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Limerick 2030 Economic Plan

135

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭Stab*City


    pigtown wrote: »
    I see your indoor theme park and raise you this

    http://www.tropical-islands.de/en/attractions/

    Europe's largest indoor beach. It's enormous and with Ireland's weather it would be a guaranteed success.
    Tropical_island.jpg

    On a related note, Shannon Development were looking to develop a large tract of land beside Bunratty Castle recently and I have been told by someone involved that they have decided to build a big water park there.

    Wow you took the thoughts right outta my head! That place looks class.. Ya something indoor like that would be a huge success in this country. If you build it they will come.. I bet that place is worth 10 million a day to the local economy. The amount of money these purpose built parks turn over in one day is crazy. I know its a long shot but why not something huge and let us be the only ones who have it. They would have to visit then! M&S aint gonna get the tourists here.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,318 ✭✭✭pigtown


    jbkenn wrote: »
    Thankfully Shannon Developement are gone, unless you mean the deadbeats in Shannon Heritage?

    It was at the end of last year he was working on it. Don't know what the company was called then.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,560 ✭✭✭✭Kess73


    Stab*City wrote: »
    Can we not attract them with something else? That castle is crying out to be used for events.. As is the river. There is already a solid pub/restaurant trade. Seems to me the only things that actually make people want to go into town are special events so why dont we have more? Never in the last 10 years have i thought to myself 'I must go into town shopping'. Lets use it for something else.. Knock half it and build Europes largest INDOOR theme park!

    http://www.puydufou.com/en?season=summer


    We need something different.



    And why only have one thing to attract folks?

    Seems to me that a city with great retail to offer ( Limerick is awful on that front at present, simply awful by city standards), great entertainment to offer, great cultural attractions to offer, great amenities build on great natural attractions etc would have people coming to Limerick for one reason and staying because of others.

    It would also be a city that would attract a greater population in to want to live in the city itself.



    And you are not wrong that special events are what seem to make larger crowds come into the city centre at present, but part of that is down to Limerick being pretty poor in terms of amenities and attractions outside of special events


    Limerick needs a lot more than just improved retail to bring in people in large numbers outside of events, but Limerick does need improved retail if it wants a retail sector resembling that of a city rather than what we currently have which is a retail sector of a large town.

    Also a healthly and vibrant retail sector would bring in something else that Limerick is badly lacking in, and that is another source of unskilled jobs.


  • Registered Users Posts: 408 ✭✭johnmolloy554


    Kess73 wrote: »
    And why only have one thing to attract folks?

    Limerick does need improved retail if it wants a retail sector resembling that of a city rather than what we currently have which is a retail sector of a large town.

    Very true words but I always felt that Limerick people never pushed Limerick as a small City (which it is).
    Case in point on Boards when it was decided to amalgamate the County and City threads due to inactivity on the County thread. So what?

    When the Local Authorities decided to merge, there was a big debate in some areas about car registrations post 2014 - "L" or "LK". There is no GY or CK, only G or C. Michael Noonan thankfully ended that one quickly by simply stating "L".

    And don't get me started on this "LK" bullSh1t that some people refer to Limerick in social media circles.

    Kilkenny & Sligo push themselves as "Cities" at every possibility, which they're not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,859 ✭✭✭Poxyshamrock


    And don't get me started on this "LK" bullSh1t that some people refer to Limerick in social media circles.

    Sometimes (especially on twitter) there's only a certain number of characters that can be used so often "Limerick" doesn't fit.

    The Limerick HMV on twitter is the same. They can't fit "HMV Limerick Crescent" as their name so instead of just "HMV Limerick" they incorrectly spell it "Cresent". :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,912 ✭✭✭kilburn


    Surprised this has been missed but what the city really needs is high standard large office space to attract companies into the city. Imagine the benefit a Northern Trust in the city center would be, 300-500 people working in the city, buying power at lunch time let the snow ball effect begin


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭Vanquished


    Very true words but I always felt that Limerick people never pushed Limerick as a small City (which it is).
    Case in point on Boards when it was decided to amalgamate the County and City threads due to inactivity on the County thread. So what?

    When the Local Authorities decided to merge, there was a big debate in some areas about car registrations post 2014 - "L" or "LK". There is no GY or CK, only G or C. Michael Noonan thankfully ended that one quickly by simply stating "L".

    And don't get me started on this "LK" bullSh1t that some people refer to Limerick in social media circles.

