This article is from page 30 of the 2007-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
A FEASIBLE shopping alternative – different to what is planned for Coon- agh in Limerick – should be planned, in an effort to attract shoppers in to SJetvevaleyey
In general, Shannon town council- lors endorsed the need for a major change in the town, to incorporate more shopping and an_ attractive Streetscape.
OE Ticet Orelireia an eel mn Ome arne ecutive Engineer John Bradley said the shopping centre at Coonagh will have a huge impact on the Shannon and Limerick areas and Shannon needs an “alternative option’.
Reacting to last week’s presenta- tion by Murray O’Laoire architects, Labour councillor Greg Duff said, “We have had numerous presenta-
tions since the 70s, but what we have been left with is a private mall that has been dressed up as a town centre. We’d be better off if we got the folk village in Bunratty and transported it vo
He said over the years, development in the town has been “solely develop- er driven. We keep on repeating the same mistakes.”
The Mayor of Shannon, Councillor Tony McMahon (Labour) said this was a “unique” opportunity to do something that was “neglected previ- ously in relation to streetscape.”
“That is the most important thing the people of Shannon would be anx- ious to have,’ he said.
Councillor Gerry Flynn said an arts centre must be an integral part of the plans and should be located in a “prime position,’ while adequate
public parking must be made avail- able.
Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Independ- ent) said a “living centre” is required, and overnight accommodation and facilities should also be addressed.
She noted that the land was owned by a small number of landowners and expressed concern that there would be no opportunity for others to “buy rhe onae
“It’s not just about putting in devel- opment. It’s also about putting in a centre, that there’s going to be a life there,” she said.
Cllr Sean Hillery, who runs a chem- ists in the town centre, said, “If I had my time over again, I don’t think I’d be in the town centre and that is a hard thing to say. The rents keep go- ing up.”
He said the last thing Shannon
should do is try to compete with oth- er major shopping centres, “because they would wipe the floor with us.”
“We need to do something unique. It’s most important that people would be in control, not the multinationals. I’m not against them but they are transporting our money out of here. We can have a traditional town. That’s what the people want,’ he said.
Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said that a piece of land was left out of the plans and said it must be put back in.
“We deserve an answer. Somebody took it out. These guys (architects) didn’t get the correct mapping. This is the same bull we went through two years ago,” he said.
Mr Bradley replied, “I inherited this project. Those were the lands I know are there. Your concerns have been noted on the report.”