well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
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Davis street should be leveled, and if anyone asks afterwards about it, we say it never existed
The whole street as well as parnell street is a disgrace, not exactly what you want to see coming out of the station
€300 million development could transform Upper William Street Keeping an eye on Business
Business Limerick Magazine: Link
A Limerick developer has placed a submission of intent with Limerick City Council for a major E300 million mixed retail, commercial and residential development for Upper William Street which could completely transform the area. The submission was prepared by Hughes Rowan & Associates, Chartered Town Planning Consultants on behalf of O’Callaghan Enterprises of Upper William Street in response to the City Strategy Issues Paper 2007.
The proposed project involves redeveloping two key blocks of land to the northeast and south-west of Upper William Street. Existing buildings will be demolished to provide for an architecturally designed building of significant scale and mass that satisfactorily assimilates into the existing streetscape. The aim is to link both sides of Upper William Street with an urban plaza/pedestrian priority area. This plaza will form the focus of activity in the area and will influence the commercial uses on the ground floor.
It is envisaged that a 5/8 storey building will be accommodated on the larger of the two sites on the south-western side of Upper William Street providing for basement/multi- storey car parking onto Sexton Street; retail and commercial uses on the ground floor and self-contained own door town houses on the upper floor.
It is proposed that the site on the northeastern side of the street will accommodate a large open market building similar in stature to the English Market in Cork city. It is considered that the existing indigenous business currently operating successfully in Upper William Street will continue to operate in this new purpose built building including delicatessens, butchers, specialty food and fishmongers. This ‘English Market’ has the potential to attract residents and visitors to a unique shopping experience not provided for elsewhere in the city and yet will continue to support and encourage the indigenous shopping business that is so successful in this part of the city. The project could be completed over a five year period.
Already in control of a number of properties on both sides of Upper William Street and on the southern side of Gerald Griffin Street, O’Callaghan Enterprises is currently in discussion with a number of adjoining property owners. The objective is to acquire the block of property on both sides of William Street. While O’Callaghan enterprises is confident that it can negotiate with adjoining landowners and accumulate the significant land bank required to facilitate the proposed development, assistance may be required from the City Council to finalise the packaging of a site of adequate size and shape.
The development will contribute to the regeneration and renaissance of Upper William Street providing for a unique commercial venture that will appeal to the resident and visitor alike. For this development to be realised according to the submission Limerick City Council has a key role to play in the control and movement of traffic in the area. ‘The pattern and movement of traffic will dictate the overall development of these key sites and will influence the acceptability or otherwise of an urban space/plaza on Upper William Street. Sexton Street is currently narrow and congested and the benefit of widening this street must be considered. The widening of Sexton Street could be incorporated into the overall development proposal, but the assistance of Limerick City Council in the acquisition of properties facing onto Sexton Street would be required to realise this ambition’.
Adds the submission: ‘it is respectfully requested that the City Council in providing for the orbital route and considering key linkages into the city, has regard to this development proposal and the impact of current and proposed traffic circulation in the area. ‘This project is ambitious and can be realised in a private capacity. However, the timely implementation of such a key project is dependent on the measures promoted in the city centre strategy to release strategic blocks of land whether they be financial or otherwise’.
The developer states that this initiative by Limerick City Council is very much welcomed and it is considered that the City Council are approaching the future regeneration of the city centre from an appropriate ‘bottom-up’ approach. This ‘bottomup’ approach will hopefully result in the identification of a number of practical key
projects in the city that can be supported by national and local administration through a number of measures including possible financial, legislative and administrative powers.The purpose of the O’Callaghan Enterprises submission is to identify a significant and dynamic project for Limerick City that will not only change the face of the public realm in Upper William Street, but the lives of the citizens and will achieve sustainable and economic wellbeing. ‘It is submitted to the Council that this project can be achieved, but it needs the support of key stakeholders, such as Limerick City Council, to be achieved in a timely and orderly manner. It is on this basis that this submission is formulated. The overall vision of the project is ‘to breathe new life including retail, commercial and social activity into Upper William Street; to enhance the existing quality of life in the area and to ensure a high quality and permeable public realm merging business and street life together’.
