well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
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@bonzer1again wrote:
Dave123, I couldn’t agree with you more, the whole Dublin Rd is going to get swamped with traffic from these developments….I would also suggest that since the University is probably one of the largest contributors of traffic in this area, that time is now well overdue to open access to the University from the Clare side of the campus. This would help alleviate the traffic being forced out onto the Dublin Road. What makes it even more farcical is that the bridge and the road (laneway if I’m honest) is already there, and blocked by a gate!!!!!, but it wouldn’t take much to put something in to help handle the traffic levels that I would expect it to take.
When it comes to traffic lights being put in by the council, I can’t wait to see how they make a mess of it…and then 4/5 months later go back and sort it all out….It’s about time that the councils invested in a Traffic management system that would be manned so that in times of need, the light timing intervals could be changed. So basically what I am looking for is a traffic mangement centre for the city and it’s major suburbs. (Wishful thinking)…..what’s amazing about this is that the CCTV cameras are already in place in the city (Garda camera’s), maybe they could use those.
The gates are there to stop the University from being a commuter rat-run aren’t they?
According to plans submitted to Clare they are going to build the World Academy Dance building in UL, there are plans linked to this application to build a car park at the end of that lane way (which is scheduled for upgrading), with 400 spaces and a bus stop allowing access to the campus, but not through traffic. this would allow the 400 users of the car park, and Bus Eireann to access from the Clare side and then walk across the magnificent “Living Bridge” …..apparentley the planning application has been appealed, so the decision is due soon…..hopefully!!!!
After a one year consultation period, Limerick City Council have published the final draft of their City Centre Strategy. This documents aim is “to provide the strategy and framework to underpin the growth and redevelopment of the City Centre to help Limerick reach its potential as the capital of the Mid West.”
Under the plan, the city is divided into 6 zones with the aim of identifying the specific challenges facing each zone and identifying how these areas could be improved. It includes the city centre pedestrianisation and streetscape renewal scheme along with the riverside improvement projects. It also contains provisions for the redevelopment of a number of key sites in the city centre such as the Aurthurs Quay/Patrick Street area.
The Central Core
The Central Core area is the heart of the city. Its main function is to provide living, working and leisure facilities,
primarily retailing, for the wider area. Public realm works have commenced in the area aiding pedestrian flow to and through the major retail blocks contained within the city grid. To market the Central Core as the primary shopping location for the region retail investment must continue in parallel with the extensive works currently being carried out in the public realm.The creation of The Opera Shopping Centre, on Patrick Street and the Arthur’s Quay Redevelopment Project will bring even more retail investment to the city. This retail hub within the Central Core will provide a high quality shopping experience for its visitors. Following publication of the City Centre Strategy Issues Paper, a comprehensive submission was received from landowner’s adjoining Arthur’s Quay Park. The submission identified a potential development area incorporating the existing Arthur’s Quay shopping centre, the Roche’s Store block at Sarsfield Bridge, the Arthur’s Quay Park and Sarsfield House.
Aurthurs Quay Re-development
The main intention of the indicative design is to achieve comprehensive redevelopment in a way that complements and enhances the distinctive urban fabric and riverside setting of the area. All existing buildings would be demolished, including Sarsfield House, and replaced by a robust framework of multi-purpose blocks arranged around a number of axis lines, visually linking the new development to King’s Island (with the tower of St. Mary’s Cathedral as a key focal point) and to the River Shannon (with views across to the existing amenity bund on Clancy Strand). A new public square close to the junction of Patrick Street and Sarsfield/William Street forms the major focus to the development, as well as the new heart of the Central Core area, from which radiate the two principal axis lines.
The proposed block pattern reflects the grain of adjoining streets (Denmark Street, Ellen Street and Henry Street), and includes buildings of different heights according to location and possible uses. Two tall signature buildings are positioned at each end of the development, reinforcing the entry to the city core from Rutland Street and Sarsfield Bridge. From Patrick Street, the building blocks increase in height incrementally towards the river.
