Limerick City Footbridge

Townie_P

zulutango wrote: »

Can you name a single business person who is in favour of the bridge?

I can but I'm not a spokesperson for anyone so I won't be naming any names. Maybe Live95 or the Leader/Post should do a piece on it to publicly gauge the feeling in the city.

zulutango

Townie_P wrote:

I can but I'm not a spokesperson for anyone so I won't be naming any names. Maybe Live95 or the Leader/Post should do a piece on it to publicly gauge the feeling in the city.

Maybe there should be a plebiscite? I'd bet more than 90% of people are against. I've really struggled to find anybody in favour. In fact, I haven't found a single person who thinks it's a good idea and I've discussed it with plenty.

strettie

Interesting to read Limerick Leader article from 2014 on proposed bridge

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business-news/108317/Plans-for-footbridge-in-Limerick-to.html

EXCITING plans are being put in place for a footbridge connecting Arthur’s Quay to King John’s Castle.

Limerick City and County Council’s economic department has launched a feasibility study with Failte Ireland to deliver a an “iconic” footbridge, potentially based on Derry’s Peace Bridge.

Outgoing economic director Tom Enright says the project is “something that could really change the face of the city centre”.

He says the project - estimated cost €3m - could be delivered in just three years, and at a relatively small cost. He said at present, access from Arthur’s Quay to King John’s Castle is complicated, with tourists having to travel past Sarsfield House and down Nicholas Street, before getting to a site he describes as “he main tourist attraction in the city”.

“What we are looking at is, rather than having a river walk, which is what we have done with the boardwalks, we are looking to run a bridge from Arthur’s Quay,” he explained.

Mr Enright - who hands over the economic portfolio to regeneration director Oliver O’Loughlin from Monday - hopes the bridge will be a real landmark for the city, pointing to the success the Living Bridge at UL has enjoyed. He hopes a competition process to come up with a design can begin soon.

Referring to Derry’s Peace bridge, he says: “I think what we are looking at is a smaller version of that. Something which changes shape between horizontal and vertical.”

The weir in place around that part of the Shannon could be used as part support for the bridge, he says.

“At night-time if you are driving into the city across the Shannon Bridge, you will see this fabulous structure on the water. It is not huge money, and I think it will happen fairly quickly,” Mr Enright predicted.

With only limited parking available around the castle area, Arthur’s Quay could be used as a drop-off area for tourists to complete the rest of the route on foot.

“What you have here is a river footbridge, which will invite you from the city square to walk and take in the scenery,” he said.

Under the Limerick 2030 economic plan, the tax office Sarsfield House will be demolished to create a ‘front garden for the city’.

Although the economic director has admitted this is still some years away, he said it will be worth the wait.

From Arthur’s Quay Park, “you will see the castle, the cathedral, the river and the courthouse, which will be the seat of local government.”

Meanwhile, another city project could get under way later this year.

The Hanging Gardens development at Henry Street has lain idle since its original developer Robert Butler fell into financial difficulties, and his companies went into NAMA.

The site went on the market for almost €1 million earlier this year, and Mr Enright is confident it will get a new lease of life soon.

strettie

Maybe some people have seen this already but in December 2014 there was a freedom of information request to the Transport minister in relation to the funding of the footbridge

Part 2 file page 5 is interesting as it shows the original design proposals from Limerick city council for the bridge and the reasons for the footbridge

FOI Request Part 1

FOI Request Part 2

OfTheMarsWongs

If they hadn't incorporated Castle Lane into the Castle experience they could have reopened the path through the town hall and up the side of the castle. Would be a cheaper option.

I think that a tourist trail incorporating the Hunt Museum and cathedral makes more sense than bypassing them.

OfTheMarsWongs

strettie wrote: »

“At night-time if you are driving into the city across the Shannon Bridge, you will see this fabulous structure on the water. It is not huge money, and I think it will happen fairly quickly,” Mr Enright predicted.

Are they planning on fitting Sarsfield Bridge and the boat club with a giant invisibly cloak?

Vanquished

These are the three design options that are up for consideration. From what I can gather the preferred option is to be presented next month.

