New Developments in Galway City

biggest ever regeneration plan in the West of Ireland, which will also be the biggest every tourism project in the country.

Who proofread that??

Moving the airport is a ridiculous idea. Its in a good location, it just has rubbish transport links. A reasonably regular bus service there would be fine, or integrate it with any future Luas style plan. Its getting a junction nearby on the new N6, what the hell is the point of moving it??

@Sulmac wrote:

Seems the Docklands plan is starting to get moving now:

http://www.galwaynews.ie/2092-first-glimpse-dockland-project

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Conference centre, some quite tall buildings, massive docklands, looks amazing, can’t wait to see the plans of the final draft.I think the completion date of 2010 is ambitious, considering the usual regular objectors are already lining up.

The Green Party councillor said he was hopeful that the project would go ahead and said that if all went to plan, the new Luas could be up and running by 2012.

Some hope.

Would be nice to see in 5 years time, but in the short term a couple of million (short change almost) thrown into the bus services in Galway (and Cork) would be nice.

Its a good idea, but surprisingly little of the current CIE area will be used for Public Transport, which is stupid.

Front page of Galway First today is about a few planned developments in Galway City and County:

http://editions.pagesuite.co.uk//PageSuite3.aspx?page=1&scale=100&height=700&width=1000&editionid=43531&filekey=&path=_PSEDitions/Galway%20Advertiser/Galway%20First/2007-12-17/

– Riverside concert hall / conference centre, capacity 2,500.
– 4000sqm “urban centre” in Ardaun, with 1.85km bus/bike corridor.
– 21km upgrade of the Galway/Athenry rail line.

Same story also found here: http://www.galwaynews.ie/2247-270-million-sought-fund-ambitious-gateway-projects

And also, the N17 [or M17] Galway-Tuam upgrade:

http://www.galway.ie/en/Services/RoadsTransportation/RoadProjects/m17/

“I wish I was on that M17….” 😉

Found some information on the Docklands presentation last Tuesday:

http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/forum-reiterates-need-for-docks-integration/

😎

edit:
The council are going to develop a “cultural hub” around the Lower Merchants Road area, already purchasing buildings for it!

http://www.galwaycity.ie/TopNews/MainBody,4367,en.html

@BTH wrote:

I don’t know about the practicalities of the place but in my opinion it has to qualify as possibly the ugliest, most unwelcoming developments of it’s type that I’ve ever seen. A collection of bog standard silver boxes would be more visually pleasing than what we’ve ended up with. And the worst thing is that it’s obvious a huge amount of design, fine detailing and expense has been gone to to make it. I really think the black stained timber was a huge mistake and the signage is perhaps the tackiest i’ve ever seen – the huge yellow BRIARHILL is truly vile – even the typeface is awful.
Anyway rant over – I do appreciate that a lot of architectural thought and effort has gone into the building but the end result to my eyes is a bit of a disaster…

Actually got to see this devlopment the other day and would agree with all of the above. It is pretty hideous in fairness.

All references to developments at Galway’s Docks and at Ceannt Station, look like they are on hold pending a decision from ABP on the enlargement of new bus mainatenance garage at the Harbour Enterprise Park. This would have been the first stage in the development of Ceannt Station. But this is now unlikely, because of an exclusion zone around the new oil terminal currently under construction.

The Buncefield explosion in the UK has put any development at the City Docks, and, Ceannt Station on hold until the publication of the final Buncefield Report. Probably summer this year.

Also. Despite looking for a Framework Plan/Masterplan for this area for years, still none in place. Also no City Architect. Therefore, any coordinated city development unlikely. Just ad-hoc development as before, and still no transport infrastructure.

What more can we expect.

Who’s bright idea was it to get Anthony Reddy’s to do the concert hall design design…. It’s an absolute and utter shocker – just what Galway dosen’t need – something fussy, flashy and “Iconic” parachuted in. This beautiful site needs something more subtle and controlled – the location is spectacular enough. If this ambitious scheme (which is badly badly needed for the city) is to go ahead then an international design competition would have to be a part of it – and hopefully someone who has some sort of understading and feeling for the city will actually win it…

The other two schemes are also needed badly, but they will happen eventually as the city develops. Ardaun is a great opportunity and double lines as far as Athenry are going to be absolutely essential – especially when the western rail corridor eventually opens up. i just hope that Galway gets the funding for the concert hall as it’s definitely fallen well behind other parts of the country in terms of facilities. With a proper concert hall, an art gallery, art house cinema and a new theatre and venue to replace the pleasant but rather inadequate Town Hall, Galway could really sell itself as a cultural destination all year round, not just during festival time. Thankfully there finally seems to be a move on to actually provide this arts infrastructure that is so badly needed.

At last, the possibility of a genuinely exciting building for Galway. Fair play to the City council – Here’s their proposal for a new arthouse cinema close to the City Museum. Designed by Tom dePaor, the scheme is currently on public display in City Hall. Personally I think it’s a beauty. Exactly what I meant above when I was talking about architects havein a feel for a place. The “tower house” idiom works so well in this context and the interiors, with all those cascading staircases, would be fantastically exciting…. Sorry images are a bit huge!

The top floor auditorium looks particularly fantastic. I have one misgiving – and it’s the location. Right on the edge of the busiest through road in Galway City. If they really want this area to become a vibrant cultural quarter as the council are pushing, this road will need to be severely calmed and a good landscaping scheme put in place. At the moment cars either whizz past here at high speed or sit stuck in interminable traffic jams. Not really the most pleasant or relaxing environment to go for a cultural experience… Still, loving the design. Looks like dePaor is finally breaking through to the bigger stage…