justnotbothered
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@jimg wrote:
Would they not leave the castle alone? 😡 It’s about the only bit of medieval Limerick left (along with St. Mary’s Cathedral) with any sort of structural integrity. And no, that “medieval house” or pub or whatevet it is they built on the Island a few years ago doesn’t count. It’s bad enough that they ran bulldozers through it in the 50s but the newer “interpretative centre” is highly innappropriate and unsympathetic also in my opinion. Now they’re proposing to compromise the remaining decent view of the Castle (from Clancy’s Strand or Thomond gate) with a boardwalk? Maybe they should just get rid of the river wall altogether since it’s getting in the way of a proposed tourist route. :rolleyes: Let’s face it, the council have the opposite of the “midas” touch when it comes to the historical fabric of Limerick. I dread to think of the state St. Mary’s Cathedral would be in if it had been in the council’s hands for the last 50 years.
I agree with a healthy level of suspucion and cynicism but the fact remains the river and the castle are neglected when it comes to tourist amenities, and we should commend the council for looking at ways to make them more open to tourists. Is the boardwalk the right way of doing so, or perhaps, what impact will the boardwalk have on the castle? King John’s Castle should be nationally famous and yet very few people outside Limerick would even know about it.
Also, I would like to see an intergrated plan for the medieval Island that remains, what is the future of Nicholas street, once the main street in Limerick, now one of the most run-down, and what steps are being taken to envcourage proper development?
Mike, I can’t share the plans for the Boat club and it was silly of me to mention I’d seen them.
Also, I notice Cllr. O’Hanlon is referring to the bridge between Poor Man’s Kilkee and Limerick Boat Club as a seemingly done deal, and chatting to various sources, it seems that the usual standards will not apply to this development (one of the people involved was formerly very involved with the planning process in the city). I have seen the rough sketches, and i’s nothing to write home about. Even worse, Limerick Boat Club are restricted to very small areas on the ground floor, imo, the club is finished, but has decided to go out with a flourish by selling it’s heritage.
The reason nothing can be done either in or with the potato market is becuase the Courts badly need it for parking, they aren’t allowed use the the City Hall carpark, afaik. nothing will happen while Judges and solicitors still need it on a daily basis as a carpark.
However, in the Leader during the week, it was mooted that there might be an new Courts complex built on Mulgrave st, seeing as the current Court House (despite remodelling) is too small, and crucially, is too often on the news showing St. Marys and City Hall in a bad light, the City fathers appeared concerned it creates a bad image of the city.
If the Court were to move, it opens up the whole area in new context. imo, the Courts should be moved and then we can focus on redeveloping the entire area.
More on the pedestrianisation here.
Limerick City Council is planning to pedestrianise part of O’Connell Street in the heart of Limerick city centre.
Director of transport with the local authority Pat Dromey confirmed that plans are underway for the pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street from the junction at William Street as far as Roches Street.
This new plans follow the recent pedestrianisation in the city centre of Bedford Row and part of Thomas Street, which was completed last month.
The remainder of Thomas Street, along with Little Catherine Street, is due to be completed by mid-June.
Plans for the pedestrianisation of a section of O’Connell Street will be put on public display in the coming weeks, according to the council.
“There will be extensive consultation with all the stakeholders before we advance the planning process and we are hopeful that work on the pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street will start in the autumn,” revealed Mr Dromey.
“But an integral part of pedestrianising O’Connell Street is the proposed inner orbital route of the city that will take the diverted traffic, and this will also be put on public display in the new year,” he added.
Thomas Street businesswoman Siobhan Clifford, who owns the Exit shop, said that traders are delighted with the first phase of pedestrianisation of the street, which finished on December 8, 2006.
“It looks fabulous and there has definitely been a pick-up in trade since the works finished. We are getting more passing trade as people come back into the street,” said Ms Clifford.
“The disruption throughout the year was difficult on traders but the end result is definitely worth it. No pain, no gain! I am delighted to hear that parts of O’Connell Street are going to be pedestrianised because it will complement the work done in Thomas Street and Bedford Row.”
The Limerick Co-ordination Office (LCO) acted as an intermediary for the past year among Thomas Street and Bedford Row businesses, consultants and the city council.
LCO city-centre co-ordinator Andrew Mawhinney said: “Limerick City Council is to be complimented on its pedestrianisation programme.
