Plans approved for new art house in Waterford city despite uncertainty over cost

Plans have been approved for a new art house in Waterford city despite uncertainty over the cost of the project.

The redevelopment of 7-8 Thomas Street was given the go-ahead at a Special Meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District held on Thursday.

As part of the project, the derelict building will be transformed into a space for artists and community groups.

It will also provide access to a pocket park at the rear of the site, which has long been planned for that part of the city.

Gary McCormack, Executive Architect at Waterford City and County Council, gave a presentation on the project at the meeting.

Mr McCormack outlined the council’s plans to transform the site into a “contemporary building which respects the streetscape”.

It is envisaged that the building will host a “wide variety of events”, with the first floor containing meeting rooms and the second floor being reserved for visiting artists.

Mr McCormack said that the development would provide a “boost to the city centre” in an area that “deserves investment”.

However, there were mixed feelings among councillors over the plans for the building.

Sinn Féin councillor Jim Griffin welcomed the project, saying that the pocket park in the area “will look beautiful”.

Similarly, Fianna Fáil councillor Eamon Quinlan said he was “excited” about the pocket park, adding that there is a “huge demand” for it.

Indeed, many councillors welcomed the plans for a pocket park in the area.

However, some raised concerns over access to the park through the building and the use of the building itself.

Mr McCormack highlighted what had occurred with regards the former park beside the New Street Car Park.

The council decided to close the park after it became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and drug abuse.

He said that the local authority is wary of repeating the same mistakes this time around.

Meanwhile, independent councillor Donal Barry raised concerns over the cost of the project.

He said that €400,000 had already been spent on enabling works at the site.

He asked what the construction costs and operational costs of the building would be.

Cllr Barry said that the councillors were being asked to “make big decisions” having not got the full details of the project.

He concluded by raising concerns over the long-term running costs of the art house.

In response, Mr McCormack argued that “public funds would be used to good effect” on the project.

However, he did not state how much the redevelopment or the running of the building would cost.

Later in the meeting, Director of Services Michael Quinn explained that the council executive was reluctant to reveal its budget publicly due to commercial sensitivities.

Mr Quinn added that he would discuss the cost of the project with Cllr Barry in private after the meeting.

At this point, independent councillor Joe Kelly said he was not happy with not knowing the cost of the project.

He described councillors voting on the proposal as “a leap in the dark” and said the council was “overcomplicating things”.

Cllr Kelly argued that the main purpose of the building was to provide safe access to the park but that the art house was going to come as a “huge expense”.

He concluded by saying he was not ready to vote on the project as there were “too many straws in the wind”.

Cllr Barry then came back in to say that councillors were not consulted on the €400,000 already spent on the building.

He added that some of his constituents had asked him “what in the name of God” the council was spending the money on.

Fine Gael councillor Jim Darcy said he would be “slow to support” the development and argued that the project should be downsized.

Director of Services Michael Quinn later came back in in an attempt to alleviate some of the councillors’ concerns.

Mr Quinn stated that there had been “no appetite” from the private sector to redevelop the building.

He said that it was always intended for the building to be a “creative, cultural building” and insisted that there is still a lot of work to be done.

He highlighted that the project will have to come back to the council when it comes to the decision over who is going to occupy the building.

Mr Quinn concluded by saying that the executive was “keen to keep [the project] moving” and added that “a lot of thought” had gone into it.

At the end of the discussion, Social Democrats councillor Mary Roche said she had “no issue” supporting the project.

She formally proposed it and it was seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Jim Griffin.

Cllr Barry and Cllr Kelly both requested that it be noted that they were abstaining from the vote.

Despite the number of concerns raised, a roll-call vote was neither requested nor suggested.

The project will now proceed to the construction phase.