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GALWAY | Projects and Developments

113K views 450 replies 51 participants last post by  Elhorseboxo 
#1 ·
As there are only 4 cities in Ireland (waterford... right:lol:) there may aswell be a thread for this one. Probably wont be so active, but heres something interesting for starters....

Gateway project

pdf... http://www.galwaycity.ie/AllServices/CommunityEnterprise/Publications/FileEnglish,4505,en.pdf

Then theres this entirely original proposal... Gluas

Ceannt station quarter is fairly old news(2005), dont know whats happened with that.

CIE prepare €750m Galway city blueprint

A MAJOR city centre retail scheme is planned for the 14 acre CIE Ceannt Station site at Eyre Square, Galway.

The scheme - which will be worth in excess of €750m - will also provide a new bus and rail facility to cater for planned transport improvement.

CIE has launched a competition for world class architects to lead the project.

The transport company will work closely with the City Council in order to prepare a master plan for the site in advance of making a full planning application in the early part of next year.

The project promises to provide major retailers with an unmatched opportunity to locate in the heart of Galway city centre where scarce shopping space has commanded premium prices in recent years.

Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann will use the development as an opportunity to enhance their facilities, including waiting areas and platform capacity, to cater for planned growth in services.

Dr John Lynch, chairman of CIE, commented: "The development of transport interchange and improved infrastructure will be a key element of this scheme.

"Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann are delighted with the opportunity that the development presents."

The site has the capacity to accommodate a major retail scheme of in excess of 50,000 sq m, making this one of the most important retail magnets in the West of Ireland. The scheme will thus further underpin the importance of Galway city as a retail location and provide an important jobs boost for the area.

It is expected that 2,000 jobs could be created as a result of such a scheme.

In the Galway context, Ceannt Station certainly represents an unrivalled location for additional retail floor space and a mixed use retail/residential development. The site also enjoys frontage onto Lough Atallia and the Fair Hill Road.

Direct and immediate links to the existing shopping areas coupled with a transport interchange and new city centre residential present a unique development opportunity.

CIE property manager Niall Grogan says that the station site is zoned for city centre uses in the Galway City Development Plan 2005 - 2011 and provides for a plot ratio of 2:1 or greater.

Con Power
 
#2 ·
A long time since anything was posted about Galway, but here goes...

Public to view harbour plan

LORNA SIGGINS, Marine Correspondent

Sat, Jan 22, 2011

GALWAY HARBOUR Company has begun a two-day consultation with the public on its €200 million plan for developing the port.

The redevelopment aims to move the port south on land reclaimed from Galway Bay, attracting cruise liners into a transformed deepwater port, developing a new rail link and providing more than 200 marina berths.

A planning application will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála under the strategic infrastructure legislation in April, the harbour company said yesterday.

The plan is a scaled-down version of an original €350 million project, which was to have been developed over three phases.

The revised plan extends over four stages, and involves reclaiming almost 24 hectares of land from the sea, extending the port 917m south and providing 660m of quay berth.

Harbour company chief executive Eamon Bradshaw said the first stage, valued at €50 million, would be financed by the company itself, with a possibility of some EU funding, public-private partnerships and private investment.

It was anticipated no State funding would be available under current legislation for commercial ports, in spite of the fact that 99 per cent of trade passed through the harbours, he said.

The harbour company would draw on its own resources, borrow and sell “non-core assets” to help finance this first phase, he said.

If planning approval is granted, the company hopes to start development at the end of 2012, months after the return of the Volvo Ocean race to Galway.

“We need to future-proof Galway harbour’s contribution to the west of Ireland and to the economy,” he said. Cruise liners, which once visited Galway, were a “growing business”, with 50 coming to Cork each year and more than 70 to Dublin.

© 2011 The Irish Times
The website of the project is here. There is some good stuff on it. A PDF document about the project is available here.

 
#5 ·
Its not so much that its too shallow, although it probably is. Rather the main problem with Galway Port is they still use the old enclosed Harbour which was built for sailing ships! The entrance to the harbour is notoriously narrow, restricting the ships that can gain access.

Here are some pics from GalwayShips.com to illustrate the point!

http://www.galwayships.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=14

http://www.galwayships.com/cargo_ships/busy_day_in_march_at_galway_harbour.html

http://www.galwayships.com/tankers/forth fisher gets underway.html

http://www.galwayships.com/tankers/oil tanker orahope.html

http://www.galwayships.com/other_vessels/john_mcgrath_oversees_the_docking_of_libas_180506.html

http://www.galwayships.com/tankers/dagmar_theresa_5_1208016.html

I think you get the idea:)

C
 
#6 ·
Developers to go ahead with massive ‘Dundrum-style’ centre
May 17, 2013 - 7:30am
Galway brothers buy almost 30 properties near Eyre Square for less than €14M

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM


Most of the properties in the outlined area are included in the buyout. Eyre Square is bottom left of picture.

