BUILDING WORK on the Limerick regeneration project is scheduled to begin in April with the construction of 33 houses in Moyross.
Limerick Regeneration Agencies published a tender yesterday for the first of 26 projects in phase one of the scheme, which aims to transform some of the most deprived estates in the country.
Phase one of the regeneration project is budgeted to cost €337 million for new housing, community facilities and road infrastructure in the Moyross, St Mary’s Park, Ballinacurra Weston and Southill housing estates.
The tender outlines plans to build 13 two- and three-bedroom houses in Cliona Park, Moyross, and 20 sheltered-style apartments for elderly residents in the estate.
The regeneration agencies are hopeful some Moyross locals will be employed by the successful bidder for the tender. Work is expected to finish on the housing in Cliona Park by summer 2012.
Brendan Kenny, chief executive of Limerick Regeneration Agencies, said the construction work would represent a “milestone moment” for the project.
“People have told us that they will only believe that regeneration is going to take place when they see a JCB on site and blocks going up. We finally now have very real proof that regeneration is taking place,” said Mr Kenny.
The plan is running two years behind schedule after a Government decision to revise its original blueprint, which was forecast to cost €1.6 billion over 10 years. Last year the Government approved an amended three-phase project, which is forecast to cost the State €924 million over 15 years.
Mr Kenny said it was important to get the building started as residents have been leaving the area in recent years. He said 800 of the 3,000 houses in the estates are now demolished or abandoned.
“People have woken up to see that their neighbours have moved out overnight and this has led to a fair amount of negativity,” he said.
The four estates slated for regeneration have high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Kenny said the first housing project was deliberately targeted at providing new housing for families and the elderly, the two groups that have suffered most.
He said two additional tenders, for 70 homes on Lord Edward Street and 30 homes in Southill, would be published shortly and he hoped work would begin on the projects by the end of the year.