Eyre square redevelopment

Whereisgalway

http://connachttribune.ie/eyre-square-branded-a-dirty-filthy-kip-by-councillor-224/

Redevelopment was meant to cost €6 million but rose to €15million. City council still owe €4 million for this project. For the price they paid we should have a state of the art park, a envy of every city in the country but instead we have a under used barely usable waste of space.

In order to repay the outstanding debt city council have been redirecting funding from local amenities such as play grounds and parks. Someone from city council should be held accountable for this series of fiascos

Robbo

Stuffing sods of the old Eyre Square turf into their pockets, no doubt.

Mrs OBumble

Whereisgalway wrote: »

under used barely usable waste of space.

I don't doubt the series of fiascos bit.

But under-used, barely-usable? Really?

What would you expect to see there, in order to make it usable?

Whereisgalway

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I don't doubt the series of fiascos bit.

But under-used, barely-usable? Really?

What would you expect to see there, in order to make it usable?

Would you bring your family there for a picnic? Or to pass a few hours? For 15 + million ud expect more than a few bits of green grass. It's a no go area for families compared to Stephens green or Merrion square

Whereisgalway

Robbo wrote: »

Stuffing sods of the old Eyre Square turf into their pockets, no doubt.

I'd imagine the tendering for the project wasn't transparent and big money with to consultants who recommended stuff that a 4 years come up with

FortySeven

It's a disgrace. 15 m for a few raised beds and a lawn. Throw in some blockwork benches and a 50 grand playpark and you're maybe getting to half a mill. I know they had to move some pipes or something but I know when I've been had and Eyre square was a travesty for the people of Galway.

beardybrewer

Can confirm it doesn't have a family friendly vibe. Ironically the cause for this tend to congregate around the playground. But it's a crap playground anyway.

Sad to think money is being diverted from other amenities being they get vandalized so often. Wish they could plunk down for cameras which they managed for the bottle banks.

snubbleste

People had the opportunity to object to Eyre Square redevelopment but not that many cared enough. Fair play to Cllr Conneely for demanding explanations etc.
Also did the developer not successfully sue the Council for breach of contract?

biko

It's too small imo to be anything other than a small city park where you can have concerts (Saw Doctors played there 10 years ago!) and a bit of bushing and ball kickabout in the summer.
It's not family picnic friendly but I don't think it was intended as such.

ben.schlomo

Its a through way and always has been, dont think ive ever seen it used as somewhere for family picnics. Its used by hundreds of people for lunch/lazing around when the weather is nice so to say its barely used is nonsense.

Bring back jousting and the gallows.

fergiesfolly

Deleted User wrote: »

Bring back jousting and the gallows.

They've moved that to Supermacs.
Festivities starts around 1am

Gadgetman496

fergiesfolly wrote: »

They've moved that to Supermacs.
Festivities starts around 1am

Speaking of Supermacs, there was a few short comments about the square on GBFM yesterday morning, Mr Keith was on about Mr. Cllr. Padraig Conneely & his campaign to right the wrong that is Eyre Square. They muted the suggestion that maybe sponsorship might be a way to revamp the mess one more time and suggested it might be renamed to Supermacs plaza ...

Whereisgalway

Whereisgalway wrote: »

instead we have a under used barely usable waste of space.

Ha ha hilarious coming from you. by far and away the best and longest use of eyre square is the Christmas market. Of course using it damaged a bit of grass so you don't want it used after all....

J.pilkington

Kaiya Screeching Sleepwear wrote: »

Ha ha hilarious coming from you. by far and away the best and longest use of eyre square is the Christmas market. Of course using it damaged a bit of grass so you don't want it used after all....

OP only wants to complain about the council so even contradicting stances will be used, he admitted before the chip is due to the council not replying to his letters

Whereisgalway

J.pilkington wrote: »

OP only wants to complain about the council so even contradicting stances will be used, he admitted before the chip is due to the council not replying to his letters

The op was to highlight to people new to the city what has happened and what is happening with the resources and money city council use and still repaying for JFK. I'd appreciate if you kept on topic, if Uve nothing constructive good or bad to add keep it to urself, Re: replying to letter, what u talking about Willis

Mrs OBumble

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Its a through way and always has been, dont think ive ever seen it used as somewhere for family picnics. Its used by hundreds of people for lunch/lazing around when the weather is nice so to say its barely used is nonsense.

Indeed. It's not got a family picnic vibe - but then you wouldn't expect the city-centre to have this, when the beach is so close.