Ground floor uses would be predominantly retail, together with cafes, restaurants and bars, to ensure vibrancy
throughout the area. Although specific end-users are not prescriptive at this stage, it is envisaged that at least
two major retailers could be accommodated within the block structure. Provision for smaller retailers would also
be essential, particularly along the principal axis extending to St. Mary’s Cathedral (which could be developed as a glazed covered pedestrian street), along Patrick Street and around the waterfront. Smaller retail units could also be considered at first floor level where these can be conveniently linked to the main pedestrian circulation pattern. In the vicinity of the waterfront, the upper floors would be predominantly residential, providing high
quality apartments, for a variety of different users (including families) with spectacular views of the River Shannon and King’s Island. The remaining inner blocks could include a mix of office and residential uses on the upper floors.In the layout vehicle access would be limited to the new orbital route, curving through the development at grade
between Henry Street and Rutland Street, and including a bus/taxi lane, access to underground parking areas and with the provision of at least two major controlled pedestrian crossings. The remainder of the public realm would be pedestrian and 24-hour accessible.In addition to the new public square close to the Sarsfield/William Street junction, a substantial promenade would extend around the waterfront, linking Sarsfield Bridge to a second pedestrian plaza located at the end of the principal axis. The new high quality waterfront spaces would be over looked by active retail and cafe/restaurant frontages at ground level, and by residential uses above.The open space pattern would extend to the rear of the Hunt Museum and across to the Potato Market by way of
an elegant contemporary pedestrian bridge. A major civic space would be created outside the Court House,
further defined by a possible new civic building (library, museum, performance space, or similar) occupying the
eastern end of the existing Potato Market, and including a panoramic viewing area at the confluence of the
Shannon and Abbey rivers.Elsewhere in the “Central Core” the plan identifies 4 city centre blocks as potential redevelopment opportunities, these include the Bank of Ireland block, the Brown Thomas block and interestingly the block containing the Augustinian church.
Along with the Aurthurs Quay redevelopment proposal, the document identifies 6 development sites within the city centre. The site of the Limerick boat club is included although no specific details are contained in the plan.
Site A – The ESB building, Howley’s Quay
The buildings adjacent to the river front have undergone a major transformation in recent years. This site is the llast remaining “undeveloped†site between Shannon Bridge and Sarsfield Bridge.The building is currently vacant and occupies a site of 0.233 ha (0.5757 acres). The site offers significant potential in its own right.With
the expected relocation of the Henry Street Garda Station and the expected relocation of the Irish Greyhound Board from their headquarters there is the potential to create a site of significant scale.Site B – Electrical Rewind and Thompson’s Funeral Home, Thomas Street.
Thomas St forms a key part of the City Centre Pedestrianisation Project. Lower Thomas St has been fully pedestrianised and significant upgrading works to upper Thomas St are planned for 2008. The investment of such significant funds in the upgrading of the public realm has already generated redevelopment of sites fronting onto the newly upgraded streets. This redevelopment is seen as very complementary to the investment by Limerick City Council.
The site occupied by Electrical Rewind, Thompsons Funeral Home and others at the top of Thomas St provides significant potential for redevelopment to higher order uses. The site fronts onto Thomas St and Wickham St. The site offers the potential to link the Thomas St upgrading with the Railway Station area by establishing a landmark building on the site. The site is privately owned by a number of parties.
Action: Consult with landowners to identify measures necessary to release the site for redevelopment.
Site C: Site known as Telecom Car Park, Roche’s Street
The site is currently used as a surface car park. It has extensive frontage to Roche’s Street which is currently used for advertising hoardings.The sites measures 0.3547 ha (0.876 acres) and offers potential for development of retail/commercial units on street level. Its location adjacent to the orbital route makes it ideally suited for development of an underground multistorey car park. A pedestrian link could also be established through to Baker Place. The site is zoned commercial and is privately owned.
Action: Consult with landowner to identify measures necessary to release the site for redevelopment.
Site D: Corner site at O’Connell St / Thomas St junction
The subject development site bounds O’Connell Street, Roche’s Street, Catherine Street and Thomas Street.Feasibility to be further examined for a mixed development of retail, office, residential and leisure facilities.
Site E: Site at William St / Fox’s Bow
The subject development site bounds both William Street and Fox’s Bow. Feasibility to be further examined for a mixed development of retail, office and residential accommodation.
The Strategy document contains the following information on the comencement/completion dates for the remainder of the streetscape works in the city centre.
