Limerick improvement projects

pigtown

This is a thread for discussion on projects that have already been proposed. It isn't a thread for discussing new ideas for the city. We already have enough of those. It is also not a place to engage in council/goverment bashing. It's just a thread where people can let the rest of us know if there is any movement on some projects.

So does anyone have any info on this list of projects;

Inner Orbital Route.
Announced to much fanfare 3 years ago, as far as I know the only thing that happened was the reorganistaion of the junction at the top of Upper William Street. They were waiting on the tunnel to open before they could proceed any further.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/2m-orbital-route-to-cut-traffic-and-unlock-the-city-s-potential-1-2190147

O'Connell St. pedestrianisation.
Supposed to close the street between Roches St. and William St.
http://www.limerickcity.ie/Transport/MajorProjects/LimerickCityCentreRemodellingandPedestrianisation/Thefile,4566,en.pdf

Quays redevelopment.
Announced last year that funding had been secured for new boardwalks etc. on the quays.
http://www.shannondevelopment.ie/News/NewsReleases2011/Title,11383,en.html

King Johns Castle redevelopment
Again it was announced last year that the castle was to get a total revamp, funding was secured but no drawings ever emerged of what the final plan would look like.

New library
The council announced that the existing library was unsuitable abd that they were searching for a new location. Everywhere from a new build on the Potato Market to the conversion of the Jesuits Church at the Crescent or the Franciscan Church at Henry St. was mentioned but then all talk went quiet.

New courthouse
Announced as part of the governments stimulous programme.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/new-courthouse-to-be-built-in-limerick-as-part-of-government-s-stimulus-plan-1-4065406

New home for Limerick Museum
Due to the castle revemp, the museum has to be moved. It was agreed that a temporary location should be the former bank building on the corner of Patrick St. and Ellen St.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/lifestyle/entertainment/moving-limerick-city-museum-to-patrick-street-would-save-council-44k-a-year-on-rent-1-3506637

New Limerick maternity hospital
This was never given the go-ahead but for years it has been reported that the maternity hospital was overcrowded. I remember reading somewhere that a site has been earmarked at the regional for a new hospital but there's nothing official as of yet.

EDIT

Forgot about LimerickBikes
There was a meeting in the art gallery if I'm not mistaken a few months ago to investigate the feasibility of setting up a Limerick public bike scheme. Was anybody there?

Poxyshamrock

I believe construction on the south quays is to start in October. If it goes ahead, it'll be great.

I think Gaelscoil Sairseal is moving into the ESB building on Bishop's Quay in the next few months too. It should breathe more life into the riverside.

zulutango

Poxyshamrock wrote: »

I think Gaelscoil Sairseal is moving into the ESB building on Bishop's Quay in the next few months too. It should breathe more life into the riverside.

Wow, really? That would be fantastic.

kilburn

O'Connell St will be starting in January. Orbital route will come into effect once this is done.

They have applied for planning permission for the museum, decision due soon if not already

steveon

Inner oribtal route cut journey times, what planet are these people on, the traffic is a joke in Parnell street and upper William street as a result,and now they are planning an island on the junction of Parnell street and roches street....a complete mess..

Brennans Row

kilburn wrote: »

O'Connell St will be starting in January. Orbital route will come into effect once this is done.

That’s good!

Can one read more about that starting date anywhere?

The Orbital Route

diddley

I could be dreaming..but wasn't this redevelopment supposed to include new bus shelters with a real time bus schedule?

Kess73

Mallow street, Parnell street, and Charlottes Quay are all to become one way systems? :eek:

rainbowdash

What about the road from coonagh around towards UL, passing moyross, ( to open the area up) parteen etc., and new bridge downstream of o'briens bridge or killaloe, not sure if all these are the same project but it is in the pipeline already, any update on this?