“Already, we have seen private investment stimulated by this work and the public space can be used for a variety of purposes,” he said.
Mr Mawhinney also complimented businesses in Bedford Row and Thomas Street for their patience and understanding during the construction work.
@CologneMike wrote:
Where is your sense of curiosity when somebody makes a proposal for such a potential cultural amenity? Would it not be fair to give the Limerick Boat Club and the developer Michael Daly an opportunity to present their plans first to the public. It’s one thing raising concerns about the consequences of any particular development, but it’s not positive to knock it outright before seeing what’s on offer. Innovatively and quality wise he has delivered very well on phase one of the Riverpoint. So when he says “What we are aiming to achieve is a building which is sensitive to its surroundings, that is tastefully done and that will enchance the riverside city development,” explained Michael Daly, Developer, Fordmount Property Groupâ€, I’m curious to see despite my own reservations, what he will present. Are you not?
I’m sad to say my sense of curiosity evapourated with my trust in developers a long time ago. Let’s not forget that while Riverpoint is a very impressive building to look from a distance, at ground level it is the usual mesh of vents that ensure the street remains lifeless, sadly, it’s ugliest floor is also it’s street level floor.
Perhaps I am being unfair, it just seems that everytime someone wants to build on the river they drag out the same tired cultural improvements line, the city falls for it, and 9 months later we have an Arthur’s Quay or a Steamboat Quay and the only culture involved is the ever decresing faith in developers.
Also, with the university building a top class rowing faciity, with 3city centre rowing clubs, I find it hard to have much sympathy for those who let Limerick Boat Club fall in to such disrepair that such dramatic surgery is needed.
All in all, I think the view of LBC, Shannon Boatclub with the castle in the backround, from the Shannon bridge, is an iconic view of Limerick, and doesn’t need much improvement or destruction. Talk to me about development where it is needed and you’ll get my full support.
The Boat Club plan has all the hallmarks of a “please everyone, please no-one” construction. As with every development on the river, it purports to be all things to all people, a cultural amenity, a sportsclub, a tourist site, a coffee house, and yet it won’t be “enormous”, how exactly? How does it either complement the river or the city? With the university building a top class rowing facility, does Limerick need this or has the boat club ended as a useful institution in the city? We already have Athlunkard, Shannon and St. Micheals as city-centre rowing clubs. Why should the current buildings be de-listed?
Why build on the river? There are so many sites and streets in Limerick in need for refurbishment, why risk losing one of unique buildings in Limerick when so much has already been lost? Why does the ESB site remain undeveloped? Or the old Dunnes? Surely the council should be working on these areas before delisting historic buildings?
What’s incredibly worrying is the implied compliance by the city council, we know they are very easily influenced by developers, evidenced by Cllr’s Jim Long’s hilarious flip-flopping over the Westfields plan, though I believe it was ignorant good intentions more than anything sinister, or the Opera centre, where it was left to an independant architect to appeal the needless destruction of a Georgian street, inspite of what may be called developers bribes to her. Have our City Fathers become so desperate for development that virtually every development must go unchecked? Limerick is definately an imporiving city, there’s no doubting that, but let’s hold on to some of the historic buildings of our city.
Positive move for Nicholas Street
by Marie Hobbins
THE sale of two strategically located sites on Nicholas Street is the kick-start to reactivate a radical development of the historic area.This is the view of Mayor Joe Leddin who, with the other city councillors, will, next Monday, give their approval to the sale by Limerick City Council of a disused site on the street for 293,000 euro to the developer, John Clogan who built the extension to Barrington’s Hospital.
Rooneys Auctioneers is selling the site for the council as well as an adjoining site at 35 Nicholas Street, owned by the businessman.
Cllr John Gilligan has been openly critical of city council for the length of time it has taken to activate development of the former Healy’s shop site which, boarded up for years, was regarded as a disfiguring eyesore in the centre of the King’s Island medieval trail. Noticeable to passers by, the crumbling ruin of the site’s original building was held up by girders and frequently surrounded with litter.
Cllr Gilligan said: ” 15 years ago, Healy’s was relocated down the street with the promise from council that they would be back on site in a new shop within two years but that didn’t happen and, unfortunately, the last of the trade died some years ago and the site became an eyesore and a source of nuisance to the neighbouring residentsâ€.
However, one cause for delay in developing the site was the discovery of a medieval stone wall and fireplace.
