By Chris Ashmore
WORK on a new-look Market Square in the heart of Letterkenny could finally begin next year – eight years after an initiative to enhance what is a key public space in the town was originally put forward.
After numerous delays, it has now emerged that a contractor could be appointed in the first quarter of next year with construction underway by the summer months.
If there are no further delays, the new-look square could be completed in 2026.
The newly designed Market Square is to be named in memory of local man Barney Doherty to mark his contribution to the town, particularly in his role as Director of the Letterkenny Folk Festival for many years. Mr Doherty passed away in 2001.
Local councillors and Letterkenny Chamber have been updated about the latest developments.
CEO of Letterkenny Chamber, Toni Forrester, said: “We want to see this project moving along and we would hope that a contractor will be appointed in Q1 of next year.”
She acknowledged that there had been concerns about the slow nature of the project which is part of a wider urban regeneration programme known as ‘Letterkenny 40’.
But she believes that projects like this will enhance the town considerably.
The cost of the project is set to exceed €1 million.
Plans to redevelop the Market Square date back to 2018 and came about as a result of Letterkenny winning a Bank of Ireland award as ‘Ireland’s Most Enterprising Town’.
The Chamber subsequently sought innovative ideas to position Letterkenny as “an attractive place for visitors and residents and to support a compelling business case for investment and job creation”.
The Market Square was identified at the time as being a key area in part of wider plans to make more use of public spaces and to create more pedestrian friendly linkages.
The newly designed square will have a large open plaza.
The Chamber has since been working with Donegal County Council and funding is primarily through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
This latest news comes in a week when three buildings on Main Street, just above Market Square, were demolished for safety reasons.
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