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I heard that the lower one (Bennett Constructions) wasn’t considered at all as to include on the short list would leave the council open to legal action from all the plans they had previously rejected. This was due to the proposed development exceeding the footprint of the site. If this is true (and it was reported on News Talk) it’s a very basic error I would think! Who was the architect on that one?

What menace are they? I find they add much needed life to the streets. It’s a great hobby and should be encouraged. So what if they slide on a seat rather than sit on it – at least they’re out about and using them. Its nice to sit and watch them too. All you need is a a few more seats not less then everybody can share.
Skaters as a street culture seems to get along with others on the whole and I much prefer to see this kids skating than the other parts of youth culture such as aimless hanging about bored waiting for a fight. You should give a bit of thought to what you want teenagers (mostly) to do in town. Dublin culture is very drink focused and that’s not a good thing. The other alternatives of things to do in town are shopping and cinema. both of which are also expensive. Are kids to have any presence in our cities?
I agree that dedicated skate parks should be established but these should be seen as a parallel activity to the street.
Lighten up and try and keep the skater community vibrant. It’s good for the city!

Most of the issues raised here have been addressed in earlier schemes. Based on previous City Council schemes, to be eligible you can be earning well over the average industrial wage:

Single Income household: Income less than €32,000

Two Income household: (Principal income by 2.5) plus subsidary imcome. less than €80,000

There are a number if measures to stop you buying as a landlord. The most important is that the purchaser must live there as their principle residence.

To address profitering and speculative investment there is a “claw back” agreement.
The gist of which is as follows:

You must notify CC if selling within 20 years.

The % discount you gained on buying via the scheme is calculated on purchase date and recorded.

If you sell anytime within 10 years you owe CC that percentage of your sale price.

After 10 years the % is further reduced by 10% @ so that only at the end of the subsequent 10 years (ie year 20) you would owe CC nothing if you sold the house.

Seems a pretty good balance to me.

StephenC mentions long-term residents as a possible problem – In that these should be “stepping stone” properties. This is an interesting point. So far the schemes have targeted long-term residents as the scheme attempts to produce stable communities. I don’t think it’s in anybodys interest to have an area entirely composed of young working couples who are out all day and have the attitude that they’ll only be there for a couple of years anyway. There’d be no sense of community whatsoever. That’s of course just my opinion.

I think if the CC council (or whoever) decided that it were worth the social cost to provide just a transitionary first step then the existing schemes could be modified. For example they could set a different balance by perhaps bringing the 10 year tipping point in the claw-back back to 5 years..?

What was that story on the news last night about a fire in a listed building in Cork? One that as luck would have it was proposed to be re-developed as apartments….?

From http://www.DDDA.ie

George’s Dock to take Centre Stage
June 20, 2003

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority announced the commencement of works at George’s Dock in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) to create a unique event platform to accommodate live music, theatre and even an ice rink. The result will be a spectacular enhancement to the IFSC and Docklands area.

The works involve extensive upgrading of George’s Dock to include an underwater stage, improved lighting, new water fountains, seating and handrails to increase use and enjoyment of the amenity for residents and visitors alike.

A retaining wall is also being constructed between George’s Dock and the Inner Dock to facilitate control of water levels and to allow for drainage of each of the Docks separately. This is an essential upgrade so that periodic maintenance work can be carried out in both basins, when necessary.

The upgrade of George’s Dock demonstrates the Authority’s continued commitment to developing a world class physical environment in the Dublin Docklands area.

For further information, please contact Loretta Lambkin at 01-818-3300 or 086-1717386

I think the Portuguese got a great host town then. The islands would’ve been lovely last week. Teams stayed with the host towns for beween 3 days and a week leading up to the games. All teams are accommodated near the venues (Dublin mostly) now that the games have begun.

Funny way to save money though isn’t it? If we really wanted to save money and minimise the disruption the entire track could be laid in a spiral out in the docks or how about decentralising and putting it in the midlands?
Rail infrastructure shouldn’t be built in the wrong place just ‘cos it’s cheaper.

Did you ever see the “anti-pissoirs” on the custom house? They jut out just below waist height and slope down away from the building in each corner alcove on the street side. I heard they were there to discourage dockhands relieving themselves…
Is there an architectural term for these?

There was a similar case somewhere outside Dublin earlier in the year. It was a large sculpture that was removed from a town center (or was it modified?) as there was a risk that someone could climb up the indentations on the side of it like steps. Does anyone recall the details? There were a few photos in the papers at the time…

How soon after construction can you have a structure preserved. Could it be added as is to the protected structures list? Is there any precedent on this?