Mitchel's-Boherbee Regeneration Project Continues                                                          

A major step in the regeneration of the Mitchel's area of the town took place on Wednesday (Sept 23) with the signing of the contract for the demolition of 69 derelict housing units between Tralee Town Council and Griffin Brother, Contractors. This will make way for an ambitious new development, designed by the National Building Agency and funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 

Deputy Mayor of Tralee, Cllr. Mairead Fernane signs  the Contract documents with Gerard Griffin of Griffin Brothers Contractors and Michael McMahon, Tralee Town Manager (left)

Work on the demolition will begin next week with the demolition o 51 houses in Mitchels Crescent and 18 units in St. Patrick’s Bungalows. The demolition phase of the project will take around 12 weeks, and marks a crucial part of the Mitchels-Boherbee Community Regeneration Project, as it makes way for the development of a new street which will change the image of the area.

The new development will see a reduction in the number of social houses, while the inclusion of an Integrated Services Building on the site will allow for greater co-ordination of services, including training courses and enterprise space for use by people within the immediate area and the wider community of Tralee.

The first phase of the Regeneration Project saw the development of Tobar Naofa on the former St Mary’s Secondary School site in Moyderwell. This development consists of 42 apartments specifically designed for the elderly. Work is due to start before the end of the year on the development of a further six apartments and a laundry room.

Over the past two years Tralee Town Council has successfully relocated 40 families from the Mitchels Crescent area in preparation for the demolition phase of the project, and according to Tralee Town Clerk Michael Scannell, the continued involvement of the local community has been crucial.

 “The local community have taken ownership of the process and their commitment over the past number of years has been exceptional,” he explained.

“Attendance at meetings, the level and quality of participation of all involved has given us a depth of understanding to the development of the area that could not have been achieved without their involvement.”

Niamh O'Sullivan, Tralee Town Council, Deputy Mayor Cllr. Mairead Fernane and Angela

Tralee Town Manager Michael McMahon also pointed to the continued support from the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, who have funded this phase of the project, which will cost around €600,000.

 “Meetings are held on a regular basis between the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure the financial support required to ensure the implementation of this ambitious plan is provided,” he said.

“The strong structural foundations established within the regeneration process involve statutory agencies at a local and national level, non-statutory agencies, the community and elected members, and gives us a greater opportunity to fully deliver this plan.”

 The next phase will see the development of the Integrated Services Building, as well as the development of 50 community allotments adjacent to Tobar Naofa.