LOBBYING CALL ON VACANT UPPER FLOORS ON PARK ST
The largely unoccupied upper floors of many premises along Park Street should be the focus of lobbying by local councillors and TD’s, according to the Tidy Towns judging panel.
The town secured a gold medal for the 10th consecutive year, and received high praise for many improvements over the last year.
But in their final report, the adjudicators said: ‘It was a shame to see so many premises on Park Street that did not appear to have any upper floors occupied, Could Councillors or indeed TDs lobby for financial incentives to encourage these to be used?’
The report continued: ‘ Like most large towns, Dundalk does have its shared of dereliction and closed properties. But quite a number were on the market and it is hoped they would be sold and sympathetically refurbished for modern living or use.’
‘Outside of business trading hours, solid shutters can detract from the streetscape so your adjudicator would like to commend those business that had window displays that could be viewed late in the evening with internal or no shutters.’
The adjudicator also praised Tesco Extra for ‘ lovely raised beds, very clean bottle banks and it was refreshing to see a supermarket chain build such a well-designed building.’
Meanwhile time-capsules, 12,000 bulbs, and 50 new trees on the relief road and even a new park were some of the improvements lauded. As were the ‘cascading flowers and planters and hanging baskets in the town centre, and it was just lovely to read that you have installed these as a direct result of public feedback.’ ‘ There are many mature trees in and around Dundalk which are a real asset which possibly locals may not always appreciate. You have incorporated these mature trees into roundabouts, the main plaza in front of the courthouse and in the many parks and public amenity areas of Dundalk.’
The judges noted the ‘ tightly square cut trees in the roundabout at Marshes, which contrasted to the lovely line of silver birch trees.’
The creation of a ‘Sensory Wall’ in St Helena’s playground was highlighted as a ‘ lovely concept.’ ‘ Landscaped areas which have had time spent on them looked very well such as the Peace/ Centenary Garden. Some of the raised beds such as those near the Magnet Road Roundabout could do with more attention.’
It was good to see in the retail park that the low-level raised beds were freshly replanted and it is hoped these will get a chance to establish. Likewise the entrance to the IDA and Enterprise Ireland looked well, though there was a lot of litter under shrubs and bushes on the opposite side of the road here towards Dunnes stores.
‘ The Navy Bank project is to be highly commended as well as the biodiversity training by Abby McSharry to the TUS workers. High praise too for the ‘clever use’ of historical bird images from the Carroll Cigarette cards from the 1930 to help children identify local wildlife.
Plans for the now closed landfill site, and the granting of funding to manage the grass there for the next five years were also highlighted, along with the hopes for it to be developed as a wildflower meadow.
It is commendable that over 20 primary and secondary schools in Dundalk have received green flags relating to energy, water, travel and biodiversity.
It is great that plastic recycling is provided at most bring banks in Dundalk. It is hoped that the new dog fouling bye-laws will be of benefit, and encouraged ‘direct approaches by the community.,’ such as a youth group giving out free waste disposal bags or pledges asking members of the public to sign to demonstrate their commitment to clean-up after their dogs.
Dundalk crossing the ‘ Tain Bridge’, many were out enjoying and using the lovely Riverwalk outdoor gym areas. This and all the riverside amenity walks in Dundalk are wonderful. What a great asset to have and to connect the community back to the river.’
‘For a town with 97 different resident associations, you work hard to encourage them all!’