Athlone town centre enhancement to proceed after €4m allocation

The next phase of the regeneration of Athlone town centre is to proceed following a €4.1m funding announcement this morning by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien and local Minister of State at the department Longford/Westmeath TD Peter Burke

The funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) will extend the street regeneration scheme at Church Street into Mardyke Street, part of Sean Costello Street, to the junction at Dunnes Stores, and Pump Lane. It will include the pedestrianisation of Sean Costello St.

Minister Peter Burke said he was delighted, along with his colleague in the Department of Housing, the Minister Darragh O’Brien, to announce the €4.1m investment in Athlone.

“I am delighted that the Government have backed the midlands and Athlone with this investment and recognised our potential and our strategic importance,” he said.

The area involved is contained in a roughly triangular block that extends from the main entrance to the Athlone Towncentre Shopping Centre development to the former O’Neill’s site, which the council has signalled its intention to seek to acquire through compulsory purchase order.

Last year, the council was provisionally allocated funding of €750,000 through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund to help progress the plan.

The council believes the project could potentially pave the way for a future private investment partner to develop a mixed-use development on the former O’Neill’s site in the centre of Athlone.

Minister of State Peter Burke said Athlone was identified as a key location for growth by Fine Gael in the National Planning Framework in 2018 and the funding announced will add to the existing investment made over the last number of years.

He said the funding would be spent upgrading derelict buildings and improving streetscape of the town.

He said it would be a catalyst for regeneration in Athlone and provide much-needed economic stimulus and job creation here and across Westmeath.

“I commend the Council for their work on this proposal, which was considered by my Department and was deemed successful based on the value it will provide for the town of Athlone and its future development.”

Two other proposals in Athlone, Loughanaskin and an Athlone Tourism and Cultural Quarter on the westside, were also each allocated €750,000 last year in planning funding under the URDF programme.

In total, the total URDF funding to date for projects in Westmeath accounts for over €10.5m, Minister Burke said.

He said the money will enable the development and upgrade of

derelict sites within the town and to improve the streetscape and enhance the existing infrastructure on Church Street so the town has a more appealing and modern appearance throughout.

“Further investment will be made by the Council for regeneration and re-use of potential brownfield sites within town boundaries, so that we will bring derelict buildings and sites within the town back into use, instead of targeting investment in out-of-town areas while existing buildings are left lie idle in various states of disrepair.”

“I believe this funding will be transformative for the town of Athlone and will work towards attracting more investment, more top-quality job and increase the quality of life for our residents,” he concluded.