Recently, senior planner, Dick Tobin said that expert examination confirmed the finding of a medieval stone wall containing a fireplace that was deemed a national treasures and therefore, could not be removed. At that time, Mr Tobin expressed his belief that the structure could be “imaginatively built around and successfully incorporated into a new buildingâ€.
City council director of finance, John Field, welcomed the sale as a “very positive move for the street as did Mayor Leddin who, like Cllr Gilligan is delighted that a completely refurbished garda station on Mary Street is to reopen.The mayor said he is now hopeful that “the prime site opposite Limerick Civic Trust and adjacent to King John’s Castle, will be suitably developed
Don’t think they can begin O’Connell street until the tunnel and link road are built, like it or not, it’s a national route. I agree O’Connell street does need a major renovation though.
Great posts Mike,
I must admit I like the Cleeves plan an awful lot more than the crazy build on the river plan. Westfields should be a huge resource to Limerick city, as well as being a safety valve to prevent serious flooding from the shannon (imo, one of the reasons Limerick city rarely suffers as serious flooding as the other cities in Ireland). We should preserve and develop it to be a top class nature park, with obvious concessions for street furntiure and cycle ways, we should redevelop the Golden Vale plant as residental (basically, we should initiate the Cleeves plan).
The street redevelopment plans are good to see, especially since we can see the improvements that have already been made. I think William street will be the next (and most needed) one, now that the Thomas street development is approaching completion.
@PoxyShamrock wrote:
Here we go! I heard it ages ago that the Hilton Builders were cutting awful corners.
Did you post an article stating that part of the building collapsed or is just a rumour you’ve been spreading here and on boards.ie? I live pretty near the place and know a few guys on the site (though I haven’t been chatting to them in ages) and I’ve heard nothing about it. Not saying it didn’t happen though, just wondering what the source is.
It’s hard to realise just how bad a development anything on Jackson’s turret would be unless you stand n Arthur’s Quay Park and look across towards it. From that vantage you can really appreaciate the presence it has on the river.
While something should be done there, it needs to be ultra-cautious not to look out of place, anything over 3 storeys would destroy the line of the strand.
On the rubble in the river, there are plans to build a canoeing slip-way for the kayakers, and to develop a riverside park all along the strand. Not sure what stage of advancement those plans are at though.
City revamp on way
Marie Hobbins
FEARS that the pedestrianisation of Limerick city centre will cause traffic mayhem has forced City Hall into a new traffic plan.It has now been suggested that the quaysides should also be pedestrianised which will further aggravate the city’s car parking problems. An inner city orbital route has been mooted by Arup, Consulting Engineers.
Currently between 1,200 and 1,400 vehicles travel through O’Connell Street daily and when completed, pedestrianisation is estimated to reduce that volume by 30 per cent in the city centre. To cater for the overflow to other city streets, Arup have submitted recommendations for an inner orbital route within the city to accommodate the displaced traffic.
According to the consultants, “the objective is to develop a deliverable traffic management solution which will best accommodate traffic drive in the city and simultaneously allow for a pedestrian-friendly cityâ€.
A number of recommendations are listed in three options provided by Arup. Under one option provided, it is recommended that Henry Street, between Honan’s Quay and Shannon Street be converted from one-way northbound to two-way traffic: reversion of the direction of traffic flow on Henry Street between Lower Mallow Street and Shannon Street from one-way northbound to one-way southbound: provision of restricted turning movements at the junction of Henry Street/Lower Mallow Street and O’Connell Street/Mallow Street: conversion of O’Connell Street between Mallow Street and Cecil Street from one-way southbound to two-way traffic: construction of a new road link between Cathedral Place and Sexton Street: provision of new traffic signals at High Street/Wickham Street: conversion of Broad Street from two-way to one-way northbound.
While the recommendations have yet to be studied in detail by the councillors on the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee, and also by all of the councillors on Limerick City Council, before a period of consultation with the public is entered into, cllr Diarmuid Scully suggested that serious consideration be given to making the quays a pedestrianised area.
“I’m worried about putting thousands more cars on the quays. We’re dedicated to enhancing the riverscape with linear walks, boardwalks and further appropriate development but choking up the quays with traffic is not an attractive scenario,†he said.
Referring to the successful pedestrianisation of Birmingham city’s centre, which has been accepted as a model for other cities, the councillor said: “Birmingham, however, does not have a quayside stretch such as Limerick’s so close to its city centre streets.â€
Cllr John Ryan and Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon also expressed reservations about a negative impact on the quays arising from changed traffic management.
