ShaneP
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They re at it in Limerick too, it would seem.
http://www.limerickpost.ie/dailynews.elive?id=7492&category=Daily-Tue
I guess this is of some relevence. What are your thoughts on the whole thing PoxyShamrock?
http://www.limerickpost.ie/dailynews.elive?id=7479&category=Daily-Thu
Hopefully this won’t take too long-
http://www.limericktoday.com/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=3771&ArticleID=1486315
One hundred percent agreed with you on that dkelab. Hideous stuff – even less attractive than Merchants Quay and that’s saying a lot.
Thanks Limerick Guy, will have make a trip out there next time I’m home, the views of the area from town are fairly class – would hate to see it change.
Here’s a bit more of the same on the proposal. Think the P.R. people have put out just enough info to rouse people’s curiosity, but yet kept things suitably vague so as to get a fair hearing for the idea – sounds like a ridiculous plan though. How do you get to barrington’s pier anyway – last time it ried it, ended up underneath the Shannon Bridge in the company of some bemused and unfriendly looking afternoon bush drinkers.
http://www.limerickpost.ie/dailynews.elive?id=7118&category=Daily-Thu
Heard mention ( on the news too) that the Offaly plan may have a capacity for 50000, which should just about ensure a seat for everyone in the county.
Other plans at various stages of development include the relocation of Windsor Park in Belfast to the site of the Maze prison, redeveopment of Thomond Park – Limerick, New greyhound track, Limerick, Leinster Rgby Grounds, Donnybrook and I believe Musgrave Park in Cork is being/has been renovated.
Also there are a number of feasabitily studies underway into locating a major indoor arena outside of the Capital, with locations such as limerick, Cork, Galway and Athlone being investigated.
http://www.limerickpost.ie/dailynews.elive?id=7056&category=Daily-Fri
The Indo reported yesterday that the residents in Ballynanty had agreed to sell their houses for about 500000 euro each,
And that’s probably the image that’s supposed to show the design at it’s best. God help us all. If you closed your eyes and tried to imagine something more offensive you’d be hard pushed to come up with worse. It ‘s not even accurate, with the width of Ellen St being exagerated by a country mile.
Fri, 13/01/06
An Taisce takes a look at the evolution of Limerick city
WITH the physical appearance of Limerick currently undergoing one of the most exciting makeovers it has ever received and with many new and exciting developments about to unfold in the city, this is an opportune time to take a look at the city’s evolution and its significant role in the historical and geographical development of the country as a whole.
On Wednesday, January 25, An Taisce Limerick will host a discussion in the City Library, the Granary (8pm) on the economic and historical role of the city. All are welcome to attend and speakers will include Liam Irwin, Mary Immaculate College, Dick Tobin, Limerick City Council, Walter Foley and John Morrissey from the University of Limerick.
“As well as showcasing the historical importance of Limerick it is intended to provide fascinating insights into the continued geographical and social evolution of the city and the surrounding catchment areas,” says Daniel Sullivan, chairman of An Taisce Limerick.
“Limerick continues to be a growing city and the pressures, challenges and opportunities that such growth brings will present a need for vision and commitment to ensure the city both prospers and is a good environment for all her citizens,” he adds.
Stressing that An Taisce is committed to facilitating an ongoing community-based discussion about the type of city its citizens want to live in and the nature of development that can be sustained over the longer term, Mr Sullivan adds: “buildings are with us for very long periods and it is vital that they be of a quality that we can be proud of.”An Taisce can be contacted locally antaisce.limerick@gmail.com
From Llimerick Post
Think tank for traffic shake-up
By Marie Hobbins
RADICAL action by City Hall to instigate a new and comprehensive traffic plan for the city is being called for, in view of the number of high profile inner city developments set to come on stream next year.This week Limerick City Council’s Transportation Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) set January 31 as the date for a special seminar to spearhead the drive for a major upgrading of traffic management and transport infrastructure to also include the provision of strategically placed car parking spaces, taxi ranks, bus lanes and a light rail network.
