7 patrols and currently have 16 security officers and 10 cleaners with a truck and two bakkies to remove litter and dumped items.
Observatory Improvement District visit (OBSID)
Membership of the OBSID is open to all property owners within the OBSID boundary and owners are encouraged to join so that they can exercise their rights to influence the business of the OBSID.
OBSID offers many additional services including two full time Law Enforcement officers with powers of arrest and can issue fines. The Observatory Neighbourhood Watch is a particularly valued partner, with an ever expanding network of street WhatsApp groups in use for reporting incidents and concerns. Among many initiatives, OBSID supports homeless people through the Straatwerk Ophelp Projekte team for training in graffiti removal and earning opportunities. In partnership with Afrikaburn, it has also installed two toilet units in public spaces for use by anyone who needs them.
The concept of Improvement Districts is growing countrywide. These have become vital service interventions and businesses and property owners should support these. There is no doubt that their presence is a benefit which buyers and investors will consider.
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Author: Gina Meintjes
