This article is from page 34 of the 2007-07-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
A CLOCK tower, water feature or specially commissioned piece of sculpture should form the central fo- cal point of Shannon town, when it is overhauled.
That’s according to the local Cham- ber of Commerce, which has submit- ted its proposals on the development of the town.
The chamber’s detailed submission on the development of Shannon also suggests the provision of a skate- boarding park or an ice skating rink.
It also stated that “it is crucial that mistakes made in the development of the existing [Cl (current town cen- tre) are learned from, while working to integrate each of the three town
centres with each other.”
The architects behind the project plan to create a new ‘urban retail en- vironment’ and a ‘living centre’, on a site across the road from SkyCourt, while the inclusion of a traditional streetscape 1s also expected to be a priority.
The chamber suggests the estab- lishment of a commercially-orientat- ed theatre, a multi-functional social amenity and an outlet facility, which would consist of medium-sized units, that would attract vendors of design- er goods at discount prices.
Its submission also suggests a “unique attraction” in the shape of a “state-of-the-art skate boarding park or an all-year ice skating rink”.
The submission was compiled by
the chamber’s interim chief execu- tive Laurie O’Connor, in consul- tation with its board of directors, which represents 150 companies in the Shannon region.
It has also addressed access routes into the proposed development.
“The proposed Shannon Light Rail Scheme needs to be integrated, with a centrally located station in place. In tandem with this, public transport links from this centrally located sta- tion need to be provided for,” stated the submission.
“Provision and design of foot- bridges and road links over the cur- rent airport road must be central to the masterplan. The people of Shan- non need to be central to the design behind these modes of crossing be-
tween the two development areas,’ it AYOCe(oxen
The chamber has also advocated maximising current routeways.
“Approach roads to and from Shannon town centre and Shannon Airport must be maintained to the highest of standards. Current levels of landscaping, grass cutting and hedge maintenance is below stand- ard and there is a considerable lack of floral displays located in strategic locations such as roundabouts, town entry points and at the entrance and exit points of Shannon Airport,” said Ms O’Connor.
Murray O’Laoire architects hope to have a draft plan completed by Sep- tember, before final plans are drawn
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