Two well-known international property developers from Galway are set to proceed with plans for a massive ‘Dundrum Town Centre’ type development, after buying nearly 30 properties in Eyre Square, the Galway City Tribune can reveal.

Brothers Luke and Brian Comer – who are originally from Glenamaddy – are fronting the consortium that purchased most of the eastern side of Eyre Square this week for just under €14 million.

The four-acre site will be ‘mothballed’ for the time being, but a source close to the Comers confirmed to the Galway City Tribune that they will proceed with plans for a development along the lines of Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin.

There was significant interest from international investors in purchasing the site, according to Aidan Gavin of DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald, who handled the sale.

The ‘Odeon’ site – which includes properties on the Square, Prospect Hill, Forster Street and St Patrick’s Avenue and stretches back towards St Patrick’s Church – would create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase and in the proposed retail units.

Properties purchased include Odeon House, O’Connell’s Bar, Murty Rabbitt’s, An Púcán, the former Mulryan Auctioneers office and a row of houses on St Patrick’s Road.

The consortium has already looked at the long-term plans for the site and is expected to further increase its property portfolio around the site.

The 500,000 square foot development will feature a major fashion retailer as an anchor, as well as around 60 other retail units, along with offices and residential units.

It would cost around €100m to build and take two years to construct, employing hundreds of workers. The Comer Group source said: “The site will see no significant changes in the immediate future, until there is some sign of a market recovery, and it would take around two years to build.

“The big-name retailers are crying out for large open spaces, and the site has been purchased at the bottom of the market. It’s a viable project,” he said.

The properties had been owned by the so-called ‘Odeon Syndicate’ – which comprised developers Michael Burke, Tom Considine, Peter Gilhooley and Walter King – which spent 12 years putting the portfolio together at a cost of around €100m.

However, the former Bank of Scotland (Ireland) appointed a receiver to the syndicate’s assets, and their portfolio was snapped up by the Comer consortium.

Read more in today’s Galway City Tribune
...
 
#8 ·
They could do with a bit more retail in Galway. It also looks like a welcome densification of the site. They better advance with this project quickly and not kill the buzz of Galway city centre by mothballing so many units like they way landbanking for the Opera Centre in Limerick did there.
 
#9 ·
The fact that theres a listed Church right in the middle of the site might limit its potential as a location for large floor plate retail units, which is were the big money is. That said, it would be good to move the focus accross the square and away from Shop Street.
 
#11 ·
Years later...
Galway Harbour expansion plan lodged with An Bord Pleanála

Friday 10 January 2014 14.11


The proposed Galway development would cost €126m

An application to expand Galway Harbour has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.

The proposed development, which has been planned for many years, would cost €126m.

It is hoped the project would be completed by the end of 2017.

The Galway Harbour Company said 200 jobs would be created during construction and up to 800 jobs could eventually result, due to increased activity at the port.

The company's chief executive Eamon Bradshaw said expansion is vital for the economic advancement of the western region.

A decision from An Bord Pleanála is due in about six months.

Story from RTÉ News:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0110/497034-galway-harbour-plan/
http://www.galwayharbour.com/new_port/
 
#16 ·
More

Galway port plan will not increase flood risk, designers say

‘Mini Sydney Opera house’ a possibility on environmentally sensitive reclaimed land





A €126 million project to build a new deepwater port on land reclaimed from Galway Bay will not exacerbate the city’s vulnerability to flooding, according to its designers.


First published:
Fri, Jan 10, 2014, 21:48



A €126 million project to build a new deepwater port on land reclaimed from Galway Bay will not exacerbate the city’s vulnerability to flooding, according to its designers.

“Worst case scenario” modelling to allow for a half metre sea level rise and a 20 per cent increase in the river Corrib’s flood rate has been carried out on the masterplan, submitted this week to An Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.

Severe weather


“With climate change we will have more regular severe weather events – but with or without this development, the city is going to flood,” harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan said yesterday, when details of the project were outlined.

Galway is predicted to experience its highest astronomical tide in the current 18.6-year lunar cycle on September 28th, 2015, at 5.74m – just 5mm higher than the high spring tide of January 3rd when the Corrib burst its banks at Spanish Arch, he said. The four-phase port extension plan involves reclaiming 27ha of environmentally sensitive bay area to move the existing port south and provide deepwater berths for cruise ships and commercial vessels.

