March 1998 I N S I D E New Junction for Balbucther Lane Demolitions REGENERATION NEWS February/March 2003 Issue 28 Ballymun Sisters Exhibition in Axis New Housing Update Pedestrian Way at Shangan European Year of People with Disabilities New Civic Buildings to open in June 2003 HEALTH & SAFETY If you see anything that you are concerned about on the building sites outside of working hours please contact Ballymun Gardaí at 01-6664400 New Civic Building to open doors in June 2003. REGENERATION 2003-2008 The regeneration of Ballymun began in November 1997, the Masterplan for Ballymun was signed off at the end of March 1998. With the move to the new Civic Buildings expected to take place in June 2003 BRL consider that it would be a good opportunity to reflect on the progress which has been made and to review the plans and strategies for the completion of the regeneration project. There will be a major exhibition to coincide with the opening of the new civic buildings. At this stage BRL hopes to be able to show the phasing and demolition schedules for the remainder of the flat blocks and also to show in more detail the layouts for housing on the remaining sites. Options for the existing courtyard and timber clad housing and environment plans for the public realm will also be illustrated. continued page 2
continued from page 1 Achievements relating to the detailed objectives of a physical, social and economic nature set out in the Masterplan will also be charted. Successes will have been measured and gaps will have been identified as part of the project's ongoing commitment to implementing the Masterplan in a strategic and integrated manner. The project will only succeed if everyone, local people, community groups, voluntary and statutory agencies work together to achieve the ambitious objectives of regeneration as a whole. being actively achieved through the provision of sites to local and national co-operatives (over 150 units in Ballymun and over a 100 in Santry Demesne) through housing associations (nearly 100 units) through housing schemes provided by private developers (650 units). The initial planning and enabling works has meant that things moved slowly for the first few years but during 2003 over 850 housing units will be under construction simultaneously. BRL appreciate that there is a good deal of disruption. At the initial consultation stages people said that they wanted regeneration to happen quickly and not to drag on for ever and this is why we have tried to push forward across the whole of Ballymun. This also means that the benefits of regeneration are being brought to all the community as soon as possible. This year so far 180 units have gone on site in three schemes (Poppintree 4, Balcurris 2 and Balcurris 1&3) and a further 650 will go on site over the next few months, many of these schemes including Sillogue 3a &b and Poppintree 5a & b are at the tendering stage awaiting the appointment of contractors. New housing in Coultry. Project Update So far over 250 housing units have been handed over and most of these are occupied, nearly 300 more should be finished by Easter 2003. In order to facilitate the building of the leisure centre and the civic building Ceannt Tower and the first block on Shangan Road (1-93) have been prioritised for rehousing although not originally included in Phase 1. Any units which have not yet been allocated from Phase 1 are being set aside to expedite the demolition of these two sets of flat blocks. Unfortunately this means that there will be few if any housing units for sale by BRL until later in the project. BRL's still retains its commitment to increasing the supply of non-local authority housing in the area. This is Thus many people in Phase 2 schemes will see their housing starting on site shortly and most of the Phase 3 schemes are ready to go for planning. It normally takes about eight months after planning for a scheme to go on site. The last of the Phase 1 schemes Balcurris 1 went on site at the beginning of March 2003, along with Balcurris 3 which was a Phase 2 scheme. Balcurris 1 had a long and difficult time going through the planning and tendering process. The Main Street contract is coming to an end and the new road will be a real symbol of Ballymun's bright new future. We believe that when this contract is finished the sense of disruption to traffic and pedestrians in the area will be significantly reduced since most construction work will then be confined to specific sites that have hoardings around them. (See pages 10 & 11 for more project update details) Residents Review Project Starting in March 2003 BRL is about to undertake a review of how residents who have been moving into new housing developments found the process. Included in the study will be a review of both residents who moved but also a review of people living in the areas where the new housing was built. BRL is undertaking the review to get a better understanding of how the process went, how it was perceived by local people and what needs to be improved. The results of the review study will be displayed in an exhibition in Axis. 2
