We can't have improve public transport because it might impact on traffic.
We can't affect traffic until we have world class public transport.
So, in effect, we can't build world class public transport until world class public transport is in place.
No fan of developers but these two are clearly legalised scam artists.
First new planning application for student accommodation in a while. 450 beds on site of former convent on MFR.
They're far from the only ones too unfortunately.
People whose "safety" or "environmental" concerns just evaporate without some documented reason for why the issue is no longer present
Not necessarily, but a lot of the regular apartment developments seem to be on the smaller side, such as the conversion of a number of empty retail units in Ballincollig Town Centre into 23 apartments, or similar projects. That conversion is pretty far advanced, and it looks like they're trying to get all the major work done by Christmas, with interior fitout to follow.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. A number of apartment developments have planning but nothing happening. Reading recently that the demand for office blocks is weakening and there is some hope that this might prompt developers to focus on residential.
P.S. I don't disagree with Snotboogie below, but we've seen little movement yet on larger apartment developments, in contrast to several large student accommodation projects which have been or are near completion.
There are actually very few student apartments under construction now. As far as I know the Coca Cola bottling site is the only one still going and that is nearly done. There are dozens of residential apartment projects under construction, most are small enough with under 30 units but there are two pretty big sites in Jacobs Island in Mahon and Baly in Douglas. If we are to believe the developers and the papers there will be three major projects starting next year, two in the docklands with Glenveagh and OCP and one in Blackrock also with Glenveagh. As far as I know there are no student apartments in the pipeline.
Hopefully the more purpose designed apartment blocks for students that come on board, the more it might free up regular semi d's and townhouses etc for rent and to purchase by ordinary folk.
What about the vita Cortex site there by Musgrave Park/Turners Cross ? Lots of work going on there currently on site- Seem to recall apartment's going there but maybe I am wrong ?
Munster centre of excellence perhaps? https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-41284537.html
Sure this is it when you hear some people's objections !😅😄
where has anyone said we can’t improve public transport because it might impact traffic??
I shouldn't have quoted your post for my observation. You didn't say that. But for some reason, your post brought it to my mind.
But, generally, the people complaining about active transport measures use the lack of public transport as a justification to complain about active transport measures. It's a pointless circular argument.
Yeah it's unfortunately a common thing to hear: we shouldn't put in bike lanes because nobody cycles, we shouldn't put in bus lanes because nobody uses the bus, we shouldn't put in measures that limit car traffic until public transport or active transport is better, etc.
Examiner
Which it won’t be because even BusConnects was a bridge too far for Cork.
The push-back on BusConnects is all the evidence one needs to realise that Cork will never have LRT, at least not on-street LRT. Bus gates, moderate widening of some roads to facilitate bus lanes, and removal of on-street parking spaces were all strongly opposed by our local councillors. I think people have no comprehension of how much more significant the works would be for LRT. It’s not happening without a radical change of mindset.
You have to wonder if it will ever be built though. I would imagine that a large part of the business model for a hotel in that location is proximity to the various JCD office developments (City Gate, City Gate Plaza, etc.). But a lot of that office space is now unoccupied. Some major tenants have drastically reduced the number of floor space they’re leasing. Others have moved out completely. Without business patronage, is a hotel here actually viable? Would tourists want to stay somewhere miles from the city centre but with wonderful views over the N40 to the arse end of Tesco at Mahon Point?
The benefit of LRT is that there can’t be the same level of community engagement which drove all of the change you mentioned. With bus connects you can keep cutting back and keep compromising over and over again and the current process of engagement encourages this. With LRT once the route is chosen that’s it, there is no compromise, you either build it or you don’t. The Luas sailed through planning in comparison to Busconnects Dublin which saw similar cutbacks to Cork.
For what it’s worth the developers have said construction will start in 2024.
Yes, saw that. But I’ve lost track of how many similar statements have been issued about other big construction projects in the city over the last 5-10 years: The Entertainment Centre, the hotel at the site of the old tax office, etc.
Don’t think BAM ever actually confirmed a date to start at Sullivans Quay. You’re right though, if a developer says they will start it has about a 50% chance of happening, the hotel next to the bus station and the 10 storey student apartments across from the Crows Nest are two major projects that the developers confirmed would start in 2023 but never did.
The prism building thing beside bud station. That reminds me, bus station needs a complete overhaul. As does the awful eyesore of an abandoned building behind it. An old Maher's sports?
Also, I'm really looking forward to the redevelopment of Custom House Quay any day now, lol
As I’ve mentioned before, in a newsletter he sent around, one of the Labour councillors said that one of his biggest concerns with the BusConnects plan was that the bus gates in the Douglas Road would make it harder for parents to drop their kids to school…
The bus connect plans must have been made by someone who was never in Cork.
The centre of excellence will be within the current Musgrave Park footprint. It's going in behind the terrace at the Dolphin end of the ground.
Although a real pity, in my opinion, that there wasn't the foresight years ago, to roll the Vita Cortex site into the Musgrave Park setup and develop an integrated sports centre of excellence. There would have been huge room, along with 850 car spaces and the South Ring 200 metres away. Never mind the empty CMP site that was also available for years across the way if you needed more space and had even more ambition to put something in that would have served sporting and community needs for years to come.
Is this going to be like Horgan's Quay? Offices and hotel were built first, regardless of the planned phases, apartments yet to see any activity. If this is the case of demand/supply building offices and hotels is just going to increase demand.
Horgan's Quay is different as apartments construction is already well underway at Jacob's Island. I would have more faith in more apartments being built than the hotel tbh
Cork docklands' first large-scale apartment scheme to go ahead
https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/commercial/arid-41289853.html
That's HUGE!!