I've been thinking about all the uses I've seen for it:

Weekdays, lots of local office workers eat lunch there: I've done it, and know that on a hot summer day it's hard to find a spare seat. And lots of socially disadvantaged people (unkindly called homeless, winos, nutters, etc by some) hang out there with their friends when the weather's good.

After school and weekends, lots of teenagers hang out there with their friends during daylight hours. Many play ball-games on the lower grass area (despite signs saying not to). Scateboarders make good use of the area at the top, despite not having any dedicated facilities for them.

Every day - lots of tourists take photos of the sails and Browne Doorway. There's a kiosk which was used for tourist information and was busy (not open in winter - and I wonder if it's still in use ). Walking tours leave from outside the Skeff.

The concrete/tarmac area at the top is used for viewing stands for the Macnas and Paddies Day parades, for hosting radio outside-broadcast units during major events eg race week. The mobile cinema parks there during the film festival. Actually there was a tent and festival HQ there during one recent film-festival. The Occupy group held a camp there (whatever you think of their politics/approach - they made use of the space). There's a motor-cycle group comes to town once a year and shows off their vehicles there.

The grass area at the bottom has been used as a performance venue during the last couple of Arts festivals at least (maybe longer, I can't remember). Culture Night normally sees at least one event there: I grumped the year it was chalk-graffiti on the fountain sails, but it was use. Another year, children from a local school made a knitted patchwork blanket to turn the fountain into a more striking piece of art.

The shared road/footpath outside the Skeff is used for displaying cars during the motor rally, and for boarding races buses during race week.

The area outside Supermacs has local street-traders with regular day-time pitches, year-round . And at night it becomes a containment-zone for kids falling out of the nightclubs (love it or hate it they're citizens too, using a public space).

Christmas Market - five weeks of pretty solid use of most parts of the square.

Under-used? Nope ...

Whereisgalway

Exactly

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Indeed. It's not got a family picnic vibe

lots of socially disadvantaged people (unkindly called homeless, winos, nutters, etc by some) hang out there with their friends when the suns out ...

ben.schlomo

Whereisgalway wrote: »

Exactly

Glossing over the rest of the post I see. Why not talk about the points raised by MrsOb?

Whereisgalway

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Glossing over the rest of the post I see. Why not talk about the points raised by MrsOb?

Hi Ben,

Someone from city council should be held accountable for this series of fiascos but some posters just want to poke holes, belittle contributors and push forward their own adgenda

The orginally point of this thread and I'd like to bring it back on topic is to highlight that a massive amount of money (15m) was spent redeveloping the square. There is a outstanding debt of Just under a third owed by city council who are diverting funds away from necessary & essential projects to cover up the mess they created over 10 years ago.

Mrs OBumble

Ok, so even if we bring back the gallows and hang a city official at the top of the square - how's that going to change the situation? The developer still went broke. The money was still spent. It still needs to be paid back, and ticket sales to a hanging aren't likely to generate that amount of revenue.

If you want to start a thread about local government incompetence, you can. Give it a title which makes your intentions clear.

But it might help if you had some solutions in mind instead of being out for a rant.

Whereisgalway

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Ok, so even if we bring back the gallows and hang a city official at the top of the square - how's that going to change the situation? The developer still went broke. The money was still spent. It still needs to be paid back, and ticket sales to a hanging aren't likely to generate that amount of revenue.

If you want to start a thread about local government incompetence, you can. Give it a title which makes your intentions clear.

But it might help if you had some solutions in mind instead of being out for a rant.

All I'm trying to do is create awareness but I guess posters will will always use the easy n childish option and Poke holes at every opportunity. Before anyone can come up with solutions questions need to be answered & then answers questions. How was tender awarded? What was the process? Was there a check into the builder? Who carried this out? Who were these consultants? How were they picked? What did they consult on? Who decided to stagnated the loan out over 20+years? How did they decide this? Just a few of the questions that no one wants to give the answers to

saabsaab

The area would be improved by railing it in making an enclosed space and not a throughway. Also employ a park warden to keep it tidy and remove any trouble makers.

The railings around St. Nicholas' used to be around Eyre Square.

I don't see railings working - it is used as a thoroughfare and the hard areas are useful.

gordongekko

Whereisgalway wrote: »

All I'm trying to do is create awareness but I guess posters will will always use the easy n childish option and Poke holes at every opportunity. Before anyone can come up with solutions questions need to be answered & then answers questions. How was tender awarded? What was the process? Was there a check into the builder? Who carried this out? Who were these consultants? How were they picked? What did they consult on? Who decided to stagnated the loan out over 20+years? How did they decide this? Just a few of the questions that no one wants to give the answers to

This is a discussion forum if you are unhappy with people having an opinion maybe post somewhere else.