Exhibition of Ballymun Sisters in Axis home to select and paint portraits of four of the women (two pairs of sisters). His paintings, on four car bonnets, will form part of Ballymun's new art collection and will be part of the permanent collection of art which will be housed in the new Civic Buildings. Each woman who participated in the project will receive a limited edition copy of their photographic portrait. The exhibition will be on display in Axis until the end of March 2003 and has been attracting a good deal of attention both locally and nationally. Michelle and Yvonne Dunne who participated in the Ballymun Sisters project. Nearly a year since its launch last February by Minister Noel Ahern, Ireland's most exciting "Per Cent For Art" programme is now well underway. Well known Belfast artist John Kindness flew in from London to oversee an exhibition of photographic portraits of 48 Ballymun sisters. John has now returned In addition to the Sisters work a number of other artworks by internationally renowned artists have been commissioned for the campus and civic plaza as part of the Ballymun "Breaking Ground % for Art" scheme. A major new painting by Mark Francis has been commissioned for the large wall at the north end of the atrium. Sculptor Daphne Wright is making a piece for the Council Chamber. An outdoor light and glass 'monument' by Internationally renowned German Artist Jochen Gerz has been commissioned for the plaza and will be located where McDonagh Tower is now. Axis - Ballymun's Art and Community Resource Centre Ballymun it is really important that it receives the full support of the community as well as the statutory agencies in Ballymun. It is a very important building and a valuable resource to the people of Ballymun and everyone needs to do all they can to ensure that it is a success. If you have not visited the centre yet make it your business to drop in for a pint and a chat in the evening or for a cup of coffee and a gossip at lunch time. It has become a real meeting place for community groups and a place to catch up on all the news while having lunch too!! " Axis is your centre and needs your support" says Malcolm Lewis, the new CEO of Axis. As the first major community building to be provided in Another milestone which is fast approaching is the date when the new swimming pool, gym and sports hall will open to the public, although an exact date is not yet available it is expected to be about this time next year but certainly by Summer 2004 it should be in use. DOG LICENCES If you have a dog over 4 months old, you must have a licence for him/her and the person to whom the licence is issued must be over 16 years of age. The dog licence fee is 12.70 and is valid for one year from the Date of issue of the licence. A dog licence may be purchased at any Post Office. If you do not have a licence for your dog you are liable to a 30 "on-the-spot" fine. Failure to pay this fine can lead to a prosecution with a maximum fine of 1,269.74 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment if convicted. 3
Ground breaking research into anti-social behaviour Over the coming months Ballymun Regeneration will be developing a policy to combat anti-social behaviour. This includes an extensive public consultation so that the opinions and recommendations of the community are taken into account. Vision 21, community development research specialists, have been appointed to undertake a ground breaking process involving in-depth public consultation using the revolutionary "Citizen Jury" technique. The first stage of their consultation will be a telephone survey amongst a group of randomly selected residents. From this survey the consultants will draw together a Citizens Jury of approximately 18 residents who will have the task of compiling a policy report on possible solutions to anti social behaviour. The jury will be assisted and facilitated by Vision 21 who will provide them with access to expert witnesses as part of the process. Citizens Juries, a committee of independent, randomly selected residents who represent the community, have been used successfully in the United States and were recently introduced into the UK. This is the first time that a Citizens Jury has been established in Ireland to consult with a community. We need to know what you think about anti-social behaviour in Ballymun and so encourage all who are contacted to participate in this important research. New parks for old grass The lovely new park designed for Balcurris will begin in March 2003 and will be completed in stages. Plans for the new park in Coultry are on exhibition in Axis and it should go on site later this year. Proposed Pilot Construction Operative Training Programme FÁS Finglas Training Centre plan the delivery of a Pilot Construction