The overall vision for the area seeks to address three of the five concerns highlighted by citizens and visitors to the city and detailed in the Issues Paper published by Limerick City Council including easily accessible city centre parking; pedestrian friendly areas and pedestrian only areas and enhanced retail and leisure opportunity in the city centre. Specifically, it is noted that the city centre strategy seeks to provide an additional 1,500 car parking spaces in the city; that it seeks the pedestrianisation of William Street; that it seeks the creation of a central civic space/plaza and that it seeks to provide multi- functional buildings. The proposed project will directly complement the overall direction of the city centre strategy as it seeks to provide for all those key elements suggest the submission.
Developer Tom O’Callaghan, a native of Kildysart, Co. Clare and now living in Ennis told Business Limerick: ‘if the submission is accepted by the City Council we will then submit a planning application for the project which will mean the total transformation of Upper William Street’. O’Callaghan Enterprises founded in 2003 by Tom O’Callaghan currently employs 60 people. While the company has a diverse interest in the city, its primary aim is to seek the regeneration and redevelopment of the Upper William and Gerald Griffin Street areas of Limerick city. The company currently owns and operates a number of businesses and residential properties in the area including Alltan and Beauty, William Street Post Office, Tom’s Bar and Bistro, O’Callaghan Master Butchers and William Street Dry Cleaners. Ladbrokes, the Centra Store and Subway are also owned by O’Callaghan Enterprises and are currently leased out.
Said Tom O’Callaghan: ‘it is our objective to invest in existing businesses and properties in the Upper William Street and Gerald Griffin Street area. The objective is to maintain an active and vibrant streetscape to sustain and contribute to the daily activity and life in this area of the city while accumulating a strategic land bank. This has been a fundamental core tenet of the company and is in contrast to other development groups who acquire property and leave it vacant over long periods pending redevelopment’.
Continued Tom O’Callaghan: ‘I have achieved what I have done in ten years with the full support of Limerick City Council as without the Council’s support nothing can be achieved. I believe that working with people solves problems and also taking into account the public’s opinion. So that is why I emphasise the need to discuss with officials every aspect of the project. ‘In this proposed project we are trying to stop the scenario where you shut down at six o’clock. We want to create a commercial, retail and residential environment that will keep people in the city. ‘I see this as an opportunity for everyone. William Street was the trading street in the 1940s and now with the full support of the City Council our project can be a reality in five years. ‘There is a question mark hanging over the construction industry at present with a recession possibly looming. This project if given the go-ahead will employ hundreds of people over that period’ he pointed out.
He suggested that the University of Limerick Architectural College could get involved in the project ‘with the young minds of the future coming up with ideas. We see the whole project as a community project and let us learn from the mistakes of other cities in Europe’.
Tom O’Callaghan considers Limerick is a city ‘crying out to be properly developed’. He declared: ‘we are on the doorstep of an international airport at Shannon – lets get the people into our city. The new tunnel will be coming onstream and the city has its new ring roads not to mention the new hotel chains that have located here’. He concluded: ‘we see this new challenging proposed development venture as a community project which will further enhance Limerick’s status as a thriving commercial and cultural centre’.
Redevelopment at Thomas Street/Catherine Street
These 2 developments have just been given the go-ahead in the week gone by, located opposite each other on Catherine Street.
07142 consists of the redevelopment of what was a near derelict corner site into retail,office and apartment space in a 5 storey over basement building. The architects are Carr Associates however I couldnt find any plans of the proposed development. The site was cleared a few months back but the developers then submitted revised plans which have now been approved!(See the 1st attachment)
07142
Ley’s Development Ltd
to modify a previous planning permission granted under planning reference 02/270 at No.’s 44, 45, 46 and 47 Thomas Street (No.47 Thomas Street, currently known as No. 1 Catherine Street) and No’s 2, 3, 4and 5 Catherine Street. This application includes for the construction of a mixed development of retail units at ground and basement level, offices and retail at first floor level, offices at 02nd to 4th floors inclusive and 7 apartments at 5th floor level including all associated site works and demolition of the existing premises including the residential accommodation over at No’s 44, 45, 46 and 47 Thomas Street (No. 47 Thomas Street currently known as No. 1 Catherine Street) and demoliton of the existing premises at No’s 2,3,4 and 5 Catherine Street.
