Re: Port Adelaide | Developments & News
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:26 pm
From news.com:
Property developer Theo Maras eyes Port Adelaide for mainstreet upgrade
This story was published: 8 hours ago November 19, 2013 12:56PM
PROPERTY developer Theo Maras says he wants to spend millions of dollars on turning Port Adelaide's struggling commercial district into a thriving retail area.
However Mr Maras is keeping tight-lipped on the details surrounding his plans and was this week reluctant to name a development site or time frame for his project.
Mr Maras is known for transforming the Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange in Rundle St into a food, fashion, entertainment and apartment strip.
He also owns a number of smaller shopping centres around Adelaide such as the Torrensville Shopping Centre, Rossiters Food Hall in Unley and commercial buildings including the SA Police headquarters in Angas St.
Mr Maras told the Portside Messenger this week Port Adelaide was the next area on his radar for development.
"There is a very, very strong possibility that I am looking to buy commercial properties in the old heritage part of Port Adelaide," Mr Maras said.
"I want to invigorate activity as we do best in main street development.
"We have located several buildings, all of which need careful consideration because of the heritage nature of them."
What do you think of Mr Maras's plans for the Port? Have your say below.
Mr Maras said if the State Government committed to a solid time frame and budget for a tram to Port Adelaide, this would add value to his investment.
"A tram to Port Adelaide would be like opening up heaven's door," he said.
The State Government's Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan released last month included a tram service in place of the Outer Harbor train service, and for it to be re-routed through the heart of Port Adelaide.
The plan, which sets up the government's priorities over the next 30 years, also features trams to Semaphore and West Lakes.
No funding is yet committed to the projects, and the Liberal Opposition has said it would not prioritise trams if elected in March.
Mr Maras said bringing a university campus into Port Adelaide would make a big difference to the local economy and would help attract other investors.
Port Adelaide MP Susan Close said a tram to the Port would be "fantastic", but no funding had been included in the forward estimates.
"I would like it to happen as soon as possible but it's my job to be an advocate for the area," Ms Close said.
Ms Close encouraged Port Adelaide residents to make a submission on the transport plan before the November 29 deadline.