The harbour company says it is being transparent about the environmental impact, and has consulted with the European Commission on approval under a little-known clause of the EU habitats directive.

The IROPI (imperative reasons of overriding public interest) provision under article 6 (4) of the EU habitats directive involve offering compensation for loss of fragile environment. The mechanism was first used to seek approval for a motorway in Hessen, Germany.

Member states are required to take “all compensatory measures necessary” to ensure that environmentally fragile sites, designated under Natura 2000, are protected, and the European Commission has to be informed.

No details were forthcoming yesterday on likely compensatory measures, such as an alternative habitat designation, but going farther out into the bay is believed to be one of a number of options. Other elements of the project include a 216-berth marina and a rail freight link. The harbour company says a “mini Sydney opera house” could be built on a centre pier. The existing harbour, which has a small marina, will be developed for leisure purposes.

City of culture

The city is bidding for European city of culture designation in 2020 and Capt Sheridan believes the Volvo Ocean Race, which has been in Galway twice, might return by then.

The gated harbour cannot cater for ships over 7,000 tonnes, and is operating at one-sixth of its capacity due to the tidal restrictions, Capt Sheridan said.
A deepwater multi-modal port could service the oil and gas business, renewal energy including offshore wind and wave, cruise liner traffic and a new marina would give a fillip to marine tourism in the west, he said.

The harbour company has spent €3 million on preparing the plan to date, first initiated seven years ago on a larger scale.The first phase, costed at €52 million, could begin next year, if approved, with the remaining three stages completed by 2017.

Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/envi...ot-increase-flood-risk-designerssay-1.1651520
 
#18 ·
I live in Galway, I consider the entire harbour development project to be a complete pipe dream.

How can a harbour with an annual turnover of c.€3m a year, down from c.€4m a year in 2009 ( and which makes most of its annual profits of around €750k after expenses from car parking) afford even the first phase???.....or simply the long pier component of the first phase minus the landfill element alongside which would cost around €30m alone.

All EU money for ports, out to 2020, is for Foynes and Ringaskiddy so don't tell me it will be coming from Brussels either. :)
 
#20 ·
I don't doubt that for an instant but as a 'do something' will cost minimum €30m and as the port operation turns over around a tenth of that I simply cannot fathom where the cash is supposed tobcome from...post Anglo windup and all that.
 
#21 ·
You definitely have a point SB!

However, I think the issue you raise is broader then Galway, and probably Nationally pertinent. Afterall, I think Leo Varadkar pointedly drew attention to the fact that there are upwards of 30 State Port Companies, half of which have a turnover of less then 1 million (or something rather miniscule). In many cases apparently, there are just a handful of stevedores/labourers yet the Boards of Management compose dozens!!

In relation to Galway, it could be argued that the current restricted nature of the Port is the reason why turnover is not higher. There may well be a business case therefore that Galway as a Regional centre, with substantial Industries and Tourist facilities, could actually make returns on this investment. This would not be the case with a greenfield site.

C
 
#22 ·
From the Department of Transport:
Galway City to Benefit from €3 Million in Sustainable Transport Funding - Minister Kelly

Tuesday 18th February 2014

Minister for Public & Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, has today announced the provision of over €3 million of sustainable transport grants for Galway City.

The funding, administered by the National Transport Authority, will be used to remove pinch-points, improve public transport, cycling and pedestrian links throughout the city.

€610,000 will be allocated to Bus Éireann to finalise the major forecourt improvements at Ceannt Station which will also include the provision of improved waiting facilities with a seated waiting area and provision for retail units.

The funding will build on previous projects carried out over recent years. A cycle planner app for Galway city will be commissioned under the funding as well as various junction improvements to improve cycling in the city.

“Currently only 7% of Galway city commuters use the bus or the bike to get to work. That has to improve. Since 2011 and following this investment, the numbers using bus services have grown by more than 9% so we are beginning to see a real impact in the city,”

“All of this funding is designed to improve the public transport and cycling offering within Galway city. While they are improving, the overall public transport numbers and cycling numbers for Galway city are not as good as they could be. That is why this funding is so important.”

€325,000 will also go towards a variable message signage and parking guidance strategy, which will link with the traffic control system to allow motorists make informed decisions to minimise the impact of traffic on the network.

A further €500,000 will be allocated to the Fairgreen Road cycle way and improvements at the Tuam Road/Joyce Road junctions for bus prioritisation. Various bus stops and footpaths will be improved as part of the integrated transport plan.

