O’DEVANEY GARDENS REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE– December 2023

O’DEVANEY GARDENS REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE
As co-Chair of the O’Devaney Gardens Community Consultative Forum, I wanted to share with you some information as to the programme of work being undertaken within the O’Devaney Gardens and to keep you informed as to what further works are expected to take place between now and Christmas. There are two specific updates to share. Firstly, the latest with the enabling works contract that are being undertaken by HML. The second relates to the start of major construction which will be managed and delivered by SISK.

• ENABLING WORKS PROGRAMME
  o The completion of works to deliver the new footpath linking Montpelier Close and Montpelier Avenue are running 5 / 6 days behind schedule. However, the new footpath is expected to be completed by December 8th next. The new road will be fully opened and lined by December 18th. If anything changes on these timelines, I’ll update you.
  o The realignment of the work from the existing T-junction southwards toward Montpelier Park and Montpelier Gardens is progressing but it will be February before they are expected to be concluded.

• MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORK PROGRAMME

SISK has been selected by Bartra to undertake the major construction works on site. The initial phase of construction work will focus on the area nearest Ross Street, Ashford Street and Thor Place. As a result, 368 apartments in 5 development blocks, 11 houses, a creche and four retail units will be built. I have provided below an update as to the works carried out to date and what is proposed across December and early in January next year.

• Works completed in November:

▪ SISK has completed the background Noise and Vibration readings with the specialist firm hired for that purpose. The building survey reports have been review and as a result, the noise, dust and vibration monitors have been relocated along the perimeter of the site at Thor Place and parallel to homes along Ashford Street. Live readings are being transmitted. If and where readings reach threshold levels, those incidents will be shared with the forum and further details provided in respect of what caused such issues.

▪ The vast majority of property condition surveys have been completed.

▪ Traffic control signage along the North Circular Road is now in place with the on-site compound to be established, including carpark for workers.

• Look ahead to works in December 2023:

▪ The focus of work in December will be the installation of the piling matt across the majority of the work site near Ross Street, Ashford Street, Ashford Cottages and Thor Place. The Forum was informed on Tuesday night, that approximately 300millimeteres of gravel will be removed from the locations of the proposed building blocks. Excavators, a dumper and roller machine.

▪ It is also likely that an out-of-hours delivery of the piling rig on site will take place. From information provided to me on Tuesday evening, it is likely that the rig will be delivered on-site the week beginning December 11th next. There will be over-sized load on the truck requiring a traffic management and over-sized load approval from Dublin City Council.

▪ Japanese Knotweed will be removed from a number of locations near Ashford Street and Thor Place. An invasive species specialist will be responsible for excavating and removing the plants and root systems. A barrier membrane will also be installed to prevent re-growth.

• Look ahead to works in January 2024:

▪ Major piling works will begin, in earnest, in January, starting on the western side of the site towards the centre by late January.

COMMUNITY USE OF THE FORMER INFIRMARY BUILDING
In 2017, as one of the co-Chairs of the O’Devaney Gardens Community Consultative Forum, I secured agreement from the then Deputy Chief Executive of Dublin City Council that the former Infirmary Building site would be used for community purposes. I am pleased to report to you that as a result of the agreement, Dublin City Council has had an Enabling Works contractor on site to assess and determine the level of damage done to the buildings on site, how extensive the presence of asbestos or Japanese Knotweed may be on the site, remove vegetation, lead paint and contaminated soil. Ecological surveys, including nesting birds and bats are also taking place. A temporary protective covering on the buildings will be put in place the completion of the enabling works until the refurbishment project begins. I have attached below some images of what is being planned for your review and information. The objective is to repurpose these buildings and the site, in which they reside for community use. There will be an innovative community hub with dedicated community spaces, café, allotment space, community garden, play space, a temporary events space. A part 8 planning application is likely to be presented to Councillors early in the new year with a final decision on planning by the summer. All going to plan, works should start on site by end of 2024.