Funding to progress three urban regeneration plans in Athlone
Funding to progress plans for three major urban regeneration projects in Athlone have been approved.
The three plans to be approved for funds to support the development of masterplans and feasibility studies are Loughaniskin Urban Quarter, Athlone Tourism Cultural Quarter and Athlone Town Centre Regeneration and Enhancement.
The announcement was made this morning by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Each of the three projects is clustered with four others around the country in three separate group funding allocations of just under €3.3m.
The funding allocations have been warmly welcomed by Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and Senator Gabrielle McFadden.
Minister Moran said this was excellent news for Athlone and confirms the strong voice that the town now has at Cabinet.
“I am absolutely delighted with the news this morning. This is something that I have been working very hard on
“I am particularly pleased that all three projects earmarked for Athlone have been selected, with the total funding costs of €12.5m. Today’s announcement allows for the council to draw up their plans, purchase properties and put in the necessary infrastructure.”
Senator McFadden said “This is fantastic news for Athlone and for the Midlands and I am particularly proud and delighted that a proposal for a cultural and tourism quarter that I pioneered on the West side is to be funded.”
“Athlone is getting this funding because it was designated as a special regional driver as part of Project 2040, following a very intensive campaign by me.”
The Loughanaskin Urban Quarter is understood to include the facilitation of the development of a mixed use scheme which will support the commercial core of the town centre including a mixed residential scheme with supporting services and facilities. The plan seeks to optimise the potential of this strategic town centre site.
The Loughaniskin Urban Quarter is believed to include the old St Mel's Terrace area, extending into St Mary's Place.
The second project is to continue plans for a €4 million enhancement of Athlone Town Centre with the extensions of the streetscape works from Church Street along Mardyke Street to the junction with St. Mary's Place, continuing along Pump Lane to the junction of Sean Costello Street/John Broderick Street and returning back via Sean Costello Street merging with Church Street and Mardyke Street into Irishtown. The project will address derelict and vacant sites in the area and will physically define the focal entry point to the main shopping thoroughfare of Athlone.
The third project is the regeneration of the West Bank of Athlone as a Tourism and Cultural Quarter. Westmeath County Council has a long term vision and commitment to regenerate this area to support its emerging cultural quarter status. This is a two phase project which provides for the cultural-led regeneration of Connaught Street and environs. The project will enhance and open up the natural heritage amenity in the area by way of enhancement of the Athlone Canal and Ranelagh.