LIMERICK city centre is about to have a massive €8 million facelift that will include a transformation of O’Connell Street, courtesy of EU funding and matching cash from the local authority.
LIMERICK city centre is about to have a massive €8 million facelift that will include a transformation of O’Connell Street, courtesy of EU funding and matching cash from the local authority.And with an additional grant of almost half a million in funding for Shannon, Limerick and Shannon will be poised to become to most important gateway to the Mid West region.
The funds, which will help make the centre a more attractive place to do business,visit and live, were announced on Tuesday by Environment Minister, Alan Kelly.
The €4.1 million which has been allocated to the city from the European Regional Development fund will draw matching funding from the local authority, resulting in more than €8 million for important development works in the urban centre.
Among the proposals are the broadening of footpaths the whole length of the city centre to encourage pedestrianisation as well as plans to cut noise and air pollution and encourage the use of public transport and alternative forms of transport such as cycling.
Education Minister and Labour TD for Limerick City, Jan O’Sullivan said that the city’s core urban area would be transformed by the investment.
The bike scheme, the riverside boardwalk and the initiatives by the local authority and businesses to make the city centre increasingly attractive are just some of the efforts that are paying dividends. Recent decisions by LIT and UBER to locate new ventures in the heart of Limerick is hugely important.”
“This investment will assist the efforts that all those who love Limerick are making to revitalise the City Centre and is very welcome,” she said.
Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin said the funding, along with €400,000 allocated to Shannon for the town park will give the city pole position as an attraction for jobs, business and development.
“This is literally about to transform the very core of the city,” he told the Limerick Post.
“We already have a huge amount done or in train at the railway station, Parnell Street, Bedford Row and Catherine Street and this will be a substantial reinvention of or main thoroughfare”.
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell said:“This project will enhance Limerick City Centre and continue to solidify its status as a prime destination for shopping and other activities. I welcome this investment and the continued investment in the regeneration of Limerick City Centre for the benefit and enjoyment of all.”
The money was secured on foot of an application from Limerick City and County Council as the lead authority in collaboration with Clare County Council.
The project will, according to local authority chief executive Conn Murray, see the entire length of O’Connell “revitalised to a high quality standard by redefining its role, and will provide a stronger and more visually appealing urban link within and to the City, supporting other Limerick 2030 transformative sites already in progress as well as defining a stronger urban core”.
“It is anticipated that the project will contribute to economic development by attracting further inward investment into Limerick,” he said.
