Six exciting projects will change face of Offaly town

SIX projects are currently progressing in Tullamore which are set to change the face of the town.

The initiatives have been approved under the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Urban Regeneration and Development Fund with approval received in May to progress the six Projects to the next stage.

Project A: O’Connor Square to Church Street Link, Urban Garden, Civic Space & Remote Working Hub. This will link O’Connor Square and Market Square over the Tullamore River.

Senior Executive Officer with Offaly County Council, Jean Ryan said it will, ''provide open space which will act as a pivotal connection between the two key squares, build on the existing remote working facilities in Tullamore with innovation space in the town centre and contribute greatly to placemaking.'' The tender for the appointment of the Consultants for the design and construction management of the Project was published on June 9.

Project B: Will provide a new street linking High Street to the rear of O’Connor Square with the intention of improving permeability from High Street and open up the rear of the square to development opportunities. It has received approval to tender for a Contractor for the works. This is scheduled for this month.

Project C: Meath Lane will provide an additional pedestrian route in the town and access to the amphitheatre of the newly opened Esker Arts. Offaly County Council has received approval to tender for these works.

Project D: Tullamore Regeneration Framework is to deliver a vision for Tullamore to 2040, a public realm and regeneration and renewal framework by both the public and private sectors for Tullamore and a strategy for sustainable access. This is progressing to the first public consultation by the appointed consultants Brady Shipman Martin.

The online survey is seeking the views of towns people for the future of Tullamore Town Centre. This is ongoing and Offaly County Council would like to hear from all stakeholders within the local community of Tullamore.

Ms Ryan said, ''the feedback that we will receive will help shape the future of Tullamore.'' The survey is open until June 19. It is available on www.offaly.ie.

Project E: The Tullamore Harbour Development Options Masterplan for the Grand Canal Harbour in Tullamore is ongoing by the appointed consultants Grafton Architects and will provide Offaly County Council and partners Waterways Ireland detailed economic analysis of development options for the site.

Project F: Acres’ Folly Enhancements. This will allow for public viewing across Lloyd Park and the town of Tullamore offering an important local and national focal point for this historic property encouraging the regeneration of its original purpose as designed by the former property developer Thomas Acre. Phase 1 and 2 was funded by the Historic Structures Fund and Creative Ireland Funding. This went towards repairing the existing structure and internal viewing staircase. This is now complete.

Offaly County Council has has received approval to tender for phase 3 landscaping works to the grounds around the folly and the former garden.