I welcome the proposed refurbishment of the existing protected structure that is the County Library & the proposal to add a substantial extension to the existing Library / Riverbank buildings – thus creating a revitalised library function incorporating facilities for accessing (local) archives and an enhanced Cultural Centre adding to the already excellent Riverbank Arts Centre.
It is also great to note that the protected structure that comprises of “old” library “Leabharlann an Chondae” – which prior to its recent significant deterioration in appearance was an attractive building located as it is in a very prominent location facing the bridge at the entrance to the town - is to be restored in a sympathetic manner as fits its building’s status & original design.
Hopefully this Part 8 will be finished in compliance with the adopted plans – I refer particularly to the landscaping & public realm appearance aspects of the development, unlike the Part 8 for the Town Hall for which the landscaping facing the Main Street was never completed.
part 8
Teideal:
Archives Considerations
I would define archives not solely as a collection of historical “documents” but also of physical artefacts providing information about a town, its history & critically its community.
The provision of a publicly available archive or research facility in Droichead Nua is extremely welcome as is family tree research resources etc.
It should be noted that there is no facility available in the town to facilitate a permanent display of “physical” archives – memorabilia which exists from our cultural, political, military or industrial past here in the town.
Therefore given that the proposed new development will range from one to three storeys in height, would it be possible to position some “glass display cabinets” along some of the walls along corridors within the structure – some on each level – these could be used to display (relatively small – medium sized) artefacts of historical significance to the town.
I personally have some small / medium sized artefacts associated with local industry and other folks would have material related to Irish Ropes, The Last Factory, The RIC Barracks and indeed Kildare County Council themselves would surely have physical items from the days of the Town Commission such as the Mayoral Chain of Office, minute books etc. which should be made readily available to view by those interested in our heritage.
part 8
Teideal:
Heritage & Arts Trail Signage
The “old” protected structure “Leabharlann an Chondae” is included on the towns Heritage & Arts Trail and as such has a blue plaque on the gate pillar outside the original entrance to the old building. Can you please ensure that the Heritage & Arts Trail plaque positioned on the gate pillar is removed to safe storage before / during any works & most importantly returned to a suitable public facing location on completion of the works.
part 8
Teideal:
Landscaping
I generally welcome the proposed landscaping & public realm enhancement works associated with the development – it would appear that these external works will add to the appearance of the public realm & create a welcoming atmosphere in the immediate area.
The ”courtyard” would appear to be designed as a welcoming place with opportunities for sensory spaces, quiet recreational spaces & functional areas suitable to small gatherings to celebrate events in our library, arts centre or culture night etc.
Has consideration been given to provision of overhead canopies or some method of shielding event participants from the vagaries of Ireland's weather.
Where possible would you consider planting native trees / shrubs, perennial flower planting & preferably planted in the ground rather than the rusty planters which “adorn” the footpath streetscape outside the Riverbank Arts Centre.
The Infrastructure Report.pdf appears to have made provision for a “welcome art sculpture”. It is essential that this is provided for & a suitable design of & provision of a piece of sculpture – preferably commissioned from a locally based artist / sculptor – on the basis that the Per Cent for Art scheme should if my understand in correct require that up to 1% of the cost of this publicly funded infrastructural or building development can be allocated to the commissioning of a work of art.
The obsolete Eircom Phone booths must be removed permanently as part of the development (or before if possible).
It would appear from the Athgarvan Road CGI Image provided that the railings are being retained on the boundary wall of the “old” protected structure library building – one assumes that the existing railings are being replaced.
part 8
Teideal:
Continuation of Library Services
While one welcomes the long awaited upgrade to publicly available facilities here in Droichead Nua - one concern is where the library services will be “housed” during the construction phase of this development, a library service will be required during this period of renewal and as such one hopes that a suitable “temporary” home will be found for the library service.
part 8
Teideal:
Wildlife – Specifically Bats
I have some concern in relation to the amount of light which will be emitted from the building & additional public lighting provided as part of the public realm improvement actions in the proposed development.
While I can accept the conclusion (specifically relating to the buildings) in your “Bat Suitability Assessment” which summarises that “The buildings and remainder of the Site are considered to have negligible suitability for roosting, foraging or commuting bats. This is due primarily to the levels of artificial lighting surrounding the Site”.
