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Limerick City and County Council has appointed Arup as the multi-disciplinary project management, design and engineering lead to advance key infrastructure packages for the Colbert Quarter regeneration. The contract was formally signed at an event attended by Mayor of Limerick John Moran and representatives of the Council and Arup.
Under a rolling programme, Arup will deliver project management, planning, design and engineering services for new roads, walking and cycling corridors, a public park, sports and recreation amenities, public spaces, utilities and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, as well as improved pedestrian and cycling connections.
These works are designed to enable the wider Colbert Quarter vision by unlocking land for housing, attracting investment and supporting economic activity, while strengthening links between existing communities, public transport and future development areas.
As lead technical consultant, Arup will be supported by Hawkins\Brown Architects and John Spain Associates. The appointment marks a move from long-term vision to detailed planning and design of the infrastructure required to deliver the programme.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran welcomed progress on the ambitious plans, saying: "Colbert Quarter is a chance to build a whole new part of Limerick, and to get it right from the get-go. It will bring new homes, but also a major park at its heart, safe routes to walk and cycle, and the sports facilities and public spaces that build real community. Appointing Arup means the plans now move towards boots on the ground."
Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Tom Ruddle, added: "The ambition for Colbert Quarter is significant. It is about creating a new, well-connected part of Limerick that combines homes with high-quality public spaces, parks, sporting facilities and sustainable transport links. This appointment is an important step towards delivering the infrastructure needed to support that ambition."
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, said: "Developing this enabling infrastructure is essential to unlocking the wider potential of Colbert Quarter. The work will be advanced through a rolling programme of packages, aligned with the availability of capital funding and the required planning and approval processes."
Ireland Country Leader at Arup, Donal McDaid, concluded: "Arup is proud to be leading such an important regeneration project for Limerick. Colbert Quarter represents a significant opportunity to create a vibrant, connected and sustainable part of the city, delivering a lasting positive legacy for Limerick and its communities. We look forward to working closely with Limerick City and County Council and our project partners to help bring that ambition to life."
The long-term direction is set by the Colbert Quarter Spatial Framework 2022–2042, prepared for the Council in partnership with the Land Development Agency, CIÉ and the HSE. It outlines a sustainable, connected, mixed-use urban quarter with new homes, public spaces, green infrastructure, and active travel links.
A flagship element is the proposed Colbert Quarter Park and Sustainable Urban Drainage scheme, which would deliver a major new public park, walking and cycling routes, recreation facilities, biodiversity enhancements and drainage infrastructure to support future development.
Design work will proceed across approximately 12 infrastructure packages, with sequencing and delivery subject to statutory approvals and the securing of additional capital funding.
The programme is supported by funding from the Housing Activation Office, the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund and the Land Development Agency. The Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund supports compact and sustainable development, part-funding urban regeneration projects and sustainable communities, and has replaced the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
Further information is available at: www.limerick.ie/council/services/planning-and-placemaking/projects/colbert-quarter-park-and-sustainable-urban and https://colbertquarter.ie/projects-2/.
