Tuesday 3 July 2007

Public to name €280m city quarter

A PUBLIC competition will decide the name of a €280 million development that aims to be the jewel in Waterford city centre’s crown.

Waterford City Council has confirmed that it intends to grant planning permission for the project to KRM Construction Partnership in the next few weeks.

A total of 600 jobs will be created during the building phase, which is expected to begin in September, with 1,300 jobs to be created in the medium to long-term.

The city centre location borders Michael Street, New Street, Stephen Street and Brown’s Lane.

Earmarked for completion by the end of 2009, the project will feature 60 shops, including three anchor units, and is currently being marketed as “Destination Waterford”.

The public competition to name the development will be launched shortly.

The project has already generated strong interest from a number of regional, national and international retailers keen to locate in the centre of Waterford.

Welcoming the Waterford City Council decision, Paul Miskella, chief executive of KRM, said: “We are obviously delighted ... and look forward to appointing contractors shortly with a view to work commencing on site in early autumn.

“I want to acknowledge the very considerable time spent on analysing all aspects of our plans by the professional team at Waterford City Council, and the elected members of the council who engaged with us.”

Marcus Wren, director of Bannon Commercial, said the property consultancy was “actively engaged” with several well-known international retail brand names, with a view to securing outlets in the development.

“The city centre has ... not seen a major shopping destination open since City Square almost two decades ago,” he said.

“Confidence is high for Waterford’s future as the designated gateway city to the southeast.”

The development also includes a 153-bedroom four-star hotel with a substantial conference centre and leisure facilities; arts, cultural and community facilities and underground parking for 600 vehicles.

Twenty two homes are also included, as is a rooftop viewing area that will offer unrivalled 360-degree panoramas of Waterford’s historic city centre.

Meanwhile, the Waterford Council of Trade Unions condemned the decision of the planning authority in giving permission for the KRM development at the inner city brewery site.

The WCTU will study the decision in detail and consult with resident groups before deciding on whether or not to appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Irish Examiner

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