Limerick City and County Council’s 2016 budget includes details of a major capital plan that will see €219 million spent on major projects in the city.
The 2016 to 2018 capital programme is to be funded by government grants with the local authority also taking out a €32 million loan.
The programme includes proposals to complete vital projects and key pieces of infrastructure, such as the long-awaited Opera Centre and the development of a new park at Arthur’s Quay.
Approximately €3 million is to be set aside for the Opera Centre redevelopment, which will see the staff of the Revenue Commissioners relocated from Sarsfield House.
A further €16 million has been allocated for the provision of office space at the Hanging Gardens site, while €6 million has been put by for a proposed conference centre on the site of the former Cleeve’s factory.
The capital programme also provides €1 million to refurbish the former Dell building in Castletroy for the arrival of the Troy Studios film studio.
Transport and infrastructural projects featured in the programme include €2 million to upgrade the Parkway roundabout, €6 million is for a bus link between the University of Limerick and the Parkway Shopping Centre, and €2 million on essential bridge repairs.
The controversial €16 million pedestrian bridge linking Arthur’s Quay to the Treaty Stone is also featured in the programme.
Limerick Regeneration also benefits from the plan, with a total of €68 million set aside for construction projects in Regeneration areas, including €16.5 million for the Coonagh-Knockalisheen Distributor Road and €9.8 million for a construction scheme on Lord Edward Street.
The capital plan also includes:
– €11m for flood protection in St Mary’s Park, Corbally Banks and Condell Road
-€2m on a digital learning hub at the Biblical Centre near the Dominicans
– €700,000 on Park and Ride facilities
– €6.05m on Dock Road improvements
– €3m on pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street
– €6.3m on N69 Foynes to Limerick road
– €3.45m to be spent on Regeneration demolitions and security
– €1m on Mungret College redevelopment
– €1.2m on Mungret Park
– €1.56m for new burial grounds in Abbeyfeale, Murroe, Adare, Kilmallock and Caherconlish
– €9m for social intervention grants
– €3m for Moyross Community Centre
– €2m on flood protection in Foynes
– €9.3m for Cosgrave Park Regeneration building project
