City councillor Terry O’Flaherty has welcomed the start of work to tackle what she had labled the ‘shabby’ exterior of the Walter Macken flats complex in Mervue.
The City Council’s Housing Department this week began treating the algae affecting the render of the apartments complex at Water Macken Place.
Workers are applying a safe and effective biocide soft wash system that removes algae and other biomass from building exteriors without damaging the building fabric.
Councillor O’Flaherty expressed delight that the work has finally been undertaken, having written to Council officials several times over the past three years on the matter, stressing the urgent need for a facelift.
“The works are in stages and will require a second visit at a later date — the Council have stressed that this is not an instant power wash clean, and that results will take some time to be evident after the treatment is complete,” she said.
The Independent Councillor for the Galway City East electoral area said that it was 20 years ago since the last major refurbishment (which she initiated ) of the 96-unit social housing complex, built in the early 1970s, had been undertaken.
“I was told then that the exterior facade would be maintenance free, but that turned out not to be the case and it has been looking very shabby for some time now. It’s not fair that people living there should have been forced to put up with their appalling condition for so long.
“I was instrumental in having €10,000 set aside in the City Council’s 2023 Budget towards cleaning the six blocks, including the sheds. That should have been done last year, but I am glad that the first stage of the work needed has been started this week,” concluded Cllr O’Flaherty.