44, 45, 46 and 47 Thomas Street
(No. 47 Thomas Street Currently know as No. 1 Catherine Street, Limerick
& Nos. 2-5 Catherine Street, Limerick.On the opposite side of the street the plan is for a redevelopment of Thomond House which currently houses O Riadas bar (the beige building in 2nd image below). Strangely they only intend to keep the facade of no.73 when no.72 seems just as worthy of retention!:confused: In my opinion a five storey modern building would look hopelessly out of place here, ruining the character of this section of the street, surely the retention of 72 and 73 is much more preferable!
0714
for (1) Demolition of existing building with the exception of (A) the front facade to No. 73 which is to be retained and upgraded and (B) the vault storage areas under the public footpath/road area to be also retained. (2) The erection of 5-storey building over basement consisting of cafe/bar and storage unit at basement level, retail unit at ground floor level, 10 No. apartments on the upper 4 floors complete with communal roof garden. (3) Provision of new foul/storm drainage and watermain connections and associated site works.
Thomond House,
72/73 Catherine Street/
Augustinian Lane, Limerick.Image #1 from LimerickBlogger
Richard Harris Statue
The much anticipated statue of Richard Harris was finally unveiled on Friday morning after numerous delays and controversies (the latest one being the removal of a certain councillors name from the commemorative plaque!:rolleyes: ) The statue created by sculptor Jim Connolly is located at the O Connell Street entrance to Bedford Row and depicts Harris playing King Arthur in the film Camelot!
Pictures taken from the LimerickBlogger site.
I was on my way into town when I took those pictures. I meant to take another picture on Bedford rrow of the buildings at the other end of the street now that all the green construction netting stuff has been taken down.
I will do that tomorrow if I remember it.
Clancy Strand Apartments
The dispute between Clancy Strand residents and the developer Ger Wall is turning out to be a fairly ugly affair! An image of the proposed development appeared on the front page of the limerick leader city edition on friday in what I would consider to be a pure publicity stunt! Mr Wall is clearly trying to portray his development as cutting edge & modern:D when in reality we all know that the finished product will be yet another pile of rubbish! I like the piece about “making the Hilton apartments look like social housing” What a ridiculous attempt to talk up his little project! some would say the Hilton apartments already look like social housing!:rolleyes:
Its high time for Limerick city council to get the finger out and stop letting clowns like Mr Wall dictate the development of the city!
BITTER BATTLE OF CLANCY STRAND
By ANNE SHERIDAN
THE MAN behind the controversial €10 million residential development on Clancy Strand has spoken out for the first time to emphasise that only a fraction of the proposed building will be seven storeys in height.
City businessman Gerard Wall, a resident of Clancy Strand, said if the project is given the green light by Limerick City Council it will make the apartments next to the Hilton hotel “look like social housing”.To date, 23 objections have been lodged against the proposed development and residents say they intend to take their case to An Bord Pleanala if the planning department approve the application.
“I would fully expect it go to An Bord Pleanala but the majority of the people on Clancy Strand are in favour of the development. We’ve done exactly what the planners have asked of us and they have endorsed the designs,” said Mr Wall.
Mr Wall originally sought to demolish three historic buildings on Clancy Strand – Strandville, Roseville and Curragour House – to construct 49 apartments.
Under a revised application this figure has been reduced to 41 apartments, and a portion of the development has been raised in height to seven stories. The style of the building has also been changed from neo-classical to contemporary.
“The majority of the development is three to four storeys; only one sixth amounts to seven storeys. After receiving feedback from the public, the council asked us to make it contemporary and cutting edge and that is what we’ve done,” he said, adding that without the tower “the whole development would fall flat”.
Since the original planning application was lodged last May, Roseville or Jackson’s Turret, as it is more commonly known, is now a listed building and is proposed to be incorporated into the new development. Mr Wall owns Jackson’s Turret and lives there with his family. He said it will be “refurbished as if it was 1765” and at a cost of €500,000.
But one resident believes “the new revised plans are worse than the originals”. Anne Hanrahan, who has resided in the area for 50 years, said she is “distraught that this proposal is even being considered” and Leyden Hassett Associates are now representing her case.
