[Fantasy] Jordan's Island: What could we do with it?

KevR

Got thinking about the stuff below after a debate on here a while back about what could theoretically be done with Lough Atalia (e.g. - it could be drained and built on; or dredged and used for boating...) and when I was discussing car-free islands near New York with a friend a few days back.

I wonder if anything will ever get done with Jordan's Island in Galway? Would it be good for Galway to have a car-free island pretty central in the city? Would people like to see it turned into some sort of a park with pedestrian only access? Would people like to see a car-free area of Galway City built there (i.e. - houses with a few small shops and pedestrian only access), obviously bus routes in 'mainland' Galway near the pedestrian island crossing point(s) would need to be improved. Would you consider living in such a place? I'm sure it could be accessed by passing boats also.

Or would you be angered and appalled if anything was ever done with it? Should we just leave it alone forever?

Jordan's Island on map
Satellite view
Wikipedia: Car-free islands in the US (I have just really read about the ones in New York; Fire Island, Governors Island and Roosevelt Island)


I should point out that I have never set foot on Jordan's Island but I presume it wouldn't be impossible to use it for something if the will power and money was ever there.

KevR

For some reason the satellite view is not opening the map in exactly the right place. You need to pan a bit to the left.

pumpkinsoup

It's already car-free, please leave it that way!

KevR

All of my suggestions involve it remaining car-free. The discussion is about whether or not we should put it to use in some car-free way.

Do you think nothing should ever be done with it? If so, I'm genuinely interested as to why.

Black_Knight

Fine place to put a car park! :P

It'd need to be more central to get anything built there. Just look at the shops to let at the side of terryland tescos. Very central, yet no one wants em because they're out of sight, just like Jordan's Island.

KevR

Well if it's going to be pedestrian access only I think big(ish) retail developments would be impossible. Firstly, there would be no demand for retail outlets there and secondly, how would the shops get big deliveries even if there was demand. If there ever was a car-free residential development there then I could see a place/need for a couple of small shops but that would be about it.

By the way, does anyone know who owns the island (if anyone)?

snubbleste

A prison.
Breed crocodiles to live in the area.

Not everything needs to be developed. It's fine as it is.

Black_Knight

KevR wrote: »

By the way, does anyone know who owns the island (if anyone)?

Jordan does

pumpkinsoup

KevR wrote: »

Do you think nothing should ever be done with it? If so, I'm genuinely interested as to why.

Because the last thing Galway needs is more houses and because we've an abysmal record when it comes to sustainable development. We should sort out the existing mess instead of spreading more mess.

The country is littered with fantasy development projects which in the fullness of time turned out to be financially and architecturally disastrous. I remember the time I first heard the term "development". It was in the 80s when someone proposed tearing down old buildings at the Spanish Arch and erecting a multi-storey building in the midddle of the fish market. When it was completed it was lauded as an architectural marvel.

s_carnage

I think it would be a good idea for something like a park. It might be a bit far out of the city but if there was nearby parking it would be a nice attraction for the area.

Probably hard to see anything done in the near future what with the state of finances at the moment in the country.

snubbleste

snubbleste wrote: »

Not everything needs to be developed. It's fine as it is.

+1

Or make it a bit more desirable to birds or something

KevR

pumpkinsoup wrote: »

Because the last thing Galway needs is more houses and because we've an abysmal record when it comes to sustainable development. We should sort out the existing mess instead of spreading more mess.

The country is littered with fantasy development projects which in the fullness of time turned out to be financially and architecturally disastrous. I remember the time I first heard the term "development". It was in the 80s when someone proposed tearing down old buildings at the Spanish Arch and erecting a multi-storey building in the midddle of the fish market. When it was completed it was lauded as an architectural marvel.

Fair enough. What about some sort of a park with pedestrian/cycle only access then?

I do think that County Galway and rural Ireland in general has been destroyed by one off housing developments. I would never like to see something like that happen to Jordan's Island; it would have to be a carefully planned and developed sustainable car-free community. Just to be clear, I don't see myself ever living on a car-free island (in Galway or anywhere else); I'm just fascinated by the concept and was wondering what other people thought about the concept of actually doing something with Jordan's Island whether it be park or sustainable car-free residential community.

Mrs OBumble

Any university student who is found drunk or disorderly in the city should be put into a human-sized pea-shooter, and flung over there. They have to stay until they're sober enough to swim home: nature will take its course for the ones who try to make the trip before they're sober enough.

biko

Seems like a good place for a Battle Royale.

dr.bollocko

biko wrote: »

Seems like a good place for a Battle Royale.

And they're opening up that new school in Doughiska too. Plenty of weapons out there...

It could be turned into some sort of wino reserve!!

Sherifu

Mutton Island 2.0

galwayrush

Casinos.....:pac::pac::pac:

Fuinseog

KevR wrote: »

Fair enough. What about some sort of a park with pedestrian/cycle only access then?

.

the fact that is is an island without a bridge means that scobes will stay clear of it when they want to go knacker drinker/bushing.

there is not much to see or do on the island. anyway ther are plenty of more islands in island country.

civis_liberalis

There's already a big car park beside the island. It's called the Quincentenary Bridge.