?Cee?view

Whereisgalway wrote: »

Before anyone can come up with solutions questions need to be answered & then answers questions. How was tender awarded? What was the process? Was there a check into the builder? Who carried this out? Who were these consultants? How were they picked? What did they consult on? Who decided to stagnated the loan out over 20+years? How did they decide this? Just a few of the questions that no one wants to give the answers to

So make an FOI request.

?Cee?view

saabsaab wrote: »

The area would be improved by railing it in making an enclosed space and not a throughway. Also employ a park warden to keep it tidy and remove any trouble makers.

Agree completely. That would allow the area to be monitored. It could still function as a through way though. Think Merrion Sq and Stephen's Green.

?Cee?view

Whereisgalway wrote: »

Before anyone can come up with solutions questions need to be answered & then answers questions. How was tender awarded? What was the process? Was there a check into the builder? Who carried this out? Who were these consultants? How were they picked? What did they consult on? Who decided to stagnated the loan out over 20+years? How did they decide this? Just a few of the questions that no one wants to give the answers to

So make an FOI request.

empacher

While i agree it has many uses throughout the year. I think its badly kept. Grass and flower bads seem to be in bad condition.

Area around the public toilets and tourist box looks dirty.

Maybe its better kept in the summer i cant remember.

I much prefer millenium park. In terms of how well its kept.

saabsaab

As said by a poster here similar parks have railings to control access and depending on the gate placement it would allow some cross access. No need to re-use the old railings new ones could be made.

Stealthfins

15 million.
Bit of hard landscaping and few raised beds.
Some grass seed here and there.

A 2015 graduate from the botanic gardens could design something better with a pencil ruler compass and a4 piece of paper.

The emperor's new clothes again.

gordongekko

Stealthfins wrote: »

15 million.
Bit of hard landscaping and few raised beds.
Some grass seed here and there.

A 2015 graduate from the botanic gardens could design something better with a pencil ruler compass and a4 piece of paper.

The emperor's new clothes again.

Thats pure rubbish there was a lot more to it than that.

FortySeven

gordongekko wrote: »

Thats pure rubbish there was a lot more to it than that.

A crappy playpark, some disgusting automatic toilets and a large lump of rusty steel in some kind of fountain? Is it even a fountain? I'm not sure.

Apart from that, the other poster has it covered.

gordongekko

FortySeven wrote: »

A crappy playpark, some disgusting automatic toilets and a large lump of rusty steel in some kind of fountain? Is it even a fountain? I'm not sure.

Apart from that, the other poster has it covered.

Thats also rubbish

ben.schlomo

FortySeven wrote: »

A crappy playpark, some disgusting automatic toilets and a large lump of rusty steel in some kind of fountain? Is it even a fountain? I'm not sure.

Apart from that, the other poster has it covered.

Well they're an improvement on the previous paedo toilets and the fountain has been there a lot longer than the refurbishment so I can't say I'm convinced by your claims.

Mrs OBumble

saabsaab wrote: »

The area would be improved by railing it in making an enclosed space and not a throughway. Also employ a park warden to keep it tidy and remove any trouble makers.

Why would an enclosed space be better? Personally I like my public spaces open and with high visibility. Compared to say the fenced garden down near Woodquay, which I'm not at all happy about going in to, because you're never quite sure what you'll find. Hardly anyone seems to use it, as far as I can tell, except for kids up to no good.

As for a warden, there are several council staff there every single morning cleaning the place, and gardeners working there regularly.

And the guards have the place under camera surveillance, and will happily remove genuine troublemakers. But neither they nor "park wardens" can remove people who are not breaking the law.

FortySeven

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Well they're an improvement on the previous paedo toilets and the fountain has been there a lot longer than the refurbishment so I can't say I'm convinced by your claims.

Hard landscaping, some raised beds, a crappy playpark, some benches, a few bags of grass seed, some disgusting automatic toilets and a big lump of rusty steel then. Sans fountain.

15 million? If you can find the other 14.5 million spent on that travesty I am all ears.

Whereisgalway

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

the fenced garden down near Woodquay, which I'm not at all happy about going in to, because you're never quite sure what you'll find. Hardly anyone seems to use it, as far as I can tell, except for kids up to no good..

