Councilors updated on developments in Abbey Quarter

At recent meetings of Kilkenny County Council, The Abbey Quarter was the focus of attention as members were informed of the progress being made on a number of fronts and elected members also voted to transfer another parcel of land from public ownership to Kilkenny Abbey Development Quarter Ltd. A company whose shareholders are Kilkenny County Council and the NTMA. 

Kilkenny County Council have made excellent progress on the development of the Riverside Garden Project and despite the disruption from Covid 19 they are hopeful that the work will be completed by October this year. The long awaited Skatepark which is expected to be started in August will also be completed at this time, bringing much needed outdoor play spaces for young people in Kilkenny who have waited for years for such a facility. Tenders have been completed for the Mayfair Library and it is anticipated this will be completed by 2021. The restoration of The Tea House is expected to be started later this year and completed in 2021.

Maria Dollard says “I am impressed with the progress that has been achieved in spite of the delays due to the pandemic. The work on these public areas will enhance the long list of great amenities for the people of Kilkenny and I look forward to their completion, especially The Mayfair Library which will be a fitting space for such a valuable service and a place for the wonderful Kilkenny County Library staff to continue the truly excellent work they do on an ongoing basis, with a limited budget.” 

Regarding the development of the commercial part of the Brewery she said, “There will be challenges for sure but there will also be opportunities for Kilkenny and Kilkenny is a very attractive place to relocate for hard pressed renters in other urban areas who despite having good incomes cannot find affordable homes. We should be developing housing that reflects this new reality and design homes that have home offices built into the design? Kilkenny is an attractive choice with its close proximity to the M9 motorway and regular commuter train services to the capital.”

The elected members also voted to transfer another plot of land to KAQDL as this was part of an agreement made in the original contract and the transfer will unlock €0 .9 M in investment that will be used by the company to further develop the site from a commercial perspective.

Cllr Maria Dollard will be keeping an eye out “I am expecting that this site is used in line with the best interests of the people of Kilkenny who have put their faith in this approach to developing the old Brewery site. I am assured that the transfer of the site will not impact on the planned relocation of Barnstorm Theatre who are working with the CE to progress this project. In 2018 Kilkenny County Council were prevented from using this site as a temporary car park by a legal challenge and the project was shelved. I sincerely hope that the promised social housing will be developed in accordance with the Masterplan.  The people of Kilkenny bought this site and its success must be measured in terms of how it delivers for the people of Kilkenny in terms of public service, revenue from rates for the council, heritage,  public amenity and social housing for its most vulnerable citizens."