700 hopefuls seek to name €280m city development

MORE than 700 entries have been received by the promoters of a €280m development planned for Waterford city centre in a public competition to name the retail element of the scheme.

The KRM Construction Partnership development, marketed to date as “Destination Waterford”, was granted planning permission by Waterford City Council in early July, but this is currently under appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

If given the green light by the appeals board, the development will occupy a 5.1-acre site that borders Michael Street, New Street, Stephen Street and Brown’s Lane.

Previously earmarked for completion by the end of 2009, the scheme will feature 60 shops, including three anchor units.

A judging panel consisting of representatives from KRM Construction Partnership; joint letting agents Bannon Commercial and Purcell Properties and communications advisers Bance Nolan Ltd will sift through the entries before selecting a name that will be subject to final approval by the city council. The entrant who suggests the name selected by the panel — or, if necessary, the name closest to that picked for the scheme — will win a pre-Christmas shopping trip for two to New York including return flights; five nights deluxe accommodation at Grand Hyatt New York in midtown Manhattan; airport-hotel limousine transfer along with $1,000 in spending money. If several entries are received for the selected name, a draw will take place among those nominating this name.

Entries for the competition closed last Friday and, according to KRM chief-executive officer Paul Miskella, the initiative captured the public’s imagination and provided an opportunity to engage with the wider community and to harvest ideas from those who know Waterford and the South-East best and who will ultimately shop in the city centre scheme.

In addition to the retail area covered by the Name the Centre competition, the development also includes a 153-bedroom four star hotel with a substantial conference centre and leisure facilities; arts, cultural and community facilities and underground parking for over 600 vehicles.