Major regeneration plan on the way for a County Kildare town centre
A major regeneration plan is on the way for Naas town centre.
According to Kildare County Council it will be done in a number of phases and it will focus on public realm projects which will make it easier for pedestrians to access different parts of the Naas.
The design plan creating a new route from Murtagh’s Corner through Corban’s Lane is being designed and this work is expected to be completed in 2025.
A design team led by an urban designer is being sought to prepare a masterplan for the renewal of the town and this will have a strong focus on public realm.
This contract is expected to be awarded in the coming weeks.
It’s expected this plan will incorporate the entire town centre area.
Three places (known as core regeneration areas CRA) will be prioritised “within the historic core of Naas town centre" with transportation and public realm infrastructure included.
The Canal Quarter, Naas Library and Cultural Centre and the Grand Canal Greenway will form part of the plan.
It includes the regeneration of Main Street including redevelopment of Poplar Square and Murtagh’s Corner; redevelopment of St. David’s Castle and surrounds, John’s Lane and Friary Road as a vibrant tourist, cultural, civic and market destination with residential, marketplace and mixed used development.
It also includes Corban’s Lane and the shopping centre.
KCC engineer Donal Hodgins told a Naas Municipal District meeting that the plan will take account of the heavy flow of pedestrians from the town centre, down Basin Street and on to the canal and greenway linking Naas and Sallins.