With increased pedestrianisation coming on stream in the city centre and a number of major developments that will include the Limerick Opera Development, the Greenpark Racecourse site, Punches Cross hotel and residential development, the Redemptorist site and the Bedford Row site, just to name a few, Limerick city is on the brink of a dramatic regeneration that has been welcomed by the commercial sector as the major boost the city so badly needs.
However, a note of dissatisfaction that the SPC spends “too much time on discussing pot hole issues rather than focusing in on strategic planning” comes from committee member and travel agent, Tony Brazil who insists: “the committee’s role should be to engage in “the strategic planning of a new traffic plan for the city.”
‘The number of parking spaces in the city will not be adequate for the increased business that the new developments will bring on stream and we should be doing everything to remedy this and I’m certainly happy to do so but we, as a committee need to put more effort into this. We need to be seeing the bigger picture for transport in this city. What is the point to a beautiful 300,00 euro development for Bedford Row if we don’t provide the appropriate infrastructure to go with it,” he commented.
Mr Brazil who was critical of the poor attendance at last Monday’s meeting of the Transportation SPC said this was not surprising “considering what is on the agenda.
“There should be something on the agenda to attract members to contribute their tuppence-halfpenny worth – after all we represent a sector that is crucial to the city going forward and we all want the best for the city but have little or no opportunity to do this, with the way the agendas are assembled,” he said.
Mr Brazil was reassured by committee chairman, Cllr Joe Leddin that one of the prime objectives of the upcoming seminar is to allow members to agree on what precisely is put on the agendas.
Pointing out that there is a move to separate the operational and strategic issues that arise within SPCS, Mayor Diarmuid Scully told the Limerick Post that this could be achieved by holding more Ward meetings specifically for operational issues.
He said the seminar will look at every aspect of a major new traffic plan for the city including a Luas and light rail system for Limerick.
Stressing that “tough decisions will be called for”, Cllr Leddin said that with pedestrianisation eliminating so much on- street parking, an alternative will have to be provided.
“We have the funding for bus lanes and we will push for a rail network, a Northern Relief Road to link from Daly’s Cross as well as an inner orbital route,” he said.
Deputy Jan O’Sullivan has written to city manager, Tom Mackey urging him to pursue this week’s recommendation from the Railway Procurement Agency that it would work with local authorities to procure light rail systems for Limerick, Cork and Galway.
“We have long advocated a commuter rail network for the city and surrounding areas which could be developed using existing tracks. Already the Limerick/Ennis route is a great success and a spur to Shannon Airport must follow. The Nenagh line has an improved service with more trains promised for next year and we are pressing for the Foynes line to be reopened to passengers,” she said.”
Does any one know anything about a proposal from Boyd Cody Architects for some type of arts building near the river in U.L. There’s a few models shown on their website http://www.boydcodyarch.com/ in the work section under projects. It looks like it could be a promising project if it gets built.
There is a very comprehensive book written by Fred Lawson on the design of conference, convention and exhibition facilities ( can’t remember the exact name).
The Axis theatre in Ballymun has a raked seating system, with half of its rows being retractable.
If you are based in Dublin both the libraries of the architecture schools at Richview in UCD and at DIT, Bolton St have a small selection of books that might be of use.
Great to see the discussion getting more lively! I’d still hold off on making judgement on the Strand hotel – Tuborg. One vague image, which might not even reflect the final idea of the scheme is not sufficient to judge the whole thing, in my opinion. What is going on in plan or section? There could be a new street running through the scheme (just a guess from looking) which would definately be a welcome change from the surroundings on that side of the river. And whats so bad about useing red or brown brick in a modern building, there’s plenty of great examples all over the country, and when seen in combination with nearby trees creates a very pleasing effect. I have to admit that the image creates the appearance of a fairly fussy project but it’s a bit early to write it off.
In reference to the comments on County Hall. I’m not a big fan of the building myself but more because of what it represents rather than the design (although there’s plenty to fault as well as praise in that department too) It’s still one of the most significant buildings to grace the mid west in recent years. Justnotbothered is right about locating it in a county town – Croom would have been my preference. Anyways Limerick Guy, before you go off shooting architects you might justify such drastic action – by what criteria do judge buildings? is every retails park, suburban housing estate, petrol station, warehouse etc that has sprang up in the last few decades, better than county hall n if so why? Anyway there’s little point in advocating the shooting of architects, there’ll always be 20 more to take their place and eventually an innocent bystander will get caught up in the action!