Operative Training Programme. The training is aimed at people interested in a career in the construction sector. The proposed training is an outcome of negotiations between Ballymun Regeneration, the Ballymun Job Centre and FÁS. It is anticipated that FÁS will recruit in Ballymun as well as the broader North Dublin catchment area. Ballymun Regeneration Ltd and the Ballymun Job Centre will work together to recruit and secure construction opportunities for Ballymun people. A local recruitment campaign will commence in due course as soon as training details are finalised. Ballymun Regeneration continues to deliver One-Day Safe Pass Training Programmes on a monthly basis. To find out more contact Ballymun Regeneration Ltd on 01 8421144 or the Ballymun Job Centre on 01 8425722. 4
European Year of People with Disabilities This year, 2003, is the European Year of People with Disabilities. One in ten people in Europe has a disability and the aim of this year is to focus on the many areas of society where barriers, social exclusion and discrimination still exist. The Irish National Disability Authority is focusing on raising awareness of disabilities, employment for people with disabilities, rights, responsibilities and partnership and disabilities as it relates to youth. Summer Games Festival 2002 in DCU. Active Living Group & People with Disabilities. Groups came from Dundalk, Belfast and Ballymun. Ballymun Regeneration and Dublin City Council has a long track record of working with people with disabilities. For the past three years we have made the services of a Sports Development Officer available to local people with disabilities to identify barriers to participation and to work with people with disabilities to see what activities they want to take part in and to overcome any difficulties they may have in accessing programmes or facilities. Transportation has been one of the main problems which people with disabilities have mentioned to us. The Sports Development Officer worked with local groups to draw up an action plan and has been trying to get elements of the plan implemented. The Active Living for Older Adults group have shared their bowling sessions with the Active Living for people with disabilities group. Transport was organised for specific visits to facilities in 2002. BRL are hoping that this work can continue in 2003 and have once again employed a Sports Development Officer to work with the Active Living groups. Another initiative with which we have been closely involved is the provision of specially adapted housing and community facilities for people with disabilities. The partnership between Housing Association for Integrated Living and Linx who are a long standing local self help group for people with learning disability problems was fostered by BRL and the specially designed and adapted day centre and associated housing units is being built in Coultry and should be occupied by Summer 2003. In addition BRL have provided two sites (in Balcurris and Santry Avenue) along with technical assistance and design services to St Michael's House to help them in their work with their clients in Ballymun. There have been ongoing discussions and consultations with disability interest groups regarding the level of access and use of public buildings including the new Civic Centre, Axis and the new leisure building. The Ballymun Regeneration Health & Safety team is always conscious of accessibility for the community during construction. During this European Year of people with disabilities we want to make an even bigger effort to ensure that everybody in the community has adequate and safe access to their homes and local facilities. If you have recently experienced difficulties with the construction works or want to make any suggestions that may improve access, please contact John Rizzolo (Overall Health and Safety Management Team Leader), telephone 01-842 1144. To find out more information about the European Year of People with Disabilities go to the official website, www.eypd2003.org or contact the National Disability Authority, www.nda.ie. Summer Games Festival 2002 in DCU. 5
6 Ballymun's new MAIN STREET
ATTENTION MOTORISTS New Road Networks From mid March the road from Balcurris Road to Ballymun Road beside Thomas Clarke Tower will become a through route. A new fully operational junction between this road and Ballymun Road will be in place. In addition, the section of Sillogue Road that connects with Ballymun Road at the location of the former roundabout will be closed to through traffic. Sections of the north bound carriageway of Ballymun Road will also be opened at this time. It's all part of the development of a new Main Street for Ballymun with traditional shopping facilities, a leisure centre, office accommodation and housing to replace the dual carriageway. 7
