Look at de state of Cork, like!

I was browsing the on-line planning section and noticed the 5 week period is up for Jurys and there were 21 submissions and 1 representation.

http://planning.corkcity.ie/InternetEnquiry/rpt_ViewApplicDetails.asp?validFileNum=1&app_num_file=0428705

Originally posted by d_d_dallas
Dan Boyle TD – is he a Green Party member? So… representation in this case is probably a fancier objection. Get in line with the rest of them!

well he’s got to justify his outrageous expense account some how 🙂

would this, by any chance, be required for a UK based pub/restaurant operation? to hold circa 1200 people?

Capitol Cinema site Grand Parade?
Patrick’s Quay – somewhere?
Loft building, Cornmarket Street?

Nope guys – not a UK based co. – can’t say anymore though. We looked at Cineplex and were told that a deal was already done for there. Other two suggestions may be worth looking at though – thanks (and keep ’em coming!)

Does the CoalQuay get that much day time foot traffic?

On the subject of a Cork ‘Point Depot’ I feel there may be a political game being played out in the media over recent months.

Building such a structure at Mahon Point will be of significantly reduced benefit to the city compared to a city centre facility. The site in question is on the small side (never initially intended to be a concert venue – merely a ‘trade’ centre) and would be VERY close to new housing developments with just the one road in to the entire site. If I had just purchased a home down there I think I might well be inclined to object to such a development. However it’s in Mr. O’Cs interest to try and push others into showing their cards. If another group make a move he can reaffirm that ‘only one will be viable’ and can seek to work a new deal with CCC on his site.

As for Horgans Quay my understanding is that the site is too narrow. Have you any idea what kind of a footprint a 5,000 – 6,000 seat venue requires? Unless you want to build something akin to a ‘corridor’ this location won’t do – and that’s before you consider the noise and vibration effects of a large diesel locomotive.

My, reasonably informed, understanding of the Showgrounds proposal is that two structures are proposed. One is the main 6,500 capacity theatre (note I said theatre, not arena since the design shows a theatre-style layout which can be adjusted to allow C.100,000 sq. ft. of floorspace for exhibitions), plus a 2,000-plus seat equestrian/events arena for the Munster Agricultural Sociey. Both of these structures, including ancillary developments would occupy approx. 50% of the site, and a contingency for the GAA to re-develop PuC still leaves a considerable opp. for secondary development. I also believe that traffic management would ensure all access and egress is routed from and to the city thereby assisting the local residents and maximising the benefit to the city.

Is it just me or does one site appear to stand out more than others?

Finally bear in mind that such facilities are costly to build and, as such, are often funded by local government or similar (Odyssey Belfast, MEN Arena Manchester – not included Point here as it’s a private venue which is currently falling down – I believe they’re closing it down for a year). With no sign of CCC offering any financial assistance it will come down to a combination of two things – keeping the build-cost down and maximising the revenue from one of the global operating entities. These factors are the primary reasons why there isn’t such a facility in place already, and may ultimately be the reason why one is not constructed here in the immediate future.

And surely the loft’s business is better suited to a retail park… this place is never busy and the majority of people just use it as a pathway between two streets. This venue would be excellent, and has close proximity to two multi-storey car-parks (Paul Street and North Main Street), so parking will not be an issue. Add this to the proposed regeneration of the market and the proposed park and the Coal Quay could become one of Cork’s most desirable locations.

Come on the blimp, you know it makes sense 🙂

Hello people,

was on a short business/pleasure break. Back home now though.

theblimp, the Loft is a nice venue but I believe its owners, who also own Square Deal on Lancaster Quay, have plans for this site – and may or may not relocate its carpeting business.

Cornmarket Street is a fine location. Especially in light of on-coming developments of the area. Rockfell’s development will cater for up to 120,000 to 130,000sq ft of open plan retail space – with a view to a department store style venue. This is one possible location. Also, the structures at the corner of Kyle St and Cornmarket St are set to go for tender in the near future, this will provide a substantial development opportunity. If you are serious about locations in the city centre, I can discuss it with you at some level with a degree of personalised confidence, details pending. You may find it ‘helpful’.

In addition, Docklands areas provide an exciting new location. Lisney are advertising 3 lots between 2.5acres to 1H along Centre Park Road (former Goldcrop premises). Many sites in this area are going up for private auction now amidst developer speculations. I’ll comment further on this in the future.

The Showgrounds is good in theory, but the GAA already have their own ideas for this site – ideas which are backed strongly by CCC as they will contribute to the amenity element of the Docklands Development Area which the CCC are so keen to see put in place.

The Railway Street site is the favoured premises and is actually far larger than even I had initially anticipated. One proposal sees a pedestrian bridge like Venue Block A on the Horgan’s Quay grounds, with Block B proposed for development after demolition of existing warehouse premises across Railway St – most of which are now up for tender.

Originally posted by Nick
what is the vision for cork? what is the master plan long term goal of the city? how d want it be i 50 years time and beyond?
Rapid growth and trying to meet a rediculus deadline for developement of the city of culture lark is short sited and ignorant and will only lead to poor shoddy architecture of style over substance that in 10years time will look equally as hidious as all the buildings mentioned above. Cork needs a long term vision, surely thats what we should be working on rather than a takey street by street approach that exists at the moment.

The current strategy(s) for Cork are outlined in both the CASP and Cork Docklands Development Plan, both of which are outlined on the city council and county council websites (corkcorp.ie/corkcoco.ie. These strategies have been agreed by both councils and have also been accepted by the government as part of the National Spatial Strategy. They form a blueprint for the direction of the greater city for the next 20 years.

The strategy in brief is to drive the development of Cork on a metropolitan area which includes all of the satellite towns and ring towns which incorporate greater Cork, an area with a population in excess of 300K.

There is no drive to extend the city for the sake of it. Current development is not aimed at preparing the city for the city of culture, and the development plans mentioned above both have plans outlined for a 20 year period. The city of culture is seen as a catalyst for inviting influential guests to the city and as such the local government has spent money on improving the aesthetic of the city. The city of culture is not been seen by anyone as a means to an end.

The Docklands is in dire need of attention but at the same time provides huge development opportunities. Lapps Quay is currently seeing the majority of developments, and these are the first major developments in the docklands overhaul. The only other city areas which will experience rapid development are the Blackpool and Mahon areas.

Nick – noone is trying to get the city redeveloped specifically in time for the Capital of Culture – but being conferred that status had certainly proved a catalyst for action.