    Kilkenny & Sligo push themselves as "Cities" at every possibility, which they're not.

    Spot on! A fair amount of Limerick folk are just inherently negative about the city. It's almost as if they've been brow beaten by the raft of adverse publicity and headlines the city received until quite recently in to actually believing that it's a total hell hole!

    I was in Galway recently and every taxi driver I encountered without fail couldn't wait to tell us what a fantastic place it was and how much was going on there, how many students it had etc (I told him Limerick actually had more!:D). It says a lot that I was quite taken a back by this approach considering what you experience in the average Limerick taxi; rampant cynicism and negativity!

    Limerick has a lot going for it. Much more than almost every other urban area in the country and with the potential to be so much better still!

    We also need to keep challenging the myths that are still peddled by ignorant individuals, many of whom have never set foot in the city!:rolleyes:

    I really do get a sense though that the tide is finally turning. It took us long enough to realise that we had to get off our arses and help ourselves. A concerted effort to revive the city centre is essential as a vibrant, functional core is imperative for any sustainable, liveable city. I'm looking forward to seeing the evolving process what will hopefully result in the physical revitalisation of the city centre over the coming years.

    No doubt a lot of people will scoff but it's not a pipe dream. Cork city was in a terrible state just 20 years ago. It had been devastated by a succession of massive job losses in established industries and the city centre was suffering massively. They managed to halt the decline, plan and execute a targeted renewal of the city centre which ultimately attracted new business and subsequently customers in.

    It can be done!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,363 ✭✭✭✭phog


    kilburn wrote: »
    Surprised this has been missed but what the city really needs is high standard large office space to attract companies into the city. Imagine the benefit a Northern Trust in the city center would be, 300-500 people working in the city, buying power at lunch time let the snow ball effect begin

    I've been saying this for years, we've lost so many office staff from the city. It would be great to see that kind of footfall being in the city on a daily basis especially Mon - Fri.


  • Registered Users Posts: 128 ✭✭ShaneMc2012


    phog wrote: »
    I've been saying this for years, we've lost so many office staff from the city. It would be great to see that kind of footfall being in the city on a daily basis especially Mon - Fri.

    I think they're trying to rectify that situation, I always thought there was actually too much office space in Limerick.. Apparently not!

    http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/planning/limerick-city-hall-in-talks-on-40m-nama-site-1-5643886


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,363 ✭✭✭✭phog


    I think they're trying to rectify that situation, I always thought there was actually too much office space in Limerick.. Apparently not!

    http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/planning/limerick-city-hall-in-talks-on-40m-nama-site-1-5643886

    It's not office space that's required it's staff. Maybe, new office space might attract a big call centre but other than that I'm sure there's oceans of office space available within the city.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,903 ✭✭✭zulutango


    phog wrote: »
    It's not office space that's required it's staff. Maybe, new office space might attract a big call centre but other than that I'm sure there's oceans of office space available within the city.

    Can't think of anywhere in the city centre that could accomodate a company of 100+ staff ...


  • Registered Users Posts: 82 ✭✭Finton90


    Vanquished wrote: »
    Spot on! A fair amount of Limerick folk are just inherently negative about the city. It's almost as if they've been brow beaten by the raft of adverse publicity and headlines the city received until quite recently in to actually believing that it's a total hell hole!

    I was in Galway recently and every taxi driver I encountered without fail couldn't wait to tell us what a fantastic place it was and how much was going on there, how many students it had etc (I told him Limerick actually had more!:D). It says a lot that I was quite taken a back by this approach considering what you experience in the average Limerick taxi; rampant cynicism and negativity!

    Limerick has a lot going for it. Much more than almost every other urban area in the country and with the potential to be so much better still!

    We also need to keep challenging the myths that are still peddled by ignorant individuals, many of whom have never set foot in the city!:rolleyes:

    I really do get a sense though that the tide is finally turning. It took us long enough to realise that we had to get off our arses and help ourselves. A concerted effort to revive the city centre is essential as a vibrant, functional core is imperative for any sustainable, liveable city. I'm looking forward to seeing the evolving process what will hopefully result in the physical revitalisation of the city centre over the coming years.

    No doubt a lot of people will scoff but it's not a pipe dream. Cork city was in a terrible state just 20 years ago. It had been devastated by a succession of massive job losses in established industries and the city centre was suffering massively. They managed to halt the decline, plan and execute a targeted renewal of the city centre which ultimately attracted new business and subsequently customers in.