Poxyshamrock

Christ above, they get significantly worse. What's worse is that it literally only goes from Arthur's Quay to the back of the courthouse? I thought it was supposed to go all the way to the castle.

sumtings

Its landing on one of my favourit spots for having a sit down to enjoy the river in Limerick!

phog

Vanquished wrote: »

These are the three design options that are up for consideration. From what I can gather the preferred option is to be presented next month.

Open up the walk around Sarsfield House to Silvester O'Halloran bridge and there's no need top build any of the three options in your post.

Special Circumstances

Townie_P wrote: »

I am indeed a very busy man, and very well informed. I'm not going to reveal how I get my info or what I do. You can choose to believe what you like, or whether it's garnered from 'small talk' or not.

Oh I think my post was blatantly sceptical that anyone could gather some many positive sentiments, unsought, through small talk.

I have no doubt that you are VERY well informed on this matter.

What would be the time line do ya think, will demolition and construction at the landing points be done before or after the bridge itself?

Vanquished

phog wrote: »

Open up the walk around Sarsfield House to Silvester O'Halloran bridge and there's no need top build any of the three options in your post.

Extend the riverside public realm improvements along Honans Quay, Arthurs Quay and along by the Hunt museum. That stretch of the quayside is underappreciated, underdeveloped and underused despite offering some of the best views in the city out on to the Curragower falls, the castle, Thomond bridge etc etc.

You could also look at lowering the wall of the Potato Market to open up the riverside along the Abbey. I'm not sure if that wall is original. I think it was rebuilt by Limerick Civic Trust in the 1980s. A larger replacement could be considered for the Sylvester O'Halloran bridge (in the same spot though) to cater for the increased footfall that the improvements would hopefully generate. The Potato Market itself needs to be reassessed too. It's completely wasted as a car park. It's shabby and uncared for. A landscaped public space with views of the rivers and in to the city centre (if Sarsfield House is taken down) would be worth pursuing.

iguana

“At night-time if you are driving into the city across the Shannon Bridge, you will see this fabulous structure on the water. "

You can already see a fabulous structure on the water. It's a well preserved norman castle.

Red King

These people haven't a ****ing clue, not a ****ing clue! Jesus H. Christ it is infuriating.

zulutango

A campaign has gotten off the ground. Public meeting happening towards the end of the month, date and venue still to be decided.

Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/FootbridgeFolly.

moleyv

Vanquished wrote:

These are the three design options that are up for consideration. From what I can gather the preferred option is to be presented next month.

I've been fairly sceptical of it so far, but that doesn't look as bad as I'd thought. I'm still not sold on it though. Other things should be prioritised. It seems like an attempt to put a 'wind block' in front of some other eye sores.

Do the opera site
Knock sarsfield house
Improve public realm

Its a nice idea to bring us closer to the amenity of the river, just poorly executed thus far. There were some complaints about the Dunne's etc facing away from the river (which I'm in agreement about), but then this tries to do it right (somewhat).

There needs to be some decent time put into this, no rushed decisions, open discussion. But the procurement of professional services for the public sector normally just selects the cheapest bid, and ends usually with the cheapest results.

They could easily knock up some images of their proposal superimposed onto different vantage points. I'll reserve judgement until then. An Taisce I'm sure will be very interested and make themselves involved where necessary.

zulutango

moleyv wrote: »

I've been fairly sceptical of it so far, but that doesn't look as bad as I'd thought. I'm still not sold on it though. Other things should be prioritised. It seems like an attempt to put a 'wind block' in front of some other eye sores.

The real issue, for most people I think, is the location. It's just too sensitive an area to be lobbing a bridge onto for no really good reason. As others have said, a well-designed riverside walk would enable good engagement with the river at much less cost and much less impact on what is the city's most valuable asset. An 'iconic' bridge in another location might work well though, but certainly not in the proposed location.

moleyv

I think they are wrong in selling it as a 'bridge'.

Make space on there for pop up traders/food trollies. Have a space for displaying art installations. Run some river activities off it. Keep the design porous, frame some of the nice existing stuff. Make it a destination for a stroll at lunch.

jmch81

moleyv wrote: »

I think they are wrong in selling it as a 'bridge'.

Make space on there for pop up traders/food trollies. Have a space for displaying art installations. Run some river activities off it. Keep the design porous, frame some of the nice existing stuff. Make it a destination for a stroll at lunch.