Ballymun mourns loss of vibrant community workers Kathleen was to the forefront in challenging the authorities and standing up for the underdog. She campaigned strongly for Ballymun to be regenerated and was a driving force behind many related initiatives such as the Ballymun Community Law Centre and the NOW project. Paying tribute to Kathleen, Fr Peter McVerry said "if she's up there in heaven she'll already have a young teenage mothers' group going and she'll be presenting her plan for the regeneration of heaven." Seán Ó Cionnaith Kathleen Maher The recent deaths of Kathleen Maher and Seán Ó Cionnaith are a great loss, not only for their family and friends, but for the whole community of Ballymun. Kathleen Maher was involved in almost every progressive campaign in the area over the past 25 years. From the refusal of the public houses to serve women, the closure of the Bank of Ireland, the Job Centre, the Horse Club, rights of people with disabilities and of course, the Women Resource Centre where she worked tirelessly, Seán Ó Cionnaith who has died aged 64, was best known locally for his relentless campaigning for better housing and more recently against drugs. Just before Christmas he moved into a new apartment as part of the Ballymun Regeneration programme for which he campaigned for over 15 years. Political colleagues in the Workers' Party described him as an energetic and uncompromising international and local community activist who "never did things by half". Brendan Kenny, Assistant City Manager, said he was "a major influence" in Ballymun and described his passing as "a major loss". We will all miss their valuable input into the regeneration. Local and Main Street Shopping News The traditional image of Ballymun shopping is set to change as the van shops are gradually phased out and replaced by small local convenience shops in the in Shangan, Coultry, Sillogue and Poppintree Neighbourhood Centres. There will be some opportunities for the existing van shops operators to rent or buy these shop units, many of which have tax designation status which has been extended to 31st December 2004, provided 15% of expenditure is incurred by the middle of 2003. In other shopping news, developers are seeking retail tenants for their shop units in the new Civic Buildings fronting both the Main Street and Shangan Road. Treasury Holdings, who bought the Ballymun Shopping Centre from Sisk, are making progress on its redevelopment. Their proposals include retail, cinemas Van shop and other leisure facilities served by a suitable level of car parking. The development also includes a residential element. It is expected to go for planning shortly. BALLYMUN COMMUNITY LAW CENTRE PUBLIC LEGAL TALKS SERIES : A Public Legal Talk on Criminal Law is being given by Bobby Eager, solicitor, on Monday the 24 th of March, at 8pm in AXIS. Admission is free and everybody is welcome. 8
Demolitions Control Demolitions Group from the UK are the contractors who are ready to start preparatory work with a view to starting deconstruction within 8 weeks of going on site ie. May 2003. The first buildings scheduled for demolition are the two 4-storey blocks of flats at Shangan and McDonagh Tower. There is now planning permission for a crushing plant to enable BRL to recycle the concrete from the flat blocks, the temporary plant will be provided by Control Demolitions as part of their contract. The first stage in the demolition process is to strip out anything which can be reused or which needs to be disposed of safely. The method of demolition will be by mechanical means not by explosion, except possibly in the case of Pearse Tower. McDonagh Tower - next to Axis. Pedestrian Way at Shangan Ballymun Regeneration has lodged an objection to Dublin City Council against the closure of the pedestrian way at Shangan linking Ballymun with Santry. BRL believe that the pedestrian way should be kept open so that people can easily go between Ballymun and Santry. There are close links between the two areas and many people who were born and raised in Ballymun now live in Santry and use the pedestrian routes to visit their families and friends in Ballymun. People use the through route for shopping, schools, buses and going to Mass or work. When the new shops, Motor Tax Office, Health Board offices and clinics open some as early as this Summer there will be even greater need for access. The successful regeneration of Ballymun depends on social regeneration and integration with adjoining areas is a key element of the overall programme. BRL's objection to the proposed closure was made on the basis that the Masterplan for Ballymun shows that the long-term sustainability of the area requires greater integration of the community in Ballymun with its adjoining neighbours in Santry and North Glasnevin. Before lodging the objection, Ballymun Regeneration carried out a survey which showed that at least 60 people an hour use the pedestrian way in the morning and at lunchtime. "Residents in Shangan are very concerned about such a closure and while we recognise that the community