Valerie O’Sullivan plans to address housing, dereliction, antisocial behavior, and promote Cork’s growth.
She wants to tackle derelict buildings and aims to build affordable housing. She will fight anti-social behavior downtown. A community warden system will address issues proactively.
Valerie wants Cork to be dynamic. She stressed open talks with businesses. The goal is to make Cork a popular place where people should want to work, live, and invest. Students should also want to study here, and visitors should enjoy spending time too.
Her rules are simple: Keep it Simple, Decide, Deliver. She reorganized the council this week, focusing on the city center. They will focus on planning, delivery, and housing.
The city center needs renewed attention. Public spaces will see improvements, and a new cultural quarter is coming soon. Christmas events will be vibrant, and festivals will still get support.
They will pilot solutions for “Living Over the Shop.” The Cork Futures Group will set city goals, similar to Dublin’s task force. The Council will team up with police to create a community warden service, boosting safety and presence. Dereliction will be tackled faster in Cork.
Valerie confirmed big projects will continue including flood relief, Light Rail Transit, and the Northern Distributor Road, which will improve travel and resilience.
Cork Docklands is a huge project where 639 homes are being built, and another 1,000 homes are planned. Cork leads in affordable housing, recently giving out their 200th keys. The long-awaited Events Centre is still a priority.
She said national funding needs to increase because Cork is supposed to be the second city. Policy should reflect that status better, and she wants more funding for Cork, removing barriers halting progress.
They will improve what exists now, leveraging Cork’s city center full of history and unique character. A great arts and business community lives here, along with independent and large retailers who need support during tough times. Making the city center attractive is key.
MacCurtain Street now thrives as a social hub. Grand Parade Quarter is being redeveloped, as is Bishop Lucey Park. Morrison’s Island will become flood-resilient, and The Marina Promenade is very popular in Cork. Docklands employs over 6,000 people presently, and new housing projects are in progress there.