St. Michan’s House Matters – Autumn 2017

SECURING FORMER TAX OFFICE BUILDING
Following on from serious concerns raised by the St. Michan’s House Residents’ Association, Minister Paschal Donohoe and I wrote to the owner of the site requesting that action be taken immediately to better secure the site. Robert Keran, Project Manager with Virtus, whose client are the owners responded to Minister Donohoe outlining what actions would be undertaken. I have attached a copy of this letter on the back of this leaflet. Furthermore, as your local Councillor, I met with Robert Keran, Superintendent Ann Markey from the Bridewell and John Downey, Planning Enforcement Manger with Dublin City Council on Wednesday last to ensure an action plan is put in place to deliver on these commitments. That meeting resulted in the following being agreed:
• G4S Security made their first patrol on Wednesday and reported no visible activity on site. They are making two more visits overnight and the same pattern will continue for the foreseeable future.
• G4S Security erected on Thursday, a warning signage on the site perimeters and will secure the gate to Greek Street with a chain/padlock or similar.
• Stewart Construction have now made two visits to the site and are preparing a proposal to (i) clear the outdoor areas of rubbish and any dangerous items and (ii) erect a full perimeter hoarding of circa 2.5 / 3 metres high from footpath level. There will be a little lead in time with this, but we will progress it as quickly as possible.
Robert Keran has also offered to meet residents who may have further questions or queries arising from the proposed action steps that will be undertaken by VIRTUS on behalf of the site owner. Please let me know if you would like to take up this offer by emailing me at raymcadam@gmail.com or phone 086 847 1720.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION DEVELOPMENT
Dublin City Council has liaised with the contractor to ensure that works on site comply with the operative working hours as outlined in the planning permission granted by the Planning Department. I attended a meeting with St. Michan’s House Residents’ Association, a representative of Mortar Developments Properties Ltd and another public representative where it is accepted that some of the early start times were unacceptable and that Mortar Developments would follow up on that.

LIFFEY CYCLE ROUTE – PROJECT SUSPENDED!
Following the very unsatisfactory manner in how Dublin City Council advanced a variety of options for the delivery of the Liffey Cycle Route, the National Transport Authority has directed the Council to suspend all works on the project. The National Transport Authority has now indicated that an Independent Third Party will undertake a review of the entire project and the various proposals that have published with regards how the Liffey Cycle Route can be delivered. Over the past twelve months, I have reiterated my opposition to Option 7 given the potential impact this proposal would have on Stoneybatter, Infirmary Road, Arbour Hill, Smithfield and the wider north-west inner city. No timeline has been provided by the National Transport Authority for the completion of this independent review but as Chairman of the North Inner City Area Committee, I will be seeking a firm commitment from the National Transport Authority that the local community will be afforded the opportunity to input directly into this review. With that in mind, I have invited the Save our Streets Campaign to speak at the North Inner City Area Committee meeting in City Hall on October 10th next to begin that process.

REPORTING MAINTENANCE ISSUES
Over the past week or so, I have visited a number of homes in St. Michan’s House with regards to serious maintenance issues that have been raised with me. There is a need for Dublin City Council to respond to these issues quicker and more effectively and as the Chairman of the North Inner City Area Committee, I will be highlighting my concerns with the Executive Manager of the Housing Maintenance Department. I’ll report back to you and the St. Michan’s House Residents Association further.