“Pedestrianisation of the quays is worth investigating with an open mind,†said Cllr Ryan who adds: “our river is our biggest asset and we should be looking at extending areas of the quays out on to the river and imaginatively developing them,†he said.
Cllr O’Hanlon urged a rethink on the quays and the potential they present to develop the city’s riverscape into a “beautiful city landmark area.†He said it is his understanding that a new City Library to replace the existing building on Michael Street will be built on Poor Man’s Kilkee, but this could not be confirmed at time of gong to press as city librarian, Dolores Doyle, was not available for comment.
City Council’s director of services, Pat Dromey, told the councillors that the Council “will take another look at the quays†and that a full report will be provided in early spring.
The architect, Nicholas de Jong, who is overseeing the city centre renewal programme, was not available for comment
Limerick centre gets go-ahead
Karl Hanlon in LimerickModified plans for a major retail development have been approved for Limerick city. An Bord Pleanála has upheld an earlier decision by Limerick City Council to grant planning permission for the proposed Opera Centre complex, subject to conditions.
It is estimated that the development, which will encompass almost an entire block of Georgian streets, could create up to 1,200 jobs.
The centre is to be dedicated to the memory of the world-renowned 19th-century soprano Catherine Hayes, who came from Limerick. Her birthplace on Patrick Street is to be transformed into a museum as part of the plan.
The conditions attached to the planning approval stipulate that a number of buildings which the developer had applied to demolish will have to be retained.
It is understood that the developer, Belfast-based Regeneration Developments Ltd, was yesterday studying Bord Pleanála’s decision before making any comment.
Mayor of Limerick Joe Leddin welcomed the decision. He said that the complex would help to make the city-centre a vibrant place to shop and live and would be a significant boost to the city.
Limerick City Council granted permission for the Opera Centre earlier this year, but that decision was appealed by architect Cáit Nà Cheallacháin. The appeal was taken on the grounds that significant architectural heritage would be lost if the development was allowed to go ahead. In upholding the earlier decision by the local authority, Bord Pleanála imposed a number of conditions, including a stipulation that a number of Georgian period buildings, which the developer had applied to demolish, should be preserved.
The board also ruled that revised plans for the necessary conservation work will have to be submitted to the planning authority in advance of any actual building.
The revised plans should include details of how the Georgian buildings will be integrated within the overall development.
It is understood that planners at Limerick City Council originally decided to grant permission for the ambitious project to address an imbalance in retail floor space in the city-centre.
Several out-of-town shopping complexes have been approved in recent years in the Limerick urban area but there has been little development in the city itself.
@cheebah wrote:
You know that photo you have in post #851. Well the Gaelcolaiste is where the Kenrite Construction is printed between Baals Bridge and the Abbey Bridge
You also asked which hotel group is moving in
well the hotel sign says this
http://absolutehotel.com/
and like the hotel, the website isn’t open yet although the logo is upjustnotbothered said:
I see there is going to be increased cctv around the castle, hopefully that will further lock anti social behaviour into areas where it can be at least contained, if not eliminated.As a resident of the area be interested to know where you saw this?
In last week’s post or Limerick weekender, Cllr. Gilligan was speaking about how it would be installed pretty soon.
Does anyone know what’s going to be done with the vacant lot opposite the castle, beside Kitty O’Shea’s pub?
The Opera centre looks worse and worse with every detail they release of it, is it just Arthur’s Quay on a larger scale, with the same mistakes magnified?
Interesting about all the activity on Kings Island, there is no reason the area can’t be improved street by street, especially with the Gaelcolaiste, enlarged hospital and hotel going in there. I see there is going to be increased cctv around the castle, hopefully that will further lock anti social behaviour into areas where it can be at least contained, if not eliminated.
Anyone any shots of the new pedestrian bridge in UL?
I was walking through Arthur’s Quay Park on Friday, and the vantage point on Jackson’s Turret (next to Curragower) shows just how crucial it is that recent mooted developments be stopped. The plans, as I understand them, are completely out of character with the area.
My father used to work in the post office building, he’d always lament the destruction of the hanging gardens, no doubt all we’ll get back will be a beer/smoking area, pity.