in Santry feel the pedestrian way has been impacting negatively on their quality of life, a compromise will have to be reached. We have appointed community mediation consultants to assist in a mediation process," said Evelyn Hanlon, Ballymun Regeneration. "We look forward to the outcome of this facilitated mediation and agreement between the communities of the two areas." BALLYMUN COMMUNITY LAW CENTRE Legal Information, Advice and Representation Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm Please phone for appointment Legal Aid Board Service Every Wednesday Please phone for appointment Drop-in-Housing Advice by Threshold at BCLC Every second Thursday 10am - 12noon Drop-in Legal Advice in Local Employment Office First Tuesday of every month 10am - 12noon Drop-in Legal Advice in Poppintree Community Centre Third Tuesday of every month 10am - 12noon Citizen Information Service at BCLC Every Tuesday 10am - 12noon Stormanstown House, Ballymun Road, Dublin 9. (opposite Ballymun Library, through car park park gates, on the right). Telephone 01 8625808 E-mail info@bcls.ie 9
10 New Housing Update
Handover dates shown above are based on contractors handover programme and may be subject to change. However tenants will be notified of these changes. NEW HOUSING AT CONSULTATION / PLANNING APPLICATION STAGE UPDATE ON HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WHICH ARE AT THE TENDER OR CONTRACT SIGNING STAGE SHOWN BELOW 11
New Civic Buildings to open doors in June 2003 The new civic buildings in Ballymun will open to the public in June 2003 when over 160 staff from BRL and Dublin City Council including those who will be working in the new Motor Tax Office move in to the new Civic Buildings on Main Street, Ballymun. For the first time ever a local authority will share the same building as a health board. The building will have a specially designed Council Chamber for the North West Area Committee and will have District Offices for the Northern Area Health Board. In addition, there will be a health clinic with a range of services including dental and GP, private apartments and shopping facilities. 500 people will be employed in the extensive office space and retail units. "The new Civic Buildings are a visible and exciting signal of the speed of progress being made in shaping the new town of Ballymun," says Ciaran Murray, Assistant City Manager and Managing Director, Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. "The Main Street is a focal point for the overall regeneration project and the Civic Buildings are very important for the new town of Ballymun as they send a clear message that the regeneration is about more than rehousing people from the flat blocks." The atrium in the new Civic Buildings nears completion. Architecturally the building is already attracting a good deal of attention. Designed by BDP Architects, the building will form the southern edge of the new Civic Plaza, which will be completed after the demolition of McDonagh Tower. The building is designed as two blocks linked by a light filled atrium. The block to the Plaza and Main Street is four storeys high and contains the dramatic new Council Chamber, which is suspended over the main entrance. The block to the rear is three storeys. The atrium, which forms the main public concourse, will contain exhibition space, a coffee shop and a reception area. A mixed-use five-storey block fronting Shangan Road will accommodate two retail units and 52 private apartments. There is a 110-space underground car park. The atrium. The Civic Buildings are already a success according to the developers, Bennett Construction Ltd, who secured commercial tenants for all 125,000 ft² of the office space and sold all 52 residential units from the plans early last year when construction was still underway. "In effect this is a public private partnership and is a model of co-operation between the private and public sector, whereby both benefit from the tax designated status which is a feature of the urban regeneration in Ballymun," says developer John Bennett, Managing Director, Bennett Construction Ltd. "For the first time in the history of Ballymun private rented accommodation is available. Moreover, the 20,000 people who live in Ballymun will soon have a comprehensive range of local government services, including a Motor Tax Office, on their doorstep. Civic Buildings like these, with facilities to meet peoples' needs over a range of services, including health care, is what all towns the size of Ballymun require," says Ciaran Murray. "Decentralising local government and health board services by bringing them into local areas have dual effects in that they bring people into Ballymun from adjoining areas as well as providing greater access for local people to previously centralised services." Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL) Stormanstown House Ballymun Road Dublin 9 ph: 01 8421144 fax: 01 8421443 Web: www.brl.ie 12