Former mayor appointed to chair Limerick development company
Twenty Thirty is responsible for delivering multi-million euro Project Opera
THE COUNCIL'S development company, which is responsible for regenerating huge swathes of public land in Limerick has a new chairperson.
Former mayor of Limerick, Fianna Fail general election candidate, councillor and metropolitan district leader James Collins has taken up the role on an interim basis.
He succeeds Conn Murray, the first chief executive of Limerick City and County Council.
Mr Collins, who runs James J Collins pub in Dooradoyle, served as a councillor from 2009 until stepping down from politics at last summer's local elections.
He was Mayor of Limerick between 2018 and 2019, before being elected the city's first metropolitan district leader.
On top of this, he contested the 2020 General Election.
He was on the first board of Limerick Twenty Thirty, and also chaired its recruitment committee.
Limerick Twenty Thirty was set up in 2016 with the aim of developing key strategic sites across Limerick and the region.
In that time, it has helped deliver Gardens International at Henry Street, seen work kick off on the Opera Square site, under construction, and put in place a masterplan for the Cleeve's riverside quarter.
Mr Collins also served on the governing authority of University of Limerick from 2018 to 2019, is a director of Innovate Limerick and was trustee of the Limerick Market Trustees.
He said: "I was lucky to be on the board of Limerick Twenty Thirty from its origins through to 2024 and really enjoyed being involved in that capacity and watching it grow from its set-up years to developing multi-award-winning projects. It’s currently at a hugely exciting stage, with the iconic Opera Square project now advancing rapidly and the equally important Cleeves Riverside Quarter moving close to planning. These projects are going to be transformational for Limerick so it’s essential now we keep the momentum up and make the most of this incredible opportunity for our city and region."
Limerick Twenty Thirty is currently without a chief executive after David Conway stepped down to take on the role as chief executive of Louth County Council.