    It can be done!

    Completely agree we sell ourselves short. In Galway shop street and eyre square are nice but the rest of the place is one of the worst examples of urban planning in western Europe and yeah i can remember when Cork was in a bad state they have done a fantastic job regenerating the city centre something similar is whats needed in Limerick.

    People might laugh and have done when I say it both i always maintain that a completely regenerated Limerick with retail and life back in the city centre would be the finest city or town in the country.It has the features it just needs a good cleaning


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,363 ✭✭✭✭phog


    zulutango wrote: »
    Can't think of anywhere in the city centre that could accomodate a company of 100+ staff ...

    I wasn't really talking about housing everyone in one building.

    I was thinking of using places like the upstairs of Bank House it used to house Nedata and RTE.
    Estuary House or has the gardai all of that taken over.
    The old county library and the old city hall. Is all of the renovated old county council offices taken over.
    The old ESB offices on Lr Cecil St.
    The Aviva offices and old Bord na gCon offices on Henry St.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭Vanquished


    phog wrote: »
    I wasn't really talking about housing everyone in one building.

    I was thinking of using places like the upstairs of Bank House it used to house Nedata and RTE.
    Estuary House or has the gardai all of that taken over.
    The old county library and the old city hall. Is all of the renovated old county council offices taken over.
    The old ESB offices on Lr Cecil St.
    The Aviva offices and old Bord na gCon offices on Henry St.

    Many businesses require modern, next generation, open plan accommodation across large floorplates.

    None of the above fit the bill in that regard.

    The hanging gardens development on Henry Street when completed would meet those specifications. The large building on the corner of Thomas Street/Catherine should be adaptable too.

    Northern Trust moved in to that white elephant out at the edge of town on the Ballysimon road. This is exactly the type of business that we should be trying to attract in to the city centre instead of a bleak, soulless, isolated field out in the suburbs!


  • Registered Users Posts: 450 ✭✭sleepyman


    Vanquished wrote: »
    Many businesses require modern, next generation, open plan accommodation across large floorplates.

    None of the above fit the bill in that regard.

    The hanging gardens development on Henry Street when completed would meet those specifications. The large building on the corner of Thomas Street/Catherine should be adaptable too.

    Northern Trust moved in to that white elephant out at the edge of town on the Ballysimon road. This is exactly the type of business that we should be trying to attract in to the city centre instead of a bleak, soulless, isolated field out in the suburbs!
    I agree with you-great that they're in Limerick but those 200 people would contribute so much if they were in the city centre-they'd probably head out for drinks on a Friday.I'd say alot of them don't bother when they're in Castletroy.We should be targetting the Statestreets, Citi, Hedgeserv etc to get them to locate in Limerick.Statestreet are in Kilkenny,BNY Mellon are in Wexford-no reason why they shouldn't be locating here in the city centre
    Modern Office space is an issue-hopefully the hanging gardens site can be completed & maybe if some commercial office space could be built where Dawn Dairies used to be or Dock Road.There does seem to be a plan to build office space near the Granary.
    There does seem to be a lot more positive vibes about the city recently-the city of culture, the new years party etc.I'd love to see a start made on the site around where the Old Dunnes is.It looks so glum.Where will they move the people in the tax office-the plan is to knock Estuary House
    isn't it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭Stab*City


    Vanquished wrote: »
    This is exactly the type of business that we should be trying to attract in to the city centre instead of a bleak, soulless, isolated field out in the suburbs!

    The city centre though at the moment is bleaker and more soulless than anywhere in the suburbs. So why would any company in their right mind be the first to take the plunge.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Stab*City wrote: »
    The city centre though at the moment is bleaker and more soulless than anywhere in the suburbs. So why would any company in their right mind be the first to take the plunge.

    I highly doubt any company will take into account how "bleak or soulless" the city center may or may not be. If there was city center office space that met their needs at the right price companies would locate there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭Stab*City


    I highly doubt any company will take into account how "bleak or soulless" the city center may or may not be. If there was city center office space that met their needs at the right price companies would locate there.

    So obviously there isnt.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Stab*City wrote: »
    So obviously there isnt.

    Obviously there isn't what? I'm aware that there isn't enough office space currently there, but if there was and it met the needs of a company then they wouldn't care how "bleak or soulless" a place is.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 408 ✭✭Totally Tropical


    I would be slow to call critics of any place ignorant or ill informed.Obviously there is an element of that but sometimes criticism of a place can be constructive and it should be taken on board.How can we improve Limerick or any other urban area in this country if we are blind to or refuse to acknowledge it's faults?


