€300M Investment into Waterford City

PremierDeise · 21-03-2017 1:35am #1

Fingers crossed. Hopefully it might open the governments eyes in terms of 24/7 cardiac care, airport and University status....

Chip Whitley · 21-03-2017 2:39am

I'm unfamiliar with foreign investment of this scale into cities like ours. I've seen it with soccer clubs obviously ha ha, but this can only be a good thing though, surely?

KevIRL · 21-03-2017 8:11am

Allahu Akbar

Gavlor · 21-03-2017 8:19am

Irish times running it too

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/saudi-mall-operator-plans-shopping-centre-in-waterford-1.3017993%3Fmode%3Damp

TheQuietFella · 21-03-2017 9:14am

Just checking the date!

fricatus · 21-03-2017 9:17am

Gavlor wrote: »

Irish times running it too

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/saudi-mall-operator-plans-shopping-centre-in-waterford-1.3017993%3Fmode%3Damp

Someone should tell the Irish Times that North Wall Quay is not the name of any place in Waterford. Also, I'd take issue with this comment:

The Irish Times wrote:

Waterford city centre has been in decline since Waterford Wedgwood announced the closure of its crystal glass plant in Dungarvan in 2005

(And what does the Dungarvan plant have to do with anything?

)

Max Powers · 21-03-2017 9:19am

TheQuietFella wrote: »

Just checking the date!

First thing I did too

PTH2009 · 21-03-2017 9:33am

good for the city

Those saudi guys must be extremely wealthy but would investing in a small city like ours be worthwhile

Cant get the image of our City Councillors with Keffiyeh's on during the offical opening/annoucement lol (no offence intended for any saudi people)

TheQuietFella · 21-03-2017 9:38am

Will it be Kilkenny or Waterford that they'll be investing in, geographically speaking of course!

Harry Palmr · 21-03-2017 9:43am

fricatus wrote: »

Someone should tell the Irish Times that North Wall Quay is not the name of any place in Waterford. Also, I'd take issue with this comment:

(And what does the Dungarvan plant have to do with anything? )

Pretty sure the IT (paper of record) doesn't have a correspondent for this neck of the woods these days.

JohnC. · 21-03-2017 10:00am

Thought this was interesting too.

The plan is likely to involve the development of a new transport system linking both side of the river.

Even if it's only a pedestrian bridge from North Quays to the city centre, it'd be welcome. Or could they mean a shuttle bus?

dzilla · 21-03-2017 10:30am

Hopefully he brings a bucket of tarmac out to the airport aswell.

gscully · 21-03-2017 11:00am

I'd like to know how they'll develop Michael Street and add a development larger than Mahon Point to the North Quays for €300m. That seems like such a small amount for large-scale projects like these.

JohnC. · 21-03-2017 11:30am

Apparently Mahon Point cost €230m in 2005 money. I'm not sure how current construction costs compare to the boom years.

BBM77 · 21-03-2017 12:47pm

gscully wrote: »

I'd like to know how they'll develop Michael Street and add a development larger than Mahon Point to the North Quays for €300m. That seems like such a small amount for large-scale projects like these.

The reason is that the only fact is the sites have been purchased by this Saudi property company the rest is just speculation at this stage. For god sake the IT article is gibberish in places!

The proposed shopping centre will be located close to the two principal streets, Barronstrand Street and Broad Street, and is planned to open for business before the end of next year

The Newgate centre is going to be built in a year is it

iseegirls · 21-03-2017 12:52pm

BBM77 wrote: »

The reason is that the only fact is the sites have been purchased by this Saudi property company the rest is just speculation at this stage. For god sake the IT article is gibberish in places!

The main article is in the Waterford News And Star, think it's 4 pages in total. The Irish times, along with Newstalk and The Mirror are taking whatever information from the papers article, and trying to add their own unique take on it, by adding in silly incorrect info about the Waterford Glass in Dungarvan etc..

Dum_Dum · 21-03-2017 4:13pm

Funny how Waterford can be seen from 5000 miles away, but successive Dublin governments can't see beyond their own nose.

I, for one, will never forget the way this City has been treated by the rest of this pathetic country.

Deiseen · 21-03-2017 4:25pm

Dum_Dum wrote: »

Funny how Waterford can be seen from 5000 miles away, but successive Dublin governments can't see beyond their own nose.

