Design work to get underway on new cultural centre for Galway City

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A design team has been appointed by Galway City Council to develop a proposal for a cultural centre and social housing in a row of terraced properties on Merchants Road which have been lying vacant for more than a decade.

A tender process was undertaken to appoint consultants to draw up plans for the four two-storey houses opposite the House Hotel and adjacent to Pálás cinema.

The team have estimated that it will likely take between four and six months to finalise the design that will be then be put forward to councillors to accept or reject as a Part 8 planning application, explained Brian Barrett, Director of Services for Economic Development, Community and Culture.

Under the Part 8 process, the plans will go on public display to allow for submissions to be made before ultimately being voted on by city councillors.

“It is not possible at this stage to finalise the capital costs of the project as this will depend on the final design of the cultural space. Galway City Council is currently exploring funding options for the development of the space,” Mr Barrett explained.

(Photo: the derelict houses on Lower Merchant’s Road)

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