Henry street has shown it is possible to re-energise streets in Limerick city, indeed, if Bedford Row succeeds, it may revitalise that entire area, especially with Bedford Row at one end and the Foreign Affairs by the Red Church. A huge site still in bad need of redevelopment is the ESB buildings, such a prime location simply cannot afford to be messed up (or indeed) left undeveloped.
I’m just back from a brief visit to Riga and Tallinn and was enormously impressed with their preservation of their “old towns”, it’s left me thinking about how we’ve neglected our own medieval heritage and how we can redevelop it properly. I would like to see a special rates/tax breaks for Nicholas street (much like what occured in Shop street in Galway) to encourage the kind of shops tourists like to visit (ie arts, crafts, the usual), I would like to see old (or old-style) cobbles re-laid on the main streets and the entire area pedestrianised. Also, and this is a huge one, I’d like to see the old medieval townhouse completely re-built, as it would have been (within reason). It would be a huge project, but done right, it could be a great addition to the city.
How would people deal with Moyross? It clearly isn’t working and to be sadly honest, seems to be getting worse, as opposed to most areas in the city always improving. How do we make it harder (from an architechtural sense) for anti-social behaviour to thrive? Should we look for a Ballymun-esque redevelopment of the entire area, perhaps reducing the overall population and concentrating on the “good apples”? Build proper pitches, facilities etc and give them to local sports clubs to maintain. For example, the GAA recently designated Limerick city as a hurling blackspot in Munster, give them a few redeveloped pitches and invite them to start local initiaves (just one example).
Worrying times for the Opera Centre, and I must admt the picture in the post was fairly hideous.
Opera centre backers express concern at start-up delay
THERE is growing concern that the investors behind the proposed m200 euro Opera Shopping Centre at Patrick Street/Rutland Street, might be discouraged from proceeding because of the start-up delay imposed by a planning objection to the project.
Limerick auctioneer Pat Kearney, who spent three years putting the package together, this week told the Limerick Post that they were already running well behind time.
“One local person has cited objections to the proposed development in a lengthy submission to An Bord Pleanala, and a decision is not expected until late October, and even then there are no guarantees.
“It is not for me to discuss the merits or otherwise of the objections raised, but what I will say is, that all connected with the project are becoming frustrated. “The developers had set a timeline of 2007 for the grand opening, but now we are looking at well into 2008.
“We had to negotiated with something like 40 clients in putting the entire deal together and they are looking for their money. All is now in the lap of the gods. There are some crucial weeks ahead.
“The danger is that retailers who had expressed an interest in locating at the Opera Centre might be having second thoughts because of the delay. Take Debenhams, for example. It is known they had shown an interest in becoming an anchor tenant, but they have since leased the Roches Stores property”.
Mr Kearney, in calling for a review of the planning process, pointed out that the developers were not in a position to draw down finance until such time as the path had been cleared to commence demolition work on the existing buildings.
“We are talking in terms of a multi million euro investment-this will be the biggest inner city development of its type in Limerick and let’s hope it will be resolved as soon as possible”.
@PoxyShamrock wrote:
from what i’ve heard the builders at the strand have been cutting corners everywhere, so I wouldnt be too doubtful if this hotel could be swarmed with problems in the future.
I heard the opposite, that everything was being done pretty high spec.
Has anyone seen any images for the new building opposite the Red Church on Henry street? It’s a pretty huge site, I understand it’s where the decentralised civil servants are being sent.
Interesting point about the Lynch hotels, and shows just how much damage the local media do by continually spreading negative rumours about Limerick city. These hotels have better things to do with their time than build or rent white elephant hotels in Limerick, it’s a pity our media don’t share their optimism.
Good to see they’ve finally found a use for that building out by Raheen, and it’s good that the radio is being based in Limerick, as Colonge Mike points out we have a number of media outlets in the city. Would it matter much more if it was based 2 miles closer to the city centre?
What are people’s opinion on the merits on the new Strand Hotel? The completed sections do not inspire confidence.
@Michael J. O’Brien wrote:
I heard recently something about Limerick Corporation selling the park land along the river for development alongside the currrent Ennis/Shannon road. Is this true?
I hadn’t heard that. I’m pretty sure we’d have heard about it if it actually went through. There has been an awful lot of “kite-flying” about this project but whenever the persons behind this scheme are actually asked about how they’ll fund it, or when they’ll produce plans for it. The plan to my mind is a joke, but I’m worried once the idea gets out it’ll gain a currency with more serious developers.
