A regeneration board has welcomed the successful contractor on site at St. Michael’s Estate, Inchicore in Dublin 8, to begin the redevelopment of this historic neighbourhood.

This first phase will develop 2-acres out of 14-acres planned for regeneration. The construction will take place on a 2-acre site adjacent to the Grand Canal and to the rear of St. Michael’s Estate.

This phase will see the construction of 75 residential units, a childcare facility and a Dublin City Council Estate Office.

The residential units will be a mix of social and affordable housing.

Since the collapse of the Public Private Partnership scheme for regeneration in May 2008, a special Dublin City Council Task Force has worked with the Board to find solutions to continue with the regeneration of this long enduring community.

Independent chairperson of the St Michael’s Estate Regneration Board, Finbarr Flood, paid credit to the work of all involved: “It is a great credit to the work and spirit of the Board Members, in particular the residents, community projects and Dublin City Council, who kept this going, sometimes holding on by a very thin thread. We are here today because people took leadership and kept working together for the betterment of this neighbourhood.”

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Resident and Board Member Caroline McNulty also highlighted that today was a day to savour for all involved stating: “Today’s a good day and I’m going to enjoy it. We really deserve it after all our patience and hard work.”

Local community groups represented on the Board were also in celebratory and hopeful form. Rita Fagan, manager of the St. Michael’s Estate Family Resource Centre, said: “This is an historic neighbourhood, just beside this site we have buildings from Richmond Barracks where the leaders of the 1916 rising were court-martialed. We hope that by 2016, the 14-acres will be ready to host a proper 100th anniversary celebration.”

Mr. Flood emphasized however that “while this is a great start, it is 2-acres of a 14-acre project and the board will continue working together to seek investment and to pioneer innovative approaches to completing the entire site looking at both the physical redevelopment and protecting the social needs of the residents in this community.”

Maire Twomey, Dublin City Council, South Central Area Manager reiterated Mr. Flood’s sentiment adding:“Today is a great success for all and shows us that it is still possible to deliver for our disadvantaged communities, even in the current climate. Dublin City Council will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the community to ensure that this will be the first phase of a completed regeneration.”

(GK)