Re: Re: Cork: Architecture & Development

I would also add to Lex’s comments about Cork’s image… It is highly important that Cork is seen as a serious location for any business to operate, there are two aspects to this the first being a sustained redevelopment of the City areas to increase density in both commercial space and more importantly residential space. I would think that the drive from Cork Airport, when completed is relatively clean and impressive, until you actually hit the city. The city dump is well disguised, the Blackash facility always impresses and the new flyover at the magic roundabout will be mind blowing!!!

I would see the second key point being the expansion of the, in my view extraordinary limited city boundaries. If the city is to provide decent services it need cash. It’s that simple. I must admit I pay approx €1600 for a ~550 sq ft office in town, thats crazy, but understandable given the shallow pockets of the city when compared to thier greedy neighbours in the County Council.

I must admit to being compared to Statler and Waldorf for my constant cribing about the general state of the city center.

😡 The general lack of bins (ridiculous), count them its mad, there are more bins on Main Street Mallow than Oliver Plunkett Street. Patrick street is filthy, I think this might be an Irish problem though, but until littering is taken seriously in this country people will have no respect for thier surroundings. Why do litter wardens only seem to tackle sloppy business owners and not the slobs who simply drop litter allover our lovely main street…

😡 The lack of commitment to the pedestrianisation of Oliver Plunkett Street and surrounding areas (mind boggling, we could have an area that would surpass Grafton Street or Oxford Street!!!). I believe there has recently been a decision made to pedstrianise Princess Street between the hours of 11am and 5pm!! Thats right for six hours a day. Would somebody please explain this to me as I laughed out loud when I heard this. Which was followed by the usual “go back to Dublin ya Jackeen” comments muttered by my friends. I love it…

😡 Derelict buildings are my pet hate. If some pratt is hoarding a derelict / semi derelict building in a key location waiting for a kings ransom it should be taken from them at market value less a “greedy bastard tax” at 95% donated to the City coffers. These are the people who are stiffling progress in Cork, not the planners!! I think this is the most annoying thing about buying property here, you have to be almost sneaky in your approaches for fear of being branded a golden goose. It’s hard enough to aquire a decent land mass anywhere in the short term due to the crazy boundaries involved in most inner city properties, but when one person decides to hold out!!! Pass me my Valium…

😡 The river, the beautiful Lee, the most under valued and developed resource in the city. As Lex says give use boardwalks, water buses, Viking tours etc…. Again to be fair to the City, they definetly need more rates for thier budget, none of these things come free…

😡 Telecoms people… I think were all in agreement here. Finish a road, dig it up, lay cable, back fill it and watch it fall apart!!

😡 Princes Street / Southmall junction, I’ve counted four times now that this has been dug up and reconcreted, dont mention the footpath on Marlboro Street. This level of incompetence would not be tollerated on a private site!!!

:rolleyes: The roads, in Berties words “A lot done, a lot more to do”, they have made genuine and impressive efforts here, I must commend the roads department, damb it!!!

Rant over, the Valium is taking effect now, fluffy white clouds… fluffy white clouds… fluffy white clouds… fluffy white clouds… fluffy white clouds… fluffy white clouds… 😀