Upper Thomas St, Catherine St, Foxes Bow, Limerick Lane, and Erson’s Lane. Start Jan 2008 Finish Jan 2009
Sarsfield St, William St, and Upper William St. Start June 2008 Finish June 2009
O’Connell St, Patrick St to Crescent. Start March 2009 Finish December 2010
John’s Square. Start October 2009 Finish October 2010
Roche’s St, Shannon St, from Henry St to O’Connell St. Start Jan 2010 Finish Jan 2011
Catherine St between Glentworth St and Roche’s St. Start April 2009 Finish January 2010
Night Club Quarter. Start October 2008 Finish April 2010
To complete the Riverside Walks as follows:
Clancy Strand, Curragour Bund. Start October 2007 Finish October 2008
O’Callaghan Strand. Start January 2008 Finish January 2009
Shannon Bridge to Sarsfield Bridge incld. Lower Shannon and Cecil St. Start Oct 2008 Finish Oct 2009
Clancy Strand Boardwalk. Start May 2008 Finish November 2008
Bridge Lighting. Start October 2008 Finish April 2009
Merchants Quay / Potato market. Start October 2009 Finish October 2010
The county council have uploaded the drawings attached to the latest permission submitted for the Parkway Valley Shopping centre.
http://www.lcc.ie/ePlan/InternetEnquiry/rpt_ViewApplicDetails.asp?validFileNum=1&app_num_file=08645
Here are some of the main changes proposed.
The ice rink has been upgraded to olympic standard, complete with ice hockey style duguots and sin bins. there is the associated changing rooms and plant rooms and so on. It will have seating for 1000 spectators.
The “health and well being” element has been replaced by a bowling alley and a food court containing around 17 food units with common seating areas.
The layout of many of the retail units has been altered to accomodate the needs of potential tennants.
The 2 levels of above ground parking at the rear of the development have had a third level added.
There are a few canges to the exterior also. The overall design of irregular sections at odd angles has not changed but it looks like the large glazed areas at the entrances have reverted to a more conventional design. Presumably for cost reasons.
@CologneMike wrote:
Tunnel to link new Court House to Prison
They seem to be serious on moving the courthouse to Mulgrave Street. To date nothing to be seen on the OPW site. Would the proposed courthouse face Mulgrave Street or would it front onto the new proposed road linking Cathedral Place with Sexton Street?
What new use would be in store for the building in Merchant’s Quay after they had moved? Filmhouse? Theatre?
I dont blame them to be honest, I believe the district court has actually been housed in the City hall building since it was opened in the late 80s, what a ridiculous decision that was!:rolleyes: Apparently the Council are concerned about the negative publicity generated by the all too common shots of City hall in news reports. It cant be good for visiting officials either or for people just carrying out business there.
Having said that, the circuit court is also located just metres away from City hall, I presume this would move to the new site on Mulgrave Street aswell? I know the courts service are developing a new court complex in Dublin at the moment so Im not sure how much funds are available for the project here, although I have heard rumours that a public private partnership might be used!
There are plans in the pipeline for a revamp of the potato market to turn it into a plaza area with possibly a new cultural building on another part of the site. If this went ahead, the close proximity of the courthouse would make it all the more attractive for some sort of cultural/civic use. Would it be suitable as the new location for the City library or would it be too small?
Murray O Laoire completed a €7 million refurbishment of the courthouse back in 2002.
Below: Court House with potato market to the right.
The georgian buildings that are part of the existing Arthurs quay SC – ie those on Patrick st I presume will be retained in any future development ?.. It would be ironic to see the 1990 ?.. shopping centre knocked with the old buildings retained. To be fair from the quay its not the worst building in the world – it looks awful from patrick st though – the big green car park grilles never looked good.
Some images from the parkway application
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/2419517384_0e54b17db1.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/2418702799_ef9aee9fd0.jpg?v=0
Looks like a very ambitious project for the Dublin road area. The Parkway roundabout will be replaced by a T-Junction and they also intend moving the entrance / exit away from the old roundabout vicinity.
Dan, your “super oval roundabout†proposal above does not seem to be in the running with the new developers! 😉
Well the super Oval (would that be der Super Oval or das Super Oval?) is really more for the attention of the local authority. I was think of it being called the Sully Circuit!
I can’t say I’m a fan of the proposals as they aren’t knocking the existing Dunnes but rather extending it over a underground carpark.