I, for one, will never forget the way this City has been treated by the rest of this pathetic country.

Sure they can't even see the place across the KK border! Some KK lads on the boundary extension thread openly stated that they'd prefer jobs and services focused in Dublin than the region.

goochy · 21-03-2017 5:59pm

I often hear about how neglected Waterford is , but as someone who passes through it a lot on my way back home to Kildare ( no toll road for me ) - it certainly looks prosperous enough and has a good enough physical environment.
I am fond of Limerick but its full of eyesores - its like going back to pre celtic tiger days when we didn't bother about how things looked.

erica74 · 21-03-2017 6:42pm

You may hear about Waterford being neglected and on the outside it may look otherwise but believe me, having lived in Waterford for 10 years, it has been battered worst than most places. Having just read that Burger King is pulling out of City Square, it's just another name on a long list...

I am really excited about this development, don't care whether it's KK or WD or whatever the case is, as long as it generates lots of jobs and interest in the region.

Deiseen · 21-03-2017 6:44pm

erica74 wrote: »

You may hear about Waterford being neglected and on the outside it may look otherwise but believe me, having lived in Waterford for 10 years, it has been battered worst than most places. Having just read that Burger King is pulling out of City Square, it's just another name on a long list...

I am really excited about this development, don't care whether it's KK or WD or whatever the case is, as long as it generates lots of jobs and interest in the region.

Hearing a lot about this lately. Aren't burger king only pulling out to facilitate the city Square expansion???

fuzzy dunlop · 21-03-2017 6:45pm

fricatus wrote: »

Gavlor wrote: »

Irish times running it too

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/saudi-mall-operator-plans-shopping-centre-in-waterford-1.3017993%3Fmode%3Damp

Someone should tell the Irish Times that North Wall Quay is not the name of any place in Waterford. Also, I'd take issue with this comment:

The Irish Times wrote:

Waterford city centre has been in decline since Waterford Wedgwood announced the closure of its crystal glass plant in Dungarvan in 2005

(And what does the Dungarvan plant have to do with anything? )

I know its f*cking disgraceful.Lazy uneducated journalism! Dungarvan FFS! I would say if the place became like a mini Dubai with imported sunshine the so called paper of record would still be telling stories of decline and how Waterford Crystal is the biggest employer

erica74 · 21-03-2017 6:46pm

The news seems to suggest that is the case, however, it's a pity a deal couldn't be reached to keep them in City Square during the works and after the works are complete or relocate to another premises in Waterford. I'm not a fan of fastfood but it always seemed to be very busy when I walked by.

Harry Palmr · 21-03-2017 7:06pm

I see NAMA are part of the deal maybe this explains some of the costing, that said we're only getting a fraction of the detail needed to understand the financing of all that is proposed.

http://www.independent.ie/business/saudi-firm-gets-green-light-to-develop-shopping-centre-in-waterford-35551920.html

A bit more here, mention of the railway station being moved to the North Quay.

erica74 · 21-03-2017 7:24pm

Harry Palmr · 21-03-2017 7:30pm

That document is from 2008!

https://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/media/forward-planning/Waterford%20North%20Quays%20UDF.pdf

erica74 · 21-03-2017 7:31pm

Argh no! Sorry about that, I just googled waterford north quays and it was the first result.

Road-Hog · 21-03-2017 7:47pm

erica74 wrote: »

The news seems to suggest that is the case, however, it's a pity a deal couldn't be reached to keep them in City Square during the works and after the works are complete or relocate to another premises in Waterford. I'm not a fan of fastfood but it always seemed to be very busy when I walked by.

Burger King may be busy but is it really that much of a pity to see a 'mega franchise' fast food place leave/close....albeit only during the redevelopment of city square. The only decent thing either BK or McDonalds sell is their coffee......the burgers chips wraps etc are consistently 'Muck' no matter where in the world you get them. This is off topic in any case. I'm sure the €300million development will have its fair share of 'food outlets' that will more than make up for any losses in burger sales that the temporary closure of BK will result in

taytobreath · 21-03-2017 8:07pm

this story is true, the investors were over here. the following links are the crowd.

http://fawazalhokair.com/index.php

http://www.fawazalhokairfashion.com/brands/

Teebor15 · 21-03-2017 8:09pm

This is brilliant news for Waterford...but just how over the line is it?