Cityslicker1

Don't understand why they are pedestrianising O' Connell street..as everyone knows Limerick is essentially dead from 6 on-wards. Without the flow of traffic up that street in the evenings it would be a ghost town altogether!The section they have decided to pedestrianise has little to no shops...I can understand why streets like Henry st. and Grafton st. in Dublin work as they are full of shops!Shop st. in Galway is a success because it is very narrow, full of pubs and restaurants and pretty much the only street in Galway which makes it easy to fill adding vibrancy and an atmosphere to the centre!Why don't they take St.Patrick street in Cork as an example which is equivalent to O'Connell street in Limerick. Remodel and increase the size of the pavements, add trees and other street furniture and speed bumps to slow down the traffic. I'm all for the improvements of Limerick but the city has enough pedistrianised streets now..they should just do jobs (only better) like what they did on William street to the rest of the streets with lots of trees. I think something should be done about the facades of Brown Thomas and Pennys..so ugly..they were stunning before they were destroyed by fires. (Google images of 'Cannocks Limerick'..that was pennys before it was destroyed..hard to believe the contrast of what stands there now).

zulutango

Cityslicker1 wrote: »

Don't understand why they are pedestrianising O' Connell street..as everyone knows Limerick is essentially dead from 6 on-wards. Without the flow of traffic up that street in the evenings it would be a ghost town altogether!The section they have decided to pedestrianise has little to no shops...I can understand why streets like Henry st. and Grafton st. in Dublin work as they are full of shops!Shop st. in Galway is a success because it is very narrow, full of pubs and restaurants and pretty much the only street in Galway which makes it easy to fill adding vibrancy and an atmosphere to the centre!Why don't they take St.Patrick street in Cork as an example which is equivalent to O'Connell street in Limerick. Remodel and increase the size of the pavements, add trees and other street furniture and speed bumps to slow down the traffic. I'm all for the improvements of Limerick but the city has enough pedistrianised streets now..they should just do jobs (only better) like what they did on William street to the rest of the streets with lots of trees. I think something should be done about the facades of Brown Thomas and Pennys..so ugly..they were stunning before they were destroyed by fires. (Google images of 'Cannocks Limerick'..that was pennys before it was destroyed..hard to believe the contrast of what stands there now).

My understanding is that the development will be similar to that of Patrick Street in Cork.

Cityslicker1

zulutango wrote: »

My understanding is that the development will be similar to that of Patrick Street in Cork.

Hopefully, although from the link above it seems that the section from William street to Roches Street will be completely pedistrianised!What a ghost town Limerick city centre will become if there will be no traffic on O' Connell street..especially after 6!

Cityslicker1

diddley wrote: »

I could be dreaming..but wasn't this redevelopment supposed to include new bus shelters with a real time bus schedule?

Yes,and also advertising posters attached to brackets on the new street lighting on William street which they added at Christmas and took down when the holiday was over. I was expecting them to be updated to advertise upcoming events such as the RiverFest,concerts, matches etc in Thomond park/market venue etc and also the fact that Limerick was European capital of Sport like Cork did when it was European capital of Culture. The only reason I knew Cork was Capital of Culture was when I was in the city and saw it stated on advertising posters on all the street lighting on Patrick street. When they had them up in Limerick at Christmas they really added to the streetscape..it's a shame they are not being utilised!

steveon

Parnell street a one way are they taking the piss.....Parnell street is the widest street in Limerick due to the fact that the area around the train station was originally planned as being the town centre.

If the do the ring road first they will alleviate half the traffic in the town and wouldnt need to do anything else in the city as the traffic flow would be far superior...

Cookiemunster

steveon wrote: »

If the do the ring road first they will alleviate half the traffic in the town and wouldnt need to do anything else in the city as the traffic flow would be far superior...

The ring road is years away yet. The Coonagh to Knockalisheen half is out to tender but hasn't been awarded yet. Its due to be awarded in October but it will be a few months before the contractor will be able to start and its down as a 27 month build. The Knockalisheen to Dublin Rd half is still at route selection stage so it'll be 2-3 years before its ready to start contruction.

pigtown

Hold ups at the site on Patrick St. mean the museum is to move to city hall temporarily. http://www.limerickleader.ie/lifestyle/entertainment/limerick-city-museum-to-move-into-city-hall-1-4222450

steveon

Cookiemunster wrote: »

The ring road is years away yet. The Coonagh to Knockalisheen half is out to tender but hasn't been awarded yet. Its due to be awarded in October but it will be a few months before the contractor will be able to start and its down as a 27 month build. The Knockalisheen to Dublin Rd half is still at route selection stage so it'll be 2-3 years before its ready to start contruction.