The Part 8 has not really considered the bats “working” along the River Liffey other than the rather cursory comment “The River Liffey is located approximately 40 m to the east of the Site. The river flows north past the Site, and then flows north-east towards Dublin city.”
There are a number of bat species “working” the Liffey every evening / night.
Have more suitable lux intensity for public lighting in the area been considered while maintaining sufficient lighting to ensure public safety of passers-by.
part 8
Teideal:
Roof Terrace
A roof terrace is shown in the plans which includes a “Balustraded planting zone recessed from parapet” is it proposed that this roof terrace will be accessible to the public & what if any facilities are proposed for this area?
Perennial plants preferred.
part 8
Teideal:
Communications Masts & Cables
Will what appears to be a communications mast currently situated on the roof of the protected structure be removed as part of this Part 8 development?
Can one assume that the cable(s) which runs from the protected structure “old” library building across the Athgarvan Road & is secured to a tree in the Liffey Linear Park will be removed as part of this development – while I am unsure of the reason for its existence I suspect it was once used to hang “Christmas” lighting when that type of signage was permitted in the 1970’s. or 1980’s.
When removing the cable from the tree may I suggest obtaining advice from KCC Parks Section on how best to protect the tree.
Both cables & communications platform are clearly visible on your “Preliminary Damp and Timber Decay Report.pdf” document Page 35/72.
part 8
Teideal:
Traffic & Pedestrians
This new development & the regeneration of the Library, Archive & Cultural hub will no doubt attract further visitors & given its proximity to many schools the new “spacious” facility will be more attractive to groups of students as well as individual visits.
The proposed raised pedestrian crossing is welcomed & one should be considered for the crossing between the proposed Library “plaza” area where the “left turn vehicular channel” will be removed & The Bridge (Park Entrance) also.
Both need to be traffic light controlled to facilitate pedestrian safety.
part 8
Teideal:
Timescale
I am unsure whether there is a timescale for the development or whether a budget has or will be formally adopted (assuming the Part 8 process is approved / amended & approved).
I would hope that this development would be completed in full within the earliest possible timescale & not put on the proverbial “long finger” or stretched out into the long-term as a project which “would be nice to have … but ....” future project.
I wish the Council & the Library Service well with their plans & look forward to its completion within the next couple of years.
Tuairimí
I welcome the proposed refurbishment of the existing protected structure that is the County Library & the proposal to add a substantial extension to the existing Library / Riverbank buildings – thus creating a revitalised library function incorporating facilities for accessing (local) archives and an enhanced Cultural Centre adding to the already excellent Riverbank Arts Centre.
It is also great to note that the protected structure that comprises of “old” library “Leabharlann an Chondae” – which prior to its recent significant deterioration in appearance was an attractive building located as it is in a very prominent location facing the bridge at the entrance to the town - is to be restored in a sympathetic manner as fits its building’s status & original design.
Hopefully this Part 8 will be finished in compliance with the adopted plans – I refer particularly to the landscaping & public realm appearance aspects of the development, unlike the Part 8 for the Town Hall for which the landscaping facing the Main Street was never completed.
I would define archives not solely as a collection of historical “documents” but also of physical artefacts providing information about a town, its history & critically its community.
The provision of a publicly available archive or research facility in Droichead Nua is extremely welcome as is family tree research resources etc.
It should be noted that there is no facility available in the town to facilitate a permanent display of “physical” archives – memorabilia which exists from our cultural, political, military or industrial past here in the town.
Therefore given that the proposed new development will range from one to three storeys in height, would it be possible to position some “glass display cabinets” along some of the walls along corridors within the structure – some on each level – these could be used to display (relatively small – medium sized) artefacts of historical significance to the town.
I personally have some small / medium sized artefacts associated with local industry and other folks would have material related to Irish Ropes, The Last Factory, The RIC Barracks and indeed Kildare County Council themselves would surely have physical items from the days of the Town Commission such as the Mayoral Chain of Office, minute books etc. which should be made readily available to view by those interested in our heritage.