If funds didn't have to be diverted from other areas to service the debt outstanding on eyre square they be able to put much needed money in the garden near woodquay

ben.schlomo

FortySeven wrote: »

Hard landscaping, some raised beds, a crappy playpark, some benches, a few bags of grass seed, some disgusting automatic toilets and a big lump of rusty steel then. Sans fountain.

15 million? If you can find the other 14.5 million spent on that travesty I am all ears.

As I wasn't part of the process I'd direct you to a FOI request as suggested above if you're that interested in where money was spent. In fact I'm sure much of it has been widely reported down the years already.

biko

gordongekko wrote: »

Thats pure rubbish there was a lot more to it than that.

gordongekko wrote: »

Thats also rubbish

No more posts like this. Use a civil manner and engage with your own points instead of just attempting to shoot someone down.

MadYaker

It's to small to be a proper park like St Stephens Green, I think it's current form is about the best we could hope for.

FortySeven

MadYaker wrote: »

It's to small to be a proper park like St Stephens Green, I think it's current form is about the best we could hope for.

I agree. It's the cost I could never understand.

FortySeven

FortySeven wrote: »

I agree. It's the cost I could never understand.

FOI the Council to aid your comprehension

It costs nothing but a bit of time and energy from you. They have 4 weeks to respond

http://www.galwaycity.ie/freedom-of-information-information/

When you are done, it would be great if you could post everything to this thread for other posters

FortySeven

[Deleted User] wrote: »

FOI the Council to aid your comprehension

It costs nothing but a bit of time and energy from you. They have 4 weeks to respond

http://www.galwaycity.ie/freedom-of-information-information/

When you are done, it would be great if you could post everything to this thread for other posters

It is not free. Potentially costing up to €700. Since caring and being able to do anything about it are two different things I guess I will just voice my opinions on this here discussion board with other like minded souls.

It doesn't take a genius to see the gravy train rolling on by on this one.

eezipc

Deleted User wrote: »

FOI the Council to aid your comprehension

It costs nothing but a bit of time and energy from you. They have 4 weeks to respond

http://www.galwaycity.ie/freedom-of-information-information/

When you are done, it would be great if you could post everything to this thread for other posters

I'd like to do this actually. Never have done it before.
Has anyone ever done this? What should I ask for? A copy of all records related to the Eyre Square renovation? Or do I need to be a bit more specific?

FortySeven

eezipc wrote: »

I'd like to do this actually. Never have done it before.
Has anyone ever done this? What should I ask for? A copy of all records related to the Eyre Square renovation? Or do I need to be a bit more specific?

They can charge €20 per hour for document searches, at the pace of the civil service doing anything document related.......To a maximum of €700.

Add on 40c per copy and it could get expensive on a project that cost 15m.

Baggy Trousers

Stealthfins wrote: »

15 million.
Bit of hard landscaping and few raised beds.
Some grass seed here and there.

A 2015 graduate from the botanic gardens could design something better with a pencil ruler compass and a4 piece of paper.

The emperor's new clothes again.

Agreed, it was a major disappointment and seemed like a massive waste of money.

Baggy Trousers

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Ok, so even if we bring back the gallows and hang a city official at the top of the square - how's that going to change the situation? The developer still went broke. The money was still spent. It still needs to be paid back, and ticket sales to a hanging aren't likely to generate that amount of revenue.

If you want to start a thread about local government incompetence, you can. Give it a title which makes your intentions clear.

But it might help if you had some solutions in mind instead of being out for a rant.

Wasn't John Tierney of Poolbeg & Irish Water infamy involved?

Mrs OBumble

Whereisgalway wrote: »

If funds didn't have to be diverted from other areas to service the debt outstanding on eyre square they be able to put much needed money in the garden near woodquay

They already spend money on it. The problem is the fences which imho make it dangerous.

Also you seem to lack understanding of how major public projects are usually funded. Spreading the debt over future years is quite normal, for good reasons.

Stealthfins

gordongekko wrote:

Thats pure rubbish there was a lot more to it than that.

I could draw a better plan on a hanky ðŸ˜႒

snubbleste

eezipc wrote: »

I'd like to do this actually. Never have done it before.
Has anyone ever done this? What should I ask for? A copy of all records related to the Eyre Square renovation? Or do I need to be a bit more specific?

Do it.
You need to be specific, word and date your questions carefully. You also need to state that the information is not routinely in the public domain.
You'll only be charged if copying charges etc exceed €100