Limerick Redevelopment Plan Presented

Limerick is about to attempt to 'buck the trend' by ignoring the economic downturn and investing in its future.

Details of a radical plan to regenerate what have become some of the most disadvantaged areas of Limerick City are this week being presented to Limerick City Council.

The plan will see the demolition of some 3,000 houses and the rebuilding of 2,500 of them as well as the complete overhaul of retail, commercial and community sporting and cultural facilities.

The comprehensive plan sets out three particular areas for change in the estates of Moyross, Southill, Ballinacurra Weston and St Mary's Park.

The overall capital cost of the plan will be €3.1bn over 10 years made up of €1.7bn in public investment.

It is designed to attract €1.4bn in private investment - which is seen as critical to the overall achievement of the goals set out in the plan.

Regeneration Chief Executive Brendan Kenny accepted he was going to the Government in what was probably the worst time economically for 30 years but he said the 'do nothing' scenario in terms of community suffering is not acceptable.

He said the implementation of the plan is absolutely essential to end what he termed the "grizzly menu of lawlessness" across these disadvantaged areas.

The Interim Chief Executive of the Regeneration Agencies, Brendan Kenny, acknowledged that it is the worst economic climate to launch a Master Plan of this scale.

However, he said that if the proposals in the 'Master Plan' are implemented, it will leave the city's disadvantaged estates virtually unrecognisable from what they are today.

The objective of the plan for King's Island is also to unlock its tourism potential and maximise its prime location close to the city centre.

The vision is to create seven distinctive quarters, a landscaped thoroughfare linked by a bridge to Thomondgate and the entire island will be encompassed by a riverside walk.

There will be an urban park at the top of the island with a viewing tower and a marina and sports facilities.

Meanwhile, the former Longpavement landfill site near Moyross will be transformed into a regional park and become a landmark of Limerick city and a symbol of regeneration.

Moyross will have a town square, a new garda station and a railway station and the northside estate will draw on positive elements that surrounds it, including the parkland landscape.

The city's southside will be redefined with Southill and Ballinacurra Weston becoming popular urban neighbourhoods.

The plan takes advantage of Ballinacurra Weston's close proximity to the city as well as Southill's proximity to the countryside.

The document also cites great potential for a green sporting corridor to be created along the railway line and the Southern Ring Road, as well as the redevelopment of existing sports facilities including Caledonian Park.

(BMcC)