"Limerick will buck the national trend and undergo a boom for the next ten years"

dowtchaboy wrote:well - looks like there's life left in the old Cub yet - Jim Power reckons Limerick is where it will all happen: (from RTE website)

Limerick building sector to remain strong
Wednesday, 4 June 2008 07:31
An economic report on the future development of Limerick city has found that the construction sector should remain vibrant over the next ten years - going against the national trend.

The finding is based on construction projects worth over €1 billion which are currently planned for the city centre, along with the extra activity massive regeneration projects will bring.

The report was written by economist Jim Power, and commissioned by developer Ger Clohessy, who wanted a realistic economic prospective on how the city will develop in the next decade.

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Mr Power found that the construction sector was likely to remain vibrant in Limerick city over the next ten years because of a number of very ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the city centre.

Apart from public projects to provide new pedestrianised and waterfront walkways, there are two retail and commercial centres planned for Arthur's Quay and the Opera Centre, which between them are worth €1 billion. A regeneration project on the North and South of the city will involve the demolition and rebuilding of around 2,000 homes in a project estimated to cost well over €500m.

Mr Power says that this level of construction will surpass that of any other part of the country, and puts Limerick in a strong position to outperform other cities.

But, on the down side, he found that the city is too dependent on the manufacturing and agricultural sectors for jobs, and governance by three local councils in the area has prevented the city from meeting its real potential.

And this just when we all thought JP had come over from the Dark Side...... Odd that he disses manufacturing and agriculture sectors - what's better? Civil Service or Financial Services perhaps??
db.