FUTURE plans for the site of a once thriving city watering hole, now under the ownership of an approved housing body (AHB), have been brewing at City Hall.
At a recent Metropolitan District meeting, Independent councillor Maria Donoghue inquired about designs for a St Joseph Street property, formerly home to Eric’s Bar, including timelines for any development.
The City West representative was informed that the property, once operated by Eric and Florence Lynch before it closed in 1997, is currently in the ownership of the Peter McVerry Trust (PMVT).
Legal work, Cllr Donoghue was told, is ongoing in relation to the transfer of the property from PMVT to an alternative AHB in accordance with a direction from the Department of Housing.
According to the Council, Focus Housing Association was identified as the alternative AHB. Pre-contract enquiries are being undertaken by all legal parties involved, and the transfer is at an advance stage, with a transfer expected in the first quarter of this year.
“This process has taken an extraordinary length of time and the team in Limerick City and County Council have been pressing all parties involved for regular updates,” said Senior Executive Officer at the Council’s Housing Strategy Division, Sarah Newell.
“At present, the project holds Stage 3 approval from the Department under the Capital Assistance Scheme, approval to proceed contractor tendering. Once the ownership of the property transfers to Focus Housing Association, they will be completing the renovation of this building that will provide four units of elderly accommodation (over 55s).
“Until the legal transfer of ownership is complete, LCCC cannot confirm a timeline for project completion, but we have been assured by Focus Housing Association that the project will be prioritized for delivery.”