Limerick’s Opera Centre site is still a public “eyesore”
Singing a sad song: The Opera Centre site on Limerick's Patrick Street, where footfall has greatly decreased
THE BOARDED up buildings of the Opera Centre site continue to be an “eyesore” to the public years after the project was first mooted, Sinn Fein have said.
Seán Griffin, the party’s spokesperson in Limerick city, said people are continually asking how long the hoarding on Patrick Street and Rutland Street is going to remain in situ.
“The hoarding is now becoming dilapidated and it will shortly be as derelict as the buildings it hides. It is festooned with graffiti and is creating an eyesore that is angering some citizens who are now convinced that it has become a permanent feature,” he said.
Mr Griffin said there is “no sign of progressive activity or indeed any activity whatsoever” at the site, which was due to become “Limerick’s shopping mecca” during the boom period. Limerick City Council purchased the site in late 2011, and took step to secure buildings in need of repair in case they became a danger to the public.
However, no other visible movement on the site has taken place, in spite of great public debate on what the future of the site should be.
“This project has failed dismally and now the citizens are left with a deteriorating eyesore,” said Mr Griffin. He urged the city manager to inform citizens of how much it is costing them to maintain this site.
The two-hectare site was initially bought for €110m, but was purchased by the local authority for €12m from the National Assets Management Agency. The city museum was due to move in to one of the buildings, but the plan was put on hold by the city council.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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