Mullingar's civic and cultural quarter is on the way
By Tríona Doherty Mullingar Advertiser, Fri, Jul 18, 2014
Ambitious plans to create a civic and cultural quarter for Mullingar were unveiled this week.
The area, which will centre around the County Buildings and Áras an Mhuillinn, would be designed to allow people to gather in public spaces, for pedestrians to move freely, and to improve links between this area and the town centre.
The council's director of services David Hogan said the aim is to create "an attractive and vibrant civic and cultural quarter in Mullingar" which would be "a destination for cultural activities, art and creativity".
The plan includes measures such as paving the area in front of the Arts Centre to allow more space for pedestrians and encourage traffic to slow down; the addition of street furniture and trees to make the area surrounding the council buildings more pleasant; the paving of the Market Lane area; and the creation of a "multifunctional space" for outdoor activities and functions at the entrance to the County Buildings.
"The county buildings are designed around people driving, and not around pedestrians. There is lots of concrete, and it is given over to the car. We want to create pedestrianised areas in front of the county buildings," said Mr Hogan.
He cited Westport as an example of a town where "pedestrians have greater ownership of the landscape".
Plans for Mullingar's civic and cultural quarter will go out for public consultation in due course, and are likely to be introduced on a phased basis.
Director of services Westport Mullingar Arts Centre David Hogan
Castlelost and Mullingar credit unions join forces
€220,000 facelift fund to fix 26 council houses
Retail strategy to be reviewed after Minister rejects zoning
Let's make Mullingar "the Westport of the Midlands"
Prospect rapist chef gets seven years after fourth trial
Nearly 40 people a day could seek other help before going to A&E
'Tree' mast awaits second reprieve in October
Average three-bed semi in Westmeath is less than €100k
Westmeath chef convicted of rape
Free Travel Scheme concerns grow - Troy
High-speed broadband is just waiting to be used, says eircom