City Hall rezoning reignites fears of sale to developers instead of retention for community facilities.

By Denise McNamara

A coalition of Galway community groups are pushing for City Hall to remain in public hands and be redeveloped into a civic space instead of falling into the hands of developers.

After the rezoning of the site from 'Community and Institutional' to 'Commercial/Industrial' in June, it reignited fears that the local authority is hellbent on selling all or part of the site to developers to fund their move to Crown Square.

It prompted the founding of the City Hall Community Coalition, consisting of 11 community organisations in Galway, including the Galway City Community Network – which represents 220 community, voluntary and environmental groups. They are campaigning for the site to instead be transformed into a hub to serve the public.

Development worker with the Galway City Community Network, Áine Treanor, said the property and land was the last publicly-owned jewel in the heart of the city.

“It belongs to us, the Council and councillors are stewards of that for us and it's their role to listen to the people they represent. Galway absolutely needs a city centre youth space – we haven't had one in many, many years, it would be a very accessible arts space, it's right beside the Magdalene Laundries so could be perfect for a memorial garden honouring all survivors of institutional abuse,” she told the Galway City Tribune.

“We have a vision, we have passion for this to remain as a community facility and not a developer-led project. The move by the Council to Crown Square was shrouded in controversy, we need transparency for this prime site and not some token consultation by way of online surveys after the decision is made.”

The coalition feels the four-acre site could have an element of social housing on part of it, some social enterprises as well as a space for arts, youth groups, the elderly and community organisations severely lacking in city facilities.

Brian Doherty, development coordinator with Galway City Community Network, released a short video on their Instagram, Facebook and YouTube accounts to highlight the rezoning of the City Hall site by Galway City Council.

“It’s integral that the voices of local communities and residents are central to the planning for this site rather than a top-down developer-led model. We need community spaces, youth spaces, parks. This land is publicly owned so we don’t want to see it sold off.”

Cllr Alan Curran (Soc Dem) was the only councillor to vote against the rezoning of the site.

City Council Chief Executive Leonard Cleary said the rezoning, which also applies to Salthill Village Centre, would widen the net on what can be explored in the masterplan for site once it was empty.

“Why would we not widen the net to look at all options? Community, social, cultural and civic. This is a four-acre site in the city centre. If it generates additional income, that would be reinvested in services. The masterplan will include all stakeholders and a decision can only be made by elected members,” he stated.

Cllr Curran recalled that the site was identified as a possible location for approximately 230 social and affordable homes.

Mr Cleary said the earlier housing discussions had identified social and affordable housing as one possible use rather than a binding commitment.

"It was an option that could be explored. It would be wrong for it to be binding. It was a comment as a potential option. It may be one component but not the only component.”