Further boost for Waterfront

THE developers of the new-look Luderitz Waterfront have invited investors to pump around N$33 million into the next phase of the planned grand attraction at the harbour town.

Project Manager of the Luderitz Waterfront Development Company (LWDC), Susanne Harris, told The Namibian on the sidelines of the Karas Investors’ Conference that they had successfully completed the first two phases of the multi-million dollar project. The two phases included the Harbour and Market Square.Government has underwritten the development of the Waterfront to the tune of N$22 million.Both squares consist of public sea-front walks and terraces which create opportunities for cafes, restaurants, book stores, curiosity shops, bungalows and barbecue areas.The Waterfront complex will combine business activities on the ground floors with residential flats above.Harris said the N$33 million would be used to build upmarket seafront developments for accommodation, tourism and shopping to complement elements such as the floating jetty that was recently erected for small boats and rubber dinghies.”We also want to construct self-catering units at the sea front because of the huge demand for housing in Luderitz,” she said.There are also plans to turn the old power station into a multi-purpose indoor complex that will provide different sports and entertainment activities.In addition, small and medium enterprises will be hosted in the Waterfront complex.She was unable to say how many jobs had been created so far but was certain that it had contributed immensely to the reduction of unemployment at the town.”Flats have taken cleaners while shops have recruited assistants,” she added.Harris said the Waterfront would seek to capitalise on the estimated 20 000 tourists who pass through the town each year to view its unique attractions like Kolmanskop, Halifax Island, the Diaz Monument, Grosse Bucht and Agate Beach.The Luderitz Town Council has already started selling high-income erven for the business community, while also upgrading its bulk water supply and sewerage system to ensure the Waterfront project is a success.The two phases included the Harbour and Market Square.Government has underwritten the development of the Waterfront to the tune of N$22 million.Both squares consist of public sea-front walks and terraces which create opportunities for cafes, restaurants, book stores, curiosity shops, bungalows and barbecue areas.The Waterfront complex will combine business activities on the ground floors with residential flats above.Harris said the N$33 million would be used to build upmarket seafront developments for accommodation, tourism and shopping to complement elements such as the floating jetty that was recently erected for small boats and rubber dinghies.”We also want to construct self-catering units at the sea front because of the huge demand for housing in Luderitz,” she said.There are also plans to turn the old power station into a multi-purpose indoor complex that will provide different sports and entertainment activities.In addition, small and medium enterprises will be hosted in the Waterfront complex.She was unable to say how many jobs had been created so far but was certain that it had contributed immensely to the reduction of unemployment at the town.”Flats have taken cleaners while shops have recruited assistants,” she added.Harris said the Waterfront would seek to capitalise on the estimated 20 000 tourists who pass through the town each year to view its unique attractions like Kolmanskop, Halifax Island, the Diaz Monument, Grosse Bucht and Agate Beach.The Luderitz Town Council has already started selling high-income erven for the business community, while also upgrading its bulk water supply and sewerage system to ensure the Waterfront project is a success.