Also a place for trolls under the bridge would be a good selling point.

moleyv

jmch81 wrote:

Also a place for trolls under the bridge would be a good selling point.

jmch81 wrote:

Also a place for trolls under the bridge would be a good selling point.

If some of my suggestions aren't to your liking you might elaborate, rather than becoming the subject of your own post.

zulutango

moleyv wrote: »

I think they are wrong in selling it as a 'bridge'.

Make space on there for pop up traders/food trollies. Have a space for displaying art installations. Run some river activities off it. Keep the design porous, frame some of the nice existing stuff. Make it a destination for a stroll at lunch.

All the above could be achieved without building this. We have a potentially fantastic riverside amenity, but access in key locations is severely restricted. Sort that out and the case for this project collapses.

moleyv

zulutango wrote:

All the above could be achieved without building this. We have a potentially fantastic riverside amenity, but access in key locations is severely restricted. Sort that out and the case for this project collapses.

Of course, I agree other things need to be done first and I've said that; but down the line something could be done as an addition. I'm open to that idea and i think it is a good location. You aren't, fair enough.

A lot more counties are making greater use of their green and blue ways.

zulutango

moleyv wrote: »

Of course, I agree other things need to be done first and I've said that; but down the line something could be done as an addition. I'm open to that idea and i think it is a good location. You aren't, fair enough.

It's just a very important site for the city. We shouldn't go messing with it on a whim, which basically this project is.

Townie_P

Vanquished wrote: »

These are the three design options that are up for consideration. From what I can gather the preferred option is to be presented next month.

I know they are only sketches but not really gone on any of these. There is nothing architecturally striking about any of them. Can't see any wow factor. Number three has potential but the main feature piece just looks like a copy of every other modern footbridge. Maybe they'll look better when properly modeled/drawn.

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Oh I think my post was blatantly sceptical that anyone could gather some many positive sentiments, unsought, through small talk.

I have no doubt that you are VERY well informed on this matter.

What would be the time line do ya think, will demolition and construction at the landing points be done before or after the bridge itself?

Nope, I'm not VERY well informed on this particular footbridge matter. Sorry to disappoint! No idea on timeline. Maybe someone who is familiar with planning/construction/development can answer you?

Cookiemunster

Group set up in opposition to €18m Limerick footbridge

Now, the Footbridge Folly Action Group has been formed which will lobby in opposition to the bridge, which the council is planning to submit an application for shortly.

The action group is made up of a number of organisations which use the river including An Taisce, the two rowing clubs, the Curragower Boat Club, and the St Mary’s Men’s Shed Project. Also involved is the Thomond Archaeological Society.

Plenty of local opposition to this as well as half the council.

leakyboots

Limerick Leader's editorial came out strongly against the footbridge

zulutango

I really don't think it can happen in the face of such opposition. It really shines a light on how dysfunctional the Council is. That they thought themselves that it was a good idea is bad enough, and shows how inept they are. But that they started spending a lot of money on such a project without good early stage consultation is really quite a serious matter. As I said before, it's only a matter of time before fingers are pointing towards certain people and heads may roll over the whole fiasco.

Red King

Conn Murray intends to press ahead with the bridge, calling it potentially iconic.


You know what is iconic and already there Conn? The whole fcuking river and the view you intend to spoil so you can grab the money on offer.

Time to remove this clown from office.

sumtings

Red King wrote: »

Conn Murray intends to press ahead with the bridge, calling it potentially ironic.

Corrected the spelling for you there.

OfTheMarsWongs

Anti-bridge protest group down the market this morning. Had a boat and posters. Recognised some local fisherman.

Edit: Seems it was the Footbridge Follies group.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1708284989414570&id=1706868142889588

Treepole

Could they not just spend a million quid and enhance the existing walkway and footbridge that is already there?

zulutango

Treepole wrote: »

Could they not just spend a million quid and enhance the existing walkway and footbridge that is already there?

That sounds too much like common sense.

Red King

I walked down to where this proposed bridge is due to be located today. There was a ceremony marking the anniversary of 1916 taking place behind city hall and I wanted to walk from Arthurs Quay park over the existing footbridge to the potato market.

Except you can't.

Someone, more than likely our genius Council, have erected barriers behind Sarsfield House blocking access to the footbridge.



