The public are being invited to send submissions to CIÉ about the major €750 million redevelopment of Ceannt Station, Galway city's main rail and bus terminus in Eyre Square.
An international team of consultants, led by architects Murray O'Laoire, has been commissioned to draw up a plan for the redevelopment of the 14 acre site. The development will include new bus and rail facilities, a major retail, office and possibly a residential development.
The team will also consider the purchase of the Great Southern Hotel, which could be worth around €40 million, and assess whether there is a benefit in having the site as part of the development.
However, Green Party city councillor Niall Ó Brolcháin is insistent that CIÉ's plans to redevelop the station must include protecting the Great Southern Hotel.
"While there is a clear need to develop Galway city's mainline railway station in a positive way to cater for the Western Rail Corridor, there is a real need to preserve the major heritage aspects of the overall site and that very much includes the Great Southern Hotel," said Cllr Ó Brolcháin.
The 14 acre CIÉ holding at Eyre Square includes the existing train and bus station as well as the railyard and bus depot. The company are currently advertising their proposal in advance of completing an urban design master plan for the station.
"The purpose of the urban design master plan will be to generate a new vision for Ceannt Station. A vision that optimises the potential of the site as a new mixed-use quarter in the city and positively contributes to the vitality and atmosphere of the city centre and its waterfront," their public notice states.
The bus and rail station will have state-of-the-art passenger facilities in the new development, such as extra platforms, waiting facilities, a bar and a restaurant. The bus station will double in size to 25 bays, and rail platforms will increase to three from just one.
CIÉ is now inviting interested parties or individuals to make suggestions or to forward ideas for review by the team.
Submissions may be made in writing up to 4pm on Friday, May 19th.
They should be marked Ceannt Station master plan, Murray O'Laoire Architects, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8 or they can be e-mailed to dublin@murrayolaoire.com.
