Michael.. wrote: » A lot of people are going for the Beamish site simply because it's more ambitious. I must admit, it does look relatively nice and it would do wonders for that part of the city. However, I notice Bam keep saying that development will take place on a phased basis. I'm concerned that if Bam get the go ahead they'll build the event centre and leave the rest of the site desolate for many more years until such time as demand for city centre apartments etc picks up. If it was a straight race between the two event centres - leaving aside the extra development Bam has included - I think O'Callaghan's proposal is superior. It's location is far better and as far as I know they have Live Nation on board which is an absolute must.
BUNK1982 wrote: » I reckon that the traffic situation in the Beamish would be so dire that it would eventually alleviate itself, if that makes sense? Driving to an event there simply wouldn't be an option so people would have to look at alternative methods of arriving there. The Albert Quay site by comparison already has a busy road network so the impact on the general public would be a lot bigger given it's proximity to the Link Road, train station, bus station etc.
calnand wrote: » The Albert quay site is in my opinion the weaker project. It's an awful design cramped into a location too small for it. The beamish site is far superior, it will create a landmark building in Cork and a new cultural centre in a city that is slowly dying. The brewery quarter is exactly what cork needs to rejuvenate the inner city. Have a read of all the documents available on the planning website, and you'll come to the same conclusion as me. O'Callaghan has done great things for the city but I don't think his event centre is the better choice.
Thepikapi wrote: » I think that the beamish arena will probably draw in money as it will bring in touring concerts, shows like cirque du soleil or Disney on ice and can be used for large scale conferences. The Albert's quay site is more of a large theatre like the grand canal in Dublin, so it'll probably bring large scale touring productions from the west end as the opera house stage is too small, more people (mainly younger people) will want to see one direction in the beamish rather than the lion king on Albert's quay. I personally think that the Albert's quay site is more accessible, helps out an area of town that is struggling, costs less and adds more of a desperately needed main-stream culture scene. Although the beamish site will inevitably revive the city centre, I think we should save up for it so we don't lose out like we did with the Elysian(which probably will stay empty until the economy balances out).
Rhys Essien wrote: » I imagine both venue's could cater for the same shows.The capacity of the new arena will be 6000 seater(whatever one they choose).The Opera House can only hold 1000. Another thing,would it not be better to spread the development around the city especially with the new big office block that will be built on Albert Quay shortly.
Thepikapi wrote: » That's true, but the office block has been delayed by Nama. However, arenas are completely different to theatres, the seating, rigging and acoustics must follow a certain standard in theatres. Also the albert's quay centre won't be hosting anything like the one in the beamish if it were to be used as an events centre/theatre. I imagine that if the O'Callaghan site gets picked to be done first, (which, let's face it, is unlikely) they'll probably just cop out and do an arena despite how much a large scale theatre is needed (probably because of how people really just want an arena).
Thepikapi wrote: » I personally think that the Albert's quay site is more accessible, helps out an area of town that is struggling, costs less and adds more of a desperately needed main-stream culture scene. Although the beamish site will inevitably revive the city centre, I think we should save up for it so we don't lose out like we did with the Elysian(which probably will stay empty until the economy balances out).
AugustusMinimus wrote: » The Albert Quay site is just off the N27 which is the main route for taking North - South and South - North through the city centre. There's endless moaning about Mahon Point being built right beside the SRR. Due to it being built there, the Mahon Interchange is regularly blocked up with traffic. No way should the shopping centre have been built there. O'Callaghan is now calling for this centre to be built right beside the N27. The area of the N27 around Albert Quay is already probably the area of the city centre with the heaviest traffic. It can be terrible there at times. You throw that event centre catering for 6,000 people into the mix and you are asking for some serious trouble. The Beamish site will be accessed very differently. The parking of cars will be a lot more spread out and access believe it or not won't be as congestion inducing as at the other site as people will park and walk from a greater distance. South Main Street is not very prone to heavy traffic also.
BUNK1982 wrote: » There's also a health and safety issue that needs be considered, 6000 people spilling out out to what is essentially the Link Road?
BUNK1982 wrote: » Even in the plans for the docklands development there was to be another bridge built further down the river from there.
Thepikapi wrote: » Why don't they just build an underground car park like the one for the O2, it kinda makes sense. I mean if they don't then either location will just be as clogged as a doughnut enthusiast's artery!
AugustusMinimus wrote: » Did I read this thread right by the way ? That the O'Callaghan proposal is to build an O2 Dublin style amphitheatre while the Beamish development will be a basketball court style arena ? If this is the case, a basketball style arena can accommodate a whole range of different activities (concerts, sporting events etc etc). Much more bang for your buck.
zetalambda wrote: » IIRC the decision on where the event center would be built was to be announced in May. Were already half way through so hopefully we'll find out soon...
Rhys Essien wrote: » The decision on where this will be built,will be announced in 6 weeks time, according to Simon Coveney on the radio today.
rebs23 wrote: » Oh please just announce it. I couldn't care where at this stage once it gets built with no further messing.
AugustusMinimus wrote: » Really hoping that Beamish Brewery gets this development. Albert Quay is just plain wrong on a number of grounds IMO.
Rhys Essien wrote: » I still dont get why people are comparing the two sites like for like. The Albert Quay site is just the event centre.The Beamish site is a whole new city block effectively,which an event centre will be part of.To me,I dont even know what they need to decide.Its a no brainer.
Bacchus wrote: » Never heard this before. I thought both sites were offering pretty much the same facilities. What extra is in the Beamish proposal that isn't in the Albert Quay one?