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭Vanquished


    Stab*City wrote: »
    The city centre though at the moment is bleaker and more soulless than anywhere in the suburbs. So why would any company in their right mind be the first to take the plunge.

    Ah come off it! That's rubbish and exactly the type of mentality we need to shake off.

    It's almost becoming a cliche among certain people that the city centre is a lifeless, empty dump that's best avoided!

    Given a choice between a business park on the outskirts of town with no amenities, where you usually have to drive somewhere to even get a cup of coffee and a bite to eat or the city centre which has a multitude of such facilities and much more. I know which I would choose!

    If appropriate accommodation is provided in the city centre there is no reason why it would not be attractive to potential tenants.


  • Registered Users Posts: 408 ✭✭Totally Tropical


    Vanquished wrote: »
    Ah come off it! That's rubbish and exactly the type of mentality we need to shake off.

    It's almost becoming a cliche among certain people that the city centre is a lifeless, empty dump that's best avoided!

    Given a choice between a business park on the outskirts of town with no amenities, where you usually have to drive somewhere to even get a cup of coffee and a bite to eat or the city centre which has a multitude of such facilities and much more. I know which I would choose!

    If appropriate accommodation is provided in the city centre there is no reason why it would not be attractive to potential tenants.

    I think this talk about Limerick city centre being this sort of barren and derelict wasteland is a bit of an overreaction.However can you honestly say with a straight face that you are happy with the way the city centre is in it's present form with closed up shops and a proliferation of crappy discount stores and poor policing?I don't think the city centre is either a write off or a perfect place with no flaws.The truth is somewhere in between those two extremes.btw I think their planning to do something about that Opera Avenue site.It's a shame to see a sight with so much potential and right in the centre of the city just left abandoned like that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,903 ✭✭✭zulutango


    I think the city centre is a far more attractive place to work (and live!) than the suburbs. But there's no doubt that a lot of work can be done.

    For starters, it's not the most pedestrian friendly city. I'd like to see the footpaths significantly widened and Patrick Street and O'Connell Street reduced to a single lane of traffic (slowed traffic, shared surface). How that could be achieved needs a lot of thought. The orbital route doesn't really cut it. But however it's achieved, it must happen.

    One way traffic systems are a disaster for cyclists too, so this needs to be addressed.

    The end goal should be to get the cars, as much as possible, out of the city centre. If other, much bigger cities, can do it, then we can too.


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    Maybe a summary of what posters think should be done to renew the city centre is in order!


    Below is a list of what I remember being mentioned:
    1. The Green on Parnell Street being made into a dog park and/or merged with the People's Park
    2. Better retail offering that reflects Limerick status as a regional city and not just a large town, such as new large modern retail units, or existing retail units being merged, and multiples encouraged to set up in the city (especially menswear)
    3. Indoor skate park/golf and bowling (I would also add lazertag)
    4. Cinema
    5. Upgrading of O'Connell Street and Patrick's Street to make it more attractive to pedestrians (but not necessarily pedestrianisation)
    6. Old Dunnes Stores knocked down and something (anything) put in its place, such as a theatre, museam, etc
    7. Upgraded Limerick museam that would reflects the city's boating/Viking heritage
    8. Modern, large office space
    9. Visible police presence on the streets
    10. More frequent festivals
    11. Bike scheme rolled out across the entire city and its suburbs, not just the city centre
    12. Finish off the boardwalk and do something with ESB, Eircom offices and Garda station
    13. Less negative or 'head in the sand' attitudes - just practical, realistic approaches to the city by its citizens
    I came up with that list from what I remember reading on this forum. If anyone has anything else to add or amend, please do.


  • Registered Users Posts: 128 ✭✭ShaneMc2012


    6. Old Dunnes Stores knocked down and something (anything) put in its place, such as a theatre, museam, etc
    As much as everyone likes the Belltable, it always surprised me there wasn't any big theatre in the city centre. Something along the lines of the Cork Opera house would be perfect for that location I think.


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  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,914 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    I'd say the Lime Tree Theatre at Mary I will be taking most of that kind of thing for the foreseeable future.


