A new municipal gallery and cultural centre are key features of a €2 billion development plan for Galway's docklands which has been presented to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The blueprint aims to move the existing tidal port into deepwater and "turn the city's face to the sea", according to Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív.
The Minister is spearheading the initiative with State and business interests being led by John Killeen.
The proposal, which received an enthusiastic response from the Taoiseach in Galway yesterday, is being marketed as a potential "flagship project" for the west in the new National Development Plan currently under preparation for 2007 to 2013.
It has been prepared by a special steering group representing Galway Harbour Company, Galway City Council, Ireland-West Tourism, Galway Chamber of Commerce and the Marine Institute.
Expertise was also drawn from George Washington University and the Dublin Institute of Technology.
The proposal consists of two phases, involving the initial relocation of the current port area to a deepwater site - suitable for cruise ships - and the subsequent development of a 32-acre "brownfield" site under strategic development zone designation.
Central to the plan is the release of an estimated eight acres of amenity area in the city centre. A new "landmark waterfront" development involving "cultural attractions", housing, shopping areas and marine leisure facilities would "allow Galway to fulfil its potential as a maritime city", the plan says.
It would strengthen its ability to live up to its "gateway" designation under the national spatial strategy.
The project would "complement" proposed developments at the adjoining site owned by CIÉ, which is currently under consideration by the transport company.
It would also help to integrate rail, bus and sea transport. Most of the area would be pedestrianised.
Mr Ó Cuív said it would also complement the partial opening of the Western Rail Corridor, which would be dominated by commuter traffic.
In his view, the project would be modelled on Auckland's waterfront development in New Zealand.
Proposed marine leisure facilities would be inclusive, involving all types of activity from angling to traditional sailing craft and would in that sense be the "very antithesis" of private marina developments, he added.
If included in the National Development Plan, the proposal would then require a Government order to designate it as a strategic development zone under the 2000 Planning and Development Act.
Galway City Council would then be appointed as the relevant development agency.
