Transformation of the Public Realm & Provision for Multi-use Youth Facilities

Submission to the City Development Plan 2022-2028

By Cllr Mick Finn

• Strategic Objective 1 (2.24 and 2.54) - 15 Minute City and neighbourhood development
• Strategic Objective 2 (3.14) – Community Infrastructure

• That the Douglas Street area, as the spine of the old South Parish, is rejuvenated with a local development plan to bring together the many facets of residential, commercial and community life that are unique to the area. This to include an outdoor performance space at the southern end (Summerhill South) for multi-purpose use. Road alignment and layout will need to be altered – transition to one-way systems, road widening and breakouts for public spaces, greening etc - perhaps similar to the system in Emmet Place which facilitates public use as well as servicing daily commercial reality.
• That Barrack Street continues to be viewed as integral to the historic, cultural and economic life of the city, mindful of planned nearby developments. A green plaza to be developed outside Elizabeth Fort to facilitate outdoor entertainment and recreation; a second entry/exit on to Fort Street or St Finbarr’s Place to help maximise the potential of the Fort as an event location
• That a development and enhancement plan be developed for North Main Street to include renovation incentives for commercial operators and residents and better linkages to other historical sites in the city (ie Shandon area)

Developments in these three areas which are contiguous with the city centre will feed into the success of the planned event centre, existing cultural venues, the new public park and library facilities on Grand Parade and will provide go-to pre-destinations for cultural events across the city. Neighbourhoods such as Paddington in Sydney should provide for exemplars in regard to diverse, accessible community infrastructure.

Submission to the City Development Plan 2022-2028

By Mick Finn, Youth Services Development Officer Cork ETB

• Strategic Objective 1 (2.30) – Child Yield

• That as part of the expansion and growth of specific areas around the newly expanded city (including in Docklands, Ballincollig, the greenbelt etc) - which will result in the provision of additional housing and multi-purpose recreational and amenity areas - provision is made in planning for the establishment/inclusion of multi-purpose and multi-provider youth service facilities and spaces to facilitate the expansion of youth services in the city.