Radioactiveman
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Wow, the images of Horgan’s Quay look great (understandably a bit vague, but it just shows the sheer opportunity there is on site!). I suppose some of us might even live to see something happen there 🙂
The shopping centre in Douglas is very depressing. It reminds me of a fancy shoe box. Most of that structure appears to be carpark. Pretty soon all of Douglas will be either shopping centre or carpark attached to shopping centre. What an exciting prospect for the people of Douglas 🙁
p.s. I think whoever did up those Horgan’s Quay images slightly overexaggerated the size of the Irish Navy 🙂Interesting article in the Examiner today (7/3/05) about the land which Richard Wood has proposed to donate to Cork City Council at an unspecified date in the future.
The land consists of 285 acres around the Carrigrohane road. The land could be used for “As many activities as possible that are consistent with the land’s character” according to Mr. Wood.
However, if the NRA decides to put the North Ring Road through the site, the offer will be withdrawn.
Interestingly, Mr. Wood said that he offered the land to the city because it would benefit City dwellers more than those in the county. Also, he is said to be unhappy with the way Cork COUNTY Council managed the Fota Hourse restoration project – a project which he led for many years.
I think the NRA should know the importance of this offer before they make any decision on the new road. There are currently three routes to choose from and a decision is due in September.
I doubt if the land itself would ever be rezoned due to its position as a green belt between City (Western suburbs) and County (Ballincollig). Neverthless, it is a hugely generous offer. There are a few more developers in Cork who could adopt a similarly civic minded attitude as Mr. Wood.RM
AIB have submitted plans to demolish their existing branch on Watercourse Road, Blackpool. They plan to construct a two storey bank building, move atm facility and provide staff car parking at the rear.
At the same time, Frinailla ltd. have submitted further info. for their Lady’s Well development also on Watercourse Road, Blackpool. Haven’t seen this yet. Anybody got any info. on it?
Close by., a number of large apartment/Office buildings are taking shape on the Blackpool Bypass. More are planned.
Also, the new archive building is taking shape on Gt. William Obrien St., Still haven’t found a proper image of this 😡
Looks like the old heart of Blackpool is finally being paid attention to. Too much focus has been placed on the “new town centre”, leaving the rest of the area to become run down. I notice Dundrum are also suffering from the “new town centre” syndrome this week :confused:
It reminds me of the Simpson’s episode where Homer becomes sanitation officer and fills the town with illegally dumped rubbish. The City Council call a meeting and decide to use PLAN B. Whats plan B?? Pick up the town and move it a couple of miles down the road….. sound familiar?@lexington wrote:
😡
And furthermore, CCC are now up in arms about the lack of a Skateboard Park being provided for Cork’s many young skaterboarding fanatics. In fairness to Joe Gavin, he did his best on this one – a park was earmarked for Kennedy Park but subsequently shot-down by an almost 2 to 1 vote by city councillors against such a project. Now, the very same people are fuming and complaining that there is no park in place!!! The ineptitude of Cork City Council grows ever frustrating! 😡
As i pointed out a few weeks ago, there is now no access to the Court House on Washington Street through the main doors (i.e. up the steps) this has left the steps useless and empty,. Hence, skateboarders have taken over and CC Councillors get their knickers in a twist. Open up those doors again and use the steps for what they were build for!
I don’t want to sound like a grumpy old man…. but, it would be fine if the skateboarders just did a bit of skating, but they have covered the outer wall of the Crawford art Gallery in Graffiti and part of the Opera House Facade. Doesnt really get people on their side when it comes to building skate parks.As reported earlier, Cork’s newest landmark- the pedestrian bridge at the Mardyke was slotted into place on Monday evening. I’ve attached a picture. Many more images of the bridge can be found at http://www.environmentireland.com
With regard to the Water Street development: It looks identical to the original which frankly I could take our leave. It just doesnt grab me.I hear on the Grapevine that AIB have plans to redevelop their Watercourse Road Branch shortly. Anybody got any ideas what they have planned?
RMI hear Frinailla have submitted further info. for their Lady’s Well/Watercourse Road development. Anybody know what the further info. contains?
Also, LEX, any news on those pics/discription of the new Archive building in Blackpool?
The new Mardyke Bridge is being lowered into place today (Monday).In my view the new student centre is a bit strange.