The final date for receipt of objections is this Friday and the planning office is expected to reach a decision by September 20.
Limerick Leader 07 September 2007
Long time reader, first time poster. Just an FYI re: the Clancy strand development An Taisce (of which I’d be the chair ) have put in a submission objecting to it. The design or look of the original application was more appropriate. Personally, something like a 4 storey brownstone (something that would look like it was part of wharf or seaport) over a basement car parking would make more sense. Quite like the Redemptorist development I have to say.
103/104 O’Connell Street, Limerick.
Hollowfield Development Ltd have been granted permission for alterations to their previously approved development on what used to be part of the Brazen head complex on O Connell Street (see CologneMike’s pic at the bottom!). Limerick City Council who initially totally rubbished the development would now appear to have performed a complete u-turn! See the response from the planning office below!
07280
Development which will consist of modifications to the permitted development currently under construction on foot of Planning Ref. P05/188 & 30.LV.2488. Modifications will consist of infilling the floors of the internal atrium void and revisions to the rear facade including additional windows and realignment of rear building line.
Original Application
05188Demolition of a five storey over basement infill building and a single storey building at 104 O’Connell Street; Construction of a new five storey over basement infill building at 104 O’Connell Street providing storage in basement, retail on ground floor, and offices on the floors above; Refurbishment, modification and addition to existing four storey over basement infill building at 103 O’Connell Street including a new facade and new fifth floor, providing retail and storage in basement, retail on ground floor and offices on the floors above, all associated services and site works.
Planners responce:confused:
You are requested to revise proposals to ensure that the existing streetscapes are retained and enhanced through retention of positive attributes, the replacement of inappropriate features (e.g. pvc windows) and the possible extension, modification of the existing buildings noting that the subject site is located within an Architectural Conservation Area and that a more satisfactory development could be achieved if the neighbouring properties at 102 and 105 were included.It is considered that the existing structures on the subject site contribute positively to the streetscapes and the Architectural Conservation Area. As such, it is considered that all efforts should be made to retain the existing streetscapes. The construction of an infill development on a mid terrace site that currently retain the Georgian buildings in an area of special architectural interest would have an adverse impact on the ACA.
In the context of a lack of a justification for demolition and a reduced scale of building it is considered that the proposed development would materially detract from the objectives of the ACA and the guidelines on architectural heritage issued by the DOEHLG
Baffling stuff indeed!
It will be definitely be interesting to see how the development turns out in reality as im sure many people would have serious doubts about the merits of this project! Of course this is only part of a major redevelopment of this city centre block, just across post office lane Sloeberry Developments will shortly be starting work on the former GPO complex!
Autumn Newsletter for the tunnel is up –
Redemptorist Monastry and Lands
CLLR JIM LONG QUITS COMMITTEE (Limerick Leader)
By ANNE SHERIDAN 18 September 2007
FINE Gael’s Cllr Jim Long resigned from the City Council’s planning and development committee last night, after accusing the planning department of “collusion, dictatorship and a lack of transparency”.
His party colleague Cllr Kevin Kiely said he was “flabbergasted” after Cllr Long, the elected deputy mayor, resigned from the committee. “It’s a very serious situation where a representative has to resign from their position to highlight their grievances,” said Cllr Kiely.
At this Monday night’s meeting, Cllr Long said he believes elected representatives are being deliberately excluded from a meeting between residents and city planners this Thursday regarding a major proposed residential development on the South Circular Road.
A meeting was scheduled to take place this Thursday between all three groups, however the Council have now arranged for two separate meetings this week.
Ward councillors and planners will meet on Wednesday, while residents opposed to the plans by the Redemptorist Order will now face Council officials on Thursday, without the backing of their ward councillors. Cllr Long said he believes this “is completely unacceptable.”
A letter from City Hall’s senior planner Dick Tobin on September 14 informed councillors: “It is proposed to meet with members of the public on Thursday, September 20, without ward councillors being present.”
But the head of planning, John Field, said after last night’s meeting that the talks organised for later this week “were effectively split” to accommodate all parties. During the meeting Mr Field said “I’d like Cllr Long to expand on his allegations. I’m not sure what he’s referring to.”But Cllr Long said this is not the only issue he has with the planning department. “Some of the decisions taken by the Council horrify me and some cases are being taken in favour of the developers,” he told the Limerick Chronicle, after walking out of meeting.