  • Registered Users Posts: 573 ✭✭✭rebs23


    Jesus lads as a Corkman regularly in Limerick, you are a critical lot. It isn't that bad!
    Reminds me of something a Kerryman said to one time about the expectations of some Limerick city people on their urban environment "Limerick is a big town that thinks its a city whereas Cork is a small city that thinks its a town!"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 338 ✭✭Marcus Halberstram


    Another cinema? The three we have are empty as it is!

    Nice to have one in the city but that opportunity has come and gone.


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    Galway will shortly be getting an arthouse cinema in its city centre yet also has 3 cinemas. I've lived in both cities, and up until very recently I frequently attended the arthouse cinemas in Dublin, and I don't see any reason why Limerick can't have one.:cool:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 338 ✭✭Marcus Halberstram


    Galway will shortly be getting an arthouse cinema in its city centre yet also has 3 cinemas. I've lived in both cities, and up until very recently I frequently attended the arthouse cinemas in Dublin, and I don't see any reason why Limerick can't have one.:cool:

    Then maybe you should have said arthouse cinema in your first post. I couldn't care less about Galway, the three cinemas we have are already deserted.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 165 ✭✭riverrocked


    I think Limerick is on the mend, today the city was buzzing, every street I went on there were new businesses open, there were a few new ones on Crusies Street since the last time I was there. The streets were clean, there was a poor traffic warden being given out to but he was on the street on a Saturday. Many of the shops had already decked out for christmas, BT and that jewellers next to easons look fantastic. If it keeps up like this I will be chuffed. The only thing I would like to see more of is police of foot patrols, it is the one thing that is noticeably lacking to me from other cities I have lived in.


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    Nobody is saying we shouldn't have bothered but at the at the end of the day The Cranberries never bothered playing a homecoming gig (special Olympics aside) til now! And of course now The Cranberries are washed up; sure isn't Dolores an act on The Voice and suing her bandmates!
    PS. I'm still going because I love the Cranberries. Most of my 22 year old counterparts have never heard of them.

    I just think it would be nice to have a WORLD class act in Limerick, even if for just one night.

    Did you mean to post this in Limerick City of Culture?


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    Then maybe you should have said arthouse cinema in your first post. I couldn't care less about Galway, the three cinemas we have are already deserted.

    I beg forgiveness!:)

    Whether you care about Galway or not is irrelevant, it has a similar size to Limerick, it's nearby and it's prospering, so there's no harm in comparing ourselves to it.

    My original post stands, if they can have one, we can too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,859 ✭✭✭Poxyshamrock


    What's the story with the Royal on Cecil Street? There are plans to turn that into an art house cinema but I don't know if it's going ahead.


  • Registered Users Posts: 128 ✭✭ShaneMc2012


    What's the story with the Royal on Cecil Street? There are plans to turn that into an art house cinema but I don't know if it's going ahead.

    From their website: ''We have planning permission for four auditoria, a café/bar, digital lounge, training rooms and video editing suites. Once funding is in place, we can be open within 16 months.''
    I presume it will go ahead eventually, but like everything else it could take a while!


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    From their website: ''We have planning permission for four auditoria, a café/bar, digital lounge, training rooms and video editing suites. Once funding is in place, we can be open within 16 months.''
    I presume it will go ahead eventually, but like everything else it could take a while!

    I read in the Phoenix Magazine a little while back that the Arts Council or Film Board (can't remember which) had given the Belltable a loan towards it's film projection equipment and are seeking to get it back following the Belltable's bankruptcy.

    I don't think there will be any movement on the Royal until the dust settles on the Beltable's bankruptcy. Pity.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    I read in the Phoenix Magazine a little while back that the Arts Council or Film Board (can't remember which) had given the Belltable a loan towards it's film projection equipment and are seeking to get it back following the Belltable's bankruptcy.

    I don't think there will be any movement on the Royal until the dust settles on the Belltable's bankruptcy.
    Pity.

    Why? They Belltable and the new cinema are two completely different entities.
    Either way, if the Belltable is bankrupt, then they won't be getting their money back.


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    Now that I come to think of it, is there anywhere in the City Centre that would suit as a venue for showing films/music, like the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork?

    http://triskelartscentre.ie/

    The Milk Market seems a bit draughty during the winter and that new arts centre on Patrick Street (Ormston House) seems a little too small.

    Perhaps the Daghda in St. John's Square (a bit out of way, but the building looks like it would work).


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    Why? They Belltable and the new cinema are two completely different entities.
    Either way, if the Belltable is bankrupt, then they won't be getting their money back.

