A €400million investment in a private medical centre and hospital, as well as housing, which will create 400 jobs, has been announced for Limerick.
The investment announced by Limerick City and County Council is proposed across three sites over the next three to five years.
The world renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) has proposed to establish a new facility on the western edge of Moyross.
The Coonagh site which sits on 14 hectares, envisions the inclusion of a 150-bed and 40-day-bed hospital; a medical training and research centre; an eco-park; playground and crèche facilities; and coffee shop.
The plan includes the construction of 108 new 1-4 bed affordable and social housing units.
The Coonagh housing proposal, is still at preliminary stages between UPMC and companies Whitebox and Clúid.
The Whitebox and Clúid “joint venture” proposes to deliver 63 new housing units, which will be a mix of affordable, social and private one, two and three bed homes, on a site at Thomondgate.
A third site, at Speakers Corner, at Hyde Road Park, will comprise of 36 one and two bed, affordable, social and private housing units.
The “transformational development proposal“ will include the creation of over 200 construction jobs, an industry hit hard by the mid 2000 economic collapse and the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor of Limerick city and county, Cllr Michael Collins said the delivery of the Coonagh site development “dovetails perfectly” with the Regeneration of Moyross, and emphasised the importance of the Coonagh-Knockalisheen Road Scheme.
“This is a truly remarkable development proposal for Limerick; once again as a local authority, we have demonstrated ambition and courage in taking on transformational projects that will improve the quality of life for all our citizens,” said the Mayor.
Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, said: “We are genuinely excited about all three sites but it is the Coonagh site, in particular, given the scale of ambition of the proposal, that delivers the most promise.”
“This is the game changer for Moyross and its residents, we will continue to deliver on the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan, in partnership with our communities, but will continue to look for every opportunity to bring further transformational developments across all four Regeneration areas,” Daly added.
Welcoming the announcement, Cllr Sarah Kiely, Cathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District of Limerick, pointed out that the proposed “mix of affordable, social and private housing and will help alleviate the pressure on the search for housing for single people and couples having a well-equipped home in a superb location with good transport links and a few minutes’ walk into the city”.