I know the ring road is yrs away and thats the problem as all the council seemed to be concerned about is copying other cities in pushing a one way system that will not work..and that there is absolutely no need for.

It is a complete waste of time and money and especially the Parnell street Part, they are spending money on creating a new island at the end of parnell stret and then probably remove it when the oribal route is complete, all they need so is remove the traffic lights at certain periods of time and then whole city will move.

This will encourage people to come into town and shop, making them have to go from one side of the city not only wastes fuel and is bad for the enviroment its is also going to drive even more people away from shopping in the city centre. Mallow Street is always full of traffic, as is Henry street as not one traffic light works in conjunction with the one in front of it.

I waste at least 20-30 mins a day sitting at red lights when there is nothing coming the other way every day despite the fact that city hall promised sensor lights for yrs...

Mc Love

So you would rather waste more money building a ring road from coonagh to UL when there is already one there?

Where's the common sense!?

MHalberstram

Not an official project but it would be great to see a few areas around the city get a lick of paint the way everyone gets together on the tidy towns project.

For example, Little Catherine Street is quite nice now but there is one ugly area between Mullaneys and Guineys, a grey wall with graffiti on it. A lick of paint would really improve that spot. Not sure who owns it though. Similarly the laneway behind brown thomas could badly do with a paint job, as could a lot of the building fronts overhead retail units around the city.

It would be great if there was one weekend where everyone tried to paint these spots, pool resources together and get everyone involved.

Cityslicker1

MHalberstram wrote: »

Not an official project but it would be great to see a few areas around the city get a lick of paint the way everyone gets together on the tidy towns project.

For example, Little Catherine Street is quite nice now but there is one ugly area between Mullaneys and Guineys, a grey wall with graffiti on it. A lick of paint would really improve that spot. Not sure who owns it though. Similarly the laneway behind brown thomas could badly do with a paint job, as could a lot of the building fronts overhead retail units around the city.

It would be great if there was one weekend where everyone tried to paint these spots, pool resources together and get everyone involved.

I agree 100%!It would make a huge difference in the city centre. I've noticed that the Brown Thomas facade has been painted recently..it's still not a great looking building but the fresh lick of paint certainly improves it..They also added new lights shinning on the building which looks quite nice at night!!Limerick city centre needs more trees..was hoping they would have planted more on both sides of William street and not just the left side as you go up the street.I really believe the planting of lots of trees would really work in Limerick city because of the long, straight, wide streets Limerick has which would, as a result, give more of an avenue feel than bare & bland streets!Implementation of the above would not be an expensive task however it would make a world of difference!!

MHalberstram

Cityslicker1 wrote: »

MHalberstram wrote: »

Not an official project but it would be great to see a few areas around the city get a lick of paint the way everyone gets together on the tidy towns project.

For example, Little Catherine Street is quite nice now but there is one ugly area between Mullaneys and Guineys, a grey wall with graffiti on it. A lick of paint would really improve that spot. Not sure who owns it though. Similarly the laneway behind brown thomas could badly do with a paint job, as could a lot of the building fronts overhead retail units around the city.

It would be great if there was one weekend where everyone tried to paint these spots, pool resources together and get everyone involved.

I agree 100%!It would make a huge difference in the city centre. I've noticed that the Brown Thomas facade has been painted recently..it's still not a great looking building but the fresh lick of paint certainly improves it..They also added new lights shinning on the building which looks quite nice at night!!Limerick city centre needs more trees..was hoping they would have planted more on both sides of William street and not just the left side as you go up the street.I really believe the planting of lots of trees would really work in Limerick city because of the long, straight, wide streets Limerick has which would, as a result, give more of an avenue feel than bare & bland streets!Implementation of the above would not be an expensive task however it would make a world of difference!!

Yes more trees really add to the city. The large flowerpots and hanging baskets look great too. One thing I'd be concerned about is how they put trees on the street. The large pots they are using for the trees on Little Catherine Street don't appear to be big enough, some of the trees appear to be dying.

Cityslicker1

MHalberstram wrote: »

Yes more trees really add to the city. The large flowerpots and hanging baskets look great too. One thing I'd be concerned about is how they put trees on the street. The large pots they are using for the trees on Little Catherine Street don't appear to be big enough, some of the trees appear to be dying.

