REFURBISHMENTS have kicked off at the former tourist office at Arthur’s Quay in Limerick City, despite no clear future use of the building yet being established.
Workers began refurbishments in the last number of weeks to bring the well-known glass-front building overlooking the Shannon back into use, after laying idle for a number of years.
According to a statement from the Mayor, the first stage of clearing the building has been completed, with deep cleaning, roof repair, and window glazing kicking off.
“The intention is to make the space safe, dry, and usable once again, when phase two of the works is completed next year,” the Mayor said.
The Mayor has given over €100,000 from his discretionary mayor fund towards the restoration works.
Despite this, it has not yet been decided what the future of the building will be and what part it will play in the development plans for Arthur’s Quay.
Mayor Moran said that the refurbishment is a signal of intent to “reimagine public spaces” in the city centre.
“I believe it can once more serve as a place of welcome to Limerick. This is, of course, part of an overall plan to rejuvenate Arthur’s Quay as a whole, to upgrade the park and its surrounding public spaces,” he said.
“The next step now is for the renovation works to be completed, before we decide what will be the best use for this building into the future.”
The building has been out of use for the past seven years, most recently open in the form of the popular late night arts café Chez le Fab, which closed in December 2018.
Earlier this year, Mayor Moran pitched that the former tourist office could be brought back into use as a base for the new community wardens project he hopes to introduce – a role which would see wardens installed to help tackle anti-social behaviour and provide a welcome to tourists in the city or those simply seeking local information.
It is understood that funding has already been secured from government for the project.
The Mayor has previously said that the former tourist office would be “the right place” to put a “Welcome to Limerick” office.
In April, Independent councillor Maria Donoghue also called for clarity on the future of the building, expressing hopes that Fáilte Ireland could establish a central tourist office or information kiosk there.
Other local groups have in recent years also expressed interest in the building, including one of the city’s river suicide patrol groups, for its ideal location in close proximity to the Shannon.