Progressive, notable and welcome developments on both sides of the River Shannon are in the pipeline as Athlone continues to enhance its status as a growth town.
Speaking effusively this week, Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran stated that a major announcement was imminent with regard to the former ‘Texas Tom’ site in Irishtown.
“We have a major announcement forthcoming in the next six or seven weeks regarding this particular site. They are exciting tenants and will revive business in this particular area of the town. I have a particular responsibility to the business community in Irishtown and I am hopeful that I can receive Government funding towards this development.
“Of course, an announcement of anchor tenants will lead to always welcome news of job creation and when the site is revamped it will link accordingly with the centre of the town,” the Minister commented.
Meanwhile, on the westside of Athlone, work on the refurbishment of the Garda station continues apace with Acting Commissioner, Dónall Ó Cualáin to visit and view the works on Friday next.
“We have the Acting Commissioner visiting our town on Friday of next week and this is great news for Athlone. The main purpose for his visit is to get a feeling for the refurbishment of the Garda station and see how work has progressed on the site to date,” the Deputy noted.
Minister Moran views the Garda station as the anchor tenant on the west side of the town and its refurbishment will have a positive ‘knock on’ effect with regard to the regeneration of this particular area.
“As part of Project Ireland 2040, together with the local Municipal District, we aim to announce soon an urban regeneration plan for the west side of the town.
“I have to commend the businesses for maintaining their premises on the west side and it is hoped that they will see the benefit of this development when it commences and evolves,” Deputy Moran added.
Highlighting the iconic bridge that will eventually cross the River Shannon and link up with the west side, Minister Moran highlighted that such a development will lead to an influx of visitors generating towards the area which can only be positive for businesses in the locality.
Concluding, Deputy Moran commended the foresight of former Town Clerk, John Walsh, who initially started the process with regard to west side urban regeneration during his time in office with Athlone Urband District Council, as it was formerly known.
