Noonan urges Limerick to ‘think San Francisco and Barcelona'

Puck may be Famous · **Joined:** May 3, 2008 **Posts:** 2040

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local ... -1-4001601

Quote:

LIMERICK should look to “creative” and “open” cities like San Francisco and Barcelona in terms of redeveloping and rebranding the image of its city according to Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan.

Mr Noonan was speaking at a civic reception in his honour where he said that the new-look Limerick city will have the amenities “that people need in their daily lives as well as good, modern, high skilled jobs for the sons and daughters of the city and county.”

“That is not a dream, that is a realisable objective for all of you as councillors and I would ask you to continue as you have started in cooperation with everybody,” said Mr Noonan at the reception at County Hall which was attended by councillors from across all parties.

The amalgamation of the local authorities in Limerick in 2014, Mr Noonan described as “a very exciting phase” for councillors “where you will not only have responsibility for a beautiful county but you will have responsibility for a city which needs development but which will act as a focal point for that county.”

“The history of Limerick goes back so far and has been through so many phases. It is now going to launch again into a development phase which I think will be extremely exciting where the energy of the city will be rebranded, where it will be a city of both sport and culture, where the cultural amenities and the amenities that people need in their daily lives will all be there and as well as that we will have good, modern, high skilled jobs for the sons and daughters of the city and county,” continued Mr Noonan.

The Fine Gael minister acknowledged that the councillors had “pulled their weight” to realise an integrated city and county “that we can all be extremely proud of”.

The delusion knows no bounds.

How will the councillors change their role model though? They've been succesfully emulating Detroit for decades.

ex-Patrick · **Posted:** Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:31 am

I've always thought Limerick had a lot going for it and a lot of potential. The first thing is to deal with the gangs, but that doesn't seem to be happening.
Second, they have to work out where Shannon Airport sites in the grander scheme as well. Last couple of times I was there it was like a ghost town, even while Dublin was massively overcrowded (pre T2 days). This probably means a proper integrated transport plan, so no doubt it won't happen either.
Third, find an industrial theme that's going to last multiple decades and pursue it.

There's a mid-sized port, an international(ish) airport, an okay rail link, a decent enough road network, and a biggish river - it's a lot of infrastructure to work with to be honest.

Duisigh · **Joined:** May 28, 2008 **Posts:** 2676

They should rename the place Ostrichville with its beaches you can stick your head in. The problems are not caused by Southill and Moyross, they're caused by the people they put in there and choose to forget about. Strip out UL and the place is dying ( walk down O'Connell Street on a Tuesday night ) Detroit a very good comparison, combine it with a reflex to put the hand out and bleat that its not our fault

obese_cat · **Joined:** Nov 26, 2008 **Posts:** 901

I think Limerick's mindset is changing finally, and while Noonan's statement sounds ludicrous, it's far better to hear him setting a goal for the city instead of pretending 'It's as good as anywhere'.

The city and county councils were the biggest problem, with loads of shopping centres all created on the outskirts draining footfall from the city centre. Those are finally being merged, so hopefully it will level the pitch as regards rates etc. They're finally not blaming the Dublin meeja for everything. The Milk Market is a terrific success, and it has my favourite pubs anywhere.

A bit more joined up thinking, decent public representation, and pride, backed up with action could transform the place. There's no reason except apathy and denial for a further decline in the centre.

Daniel Plainview · **Joined:** Feb 19, 2009 **Posts:** 989

It's UL or bust for Limerick now.
They need part of the campus to move out to the city ...or you can burn it down.

The road link to Dublin could actually prove a massive problem for them - but they're taking a long time to realise it.
I know a number of couples who now head up to Dublin (1hr50m) for any large purchases (e.g couch, bed, TV) rather than buying local.

boomshackala · **Joined:** Dec 29, 2008 **Posts:** 1717

Limerick needs to get people living in the city, like dublin has done. Dublin city seems a much better place to live in than it was a few years ago, and the recession may have actually helped. Would be good to brainstorm ways to do this
Incentives for businesses that make people want to live there such as
http://www.brainwash.com/
no rates for cafes
incentives for collaborative work hubs
more bike lanes
less traffic
etc

TheEmigrant · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2009 **Posts:** 1399

A country with 4 million people can only really have one viable city. Dublin will always take the majority of the good people from the rest of the country.

No point trying to fight it, unless you are a politician with other people's money to spend in order to buy power for yourself.

John Galt · **Joined:** Apr 8, 2010 **Posts:** 248

TheEmigrant wrote:

A country with 4 million people can only really have one viable city. Dublin will always take the majority of the good people from the rest of the country.

No point trying to fight it, unless you are a politician with other people's money to spend in order to buy power for yourself.

I really wish I was one of the good people

then I could move to Dublin

TheEmigrant · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2009 **Posts:** 1399

John Galt wrote:

TheEmigrant wrote:

A country with 4 million people can only really have one viable city. Dublin will always take the majority of the good people from the rest of the country.

No point trying to fight it, unless you are a politician with other people's money to spend in order to buy power for yourself.

I really wish I was one of the good people

then I could move to Dublin

It's only the majority of the good people which move to Dublin. It's still possible that you are also good.

John Galt · **Joined:** Apr 8, 2010 **Posts:** 248

TheEmigrant wrote:

John Galt wrote:

TheEmigrant wrote:

A country with 4 million people can only really have one viable city. Dublin will always take the majority of the good people from the rest of the country.

No point trying to fight it, unless you are a politician with other people's money to spend in order to buy power for yourself.

I really wish I was one of the good people

then I could move to Dublin

It's only the majority of the good people which move to Dublin. It's still possible that you are also good.

of course it is

but its hard being the only "good person" in the whole county

Dublin must be a great place, best city in europe, maybe even the world, so many great people

JoseAntonioPP · **Joined:** Oct 11, 2008 **Posts:** 172

San Francisco (well Silicon Valley anyway, a little further south ) and Barcelona are two inward looking places. They are both clusters not hubs and therefore not the models to aspire to.

The latest I heard about Area 22 in Barcelona wasn't good
http://www.22barcelona.com/index.php?lang=en

Someone here may have more info

Noonan urges Limerick to ‘think San Francisco and Barcelona'

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