Re: Re: well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

I know everyone here loves the Limerick Post. But Look at this article. It a massive planned development. Dont know about losing the park though

New city centre

by Marie Hobbins
A DEVELOPER is poised to deliver a radical and unparalleled transformation to a Limerick city centre area of eight acres.

Property developer, Michael Tiernan’s vision for a new and extended city centre involves the demolition of the block occupied by Roches Stores, Penneys and Burger King, the demolition of the block occupied by Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre, demolition of the unoccupied premises on Liddy Street, the demolition of Dunnes Stores on Sarsfield Street and to the rear on Howley’s Quay and the possible demolition of the tourist office.

Central to the city centre regeneration plan would be the acquisition of the park at Arthur’s Quay.

Outlining his overall plan to the Limerick Post Mr Tiernan, who has submitted his company’s draft to Limerick City Council is emphatic that the development would satisfy the demand for the upmarket retail provision expected of a city centre.

The development would run a road underground from Lower Henry Street to Rutland Street to facilitate the pedestrianisation of Upper Patrick Street and Lower O’Connell Street, would include a major civic square as well as a number of civic spaces, a quayside boardwalk, new theatre/concert hall and the relocation of the city library from the Granary.

The redesigned area would also rehouse the newly rebuilt Roches Stores, Penneys etc and provide a link between the riverscape of Howley’s/Harvey’s quays and Arthur’s Quay and form a natural connection to the city’s medieval quarter.

“It would be hoped that our development would be the catalyst for an imaginative regeneration of Nicholas Street,” observed the developer.

With Roches Stores, Penneys, Dunnes, Tesco and Burger King fully in support of the redevelopment project, which Mr Tiernan stresses will not lead to job losses in the redevelopment period (but will create huge job increases after completion), a city centre regeneration project of this magnitude will, he says “present an historically unique opportunity to transform the centre of Limerick city and will enable it to become once again the civic and retail heartland of the entire region, particularly given the enthusiasm of the stakeholders”.

Michael Tiernan, who built the Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre in 1989 points out that the cycle for redevelopment has shrunk to today’s norm of 20 to 30 years.

“This is a one in a 200-year opportunity to completely transform, enhance and extend the city centre for the people of Limerick and the challenge is to empower the vision we have to make this possible. Our aim is to focus on what the people want and our ambition is to go to planning next year and with a phased development process, achieve completion by 2010.”

Tiernan Properties have liaised closely with the developers of the Opera Centre, construction of which is due to commence in the Autumn.

While city manager, Tom Mackey is remaining tight-lipped on the project and refused to be drawn on the implications involved in a rezoning of Arthur’s Quay Park, which is leased to the Council by the Department of the Marine, it is generally accepted that some councillors may not be willing to surrender the park for development.

“There’s a fear that if we put it forward for rezoning for commercial development the port company would look for an arm and a leg in financial terms,” contends Cllr Michael Hourigan who is one hundred per cent in favour of the Tiernan regeneration project.

“As it is the park is under-utilised even though we are making much about being a riverside city. We should consider the bigger picture here and in tandem with the Opera Centre a complete redesign as envisioned by Michael Tiernan and the stakeholders would continue the city’s redevelopment process and would tie in with the Council’s city development plan,”he said.

The Council’s senior planner, Dick Tobin told the Limerick Post that the project was presented to Limerick City Council in 2004 but that no firm decision on its future was arrived at. Cllr John Gilligan, however is emphatic that the councillors have not yet been acquainted with details of the project.

Mr Tobin said that as the area plan for the city centre is earmarked for detailed discussion later this year, in that context the Tiernan regeneration project will be fully examined.