KevR

Fuinseog wrote: »

the fact that is is an island without a bridge means that scobes will stay clear of it when they want to go knacker drinker/bushing.

I think this says a lot about our society in a bad kind of way. The fact that we would not do something that would provide enjoyment/pleasure for many people because a small minority of low-lives would misuse/abuse/ruin the amenity is just plain sad.

I have heard people say that the board walk along the River Liffey in Dublin never should have been built because it's now just a hang out spot for junkies and nobody else gets to enjoy it.

I personally have no intention of ever centering my life around any junkies/low-lives/skangers; I hope the City of Galway doesn't either.

Is drinking in open public areas not illegal? There shouldn't be any bushing on Jordan's Island if the law is enforced properly.

oneintotwo

Looking over the quincentennial to Jordan's island is the best view in this city, leave it the fook alone!

KevR

oneintotwo wrote: »

Looking over the quincentennial to Jordan's island is the best view in this city, leave it the fook alone!

Really don't see how turning it from an inaccessible island into a car-free accessible park would ruin the view from the Quincentennial Bridge..

All you would be doing is building a small pedestrian bridge from the Dyke Road side, a few innner and outer walkways/cycleways, maybe do a bit of tree planting and have a picnic area.

Wouldn't ruin the view at all in my opinion. Might actually make the view better.

I think it would be good for Galway to be the only city/county in Ireland to have a totally car-free park on an island within the city.

cafecolour

Well, it's certainly kayak accessible Maybe it could get a path but no bridge, and Galway could get a kayak and canoe rental spot.

I'd say either leave it as is, or add a little bridge and a path around it, but nothing major. Like that little cliff island off the end of the prom.

I would say the Galway City Council would actually be well served spending some money snapping up bits like this or a few swaths of unused farm land to become parks over the next decade or so.

Once the outer bypass goes in, it'll be the outer ring of galway city - everything inside it will slowly become filled in with housing, etc. (i'm talking over 40 years or so, in which time Galway city's population will likely increase by a minimum of 50%). Having some well placed parks for urban recreation generally does wonders for a cities livability rankings and property values.

Fuinseog

KevR wrote: »

I think this says a lot about our society in a bad kind of way. The fact that we would not do something that would provide enjoyment/pleasure for many people because a small minority of low-lives would misuse/abuse/ruin the amenity is just plain sad.

I have heard people say that the board walk along the River Liffey in Dublin never should have been built because it's now just a hang out spot for junkies and nobody else gets to enjoy it.

I personally have no intention of ever centering my life around any junkies/low-lives/skangers; I hope the City of Galway doesn't either.

Is drinking in open public areas not illegal? There shouldn't be any bushing on Jordan's Island if the law is enforced properly.

that general area is a favourite spot for bushing and its not unusual to see 12 year olds off their heads.
the guards stick to the city centre unless summoned to the suburbs, which is why the dyke road is also a favourite route for joyriders.

Simarillion

The island itself is often used for shooting. The mainland behind it is seperated by a small channel, and this was supposed to be the land where the university wanted CRYC (Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club) to relocate. It was also discussed as a possible site for some of the rowing clubs in town. As far as I know there have never been any plans to develop the island.

I'd hope they'd just leave it alone. I rowed past it every day for years and I'd hate to see it turned over to apartments or a park.

Xiney

Actually, the fact that it IS an island makes keeping the bush drinkers out of any potential park (which I think is the best idea, with a nice big playground like the one in Doughiska) quite easy:

Build a bridge, with gates. Close the gates at night time. I suppose if you fall asleep and wake up and the gates are closed, you're screwed, but I suppose you could call the guards and they might let you out. I'd say you should have to pay a fine though for wasting their time.

Fuinseog

Simarillion wrote: »

The island itself is often used for shooting. The mainland behind it is seperated by a small channel, and this was supposed to be the land where the university wanted CRYC (Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club) to relocate. It was also discussed as a possible site for some of the rowing clubs in town. As far as I know there have never been any plans to develop the island.

I'd hope they'd just leave it alone. I rowed past it every day for years and I'd hate to see it turned over to apartments or a park.

the other side of the bridge across the river from the college is a little spot for mooring boats. which club if any was there?

Webbs

Budapest has Margaret Island which is an amazing area, and while that is a lot bigger something like that would be great with park etc (obviously no buildings to be put on Jordan Island though).

KevR

Xiney wrote: »

Actually, the fact that it IS an island makes keeping the bush drinkers out of any potential park (which I think is the best idea, with a nice big playground like the one in Doughiska) quite easy:

Build a bridge, with gates. Close the gates at night time. I suppose if you fall asleep and wake up and the gates are closed, you're screwed, but I suppose you could call the guards and they might let you out. I'd say you should have to pay a fine though for wasting their time.

+1

Das Kitty

What about some sort of Botanical project? Maybe an arboretum or have an attractive glasshouse for growing fruit and veg for the hospital catering? It could always be open to visitors as well.

Either that or Jurassic Park.