Dublin's south quays could become a tree-lined promenade after the port tunnel opens next year, with traffic reduced to one lane for buses, taxis and cyclists, according to a new plan.
The Temple Bar urban framework plan, published yesterday, also envisages creating a new "gateway" to the area from College Green via Foster Place, with a "galleria of smart shops" similar to the Burlington Arcade in London.
As reported in The Irish Times yesterday, a tethered helium balloon would be moored in the Liffey, opposite the former SS Michael and John's Church.
It would accommodate 30 passengers and take them to a height of at least 200 metres.
The plan includes proposals for up to 60 stackable units on underused sites throughout the "cultural quarter", with the ground floors let to commercial interests and affordable space overhead for artists' studios or craft workshops.
Drawn up by Howley Harrington Architects for Temple Bar Properties (TBP), it also proposes that a vast-scale model of Dublin should form the centrepiece of a new "Citizenship Centre" in the Civic Offices at Wood Quay.
Two of the area's principal public spaces, Meeting House Square and Temple Bar Square, would be redesigned. The former would be provided with a retractable roof while the latter would be completely repaved to eliminate its steps.
Other improvements include a full "makeover" of street furniture, including better lighting and more trees; three-dimensional information displays at various "gateways" into the area; and even a small stream running down Cow Lane.
Cultural centres in Temple Bar are being urged to engage in more interaction with the public by developing street art. The plan also suggests that pubs and hotels in the area should promote a cultural agenda through poetry readings and exhibitions.
Mr Dermot McLoughlin, chief executive of TBP, admitted the company had directly facilitated the creation of pubs in the area as a means of drawing tourists to Temple Bar. But he was dealing with present realities because the past could not be changed.
Asked about the public perception of Temple Bar as a "drinking den", Mr McLoughlin said he could not deny this existed, though it was "a mixture of distortion and cliché". A lot of it came down to individual behaviour on the streets.
TBP was also working towards "closing loopholes in the licensing and planning laws" to deal with pubs in the area that were in breach of their planning permissions. It had made a submission on this to the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.
"The purpose of the plan is to identify what's important about Temple Bar, what works and what doesn't work, to iron out conflicts and to support and encourage synergies and identify new opportunities to creatively rebalance the area."
However, he conceded that TBP "has no statutory powers or resources to directly implement the various proposals".
In some cases it would seek private sector funding while in others "the proposals will pay for themselves".
The plan itself was part-funded by TASCQ (Traders in the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter), a consortium of local pubs, restaurants and other businesses, which said yesterday it still had "great confidence" in the area's future.
"Over the past year, there has been huge criticism of Temple Bar by a handful of people," said Mr Martin Harte, its executive manager, in a reference to some members of Dublin City Council. "This type of attitude is dragging everybody back."
But Cllr Chris Andrews (FF) claimed that TASCQ was dominated by publicans and hoteliers representing only 11 per cent of the area's traders, and it was "unthinkable" that TBP had allowed this group to "set the agenda for Temple Bar".
His party colleague, Cllr Gary Keegan, criticised Cllr Andrews - who is seeking a Dáil seat in Dublin South East - for engaging in "megaphone negativity". He said the area's problems could be "sorted out more quietly than that".
Ms Martha Rose Howard, chairwoman of the Temple Bar Residents' Association, said she was "very upset" about being prevented from attending yesterday's press conference.
"This is not in the spirit of welcoming your neighbours," she said.
She said she would be opposed to the proposed balloon because it was likely to draw "disorderly people" into the west end of Temple Bar, where she lives. She denied she was being a "killjoy".
Tree-lined promenade along the
Liffey quays, with traffic restricted to one lane.
New "gateway" to the Temple Bar area from College Green, via Foster Place.
Affordable "incubator units" for
artists, in up to 60 stackable temporary buildings.
Full "makeover" of street furniture, including new lighting and tree-planting.
Retractable roof for Meeting House Square and new paving for Temple Bar Square.
Observation balloon to be moored off Wood Quay, with capacity for 30 people.
Public consultation on the draft plan is open until March 29th. Copies are available from Temple Bar Properties, 12 East Essex Street, Dublin 2, or via the Internet at www.templebar.ie