You basically have to walk around by the Hunt Museum now if you want to get to City Hall.

Only recently I walked this route and it was not blocked off.

Can someone explain why this is now the case?

johnnyryan89

Might have been blocked because it was a Sunday, don't they close the potato market on a Sunday or are you talking about the gate which is next to Sarsfield House because I think that's closed when Sarsfield House is closed.

zulutango

Yeah, those gates (both at Sarsfield House and Potato Market) are closed outside of regular office hours I think.

Obviously the solution to this obstacle is to build an €18 million euro footbridge.

panda100

zulutango wrote:

Yeah, those gates (both at Sarsfield House and Potato Market) are closed outside of regular office hours I think.

Why do they do that? I would love to run over those bridges in the morning but the gates are always locked. V annoying

johnnyryan89

panda100 wrote: »

Why do they do that? I would love to run over those bridges in the morning but the gates are always locked. V annoying

Think it's to stop anti social behaviour happening at the back of Sarsfield house and think Corbet have their base still in the Potato Market so maybe it's locked because of that.

Red King

I think that just sums up the way our city is run quite beautifully.

The existing footbridge was no dount opened to much fanfare and promises that it would connect the potato market to the city and open up the riverfront (if someone could dig up old articles from the post and leader on this I bet it would be hilarious reading) and now, years later, the sight of a person walking over the footbridge is as rare as hens teeth.

Not least because access to the footbridge is blocked by ugly barriers behind Sarsfield house and the footbridge is closed on Sundays. The day most people are off and enjoy walking by the river.

But wait! Now the council have a brainwave and the promise of a pot of gold to build another footbridge and therefore open up the river and blah blah blah blah blah.

Fastforward to 2030 and the monstrosity footbridge is rarely used due to it being closed because of anti-social behaviour etc etc but don't worry good citizens of Limerick! The council has a plan!

"As part of our vision for Limerick 2050 the Council has decided that what Limerick City really needs is a Cable Car from Arthurs Quay park to King Johns Castle. This will connect the city to the medieval quarter, which has to date been poorly serviced by the under utlised footbridges. We also are due to unveil plans for the redevelopment of the Opera Centre - which should be finished in time for 2050."

zulutango

There's a public meeting about the bridge this evening in the Strand Hotel (top floor at 8pm). It's being organised by the Footbridge Folly group. They'll give a presentation of what information they have managed to get from the Council and there'll be a chance for people to air their views whether for or against the proposal. It's open to all.

iguana

Red King wrote: »

The existing footbridge was no dount opened to much fanfare and promises that it would connect the potato market to the city and open up the riverfront (if someone could dig up old articles from the post and leader on this I bet it would be hilarious reading) and now, years later, the sight of a person walking over the footbridge is as rare as hens teeth.

I remember when the bridge opened. There was a big opening ceremony and it was so busy with people walking over and back across the bridge that it almost felt like it would collapse under our weight.

And here is a description of the original brief, check out the last paragraph.

The brief called for the development of stalls for a Craft Market, the refurbishment of the original Potato Market site and the creation of a new performance space on the edge of the River Abbey on the Historic Kings Island quarter of Limerick City.

The works included the repair and reinstatement of the original quay walls and boundary railings with external works including paving of landscaping and the development of a new linear market building structure.

A new pedestrian bridge links the site with the Hunt Museum Park on the opposite river bank creating a vital link in extending the Limerick City Walk from King Johns Castle to the Limerick Docklands.

Poxyshamrock

Was there ever a market in the potato market? What was it used for in the early days after it was renovated?

Special Circumstances

Poxyshamrock wrote: »

Was there ever a market in the potato market? What was it used for in the early days after it was renovated?

Ye olde King Limerick parked his highline passat there, and verily did the chrome sparkle.

gotasmoke

Poxyshamrock wrote: »

Was there ever a market in the potato market? What was it used for in the early days after it was renovated?

I remember a market there in the 80s, but it's been a carpark for the last 20+ years.

zulutango

The meeting last night was excellent. There were some really good contributions from a lot of people. Pretty much everybody is against this. Many councillors spoke and expressed total dismay at how the senior management are running the city (lack of transparency, dictatorial, arrogant, etc), this being a very good example. One of the more insightful comments related to the very high possibility that even if the councillors agreed to the proposal it was likely to be rejected by An Bord Pleanala on a number of grounds. That's a real indictment of those pushing the project.

iguana

Poxyshamrock wrote: »

Was there ever a market in the potato market? What was it used for in the early days after it was renovated?