@CologneMike wrote:
Looks like a very ambitious project for the Dublin road area. The Parkway roundabout will be replaced by a T-Junction and they also intend moving the entrance / exit away from the old roundabout vicinity.
Dan, your “super oval roundabout†proposal above does not seem to be in the running with the new developers! 😉
So at what angle is that taken from, like where is childers road and which is Dublin ROs..
Why can’t they grade separate the traffic. Like put pedstrian movements underground. Having A right flowing slips from Childer’s road over/under the T junction. I remember years ago, they were planning to put slips and underground walkways as part of the Parkway valley deveopment.
To the left are the Childers and straight ahead is the Dublin road heading into town. at the bottom of the image is the Dublin road coming from…well…Dublin I guess and the right has the baby slip road into Rhebogue
and honestly pedestrian underpasses? Are you looking for people to be mugged? Limerick isn’t exactly a Clockwork Orange but pedestrian underpasses are a magnetic of low lives looking to attack people.
Bedford Row
The original Methodist Chapel building from 1820
The Grand Central Cinema building (1930-2007) with the hidden church façade
The new commercial building with its outer and inner façades.
Picture from LimerickBlogger by Billy the Squid
I think it looks great, very crisp and clean, its a fairly simple concept yet quite elegant at the same time! All it needs now is an appropriate lighting system, if this is done properly it will be quite a striking sight after dark!
Heres another perspective on it from brownej
Bedford Row in general is in excellent shape now with the city central development across the street basically complete. The pedestrianisation has done wonders for business here, as up until recently Bedford Row had become something of a “nothing” street that people just used to get to O Connell Street or Henry Street. I believe nevada smiths bar has now closed down?, there has been talk lately of more retail space being developed on this site!
Hard to believe it now but Bedford Row looked like this only a couple of years ago!:eek:
@dave123 wrote:
Why can’t they grade separate the traffic. Like put pedstrian movements underground. Having A right flowing slips from Childer’s road over/under the T junction. I remember years ago, they were planning to put slips and underground walkways as part of the Parkway valley deveopment.
It comes down to one simple factor; money! It would cost in the region of €30 Million for even a basic grade separation of the Parkway roundabout, ie. a bridge with slip roads to carry the Dublin road over the roundabout and the re-alignment of the junction and connecting roads. As the Dublin road at the parkway is no longer a National route, the NRA have no responsibility for it and there is no chance of Limerick City Council investing this kind of money to sort it out. The only other option is for a private developer to fork out and fund the project, however as we’ve seen, the signalised junction marks the limit of the parkway developers ambitions.
Incidentally, what is the story with access to the new Parkway valley complex? I know there will be an access road from the existing retail park, are the “tunnelled slip roads” still part of the plans? If I was a betting man, Id say not!
Below is a shot of the Parkway valley construction site (Courtesy of Zoney)
Attached: General Parkway area.
sorry about poor image quality – I think this view of Thomond Park will be the most impressive on a match day with the lights on – as you drive in from Parteen,Opera Centre on song for 2010 (Limerick Post)
by Marie Hobbins
WORK on the multi million euro Opera Retail Development is likely to commence within six to eight weeks, according to the city’s senior planner, Dick Tobin.
He said that while documents of compliance had been lodged with City Hall by the developers, the planning department has not yet finished its consideration of the detail.
Asked by the Limerick Post if there were any problematic areas that could impede progress, Mr Tobin said the developers are in compliance with conditions required by an Bord Pleanala.
“There were a few things that hadn’t been completed, mainly to do with some protected buildings – documentation and photographic records etcâ€.
Asked if there was any concern that given the downturn in the economy, the Opera Centre, predicted to produce a retail development that will completely transform and upgrade the city centre and produce stiff competition to the suburban retail parks, could be jeopardised, Mr Tobin replied: “We don’t get any sense of this – it is scheduled to open in 2010â€.
Very inspiring image of Bank Place below? 🙁
A standalone three storey café bar/restaurant building is proposed at Bank Place, facing a new landscaped plaza with vehicular access to basement service area from Bank Place.
Any decent images about? In my opinion a very poor PR on behalf of the new and former developer for promoting this city shopping centre.
Previous posts with map, photos and web site screen shot.
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