Is it a John Halligan type "done deal" where the Saudis are just going to have one more look before signing on the dotted line? or are they fully committed just waiting on our side to get their ducks in a row.

After so many false dawns in this city, with the University, hospital, Airport, etc..that i can be forgiven for being twitchy until i see the bricks being laid.

JohnC. · 21-03-2017 8:23pm

Teebor15 wrote: »

This is brilliant news for Waterford...but just how over the line is it?

Is it a John Halligan type "done deal" where the Saudis are just going to have one more look before signing on the dotted line? or are they fully committed just waiting on our side to get their ducks in a row.

After so many false dawns in this city, with the University, hospital, Airport, etc..that i can be forgiven for being twitchy until i see the bricks being laid.

Supposed to be a council meeting on Thursday, which is supposed to give approval for contract talks for the work to be done.

robtri · 21-03-2017 9:40pm

love to see a detail plan of what they plan for the North Quay's...
this is great for the city and the region.

fuzzy dunlop · 21-03-2017 10:59pm

Teebor15 wrote: »

This is brilliant news for Waterford...but just how over the line is it?

Is it a John Halligan type "done deal" where the Saudis are just going to have one more look before signing on the dotted line? or are they fully committed just waiting on our side to get their ducks in a row.

After so many false dawns in this city, with the University, hospital, Airport, etc..that i can be forgiven for being twitchy until i see the bricks being laid.

Believe me! I feel your pain.But I am cautiously optimistic about this.If it works out it will be the biggest economic boost this city probably ever had.It will be a huge vote of confidence for Waterford that could encourage investment here for decades to come. And some people won't be happy about it. I heard the mayor of Waterford already say he received emails that were "influencers" from some of our "neighbours".
The SDZ status was the game changer that will hopefully nullify any attempts at influence it negatively. It think it will be impossible for "objectors" to do what they did with Newgate. Check my posting history. I used to curse Paudie Coffey from a height but he deserves great Kudos for this.

looksee · 21-03-2017 11:23pm

I wonder will women be allowed into the centre unaccompanied, and allowed to drive into the car park?

Christy Browne · 21-03-2017 11:28pm

looksee wrote: »

I wonder will women be allowed into the centre unaccompanied, and allowed to drive into the car park?

I reckon so yeah, contrary to popular belief, property developers from other countries can't enforce the laws of their country here :rolleyes:

looksee · 21-03-2017 11:44pm

Christy Browne wrote: »

I reckon so yeah, contrary to popular belief, property developers from other countries can't enforce the laws of their country here :rolleyes:

Sigh

Harry Palmr · 21-03-2017 11:54pm

Whooooooooooooooosh!

22-03-2017 12:25am

looksee wrote: »

Sigh

You are not happy with blood money coming to Waterford?

Deiseen · 22-03-2017 7:16am

Deleted User wrote: »

looksee wrote: »

Sigh

You are not happy with blood money coming to Waterford?

If it was coming from China, the UK or even our beloved USA then it would be every bit as bloody.

Not a big fan of the Saudis at all but this can't be seen as a bad thing.

blue note · 22-03-2017 9:56am

Which are the north quays? Are they the side with the train station? If so, would this be a large shopping centre being built just down the road from an empty large shopping centre?

Harry Palmr · 22-03-2017 10:03am

The north quays will probably be host to the relocated railways station plus housing, offices and a conference facility I'd say. Not a shopping centre.

looksee · 22-03-2017 10:11am

It would be hugely expensive to move the railway station to the North Quays and it is hard to see how it would be a profitable investment. It floods to a depth of over a metre now; moving it nearer to the river without a gradient would make the situation worse.