“The more we can limit traffic, improve public transport and get people to commute on bikes, the better the experience of shopping/working or travelling within the city will be. Traffic not only causes delays, it is bad for the environment and bad for the economy. This all builds on other work we are doing in the city such as the city bikes scheme which I will be launching in the city later this summer.” stated Minister Kelly.

Ends
 
#23 ·
Galway City named Europe's Micro City of the Year

Galway City has just been crowned as Europe's Micro City of the Year by the Financial Times.

Thursday, 27 February 2014
9:39 AM GMT

Galway City has just been crowned as Europe's Micro City of the Year by the Financial Times.

In a study of the most promising investment locations in Europe, fDi Magazine – a Financial Times publication – has crowned Galway City a winner of a European City and Region of the Future 2014/15 title and ranked Galway City as Best Overall Micro City in Europe, second place as Best Micro City for economic potential and second place Micro City for economic potential and third best Micro City in business friendliness.

Crucially for its categorisation Galway City is the only micro city to be listed in the Top 25 overall European Cities of the Future.

Brendan McGrath, Galway City Manager, welcomed the awards and the categorisation of Galway within the Top 25 Cities of Europe as a significant endorsement of Galway City and its potential to lead the west of Ireland as a place for investment and economic development.

The City Manager went on stress that “the City Council would have to be seen to lead Galway City as a major city to attract foreign direct investment and that the staff of the Council would work with the IDA to support investment-led visits to Galway City and the west of Ireland region. If we don't take on this role, and ensure that Galway City gets its share of FDI visits and market the city internationally as a city of economic potential, then we can't expect support from other agencies of the state.”

Adding to this Liam Hanrahan, Economic Development Unit, Galway City Council explained that the survey had examined data that was collected from 468 locations, both cities and regions, in five categories: Economic Potential, Human Capital and Lifestyle, Cost Effectiveness, Infrastructure and Business Friendliness.

Galway City Council went on to make a short submission which reflected on the ability of the City Council, other agencies and the business community in general to work together to promote Galway. This submission included work done in meeting with IDA company CEOs on a regular basis, the annual Meet West conferences, the changing role of the local authorities in being more central to enterprise development etc.

“The data from the survey and the awards will be used to promote and market the city – both by the City Council and by the IDA. The data will also be a valuable source of information for the development of a new Galway Economic Strategy and Action Plan to be developed in 2014 and will be a support for Galway as it strives to become the European Capital of Culture 2020,” said Mr Hanrahan.

Galway Independent
...
 
#25 ·
Galway commits to European capital of culture bid

Lorna Siggins

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 22:55



Galway aims to be “best placed” in race for European Capital of Culture. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy

Galway has fired the first shots in the contest for European Capital of Culture designation in 2020 with the appointment of an NUI Galway

team to prepare its bid.

Limerick, and possibly Waterford, Kilkenny and Sligo, may be competitors for the international designation when it returns to Ireland in six years’ time.

However, Galway aims to be “not only in the race, but best placed”, the city’s chief executive Brendan McGrath has pledged, despite the “daunting” €20 million budget required to host it.

Galway lost out to Cork for the European designation in 2005, with lack of a sufficiently large performance space to match Cork’s Opera House being one of the key factors.

However, the criteria have “shifted”, according to Dr Patrick Collins, economic geographer and lead consultant in the NUIG team.

‘Inclusive and creative’

One of these criteria – the importance of a “legacy” – does not necessarily relate to physical infrastructure, he said.
The European title is now held by two countries annually, and Croatia will share it with Ireland in 2020.

The initial bid must be submitted within 10 months of the call for submissions, and final selection takes place in late 2015.

The NUIG team, which also includes political scientist Prof Kevin Leyden and communications consultant Gwen O’Sullivan, was appointed by public tender.

It has promised extensive consultation with the arts and cultural community, with business interests and the public which will be “inclusive, transparent and creative”, according to Prof Leyden.

Galway city and county hosted 104 festivals in 2012, with more than 1,200 “creative industries” in its environs, Dr Collins said.

© 2014 irishtimes.com
...
 
#29 ·
Local papers report that they need to find up to €14m to stage this ( on content and infrastructure) from which budget the ticket sales will return some of the expenditure... and yet it will probably cost €10m net after ticket sales I fear. The tourist board will not go over €4m for a single event so they need to find €6m elsewhere....upfront pretty much.

Very hard to figure out what infrastructure is required ( that won't be a white elephant after the event) , half the major Arts festival events take place in tents every year.
 
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