Cork City Council plans 'world-class amenity space' as part of redevelopment of south docklands

The Marina Walk is among a range of areas that will be upgraded under Cork City Council plans.

Cork City Council is pressing ahead with ambitious multi-million euro plans to redevelop the south docklands, with its latest project to work on the roads, streets and open spaces in the area to create a “world-class amenity space”.

It has gone out to tender for a multi-disciplinary team to deliver the works which will include dedicated cycle and pedestrian infrastructure linking the south-east suburbs to the city centre via Centre Park Road and Monahan Road.

As well as redeveloping these and surrounding roads, the project will also enhance the public realm at by creating a Canal Walk Park and the “Kennedy Spine” which will take the form of three local parks running north-to-south along the western end of the south docklands area.

The council said the project will upgrade a range of areas, including:

• Centre Park Road 
• Monahan Road 
• Marina Walk 
• Marquee Road 
• Open spaces, including Canal Walk Linear Park, Kennedy Spine and the marshland adjoining Marina Park 

“The Cork City Docklands area is one of the most important regeneration schemes in Ireland with a capacity to accommodate approximately 20% of the planned population growth for Cork City in the period to 2040,” the council said.

“The redevelopment aims to create a new sustainable neighbourhood, in the centre of Cork City, that benefits from excellent placemaking, with people-centred streets and spaces.” 

€120m project

The council said it had secured a funding commitment from the Government’s urban regeneration and development fund to deliver the docklands road network, with this fund set to meet 75% of the overall costs of the scheme.

It said that the overall Cork Docklands roads, streets and open spaces scheme is expected to cost in excess of €120m. Cork City Council said it would pay the balance of what is required outside of the grant funding from its own funding and other sources.

In the tender documents, it sets out detailed requirements and ambitions for the project that must be delivered by the successful contractor.

It said: “[The project aims to] revitalise the docklands area by creating an integrated streetscape, park, and transport corridor along Centre Park Road and Monahan Road. This multifunctional space will serve as a distinctive and welcoming gateway to the city, fostering an inclusive, accessible, and connected urban environment that attracts residents, workers, and visitors.

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“[The project will create] a high-quality, distinctive public realm suitable for the ambitious redevelopment plans throughout the study area in accordance with Cork City Council’s objectives for the area, in a manner that integrates with the adjoining developments, future planned infrastructure and development sites.

“The public realm shall deliver a placemaking approach that integrates heritage and be an exemplar in relation to sustainable and environmental design.” 

Throughout the redevelopment, the council said that engagement will be needed with stakeholders in the area such as the Port of Cork, the National Transport Authority and local landowners, businesses and residents.