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On 24 October 2011 we were informed bythe NMBTGA Committee about the demolition of buildings taking place in Port Elizabeth. Apparently this started on 10 October 2011. The buildings being demolished are between Aberdeen and Wasley Streets in Central Port Elizabeth. All od them are of historical significance and some of these buildings date from around 1835 onwards. A group of us met at the site to see first hand what was happening. The first photo shows a fence being erected across a public street, Aberdeen Street, and further down Wasley Street also has fencing post across it. These public roads are being closed off without Municipal or Traffic authorisation. The second and third photo, show where the old Peacock restaurant used to be. It has been totally demolished, and as far as we know without PHRA permits. The oven could be seen peeking out from the rubble.
Photos four and five show Ken Denton and his team being asked by the SA Police Services for the necessary permits. At the time he failed to produce any permit and said that another organisation had given him permission to demolish the buildings. In the other photos it can be clearly seen that the buildings are being systematically being demolished and all the materilas being reclaimed and clean for resale. If you can help in any way, please contact Lyn Haller to give your input and support.
This is a blatant disregard of our heritage and our laws and needs to be stopped.
  
  
  
Report Back from Lyn Haller, 26 October 2011
A meeting was held at Mr Davis's office with Mr Denton where he discussed and showed his plans for Constitution Hill without any PHRA Permit!
The plans looked very interesting, pedestrianised with trees, steps coming down from the gap between the houses in Wasley Street, and all the buildings renovated to what they were when he bought them......... he is removing the back boundaries of the donkin houses so that they look over Constitution Street, like a long row of Terrace houses without balconies....
He is leaving the Victoria Hotel and Victoria Road for now.!!!!
The only problem is the Peacock restaurant which is NOT in his plans and is replaced by a small corner office.
The very bottom parking lot will have a 2 story mall, from victoria street across to the Devon Court! The mall/ crafts centre is very low so the Wasley street houses still have a view...
Aberdeen street next to Canterbury is going to be ofset in his plans, so there are trees lining the left of canterbury House and then parking on the right.
Before I believe anything about this man - I want to see or know that he has the correct legal permission to do anything and that he is forced to rebuild Peacock Restaurant and the 2 heritage houses he has illegally demolished. PHRA has to work side by side with his man as Port Elizabeth is tired of all his delaying tactics, his smooth talking and plans that he walks around with all the time in case someone confronts him! We as the citizens of this town want to see something happening NOT DEMOLISHING - According to him this is his so called "GIFT BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF PORT ELIZABETH".
Report Back fromAndy Reed, 27 October 2011
I know we are all busy, but if anyone happens to be in the area, drive behind the Donkin Row and if you notice anything being knocked down, you can phone Lyn (041 3791629) or the Building inspector directly(Christo Pheiffer) on 041 506 2433. We need to be vigilant in order to secure our heritage. This while we wait for the enforcement process to begin from PHRA.
Please join the Save our City Campaign on Facebook. Here you will find all the up to date info on what is happening, tons of photos and you will meet all the concerned citizens who care for our heritage. As at the date of this letter we have 381 friends of the campaign on Facebook. Join in and get all your friends to join as well.
It is a sad state of affairs when our heritage is raped and authorities stand by doing nothing. The old Red Location houses have been destroyed and removed, White Location is gone and the old tin houses of Gqebera (Walmer Location) have been demolished. This all, to make way for little concrete block RDP houses.
South End is a past memory, captured only in the confines of the South End Museum. The City centre is left to decay, by business owners who do not care for the past and by the Municipal and Provincial authorities and Heritage organisations. These old buildings such as The Post Office, The Police Barracks, Victoria House, The Donkin Row Houses, amongst others, are National Monuments. Most of these old buildings in Central are owned by a Mr Ken Denton who over the past years has acquired a number of properties without really renovating those that he already has. To cap it all he has been allowed to continue this rape of our history when other business men are stopped from just painting their buildings because they are older than 60 years. How does this work?
This all in contrast to companies who have come in and renovated many of the old buildings. The Grey Institute, The Feather Market Centre, The King Edward Hotel and many of the Attorneys offices are some of the examples of good business practice coupled with historical restoration. The NMBDA is currently renovating and rejuvenating the city centre and yet we have these pockets of degradation left.
It was suggested that we as Tourist Guides bypass all the ugly buildings when taking Tourists on a City Tour. Let us look at this option. We can cut out Market Square, The Library, City Hall, Plein Huis, The Coptic Cross, The Harbour Board Building and the Feather Market Centre because the old Post Office and Police Barrracks, is not only in a state of disrepair, but is systematically being demolished from the inside out. Then we should avoid The King Edward Hotel, The Grey Institute and The Donkin because of the state of disrepair of the Donkin Row Houses. Also cut out Ivy Street with its Victorian and Settler Cottages because of the absolute slum area created around Constitution Hill. Oh and then let us keep out of Bird Street because of the state of the Holy Roseary Convent.
The answer is to get up and make a stand to all the business owners who think they can get away with this rape of our City and to those in authority, who for whatever reason refuse to do anything about this. If we don’t, it will cost us a lot, not only in finances but also in our pride in our City. If we do not know where we come from, we may not know where we are going to.
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