urbanisto
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I like the Civic Buildings… I think they properly addressed the problem of Wood Quay that was so applalling tackled by Sam Stephenson’s Bunkers. They offer a substantail and attractive river frontage… something that is sadly lacking along along the quays. The Atrium is great idea but I think this one is getting cluttered. There just doesn’t seem to be enough space to offer a more impressive sense of place, which I think is important in this type of building….very much as you have in City Hall.
So far thats department stores for College Green (old BOI premises), South King St (beside Gaiety), Abbey St and O’Connell St (in addition to the Millennium Mall). Are we following the Birmingham/Manchester/Glasgow examples fo using the power of retail to rejuvenate and redefine our cities?
This bridge suffers from the usual problem with the new additions to the city in that its quite poorly maintained. I see that the Council have at least replaced alot of the LEDs in the centre although there are some missing from the entranceways. In addition a steamclean would do the bridge the world of good. It gets a high footfalll and its maintainance needs are high.
I am amazed to hear that the Garda are responsible for the damage… good luck with your complaint!
Yes, the supermarket forms part of the Markets. The demolition is on the other side of the road. You might recall the corner buildings at Little Ship St had gone. There are two retains facades then the Long Hall and then a gap. It funny, I can’t recall the buildings there (already) but I think they were redbrick and granite 1930s stock.
The DCC guys was full of praise for the council housing development just off Blackhall Place (??? or is it Queen St). Anyway its the garish illuminous socks group of buildings. Comments anyone: I though it looked pants.
I read your piece on Smithfield Paul. I went on a tour the other week with the DCC Area Manager around the HARP area. It was quite interesting, lots of first hand info on projects like the Markets etc. DCC seem to be hoping that the new DIT campus at Grangegorman will dramarically increase the ‘footfall’ on Smithfield and give it a much improved atmosphere. The new development on the left side of the square will include a bus park underground which will allow more tourist to visit as well. Its all very much in the future but when you listened to him you could appreciate how gradual the whole development of the area is and ust hw hard it has been to get the area developed. Interestingly, that staple of the Smithfield area – Bargintown – have planning permission in to redevelop their (very lucrative) site for apartments and retail. Hurry on down to Bargintown…
I have to honestly say I reckoned Victoria Baths would get the award from the outset. Its such a telegenic choice – public facility, great for the kids, ancient swimming legend as a sponsor – not to mention it being in one of the largest cities which is itself currently geared up to renovation and restoration. As the Norfolk entry said: how can 35,000 inhabitants of Kings Lynn compete with Manchester! I think it was a worthy choice although you may be right about the city council tackling the project at some stage with or without the award.
It was heartening to hear the stories from some of the losers that the interest in their structures had rocketted since they were on TV. RESTORATION has at least given heritage in the UK some much needed headline space.
Why is it only these southside strands get all the attention! What about improving the strand at Clontarf and Dollymount to bring it up to the standards currently enjoyed by areas like Sandymount and Blackrock.
I spent yesterday clearing out rubbish from the house and shed and then transporting it down to the DCC Bring Centre in North Strand and I was very impressed by the facility. Its organised, clean and staffed. All the waste they accept can be recycled or disposed of in a green way. In addition our house has a green bin and a weekely colection of other stuff (which halved once the green bin came along). Personally I think DCC have worked really hard to develop a sound collection system…its certainly miles better than the setup in the UK. Pay your bin charge and make use of the system and feel better for it!
Power Cables threaten to strangle St Patrick’s Festival
I think this story in the Indo this morning is hilarious. It amazing nobody thought about this when the line was being designed. Aparently dehooking the lines for the festival would be too much and there is no way the parade can be rerouted to miss O’Connell St. It will be interesting to find out what solutionis proposed.
I also took a walk along the city centre length of the Tallaght line. It looks very impressive when its finished…especially down near Collins Barracks. You can also see a number of stops almost complete (apart from furniture) at Collins and Chancery.
Interesting one this. On the subject of corporations adapting their business models to suit the current planning climate: both Sainsbury’s and Tesco now seem to have corners the small high street supermarket market with their ‘Local’ and ‘Metro’ brands. I guess if theban stays in force and these stores really want to open in Ireland they will adapt to suit.
I am not sure that I like the idea of An Taisce as presently consituted and run being the responsible Heritage Trust for Ireland but the fact is they do seem to have some legal status as a heritage body. I also have to wonder at the short sightedness of out Beloved Leader in abolishing the previous department and organisations (ie Duchas and Arts Culture and Heritage) and now proposing to reconsistute them as a Heritage Trust…. all of 2 years later!
When Arts Culture & Heritage was first set up in 1992 (by Labour) it was hailed as the beginning of a serious attempt to give heritage protection a place in Irish policy making. It really should have been left alone but unfortunately there only 15 boyos who can sit around the table and only so far those portfolios go. It would be highly desirable to have a heritage trust back on a firmer footing….bring back Duchas
Its nothing to do with the current Government…. or any government. Its a Local Authority issue and the fact is nearly all LAs of whatever political hue are just not interested in providing facilities like these. In fact most LAs fail miserably when it come to providing any facilities at all… be it swimming pools, playgrounds, public toilets, community centres. Its a general ignorance of what a Council can achiie with adequate resources…which of course none of them have because there is no local taxation.
I agree…. at least Kavanagh’s bench was what he asked for….’ honour me with no hero courageous tomb’… Something irreverant and controversial for Mr Behan I think…. but please lets keep tacky Guinness sponsorship out of it.
I really like that statue… its the best thing about a crap space.
Also…. if its not too far back…the Parnell Monument..very statesman-like. Its a shame more is not made of it.
The Davis and Tone memorials were by the same sculpture…. (Edward Delaney?….maybe wrong) Its a shame about those fountains and poor old Wolfe Tone looks a little lost in all that paving on the Green.
The Calatrava bridge is the Macken Street bridge further down which will cater for traffic. Its the distinctive ‘harp-like’ bridge you may have seen. As far as I know that is still undergoing an EIS.
There was also talk of pedestrian bridge between Malborough St and Hawkins St… does someone have a bridge fetish…
