2023 was exciting for the city as many projects came to fruition. The main theme was sustainability and that was evident in both transport and housing projects.
The opening of Vernon Mount Bridge and the MacCurtain St Public Transport Improvement Scheme demonstrated that the creation of priority bus corridors and the promotion of walking and cycling are key strategic objectives for the city.
Cork City Council is grateful for the support and patience of residents, businesses and the wider public who backed these schemes and shared a vision for a city grounded in sustainability.
The council is to the forefront in the delivery of ‘rightsizing’ options for older persons. This year, Springville House, the first office to residential conversion in Ireland, opened in Blackrock and this age-friendly housing scheme brings a new vibrancy to the community as well as opening up larger, privately owned and social housing units to younger families who need more space. We also saw some of the first affordable housing schemes in a long time come to fruition in Montenotte, Tower and Hawkes Road, while affordable housing at Heathfield in Ballincollig has also recently been publicised.
A thriving city inspires and this year saw the development of Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail which will enhance the city’s arts offering. People may have different views on it but there is real evidence around art and health, creativity and enterprise. Planning permission was also received for an exciting expansion of The Crawford Art Gallery, the only national cultural institution outside Dublin. It has a special place in the hearts of the people of Cork and such spaces including Nano Nagle Place and Elizabeth Fort are vital for the health of the city.
Our vibrant festivals also deliver so much. Cork on a Fork returned for a second year and it is exciting to see Cork marketed as a gourmet food destination. We are so fortunate to have all these fresh food products from our local farmers, amazing food producers and culinary creatives in our restaurants and cafes.
It’s 24 years since the Millenium Y2K threat, when we thought our digital lives would implode. They didn’t. What we face now though are real threats, with climate change the greatest. People may be jaded by the topic but how we produce and consume energy will seriously influence our future.
Bus Connects, which aims to deliver 11 sustainable transport corridors, is an important part of this essential change. The third round of consultation on it has just closed, and yes, we have had lots of public consultation. Rightly so. But we must provide people with sustainable transport options so that the increased numbers living, working and visiting our city can move around easily and sustainably.
Compact Growth is important too for the future of the city. The City Development Plan has identified urban expansion areas as we must grow our city in a planned and managed way, where people can live and work and be connected by a sustainable public transport system. Developing the towns of Ballincollig, Blarney, Tower, Glanmire, Togher and Douglas will be a focus in 2024.
We have completed flood relief projects in some of those towns along with public realm enhancements. The Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme is currently in construction in Glanmire and will take a few years to complete but again it is about ensuring resilient futures for these communities.
For 2024, continuing repopulation of the city centre is a key objective and the recent census shows a welcome increase for the first time in a long time. We would be hopeful and quite confident that we will see the beginning of apartment development in the North Docks and hopefully in the South Docs too. When people live in a city centre, it animates it, protects it and makes it more vibrant and enjoyable for all.
We have secured €46 million from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for the Grand Parade Quarter including the design of a statement City Library. Bishop Lucey Park will be completely opened up to the city centre and as part of this transformative regeneration, public realm works will start on South Main Street and Tuckey Street, extending over to Proby’s Quay and including the bridge onto the Beamish & Crawford site. This site is designated for the Events Centre, which we will be keen to progress in 2024. Work is ongoing in the background and while it has suffered multiple setbacks, the genesis of the project remains solid.
To the east of the city centre, the upgrade of the Marina Promenade has started. The regeneration of this waterfront amenity will make it more accessible to all, improve its attractiveness and will serve to integrate Marina Park, the Blackrock - Passage West Greenway, Blackrock village and the wider Docklands. Marina Park Phase ll is on course to begin in the coming months and when completed will deliver an incredible 70 acres of parkland - an area six times greater than Fitzgerald’s Park - and all just 2.5 kms from the city centre. It will be Cork Docklands playground.
Historically, Cork has been dogged by serious flooding. In 2024, construction will commence on the Morrisons Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Scheme. It will create an amazing south facing riverside amenity, with three plazas providing a space for people to gather and re-engage with the beauty of the river.
We have already seen the old Moore’s Hotel being redeveloped as a €45 million, 187 bed Premier Inn. Work is also due to start next year on a €106 million Cork University Business School, so the Morrisons Island scheme has been a real catalyst for investment and development along that underutilised waterfront.
Each local authority is required to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) but Cork city has been specially selected as one of the European 100 Mission Cities, with a goal to be net zero by 2030. It is a bold and ambitious goal but our recent CAP survey suggests that Cork residents are ready for the challenge. As a Mission City, the big difference for Cork is the opportunity for an all of Government response in terms of expediting funding to implement climate action measures.
Our City Is Changing – of that there is no doubt. In 2024 and beyond, we will have to work together to make sure changes are for the best.
As a city we have in the past responded well to change. We have a strong inter-agency culture working alongside the HSE, An Garda Siochana, Tusla, the Education Training Board, UCC, MTU, business representative groups and the community & voluntary sector. Cork demonstrated this collaboration throughout the pandemic and in the handling of humanitarian crisis, particularly the arrival of migrants from Ukraine. We, along with all the state agencies, the community and voluntary sector have worked hard to accommodate people in a dignified way and it is something that we should all be very proud of. In 2024 we need to continue to talk to each other, share information and develop information resources so everyone can make informed choices.
Finally, my call to action for 2024 is for the people of Cork to engage or get involved with what is going on in their city. There will be local elections in 2024 so it is important for everybody to check the register by visiting www.chekctheregister.ie to ensure they can vote for the next Cork City Council and thereby play their part in how the future of the city is shaped.
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