The City Council have approved a plan to buy an office building in the Crown Square in Mervue and eventually redevelop the current City Hall site for social housing https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/councillors-approve-loan-to-move-city-hall-to-crown-square-in-mervue/
Its going to be odd that the County Council have a very central building but that the City Council will now move to the outskirts.
As usual now its been agreed, some of the Councillors seem to be rolling back their support https://connachttribune.ie/no-procurement-process-for-galway-city-council-move-to-crown-square/
New Dublin City CEO was on radio earlier outlining his views & plans for his tenure. Anything hear similar by CEO Cleary?
Asked about the Dublin City Transport Plan and the intention to stop traffic from driving through the city, Mr Shakespeare said: "We did all sign up to a commitment to have the traffic reduced by 40% by 2028 and we need to start walking the walk." However, he said he wants a reduction of cars in the city centre and wants to meet targets in terms of reducing emissions. Mr Shakespeare also said he wants to reorganise the housing department within Dublin City Council.
Interesting question, aren't these people usually fond of vision statements and the like?. Then again I'd give him a few months to at least attempt to bend his mind around the place
New Cllrs FF-Lab-Ind-SF pact until 2029. Peter Keane is the new Mayor next week
I see from the article that Galway City is due to have its first black mayor next year (Labour's Helen Ogbu).
btw why did Galway not get a local referendum on having a directly elected Mayor? Cork, Limerick, Waterford did.
I recall that it was related to the fact we did not amalgamate our City and County (thats why Limerick and Waterford got the choice)';I think Cork City was large enough they didnt need to go down this route
No sign of any work ongoing in the "new" building - I believe they had said that the procurement process for fitout/furniture etc was ongoing some months ago - but I was under the impression that the building was due to be populated prior to end of 2024.
Its absolutely mental what has gone on here.
Millions upon millions of rate/tax payers money going towards a move that didn't seem to be needed, no level of consultation with anyone (least of all councilors) votes done almost after the fact based on facts that turned out not to be true and from what I can see widespread issues with staff not wanting to move (cannot back this up but I can't see it going down well).
I am surprised this hasn't played out in the national media at this point.
I heard Developers are paying out of their own pocket for the party and plaque for the Official naming ceremony of the building when the Council staff finally move in.
"BMG City Hall" has a certain ring to it alright
A plague on City Hall! 😎
what a difference a q makes 😂
A year of traffic-prattle ahead. We are blessed.
He said that the new Council ruling pact would be prioritising the delivery of the proposed Galway City Ring Road and expressed confidence that it could be brought to fruition.
Very insincere to the electorate. It's with ABP, the newly elected council have no input in this process.
Expressing confidence that it "COULD" be brought to fruition!
Peter, Anything "COULD" happen.
I'm not against the ring road, but the eggs in one basket approach is pathetic. But it COULD happen!
The cost has now gone up to €80 million
Such an incredible waste of money
You are better off posting the original article as it has more information. For some reason the tribune cuts out all the interviews from galway bay, noticed this as someone posted the tribune link on social yesterday.
Our former CEO's legacy keeps on giving. Thanks Brendan McGrath
Councillors playing the victim is this mess, it was up to them to scrutinize the deal and plans before casting their vote.
Has then been brought up at the Dail yet, thats usually the only way to get the right people looking into it. I guess the problem is that the TD's wont want to flag how inept their little siblings in the council who approved this are.
How did the Executive STRONG arm pretty much ALL the Cllrs in the short window that Cllrs were notified on the proposal is a mystery to me?
Chief exec had individual meetings with the councillors that voted in favour of this, just ahead of the vote. No minutes were taken in those meetings.
All those Individual Cllrs did not take any minutes either ?
Did ANY current sitting Cllr vote against it?
Nope
All back pedalling now
It trundles on….wonder will there be some sort of investigation at this stage with all the messing that seems to be going on.
45m for the building.
And up to 30m for the fit-out!!!!!
And not even a bus shelter outside the main building.
And half the staff don't want to move there.
Brendan McGrath - what a legacy he has left the City after 10 years at the helm.
Jebus wept, well we did elect them https://connachttribune.ie/have-galway-councillors-any-interest-in-crown-loan-rates/
In 2022, when Councillors agreed to buy the building, McGrath said the deal would cost €56.6m. This included almost €11m for fit-out costs of the new building.According to the Council, annual repayments amount to €1.6m over 40 years, to cover the cost of purchasing the new headquarters – and that’s not even including fit-out. That means by this December, the Council will have paid €3.2m in repayments for a building they haven’t yet occupied.
In 2022, when Councillors agreed to buy the building, McGrath said the deal would cost €56.6m. This included almost €11m for fit-out costs of the new building.
According to the Council, annual repayments amount to €1.6m over 40 years, to cover the cost of purchasing the new headquarters – and that’s not even including fit-out. That means by this December, the Council will have paid €3.2m in repayments for a building they haven’t yet occupied.
Can the ex-CEO be hauled before the PAC in the Dáíl to explain his genius plan of paying €3.2 million for something we still have not used?
And who is the chairperson of PAC, yes former Cllr Mairéad Farrell
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