I think it's probably fair to say that we have faint hope that the North Quays will be developed any time soon under the current economic circumstances. They will, of course be tidied up and made safe for the visit of the International Tall Ships Fleet next June.
But what of the immediate or even medium term? I believe that there must be a useful purpose that the North Quays could be put to in order to restore them from dereliction and bring them into use for the people of Waterford and South Kilkenny.
My suggestions would be simple enough and simply achieved if people had half a mind to. They include either a simple park layout or a series of sports courts & pitches or even the dreaded parking.
Personally I favour the sports courts, followed by the park. One way or another this would tidy the area up until some other use is found for them. It will be an awful shame if they are allowed to fall once again into disrepair (see above and that photo was taken a year ago - I don't know what they are like right now but I'll bet it's not better)!
If all parties were willing the North Quays can and should be brought into use. There may even be a job or two in it.
5 comments:
Why can't the North Buildings just be knocked down? They are a bigger blight on the city than the Ard Ri hotel - at least the hotel is further away whereas those NQ buildings are right on top of our river.
Who owns the buildings and land? The Council, Port of Waterford, private owners or a combination of all these? Why can't they all just sit down and come to some sort of arrangement to knock the buildings down. Have they even been discussing this problem during the last 10 years?
Is it too costly to knock them down? Surely whatever the cost is it would be worth it.
Ah if only it were that simple! No the Council has NO ownership interest, it is the Port and private companies. Secondly, there is NO legislation that allows us to just go in a knock private buildings. (Would that we could!)In fact even the derelict sites legislation actually doesn't allow you to achieve much. And have you not followed the SAGA that they have gone through over the last 10 years at least to try and get this site developped? Any progress at this stage will have to be negotiated and agreed by the owners. So if they play ball something could happen as a stop gap until the market may (or may not) recover. If they don't want to then it stays.
Thanks for the reply. I never really paid much attention to the ins and outs of the "saga" before. Sounds like it's a bit of a stalemate situation at the moment so.
You're welcome. Not so much a stalemate as the whole thing just fell apart sadly. That's why I'm suggesting cheap medium term solutions which might get the space tidied up and into public use.
I agree that anything is better than the current situation.
What can we (concerned public) do to further your goals here?
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