Why don't the city council have the initiative to put this into action. They work in this role whereas general members of the public seem to have more interesting and affordable ideas that would make a big change to the city centre making it more aesthetically pleasing!!Some trees and paint would hardly break the bank...

MHalberstram

Cityslicker1 wrote: »

MHalberstram wrote: »

Yes more trees really add to the city. The large flowerpots and hanging baskets look great too. One thing I'd be concerned about is how they put trees on the street. The large pots they are using for the trees on Little Catherine Street don't appear to be big enough, some of the trees appear to be dying.

Why don't the city council have the initiative to put this into action. They work in this role whereas general members of the public seem to have more interesting and affordable ideas that would make a big change to the city centre making it more aesthetically pleasing!!Some trees and paint would hardly break the bank...

They could even combine the two, and paint trees on the boarded up places haha. Would certainly brighten up the place.

Poxyshamrock

Would be nice of they lit up under the bridges at night too. They do this with green lights in Dublin and it looks really well.

lockman

This year, for the first time, Limerick city centre entered the 2012 Tidy Towns competition. Local businesswoman Helen O'Donnell was behind this initiative.

For anyone who is interested, here is the report from the Tidy Towns group on the city centre entry:
http://www.tidytowns.ie/u_reports/2012/2012%20County%20Limerick%20Limerick%20City%20Centre%202121.pdf

The report makes for interesting reading, and there are some very constructive criticisms contained within.

Poxyshamrock

Looks like we should have Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) signs for Bus Eireann buses by Christmas.
They will be located at the following locations:

Childers Rd (Opp Shopping Centre)
Childers Rd (Shopping Centre)
St Nessans Rd (Op Crescent Shop Centre)
St Nessans Rd (Crescent Shopping Cent)
St Nessans Rd (Opp Regional Hosp)
St Nessans Rd (Regional Hospital)
University of Limerick (Stables)
Corbally Road (Jnc with Athlunkard Ave)
Hurlers Pub (limerick)
Kilmurry Hotel (Kilmurry Hotel)
Cratloe Rd (5 Cratloe Rd)
Sarsfield St (Debenhams)
Sarsfield St (Debenhams)
William St (Superdrug Pharmacy)
William St (Superdrug Pharmacy)
Henry Street (Dunnes Stores)
Henry Street (Dunnes Stores)
High Rd (No 90 Thomondgate)
Hyde Rd (Opp Post Office)

pigtown

Do these dsiplays only give info on Bus Eireann? It would be useful especially around UL to have info on all of the buses that use the stop.

Poxyshamrock

Just edited it there.

Yep, it's for buses.

steveon

Its about time this ancient technology was introduced, been in London for decades

limklad

About bloody time!! I hope they keep data available for all to see online and their arrival times history, so people can better plan their journeys and not wait over an hour for one bus at weekends or late evenings.

Kess73

steveon wrote: »

Its about time this ancient technology was introduced, been in London for decades

Used to love how handy it was in southern Germany as well. Ahh a German public transport system with all that comes with it being set up in Ireland. Now that would have me not driving as often as I do.:)

Brennans Row

lockman wrote: »

This year, for the first time, Limerick city centre entered the 2012 Tidy Towns competition. Local businesswoman Helen O'Donnell was behind this initiative.

For anyone who is interested, here is the report from the Tidy Towns group on the city centre entry:
http://www.tidytowns.ie/u_reports/2012/2012%20County%20Limerick%20Limerick%20City%20Centre%202121.pdf

The report makes for interesting reading, and there are some very constructive criticisms contained within.

The tourist office is very clean and tidy but the building itself could look better. The Perspex roofing is covered with algae while paint is flaking on some of the green poles. Why is there a Tesco trolley bayin this location? The Discover Ireland computer on the external wallis not functioning. The plaza to the foreground was clean and litterfree but a bin was full. This location would be good for a statue or a piece of installation art.

I walked under it last week and it beggars belief that the Limerick Tourist Office could let the roof fall into such a shabby state.

It even won an architectural prize when it was built around 1990.

This is a focal point and a significant visual landmark especially for visitors to the city.

