Sir, – Gary Doyle has the right idea (Letters, June 25th). Leave the GPO alone and redevelop the west side of O’Connell Street Upper, between the GPO and the Rotunda Hospital.
This stretch contains sites and buildings vacant for 20 years or more. Whereas the GPO has no defined long-term use, the Rotunda Hospital has a defined and immediate requirement for additional space. Furthermore, they have the funds to build it.
Why not compulsorily acquire the necessary site for the Rotunda, which would literally be across the road from it? Refocusing the catalyst for city-centre regeneration from the GPO to the Rotunda would, I believe, be a game changer.
The necessary tools of the trade are now in place with the appointment of a taskforce CEO, the setting up of a special purpose vehicle for finance and the use of compulsory purchase orders as well as a critical infrastructure Bill. Importantly, there also appears to be a realisation, at last, by the Government that the north inner city is in a sad state.
RM Block
All that’s missing is courage and vision. – Yours, etc,
JOHN M MOLLOY,
Sandyford,
Dublin 16.