When it first opened there was a market on Sunday mornings. Officially it was a craft market with traders selling things they had made but tbh, I mainly remember bric-a-brac stalls and factory produced clothing. That's not to say there weren't genuine craft stalls, I just don't remember them as I was 8 and 9 when it was open. I do remember my parents thinking it was all crap but I know other people who remember it as really good.

johnnyryan89

Red King wrote: »

I walked down to where this proposed bridge is due to be located today. There was a ceremony marking the anniversary of 1916 taking place behind city hall and I wanted to walk from Arthurs Quay park over the existing footbridge to the potato market.

Except you can't.

Someone, more than likely our genius Council, have erected barriers behind Sarsfield House blocking access to the footbridge.

You basically have to walk around by the Hunt Museum now if you want to get to City Hall.

Only recently I walked this route and it was not blocked off.

Can someone explain why this is now the case?

The sooner they knock Sarsfield House the better, looking from Thomond Bridge towards the park the other evening and it just killed the view completely. They really need to forget about the new bridge and keep this walkway open and give it a bit of a make over and extend it along the river along the back of city hall and along the side of the castle at Thomond Bridge.

Red King

iguana wrote: »

I remember when the bridge opened. There was a big opening ceremony and it was so busy with people walking over and back across the bridge that it almost felt like it would collapse under our weight.

And here is a description of the original brief, check out the last paragraph.

Ah that is priceless

geotrig

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

The sooner they knock Sarsfield House the better, looking from Thomond Bridge towards the park the other evening and it just killed the view completely. They really need to forget about the new bridge and keep this walkway open and give it a bit of a make over and extend it along the river along the back of city hall and along the side of the castle at Thomond Bridge.

I dont know , that "dunnes building " either one :pac: makes sarsfield house look like an architectural masterpiece . I for one dont see the big problem with sarsfield house, its a very plain big building and to me just sits out of view mostly to not wreck the view ,granted i havent taken notice of it from thomond bridge recently,but compared to an awful lot of other building facing or backing onto the riverfront with there service entrances etc its not as view killing as a lot might suggest .from the other side arturs quay is **** looking as well.
i'm not totally against this bridge ,i think of it along the lines of extending the board walks and ways of bringing the river into the city more (nicer place to be )in a better way and improving our relationship with it.

zulutango

geotrig wrote: »

I dont know , that "dunnes building " either one :pac: makes sarsfield house look like an architectural masterpiece . I for one dont see the big problem with sarsfield house, its a very plain big building and to me just sits out of view mostly to not wreck the view ,granted i havent taken notice of it from thomond bridge recently,but compared to an awful lot of other building facing or backing onto the riverfront with there service entrances etc its not as view killing as a lot might suggest .from the other side arturs quay is **** looking as well.
i'm not totally against this bridge ,i think of it along the lines of extending the board walks and ways of bringing the river into the city more (nicer place to be )in a better way and improving our relationship with it.

Agree with you on Sarsfield House. I think it could be refurbished into something very interesting. At the same time I won't shed a tear if it goes. There's probably other buildings I'd readily knowch ahead of it though. The old Dunnes, Arthur's Quay Shopping Centre, Penneys/Burger King in that area alone would be higher up my list for the semtex treatment.

I think it will be a disgrace if the bridge is built. It's all form and no function. If Sarsfield House is knocked then some great things could be done with the space around there.

Cookiemunster

zulutango wrote: »

Agree with you on Sarsfield House. I think it could be refurbished into something very interesting. At the same time I won't shed a tear if it goes. There's probably other buildings I'd readily knowch ahead of it though. The old Dunnes, Arthur's Quay Shopping Centre, Penneys/Burger King in that area alone would be higher up my list for the semtex treatment.

I think it will be a disgrace if the bridge is built. It's all form and no function. If Sarsfield House is knocked then some great things could be done with the space around there.

The old Aer Lingus HQ at Dublin Airport is an example of how Sarsfield House could be improved.

Before and after pics attached.