€40k spent so far on new suite for directly elected mayor
Voters will go to the polls in June to elect Limerick’s first ever executive first citizen
TENS of thousands of euro is being spent building a new suite for the directly elected mayor, at City Hall.
Voters will go to the polls in June to elect Limerick’s first ever executive first citizen.
And preparations are ongoing for when the winner of that contest takes up office at the council’s headquarters at Merchant’s Quay in the city centre.
As part of this, a section of the third floor of these riverside offices are being refurbished.
A council spokesperson outlined that the fit-out works will consist of office space for the newly-elected mayor and their support staff.
There will be an adjoining reception desk, meeting rooms, an associated tea station and bathroom facilities.
At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, Labour councillor Conor Sheehan asked how much money had been spent on work so far.
In a written response from senior architect Seamus Hanrahan, he was told the transformation is in its early stages.
“The current work stage is the stripping out/opening up phase, therefore expenditure to date is low,” he wrote, disclosing around €40,000 excluding VAT had been spent up to now.
However, he added: “Work is ongoing and further costs will be incurred.”
Funding is coming from Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The refurbishment has seen the current Mayor Gerald Mitchell relocated to an alternative office above the council chamber, which up to now was occupied by metropolitan leader, Cllr Azad Talukder.
He in turn has been relocated.
Cllr Sheehan said he would have liked to have seen more detail in the answer from Mr Hanrahan.
“Obviously the entire thing is expensive. Ordinary every day people are struggling. As a public representative, I need to ensure we are getting value for money. The last thing I want to see is grandiose refurbishment works on the third floor of Merchant’s Quay to satisfy somebody’s ego,” said the City North councillor.
There’s now just over two months to polling day.
And this week, two more candidates have declared they will contest the maiden election. Aontu is to run local activist Sarah Beasley, while Rahbarta, will put forward Dr Laura Keyes.