    Hopefully it won't be a case of the cash strapped Arts Council deciding that after putting money into an arts centre for Limerick and seeing it fail, they won't be reluctant to offer grants to a similar arts venture in the city (even if the people behind it are completely different).

    Apparently there was a programme during the boom of the Arts Council offering large grants to Art Centres to show films (such as the Beltable), as well as establishing new arthouse cinemas (such as the Lighthouse). Now that money is gone, it won't be so easy to get future funding for similar ventures.


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    Limerick Leader has dug up and reheated the news that the Council is set to receive a €250 million loan from the EU to transform the city. Should be worth €10 million to the local economy, etc.

    http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business/business-news/250m-european-loan-set-to-boost-limerick-city-1-5691984

    Hopefully they won't spend it all at once;)


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,318 ✭✭✭pigtown


    Limerick Leader has dug up and reheated the news that the Council is set to receive a €250 million loan from the EU to transform the city. Should be worth €10 million to the local economy, etc.

    http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business/business-news/250m-european-loan-set-to-boost-limerick-city-1-5691984

    Hopefully they won't spend it all at once;)

    You imply that they wrote about it out of the blue, however if you read the article it it says that the money could be in place in 3 weeks time. I don't know about you but that seems pretty newsworthy to me. And should it go ahead, it will actually be 'worth €10 million €250 million to the local economy'.


  • Registered Users Posts: 450 ✭✭sleepyman


    I don't think the plans are that outlandish in comparison to previous plans/announcements.€250 million isn't a massive amount.
    The office space in the 2030 plans looks standard enough but having the square where the tax office is will open up what is a pretty tired part of town.
    Hopefully the EIB will confirm the loan in December as per the article & they can get cracking on demolishing Dunnes Stores on Sarsfield St.


  • Registered Users Posts: 389 ✭✭jmch81


    sleepyman wrote: »
    they can get cracking on demolishing Dunnes Stores on Sarsfield St.

    No sure what Dunnes would think of you knocking down their building!:eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭source


    jmch81 wrote: »
    No sure what Dunnes would think of you knocking down their building!:eek:

    Three words, compulsory purchase order.


  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Exile on Grafton St.


    The impression I get with Dunnes is that they won't mind it being taken off their hands (for a price, no doubt) as long as its not used for housing a rival retail outlet.

    We could be waiting a little while before anything is done with that site, as they have to figure out what is going to go there. The 2030 economic plan was deliberately vague about this. The Council would probably like to have their mind made up for them if Limerick was successful in contesting for the Diaspora Centre. Otherwide it might be best if they take their time and consult the public about what they would like to see there.

    From what I remember when the plan was initially announced, the Opera Centre and Potato market are to be prioritised. It would be great after having renovated King John's Castle, to have the area around it spruced up for tourists walking to it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭Vanquished


    jmch81 wrote: »
    No sure what Dunnes would think of you knocking down their building!:eek:

    Yes especially seen as it's currently contributing so handsomely to the city and all!

    You do realise Dunnes closed that store along with the one on O'Connell Street over 5 years ago? It's been empty and decaying ever since!

    As has been stated I'm sure the city could move to acquire the site compulsorily under the Derelict Sites Act.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,174 ✭✭✭1huge1


    Personally, I'l like to see it developed into office space. More employment in the city centre will lead to more footfall which will in turn lead retailers moving back into the city. Doing it the other way around seems nonsensical to me.

    Dublin for example, has come on very strong in recent years in generating employment in the city as opposed to out in the suburbs in big industrial parks, look at the IFSC and the Docklands (IT companies). Who is to say the same cannot be done with Limerick. It is already seen to an extent at Charlottes Quay with the Tax/Audit companies locating around there.

    Just a thought anyway


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,903 ✭✭✭zulutango


    Vanquished wrote: »

    As has been stated I'm sure the city could move to acquire the site compulsorily under the Derelict Sites Act.

    Has the Derelict Sites Act ever actually been used in Limerick to CPO a site?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,859 ✭✭✭Poxyshamrock


    zulutango wrote: »
    Has the Derelict Sites Act ever actually been used in Limerick to CPO a site?

    Could Limerick City Council use a CPO to buy Dunnes on Sarsfield Street?

    You could put a lovely gateway building there.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,903 ✭✭✭zulutango


    Could Limerick City Council use a CPO to buy Dunnes on Sarsfield Street?

    You could put a lovely gateway building there.


    Don't know, but using CPO's to acquire buildings is a grey enough area I think.


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