The meeting was adjourned and then postponed by the chairman of the committee, Labour’s Cllr Kieran Walsh, as only four of the ten members of the committee were present. 😮
Cllr Joe Leddin, Labour, who is not a member of the economic policy committee, said he believes it is standard protocol for councillors to discuss a major development in advance of discussions with residents. He said he believed the meeting was called for councillors to discuss the recent traffic report undertaken by the City Council regarding the impact this development could have on the South Circular Road area.
Sixteen residents have lodged objections against the Redemptorists’ plans to build almost 300 homes on the South Circular Road. A decision on the planning application is expected by November 11.
Photo courtesy Derek Sun
Narrow roadway! (South Circular Road / Upper Henry Street)
Park Point, Castletroy, Limerick
Here another impression of this development to that at the top of the page.
@ Tuborg wrote:
Clancy Strand Apartments
The dispute between Clancy Strand residents and the developer Ger Wall is turning out to be a fairly ugly affair! An image of the proposed development appeared on the front page of the limerick leader city edition on friday in what I would consider to be a pure publicity stunt! Mr Wall is clearly trying to portray his development as cutting edge & modern when in reality we all know that the finished product will be yet another pile of rubbish! I like the piece about “making the Hilton apartments look like social housing” What a ridiculous attempt to talk up his little project! some would say the Hilton apartments already look like social housing!
Its high time for Limerick city council to get the finger out and stop letting clowns like Mr Wall dictate the development of the city!
@Dan Sullivan wrote:
Just an FYI re: the Clancy strand development An Taisce (of which I’d be the chair ) have put in a submission objecting to it. The design or look of the original application was more appropriate. Personally, something like a 4 storey brownstone (something that would look like it was part of wharf or seaport) over a basement car parking would make more sense.
Apologies for the wrinkled quality of the scanned image below.
Dan, you wouldn’t have access to better quality images of this development????
It’s a bit exaggerated when they refer to the seven storey part in terms of a tower? In my opinion it would be a waste to build without having large open balconies, in order to enjoy the Curragour Falls outside.
Tuborg, the real clowns are across the river in the planning department, as they seem to be caught unprepared for this planning request with no development plan in place for Clancy Strand.
We got no artists impression with the application, unlike the Redemptorists who have excellent photos showing what the visual impact of their development would be (almost none).
That drawing you’ve posted indicates Jackon’s Turret being much closer to the road in both elevation and horizontal distance than it actually is, why would someone do that unless they were hiding the real impact of the development. Fact is on the drawings you can see that the Turret will be completely shielded from view unless you are standing right in front of it. I have no problem per se with the strand side of the development being 4/5 storey. I do have a problem with that elevation proceeding all the way to the back of the plot. And I agree completely with the idea that balconies should be part of the development to allow people to enjoy the view and also to give some life to the development. There are countless seaside and port/ dockside models for development which would be suitable and profitable well unless you paid stupid money over the odds for the site but that’s Wall’s problem not ours.
More Council Flats Demolished (Carey’s Road)
Gerard Horan has taken a few images of this demolition job, to be seen on flickr. I wonder as to what the city Council has planned for this site? No planning applications are presently made? Will the site be put on the market or what? See images 1 2 3
Below images from two recent developments nearby on Edward Street by McInerney Construction Ltd. and Reidy Civil Engineering Ltd. (Murray O’Laoire). Incidentally a site sold by the city council in a very controversial manner. See previous post.
McInerney’s development consisted of:
50 no. 2 bedroom apartments, 6 no. 3 bedroom penthouse apartments, 2 no. 2 bedroom duplex apartments, 600 sq. metres of retail/commercial floor space, underground carparking for approx. 58 no. cars.
Reidy’s development consisted of:
59 no. residential apartments consisting of 55 no. 2 bed units, 3 no. 3 bed units and 1.no single bed unit. The provision of 148 sqm of Retail / Commercial Floor Area. 72 sqm of Office floor area underground car parking for approx. 60 no. Cars.