It’s difficult to say too much about that image, not much information in it – bit indifferent to it myself. Where did it come from Tuborg? Do you know who’s designing it?
So all in all – a big thimbs sideways from you jimg! Have to agree with you on a number of points, nice job on the lights on O’Connell St. – the overall state of the footpaths does create a fairly unloved look about the place – however I imagine that the city council are waiting til the Shannon Tunnel is complete before embarking with their extensive plans for improving the streetscape in 2009. Bedford Row and Baker Place are just test runs in this regard.
Have to agree too that there does seem to be a new found energy in the city city centre in recent years which will only become more evident as new developments come on stream. I can only hope the qualtiy of design improves drastically soon before it’s all finished. Counted at least twelve tower cranes in the city centre during Christmas and the height of the two on the old Jurys site seem to indicate that what ever is planned is going to be relatively tall, although the model of the scheme that was on display in Jury’s before it was knocked didn’t include any tower element – as far as I recall.
It’s a pity that the areas further away from the river are lagging behind – Upper William St. and Parnell St. in particular have a large number of vacant premises and “to let” signs.
Is there anyone else who thinks riverpoint is receiving a god deal more praise than it merits, on this thread? That image from BKD is a little more attractive than the reality in my opinion, but will have to come back with a few photos in a couple of weeks to make the point.
As for the proposed new shopping centre on Patrick St. – called the planning dep’t before Christmas with a view towards taking a look at it during the holidays – was told that the council would be open for business on thursday 30/12 but there was no sign of life there when i called in. Not impressed! and won’t be around to see it before the deadline for observation etc. runs out. The planning notices on the actual site indicate that Quins pub is to be renovated, which isn’t a bad thing. However the amount of demolition proposed for Parick St. is a bit scary. Don’t know much about the buildings in that area and some of the them are in pretty bad shape – original Georgian facades on the lower floors of some of them have disappeared entirely and can only be described as nasty. They all have plaques from the Civic trust on them though indicating some signifiacant links to the past – why couldn’t a portion of the 200 million investent be devoted to restoring this street? As for the name – the Opera Centre? there might be a connection with the Dundrum Centre – where piped classical music is played in the “urban square” to indicate the CLASSy nature of the surroundings, couldn’t make out the civic trust plaques which may suggest some connection. I certainly hope the designers/ developer provide us with something more interesting than Dundrum whatever happens . Also noticed on the site notices that an environmental impact statement has been submitted as part of the planning application, but there was no mention of the fact that the development involved protected buildings – does anyone know what that’s about? If there is no mention of protected structures which are involved in the proposal surely the whole application is invalid?
Here’s the link to Lafferty Design’s website – make of it what you will!
Thanks for that Lex – How’d you find out about it? I called the planning department in LCC yesaterday – seems the application was only lodged yesterday morning. It is expected that the proposal will be available to view from this coming Monday or there abouts. Office hours are from 9am to 3pm up to Thursday and then again on the 30th of December with regualr hours resuming after Jan. 2. – if anyone is thinking of taking a look . It costs 20 euro to make an objection/observation. Have to agree with justnotbothered about not jumping to conclusions – think somebody is going to have a good time with the wrecking ball though, and skywalks ….. on Ellen Street, i gather they were fairly fashionable in declining American rustbelt cities in the 70’s as a means of protecting respectable people from down n outs. Can’t wait to see it!
That’s fairly interesting news, justnotbothered. Unfortunately haven’t heard anything about it except what was wrtten about a few months back in the local papers, which wasn’t too much. Didn’t see any planning notice in any newspaper. Anyone got any idea if one has been published yet. There’s nothing in the planning section of Limerick City Council website either. Can’t wait to see what it looks like – although the many precedents in the city centre don’t exactly give much cause for opptimism.
