LIMERICK City and County Council has been asked to invite the chief executive of the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) to update councillors on the company’s masterplan for Limerick Docklands.
The call came from Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin who said that he was particularly interested in hearing about the planned redevelopment of the former Bannatyne Mills building.
Supporting the motion at last month’s Metropolitan District meeting, Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler described the port as significant infrastructure and a very important part of the city.
“This is a huge opportunity, when it is delivered, especially on a commercial front. It will further expand and deliver access to the river,” Cllr Butler said.
THE creation of 1,000 jobs from a €100 million investment in the Limerick Docklands is the main focus of a new strategy to transform the prime 110 acre site in the heart of the city.
The Limerick Docklands Framework Strategy, unveiled by the SFPC in 2018, centres on creating an economic hub on a 75 acre development space as well as increasing commercial activity at the adjoining 35 acre Ted Russell Docks.
It also envisages moving the haulage vehicle entrance further down the Dock road to ease traffic management and the development of the 3,000sqm Bannatyne Mills.
The Mills, an iconic building from early 19th century port activity, is earmarked for a multi-million euro transformation into a commercial hub that could accommodate up to 300 employees.
A detached eight-bay, five-storey limestone building, the former corn store overlooks the Limerick Docks and the River Shannon. A unique feature is that its frame is made of cast iron and it has an impressively high standard of detail.
The project will involve conservation, restoration and new works to the building, including significant internal modifications that will reflect its industrial heritage.
