Carlow town’s to undergo a €20million revamp.
Plans for the rejuvenation have been unveiled and from today (Monday, 30th Sept) you can have your say via yourcarlow.ie
It’s the first element of Project Carlow 2024 which gave a strategic framework for the future of the town with a series of suggested improvements.
Potato Market, Shamrock Plaza, Tullow Street, Kennedy Avenue and Barrack Street will each have a signature purpose, from outdoor dining with cafes and restaurants to hang-out spaces and sensory play equipment for all ages.
Under the proposed plans, locals will take time to mix and meet at a reimagined Potato Market, which will incorporate a covered amenity and recreation space facing the Liberty Tree and Fountain.
The proposed new timber and glass covered amenity space will feature a series of smaller and medium scale spaces, with fixed seating, tables and free wi-fi.
The space, framed by raised planters, street greening and new feature lighting, will have a range of uses for all ages, with a focus on teenagers and local groups.
The new tree-lined streetscape will also contain café-style public spaces outside restaurants and bars.
Outside The Exchange, a renewed outdoor market and amenity space will be framed by raised planters and integrated street seating.
A new civic space and shared surface in front of the library will be part of an upgraded Tullow Street.
The street will be a haven for strollers – whether walkers or prams – and will feature enhanced street greening, raised planters and new street furniture for relaxing.
Shamrock Plaza will be at the heart of Carlow’s social scene featuring extended café-style public spaces for retailers, with seating zones outside restaurant and bars.
The public spaces will be enhanced by new street lighting, street furniture and attractive raised planters.
The Kennedy Avenue and roundabout junction will become Carlow’s sustainable hub.
This will build on the success of the existing sustainable rain gardens, with enhanced street greening, and cycle- friendly, active travel and pedestrian- friendly initiatives.
There will also be a new public paved linked space and garden in Barrack Street that will provide a new link making the town centre more connected, accessible and navigable.
Local authority Cathaoirleach, Cllr Fergal Browne notes; “Public consultation and views are vital to this process and will feed into the final draft of the plan so we are asking everyone to get involved and take the Your Carlow survey at yourcarlow.ie”.
“The proposals have been shown to local representatives and Carlow County Council is now entering a three week period of consultation to give Carlovians the chance to shape their future in a positive way,” said Carlow Town Mayor, Cllr Fintan Phelan.