Its a nice looking building and fits in fine with the overall plan. The problem is it must be the most expensive coffee shop in the country. Its two floors of coffee shop and a bank. Thats it. Call that a student centre??In addition to my previous post:
UCC today submitted plans for an’outreach building’ containing lecture theatre, cafe, exhibition space at Mardyke Gardens. This is to the south of the aforementioned Mardyke Bridge. Permission to demolish the existing farmhouse on the site has already been secured.
I’ve seen no plans/images of the proposed building yet. This is a hugely impressive site and desrves something outstanding, at least on a par with the Glucksman.Radioactiveman!!!
I’ve attached a recent picture of the Mardyke pedestrian bridge (hopefully we’ll get a better name than that) under construction at the Mardyke. As has been pointed out, it will link Dyke Parade (at a point directly opposite the main UCC Gates) to Distillery Field.
The Distilery Field site has recently been purchased from Irish Distillers by UCC and Mercy Hospital. I believe a master plan is in preperation for the area. This is the most important expansion point for UCC at present. Mercy plan to use some of the site for parking.
At the moment, the only complete department on site is Dept. Plant Science ( in a purpose built building). This follows the demolition (why, oh why were UCC allowed to get away with it????) of the Honan Biological building on campus. Parts of the Zoology dept, Pharmacy, and Phsicology are also temporarily based here.
Work is planned on the listed cooperage building to make it suitable for the remainder of Zoology dept. who will vacate their space in the Lee Maltings building (beside Mercy). This space is being given over to NMRC (renamed The Tyndal Centre).
This bridge looks fabulous and should inspire UCC/Mercy/CCC to develop the rest of Distillery Field to equally high standards. At the same time, the site does contain a number of important features architectural and environmental which should be protected.Radioactiveman!!!
Lex,
I hope Eglinton st. gets the green light this week. I notice there are a lot of submissions in. Notable from Irish aviation authority and An TAisce. I presume they were cribbing about the height? DO you know what was the overall tone of the submissions? I presume it was the height that brought out most of the moaners.
Fingers crossed for Friday……Everyone should welcome any moves to improve Merchants Quay, both the shopping centre and the streetscape itself.
I’m not sure i agree with MRX’s disparaging remarks about UCC Science building. It’s a creature of it’s time and as such isn’t that bad. The lecture theatres (before they were ‘remodelled’ were the best in college for their job). Compare them the the boole basement- too hot, and sound quality appalling. The labs are spacious, bright and well maintained. Outside it has an imposing facade but it’s no worse than many buildings of its time.
Leasve the science building alone- its not that bad, really!A few more images of the tedcastles plan can be found in todays Inside Cork – a very decent newspaper actually!
Thanks for the other thing Lex, I know you’ll do your best.I couldn’t have said it better myself Lexington.
If we want to really make docklands work (and soon) shouldn’t we be thinking of setting up some sort of team to spearhead the campaign. Could be made up of CIty Management, Developers, existing landlords, International and local designers and planners… I know, i know, it could end up just as a talking shop, but at least we’d be talking about getting the job done right (and within all our lifetimes).On another topic, any sign of those images of the new Archive Building for Blackpool Lexington?
Radioactiveman!!!
@raster wrote:
Don’t worry the current problem is that the traffic lights have been disabled (and so have the pedestrian crossing buttons) members of the gardai are being seen to direct traffic. understandably traffic is their primary concern and it is difficult enough to direct without allowing pedestrians to cross.
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So, we shouldn’t worry that nobody gives a toss, once the wonderful people in their lovely shiny cars get there in time. Don’t worry about us pedestrian peasants, we’ll try not to bother the motorists while we dodge the people carriers. Its just a pity Mahon Point doesnt allow the wonderful people to peruse the shops from the comfort of the car…missed opportunity there.
Does anyone have a picture of the old swimming baths (recently demolished) behind city hall they could let me have?
You’re right Lexington, what with the rents being paid on St. Patrick Street and the success of Frech Church Street, etc it seems silly to leave these areas go to waste. Hadn’t heard about the Dunnes Stores plan. At the moment, the top floors of those buildings are going to waste.
Speaking of Dunnes Stores.. I wonder wether we might hear something soon about Ballyvolane shopping centre. What with the continued growth of Blackpool SC and retail Park, something is bound to happen out there.