We fail miserably when it comes to maintenance of our buildings.

When spring time comes around each year, a few buckets of warm soapy water is all that is needed here.

Poxyshamrock

When AQP and the tourist centre opened first it looked really nice.

It's an eyesore now. Faded, dirty and drab.

Cityslicker1

Brennans Row wrote: »

I walked under it last week and it beggars belief that the Limerick Tourist Office could let the roof fall into such a shabby state.

It even won an architectural prize when it was built around 1990.

This is a focal point and a significant visual landmark especially for visitors to the city.

We fail miserably when it comes to maintenance of our buildings.

When spring time comes around each year, a few buckets of warm soapy water is all that is needed here.

Limerick really does fail miserably when it comes to maintenance of its buildings!Just look at the Georgian architecture...it is suffering from poor investment and neglect. Georgian architecture is one of Limericks main strengths as it is the only city outside Dublin that is widely regarded as being the best example of late Georgian Architecture in the country!Why don't they cobble the streets in the area..add original ornate street lighting,plant trees etc. People I know from outside Limerick always say how much they like the Georgian area and in fairness you can't deny that it is a really nice part of the city even if it's not being maintained to it's full potential!!

Brennans Row

The Civic Trust are going back to basics where they will pick a street per week for improvement. :cool:

Items like gum removal, weeding, power washing and the tackling of minor graffiti will be targeted.

pigtown

Some movement on King Johns Castle redevelopment. Still no sign of a final design though.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/lifestyle/entertainment/king-john-s-castle-to-close-in-three-weeks-1-4322301

pigtown

Castle redevelopment going ahead in 10 days time.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business/limerick-set-for-double-tourism-boost-1-4399768

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar visited the castle this week, and said an additional €3m will be spent along the riverside near the castle.
Is this the area around City Hall do you think?

Poxyshamrock

October is almost over and still no sign of the Quays by Clohessy's being started.

Poxyshamrock

The poles are now in place on William Street for the real time passenger information signs.
When they said before Christmas, they actually meant it this time!:P

Limerick Dude

Was on William St. today and didn't notice them. Can anyone get some pics?

Poxyshamrock

Limerick Dude wrote: »

Was on William St. today and didn't notice them. Can anyone get some pics?

Just poles at the moment, screens aren't on them yet.
They're outside Superdrug/Limerick Sports Store.

Limerick Dude

I'll check them out on Wednesday. Keep on eye out on the others which are meant to be going up around town.

Poxyshamrock

‏@limerickcityco

Major road closure and traffic diversion will commence at Bishops Quay and Howleys Quay at 10am on Thur 22 Nov. until until Mon 21 Jan 2013

Anyone know if this is the start of the upgrade?

pigtown

No idea. It does seem like a pretty short time frame though, and you have to take two weeks out of it for Christmas.

kilburn

Boardwalk on that section is a waste of money they should just pedestrianise it and it would cost less and make the area much more friendly

pigtown

Id actually like them to sow lawns there instead of paving it. A lot of cities have green areas along the waterfront where people gather and sit in good weather.

kilburn

plenty of space to do that put in modern street furniture, a fountain and a green space bingo much better than a boardwalk covered in dog sh*te

Limerick Dude

Poxyshamrock wrote: »

Anyone know if this is the start of the upgrade?

I was driving along Bishop's Quay today and I saw some workers preparing to put up signs which said something along the lines of "Riverside Improvement Project"

Must be the beginning of the boardwalk project tomorrow. Here's hoping anyway. The area has a lot of potential.

Brennans Row

These temporary road closures and diversions will be implemented to enable major civil engineering works at Bishops Quay and Howleys Quay. (Limerick City Council)

They intend getting it done in just three months!

I wonder will they continue on with Harvey's Quay and Honan's Quay after that?

bigpink

I hate this over played River City image it would need serious work to ever market it as that

Look at Plassey its overgrown and kept very bad

Poxyshamrock

Brennans Row wrote: »

They intend getting it done in just three months!

I wonder will they continue on with Harvey's Quay and Honan's Quay after that?

I imagine it'll take a lot longer than three months.
Perhaps, three months is how long they need to close to traffic.
They can probably work around the traffic after that.