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17'h October 2002
A Ard-Mhedra,
Seanoiri agus Comhairleoiri
I refer to the following motion referred to the Committee by Council:-
1.
BISHOPSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
"That this Council report on:-
1. Its current intention and time scale on the opening of the long awaited Public Library in
Bishopstown area.
2. Its current option in the light of developments at the Wilton Shopping Centre and The
Orchard Site and decide on a location forthwith to avoid any dangers of a withdrawal of declared
public funding for this project.
3. The amount of local funding necessary and the amount to be included in the Estimates 2003.
(Proposer: Comhairleoir B. Bermingham 02 / 224)
Members are aware that the position with regard to Bishopstown Library hinges on
three possibilities i.e.
 | Old Dunne's Stores, Curraheen Road
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| Proposed extension to Wilton Shopping Centre (currently in abeyance)
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| The orchard site - shared with the Southern Health Board
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1 enclose, attached, my letter to Mr Pope, Architect, and agent for
Dunne's Stores in Cork for which 1 have not yet received a reply, but which is self-explanatory.
This site is the most suitable, 1 have requested a definite response to the proposal, so that
it can either be eliminated or acted upon.
If it is a non-starter and if at the same time we cannot get confirmation of the intentions
for development at Wilton, then we may have no choice but to revert to the Orchard site.
Funding will not be required in 2003 as a Capital Grant to the value of 75% of the Project
will be available.
1 ask the Committee to consider the report and recommend it to Council
for approval.
JOE
KENNELLY
DIRECTOR OF SERVICES
RECREATION, AMENITY & CULTURE
Letter To :
Bertie Pope & Assocs. Architects
West Village
Balincollig 1" October 2002
Co.Cork
Attention Mr Bertie Pope
Re:
Branch Librar-v - Bishopstown
Dear Mr Pope,
1 refer to a previous meeting in early Summer involving yourself, the City Librarian and
myself, wherein the suitability of portion of 'old' Dunnes Stores site in Bishopstown, as a
library location was discussed.
You
might recall that the outcome of the discussion was, that indeed
the location was most suitable.
While realising and accepting the absolute rights of Dunnes Stores to develop their property
as they see fit, 1 would suggest that consideration of the provision of a library within any
commercial development could be most beneficial to the Development.
In its duty to provide library services for the city, Cork City Council has a major deficit
in this regard in the Bishopstown area, where .demand is very strong.
As the site in question has been. mooted, and as it is one of the very few options available
to us, 1 would ask if you could get an indication from your client, as to their thinking on such
a development.
1 can confirm that the City Council is extremely interested in the site, be it on a purchase,
build and lease or any other option.
However, time is very much against us and we would need
very soon an indication of the owners intention.
In general, the City Planners would have no objection to the location of a library services
within a commercial development.
1 would be obliged if you could contact your clients as a matter of
urgency, as, if we cannot make a firm proposal to the Dept. of Environment & Local Government,
we will lose out on any grant aid available, and 1 will have to immediately look at what options
remain.
Yours sincerely,
JOE KENNELLY
DIRECTOR OF SERVICES RECREATION, AMENITY & CULTURE
cc.
City Librarian S.E.O. |
