Limerick City and County Council has appointed Arup as the multi-disciplinary project management, design and engineering team to progress key infrastructure packages within the Colbert Quarter programme.
The appointment was formally marked at a contract signing attended by Mayor of Limerick John Moran and representatives of Limerick City and County Council and Arup.
Arup will provide project management, planning, design and engineering services across a rolling programme of infrastructure packages. These will include new roads, walking and cycling routes, a public park, sports and recreation facilities, public spaces, utilities, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, and improved pedestrian and cycling connections.
The infrastructure will support the future development of the wider Colbert Quarter, helping to unlock land for new housing, investment and economic activity while improving connections between established communities, public transport and future development areas.
Arup as lead technical consultant will be supported by Hawkins\Brown Architects and John Spain Associates. The appointment represents a significant milestone in moving the Colbert Quarter programme from long-term vision to the detailed planning and design of the infrastructure required to support its delivery.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran wecomed progress on the ambitious plans, saying:
“Colbert Quarter is a chance to build a whole new part of Limerick, and to get it right from the get-go. It will bring new homes, but also a major park at its heart, safe routes to walk and cycle, and the sports facilities and public spaces that build real community. Appointing Arup means the plans now move towards boots on the ground.”
Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Tom Ruddle, added:
“The ambition for Colbert Quarter is significant. It is about creating a new, well-connected part of Limerick that combines homes with high-quality public spaces, parks, sporting facilities and sustainable transport links. This appointment is an important step towards delivering the infrastructure needed to support that ambition.”
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, said:
“Developing this enabling infrastructure is essential to unlocking the wider potential of Colbert Quarter. The work will be advanced through a rolling programme of packages, aligned with the availability of capital funding and the required planning and approval processes.”
Ireland Country Leader at Arup, Donal McDaid, concluded:
“Arup is proud to be leading such an important regeneration project for Limerick. Colbert Quarter represents a significant opportunity to create a vibrant, connected and sustainable part of the city, delivering a lasting positive legacy for Limerick and its communities. We look forward to working closely with Limerick City and County Council and our project partners to help bring that ambition to life.”
The long-term vision for the area was established through the Colbert Quarter Spatial Framework 2022–2042 and was prepared for Limerick City and County Council in partnership with the Land Development Agency, CIÉ and the HSE. The framework established the overarching vision for a sustainable, connected and mixed-use urban quarter, including new homes, public spaces, green infrastructure and walking and cycling connections.
One of the key projects within the wider programme is the proposed Colbert Quarter Park and Sustainable Urban Drainage scheme. The project is intended to provide a major new public park alongside walking and cycling routes, recreation facilities, biodiversity enhancements and sustainable drainage infrastructure to support future development.
The design programme will be progressed across approximately 12 infrastructure packages. The sequencing and delivery of individual packages will be subject to the necessary statutory approvals and the securing of further capital funding.
The programme is being supported through funding from the Housing Activation Office, the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund and the Land Development Agency.
The Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund supports compact and sustainable development and provides part-funding for urban regeneration projects and sustainable communities. It has replaced the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
Further information is available at:
Image Caption:
Colbert Quarter Contract Signing: Mayor of Limerick, John Moran signs contracts with Donal McDaid, Arup. Also seated - Cllr Joe Pond, Cathaoirleach of Metropolitan District, Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Tom Ruddle. Standing (l to r) Padraig Noone, Colbert Quarter Programme Manager at LCCC, David Collins, Arup, Blaine Cregan, JSA, Brian Mallon, Hawkins Brown, Kevin Toomey, Colbert Quarter A/Project Manager at LCCC