Rail Corridor Decking Financial Feasibility & Business Model

Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Randall Gross and his branch South African firm ADEC led an effort to determine the financial feasibility of “decking” the inner city rail yards and adjoining properties, and develop a business model for implementation. Rail yards separate the city’s central business district from the Braamfontein business node. A proposal to build a platform above the rail yards could generate a substantial new area for development in the inner city, help regenerate adjoining inner-city neighborhoods, and create long-term ratable revenue stream to the City of Johannesburg. Randall Gross determined the financial viability of a public-private partnership to develop the deck based on the sale or lease of “air rights” to development above the rail lines. In order to determine the potential revenue, Mr. Gross forecasted the market demand for all uses of the deck. Engineering input was provided by ARUP, while Design Collective, Inc. provided design guidance for conceptual development plans for the deck. As part of his work on the project, Mr. Gross conducted a study tour of similar railroad deck projects in Europe and the United States for staff of the Johannesburg Department of Economic Development.

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