@CologneMike wrote:
Tuborg, the real clowns are across the river in the planning department, as they seem to be caught unprepared for this planning request with no development plan in place for Clancy Strand.
In fairness that happens to be a pretty regular occurance, we have unfortunately a very reactive rather than proactive planning department in Limerick who can never be relied on to make the right decision ! Its little wonder that the city has developed in such a haphazard manner, the lack of a co-ordinated development plan has led to a fairly severe imbalance in the level of development throughout the city!
We dont need to look too far either for yet more controversy, the whole issue of the redemptorists development fairly exploded last week as we’ve seen! A large development on that site has been on the cards for a good few years now and coupled with the general level of development in that area, a well thought out traffic management plan you’d think would be essential! However as it turns out, the plan has only just been finalised and hasnt yet been made public , I could be cynical and suggest that the only reason they’ve finally completed it is because so many residents are up in arms! What was that about the council being reactive?:rolleyes:
Major concern at traffic flow on city’s southside
by Marie Hobbins
THE urgency of producing traffic plans for Punch’s Cross and the South Circular Road has been stressed by Cllr Joe Leddin to members of City Council’s Transportation Strategic Policy Committee.
Referring to the development being carried out on the site of the former Dan Ryan’s Garage at Punch’s Cross, the councillor said he is inundated with queries from local people on the problems caused to motorists on this congested road area.
“There’s also a need for a traffic plan in view of the major development coming on stream on the Redemptorist Church site, which will impact hugely on the South Circular Road and such adjacent streets as New Street and Gerard Streetâ€.
Cllr Pat Kennedy also stressed the need for new traffic plans for the areas referred to by his colleague.
“It had been previously agreed that a traffic plan for Punch’s would be delivered and the same is required for the South Circular Road,†he said.
Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon reminded the committee that a meeting organised to address traffic calming measures in Ward 2 has not yet taken place, and he called for some action to be taken.
An assurance was given to Cllr Leddin and Cllr Kennedy that a meeting will be held shortly to “go through plans in relation to coming up with solutions to the traffic situation at Punch’s Cross.
In relation to the Redemptorist development, Mr Dromey said the Council’s Traffic Management Department has completed a traffic report which will be issued to the local councillors for their observations.
MAIN DRAINAGE COSTS (Limerick Leader)
By DAVID HURLEY
IT HAS been revealed that the Limerick main drainage project has now cost the taxpayer in excess of €80m —more than €70m above the original budget.
In its annual report for 2006 the Comptroller and Auditor General, John Purcell, examined the reasons for this and he identified 28 key dates up to September of last year.
Mr Purcell found that Uniform Construction Ltd, which secured contract 4.2, worth €9.5m, in May 2000 had offered the city council a chance to sever ties with it in 2003 for a sum of €12.4m.
This was after difficulties developed between both Limerick City Council and Uniform due to tunnelling problems that caused road collapses, delays and overruns.
The city council opted against settlement and instead went through the conciliation and arbitration processes. After losing on both occasions the Council then took it’s case to the High Court before eventually running up compensation and legal bills totalling €83m. 😮
26 September 2007St Mary’s Park residents have reservations (Limerick Leader)
By PETULA MARTYN
PROPOSALS to demolish almost 500 houses in St Mary’s Park and replace them with 2,500 residential units have raised serious concerns among residents in the community.
Planning experts are proposing to rejuvenate Kings’ Island by building mixed housing which will include apartment blocks, private houses and affordable and social housing.
Elaine Bullman is the mother of twins, Larkin and Mikayla, who live in St Mary’s Park. The young mother has reservations about their future following yesterday’s meeting at King John’s Community Centre. “Everyone wants to know where are the people going to go? We didn’t get adequate answers,” she said. “My impression is that they’re going to knock houses and that people haven’t a say at all.”
Eileen Whelan, who was born and reared in St Mary’s Park, is in favour of the proposed redevelopment. The 66 year-old told the Limerick Leader, “We have to improve the area for the younger generation. We don’t want this place falling to the ground. I want to die knowing that the young people will have it. We can’t be selfish.”
Antoinette Hayes, also from St Mary’s Park, said a redeveloped waterfront: “would be lovely. It would brighten up the place.”