Deise_vixen · 22-03-2017 4:24pm

Slightly off topic but regarding Burger King, I heard that BK were not happy to commit to move to food court that will be upstairs in City Square because there are on going discussions with Nandos to move there also. Their lease is now up on the current site and was not being renewed as it's being re designated as a retail outlet.
I also heard (a bloke down the pub said..... ;)) that they were not doing great in that location and were already looking for an alternative location in the city*. Apparently someone has applied for planning for a fast food restaurant at the old bowling alley site on the Cork Road. Now wouldn't it be a funny coincidence if they moved in there....
*This could be complete fabrication, no way to verify so take it with a pinch of salt

Deiseen · 22-03-2017 4:27pm

Deise_vixen wrote: »

Slightly off topic but regarding Burger King, I heard that BK were not happy to commit to move to food court that will be upstairs in City Square because there are on going discussions with Nandos to move there also. Their lease is now up on the current site and was not being renewed as it's being re designated as a retail outlet.
I also heard (a bloke down the pub said..... ;)) that they were not doing great in that location and were already looking for an alternative location in the city*. Apparently someone has applied for planning for a fast food restaurant at the old bowling alley site on the Cork Road. Now wouldn't it be a funny coincidence if they moved in there....
*This could be complete fabrication, no way to verify so take it with a pinch of salt

That's easily verified. Some people on here very savvy with regards to the planning section of the WCC website.

iseegirls · 22-03-2017 4:39pm

Deise_vixen wrote: »

Slightly off topic but regarding Burger King, I heard that BK were not happy to commit to move to food court that will be upstairs in City Square because there are on going discussions with Nandos to move there also.

Good to hear they're aiming for big names for the food court. Would hate for it to be populated with more Costa's which we don't need at the moment.

Road-Hog · 22-03-2017 4:54pm

looksee wrote: »

It would be hugely expensive to move the railway station to the North Quays and it is hard to see how it would be a profitable investment. It floods to a depth of over a metre now; moving it nearer to the river without a gradient would make the situation worse.

How often does it flood to such a depth?

erica74 · 22-03-2017 5:12pm

That's great news about the food court - hoping to see some actual food outlets and not just coffee shops, like another poster mentioned.

fuzzy dunlop · 22-03-2017 7:19pm

Road-Hog wrote: »

looksee wrote: »

It would be hugely expensive to move the railway station to the North Quays and it is hard to see how it would be a profitable investment. It floods to a depth of over a metre now; moving it nearer to the river without a gradient would make the situation worse.

How often does it flood to such a depth?

I am interested too. Three posts by looksee! None of them positive! Two of them Sarcastic! Perhaps one of the influencers" Adam Wyse was talking about on Deise AM:D An ideal Scenario in my opinion would be a pedestrian bridge from the Clock Tower. On the other side the pedestrian bridge a mixed use development with a large retail element. The Railway Station then integrated into this. So you would get off an intercity train and step into a retail area, so a walkthrough across the bridge up into John Roberts Square. I wouldn't be hopeful though if for no other reason that CIE as a national organization are a bunch of spiteful c*nts, who exist for CIE alone and not for the common good.

tombliboo83 · 22-03-2017 8:40pm

For the station to move there,money would have to be provided centrally to Irish rail via an increase in subvention. This will not happen as Irish rail barely have the money for basic network maintenance, never mind anything extra (which won't be gotten) for large scale capital plans outside of Dublin.
I can't see where the money would come from for such a move which is a pity as where the station is now is wholly unsuitable.

Road-Hog · 22-03-2017 11:07pm

tombliboo83 wrote: »

For the station to move there,money would have to be provided centrally to Irish rail via an increase in subvention. This will not happen as Irish rail barely have the money for basic network maintenance, never mind anything extra (which won't be gotten) for large scale capital plans outside of Dublin.
I can't see where the money would come from for such a move which is a pity as where the station is now is wholly unsuitable.

What makes you so pessimistic about the station moving, I am aware that CIE are a dose to deal with and as conservative as the pope but I do think this time they will yield and funding will be found to re-locate the station to within the proposed Saudi funded development, Saudi's might even be prepared to fund it given the potential increase in 'foot-fall' it would bring on a daily basis???

TheQuietFella · 22-03-2017 11:21pm

Road-Hog wrote: »

What makes you so pessimistic about the station moving, I am aware that CIE are a dose to deal with and as conservative as the pope but I do think this time they will yield and funding will be found to re-locate the station to within the proposed Saudi funded development, Saudi's might even be prepared to fund it given the potential increase in 'foot-fall' it would bring on a daily basis???

They're also going to buy Waterford F.C. and sign Lionel Messi!

€300M Investment into Waterford City

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