CATHAOIRLEACH of the Council’s Metropolitan District, Cllr Daniel Butler says he is set on making the city centre his focus during his new term and has taken out of the starting blocks with gusto.
The Fine Gael representative for City West told the Limerick Post this week that he is delighted with, after being elected to the position in June, how things have kicked off with meetings with An Garda Sรญochรกna and the recent announcement of 20 new Garda recruits for Limerick.
On top of this, Cllr Butler’s positive streak has continued with him getting to do the official opening of Aldi on Roches Street in the city with the German retailer’s investment and new jobs a welcome boost for the city centre.
“Some of the practical works in terms of planting, cleansing, and maintenance works over the last week and coming week has been a real help too. I was delighted to be able to get the Market Quarter and Cruises Street plans across the line also at our last meeting,” the former Limerick mayor told this newspaper.
Following his elevation to the position as Cathaoirleach in June, Cllr Butler spoke in the Council chamber of his vision for the city centreย to become a place where people want to live, work, and spend time โ “a place that is vibrant, safe, and welcoming and full of lifeโ, as he put it
“When we talk about a modern, thriving city, weโre talking about a place that puts people at its heart, a city thatโs walkable, green, well connected, culturally rich, and inclusive. A place where small businesses and local enterprise can flourish, where public spaces are alive with activity, and where people can feel proud to call it home,” he said at the time.
With this in mind, Butler proposed that the city centre be made a standing agenda item at every Metropolitan meeting during his term. This, he believes, will ensure that discussions are structured and efficient, but most importantly, give this vital issue the consistent focus and attention it deserves.
The Metropolitan Cathaoirleach now has meetings with Penneys in the city centre in his diary for the coming weeks to hear more on the retail giant’s investment plans for the future.
“I am trying to keep the focus on the city centre in the hope of achieving progress,” Cllr Butler concluded.