According to a survey carried out by Erinaceous Consultants, 70 per cent of residents want to return to live in the area. The city council has given an undertaking that everybody will be accommodated, but the details of the rehousing plan have yet to be worked out.
Yesterday’s meeting was heated as anxious residents demanded detailed answers from the consultants and council officials. Kieran Lehane, director of services in the housing section of Limerick City Council said: “We want to reach an agreement with everybody. If most people are happy to let the regeneration take place, the Government is willing to fund it. I’m not sure a couple of people should prevent the wishes of the majority.”
Local representatives came under fire from some residents. One man shouted “It’s the first time I’ve seen any of them.” Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, Labour, reacted angrily to the accusation. “Excuse me, I’ve been here for clinics every single week for the last 15 years.” She pointed to Cllr Gerry McLoughlin and Cllr John Gilligan who were also present and said “I don’t think it’s fair to say that, when we give excellent representation to this community.”
Cllr Gilligan, who lives locally in Lee Estate, got a tumultuous round of applause when he stood up and said “This is one of the best communities in Limerick city. Here is my community.” He said the project would not go ahead: “if it doesn’t have the support of everybody.”
Jas Sidhu is one of the consultants heading up the project. He reiterated that the proposals shown to people yesterday were “a rough framework.
Nothing has been decided.â€
Was he expecting an angry response at the meeting? “They should be angry,†he replied “Nobody has done anything for them but it is important to channel that anger into something positive.â€
26 September 2007
THERE IS AN ISLE, A NEW TOURIST ISLE (Limerick Leader)
By PETULA MARTYN
KING’S Island is to be transformed into a vibrant tourist hub and a dynamic urban centre once an extensive consultation process with residents has taken place.
All of the 500 houses in the 1930’s St Mary’s Park, the city’s first housing estate, will be bulldozed into the ground, with the two kilometre riverfront of the island to encompass a 90 acre urban quarter which will include 2.500 residential units and affordable housing, as well a shopping district and sports facilities.The Island Field, as the area is commonly known, will become “the heartbeat of the city and an integral part of Limerick,” according to consultant Raj Kumar of Erinaceous Building Consultancy Services.
There was mixed reaction from residents who thronged King’s Island Community Centre yesterday morning to hear proposals for their neighbourhood. The centre was overflowing with hundreds of residents keen to get a view of the presentations by leading Limerick architect Hugh Murray and representatives of the consultants.
During the hour and half-long meeting local people were shown conceptual illustrations and photographs of regeneration projects that have transformed other European waterfronts.
Definitive architectural plans were not displayed by Mr Murray who said: “We are not proposing that these images represent how St Mary’s Park will look, we’re just showing you the possibilities.”
Residents in St Mary’s Park are being encouraged to take ownership of redevelopment plans. They are being asked to take part in all aspects of the consultation process.
A survey was commissioned by Limerick City Council and carried out by Erinaceous consultants to establish the feasibility of the project. Members of the consultancy firm formulated a questionnaire which was delivered to every household in St Mary’s Park. They received over 150 responses from the community. Interested stake-holders including potential investors, community groups and local councillors were consulted and the planning experts based their draft proposals on the feedback they received.
Raj Kumar told the large gathering that “the people who have solutions are right in this room. You are the key stakeholders.”
However, there was a lot of amusement among residents when Hugh Murray described the “micro-climate of the west side of the island” where he envisages “bars and restaurants on the waterfront.” Judging from the laughter that emerged from the audience it was obvious that local people considered some of the ideas fanciful. One amused local man said “We won’t have to go to Lanzarote any more so.”
More serious concerns were raised in a question and answer session following the presentations. Impatient residents wanted their housing needs addressed and asked where they would be rehoused and if they could return to St Mary’s Park following redevelopment. One angry woman shouted: “You are only interested in tourism.
It’ll only be pubs and hotels.â€
Effort were made to allay people’s fears but many left the community centre with questions unanswered. Director of Housing at Limerick City Council, Kieran Lehane, said each household would be looked at on a case by case basis. “There is no intention to disadvantage anyone,†he said “Everyone will be treated fairly and equally.â€
If the plans get the go ahead, developers will be on site demolishing the first houses in 2010.