The “old” protected structure “Leabharlann an Chondae” is included on the towns Heritage & Arts Trail and as such has a blue plaque on the gate pillar outside the original entrance to the old building. Can you please ensure that the Heritage & Arts Trail plaque positioned on the gate pillar is removed to safe storage before / during any works & most importantly returned to a suitable public facing location on completion of the works.
I generally welcome the proposed landscaping & public realm enhancement works associated with the development – it would appear that these external works will add to the appearance of the public realm & create a welcoming atmosphere in the immediate area.
The ”courtyard” would appear to be designed as a welcoming place with opportunities for sensory spaces, quiet recreational spaces & functional areas suitable to small gatherings to celebrate events in our library, arts centre or culture night etc.
Has consideration been given to provision of overhead canopies or some method of shielding event participants from the vagaries of Ireland's weather.
Where possible would you consider planting native trees / shrubs, perennial flower planting & preferably planted in the ground rather than the rusty planters which “adorn” the footpath streetscape outside the Riverbank Arts Centre.
The Infrastructure Report.pdf appears to have made provision for a “welcome art sculpture”. It is essential that this is provided for & a suitable design of & provision of a piece of sculpture – preferably commissioned from a locally based artist / sculptor – on the basis that the Per Cent for Art scheme should if my understand in correct require that up to 1% of the cost of this publicly funded infrastructural or building development can be allocated to the commissioning of a work of art.
The obsolete Eircom Phone booths must be removed permanently as part of the development (or before if possible).
It would appear from the Athgarvan Road CGI Image provided that the railings are being retained on the boundary wall of the “old” protected structure library building – one assumes that the existing railings are being replaced.
While one welcomes the long awaited upgrade to publicly available facilities here in Droichead Nua - one concern is where the library services will be “housed” during the construction phase of this development, a library service will be required during this period of renewal and as such one hopes that a suitable “temporary” home will be found for the library service.
I have some concern in relation to the amount of light which will be emitted from the building & additional public lighting provided as part of the public realm improvement actions in the proposed development.
While I can accept the conclusion (specifically relating to the buildings) in your “Bat Suitability Assessment” which summarises that “The buildings and remainder of the Site are considered to have negligible suitability for roosting, foraging or commuting bats. This is due primarily to the levels of artificial lighting surrounding the Site”.
The Part 8 has not really considered the bats “working” along the River Liffey other than the rather cursory comment “The River Liffey is located approximately 40 m to the east of the Site. The river flows north past the Site, and then flows north-east towards Dublin city.”
There are a number of bat species “working” the Liffey every evening / night.
Have more suitable lux intensity for public lighting in the area been considered while maintaining sufficient lighting to ensure public safety of passers-by.
A roof terrace is shown in the plans which includes a “Balustraded planting zone recessed from parapet” is it proposed that this roof terrace will be accessible to the public & what if any facilities are proposed for this area?
Perennial plants preferred.
Will what appears to be a communications mast currently situated on the roof of the protected structure be removed as part of this Part 8 development?
Can one assume that the cable(s) which runs from the protected structure “old” library building across the Athgarvan Road & is secured to a tree in the Liffey Linear Park will be removed as part of this development – while I am unsure of the reason for its existence I suspect it was once used to hang “Christmas” lighting when that type of signage was permitted in the 1970’s. or 1980’s.
When removing the cable from the tree may I suggest obtaining advice from KCC Parks Section on how best to protect the tree.
Both cables & communications platform are clearly visible on your “Preliminary Damp and Timber Decay Report.pdf” document Page 35/72.
This new development & the regeneration of the Library, Archive & Cultural hub will no doubt attract further visitors & given its proximity to many schools the new “spacious” facility will be more attractive to groups of students as well as individual visits.
The proposed raised pedestrian crossing is welcomed & one should be considered for the crossing between the proposed Library “plaza” area where the “left turn vehicular channel” will be removed & The Bridge (Park Entrance) also.
Both need to be traffic light controlled to facilitate pedestrian safety.
I am unsure whether there is a timescale for the development or whether a budget has or will be formally adopted (assuming the Part 8 process is approved / amended & approved).
I would hope that this development would be completed in full within the earliest possible timescale & not put on the proverbial “long finger” or stretched out into the long-term as a project which “would be nice to have … but ....” future project.
I wish the Council & the Library Service well with their plans & look forward to its completion within the next couple of years.