26 September 2007
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Limerick Boat Club
Things appear to be moving along quicker than I thought here, apparently an application will be submitted before the end of next month. In order for any proposed development to go ahead the boat club would have to be removed from the register of protected structures, this can only be done at a special meeting of the City Council. According to a report in the Limerick Leader during the week, this meeting to de-list the boat club could take place in the next 2 or 3 weeks! The proposal seems to have the support of the council, with a few dissenting voices! Details are a bit sketchy but the development is said to consist of a mixture of restaurants and shops and of course new accomodation for the Boat club, it would also include a footbridge to poor mans kilkee!
Would I be right in thinking that one local paper claimed earlier on in the year that a 20 storey tower was to be built on the site? maybe they got their Euros and storeys mixed up! I must say I have reservations about this proposal, I tend to agree with Cllr Kathleen Leddins opinion, would this type of development be suitable beside a historic cutstone bridge? Should be interesting to see what the plans are like!
Historic Harris haunt to be levelled
PLANS are expected to be lodged with Limerick City Council shortly for the demolition of a historic sports club building where Richard Harris is reputed to have consumed his first pint of Guinness.
Limerick Boat Club, which stands on an island near Sarsfield Bridge, is to be levelled to make way for a €20 million signature piece development.
The man behind the project, Michael Daly of Fondmount Properties, said: “It is very much in the early stages, but we’ve a good bit of work done so far. We expect to have the model done in two weeks.â€
Mr Daly has been responsible for a number of significant developments in the city, including the Riverpoint tower building.
However, some members of the city council are not very enthusiastic about the proposed redevelopment of the Limerick Boat Club site.
Cllr Kathleen Leddin said: “We don’t need another modern building on a very traditional looking bridge site. We already have the Hilton Hotel and the nearby apartments.â€
But Labour representative Cllr Joe Leddin has given the proposal his full backing.
“This is a win-win situation for Limerick Boat Club. There is no use for this building in its current structure. We would be better off clearing the site and putting in a more attractive structure. The new building will complement the council’s riverside strategy.â€
Cllr Kevin Kiely of Fine Gael is also supporting the proposed development.
“The building is a shambles at present. It is an eyesore and was never finished properly to begin with. The new building will accommodate the rowing club and give it a state-of-the art premises.â€
Richard Harris was one of the many figures who spent social evenings at the boat club.
International singing star Burl Ives drank there most nights when he lived in the Limerick area and entertained members with renditions of his big hit A Little Bit of Tear Left Me Down.
Irish Examiner September 26, 2007
The images below come from derhur & rmcgervey at Flickr
The main boat club is listed but the shed isn’t. What has changed since the building was listed? I think the councillors owe people an explanation of why they have changed their minds if they have done so.
I would be completely opposed to the suggested development, it seems to me from this remove to be more about enriching individuals than supporting the activities of the boat club. The state of the building would seem to imply little of any money was spent on its maintenance over the years and one has to wonder how many boat clubs does Limerick require.
I can’t imagine that many of the other businesses in the area would be too impressed with large glass structure popping up there. It would be more in the line of the city councillors to do something about Dunnes and the Roches/Penney block. another trip to An Bord Pleanála I guess for a development on the river.
@Dan Sullivan wrote:
It would be more in the line of the city councillors to do something about Dunnes and the Roches/Penney block.
Liddy Street Retail Units
[url=http://www.daft.ie/searchcommercial.daft?search=Search+%BB&s[cc_id]=ct5&s[min_size]=&s[max_size]=&s[sub_pt_id]=1&s[pt_id]=&s[search_type]=commercial&s[transport]=&s[advanced]=&s[price_per_room]=&s[photo_search]=1&s[map_search]=0&s[refreshmap]=1&offset=60&limit=20&id=18574]RETAIL TO LET[/url]
* Ground floor retail unit comprising c. 3,740 sq.ft.
* The premises is currently an open plan “L” shaped unit
* Can be subdivided into 5 smaller units.
* Available to rent immediately on short term tenancies. 🙁Wishful thinking Dan, looks like everything there is put on hold for the moment. The only positive aspect is that the lettings are short term. The images for the redevelopment of Roches Stores are not to be seen on Newenham Mulligan’s web site any more. Below Liddy Street / Honan’s Quay.
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