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The Sustainability of the Eastern side of Tralee’s Main St. “Lower & Upper Castle St”
(1)Lack of proper parking to service Businesses and Apartments (if any or when in place)
(2)Need for grant funding where necessary to bring Buildings up to a standard
(3)Pavements improved (We know that this is to be done this year)
(4)It is felt that the Tourist Office should be in Castle St, as it is too far away from the centre of town where it was “The side of Ashe Memorial Hall”
(1) Parking
It is well known by many Town Engineers the part of town with the most parking will thrive and the part with a lack of parking will not.
Lack of Parking seems to be the case with Lower and Upper Castle Street.
On any Main Street, the off Street Car Parking has to be evenly distributed gradually the whole way up. This cannot be seen to be the case in Tralee. As most of the parking is from Denny St West. It is disproportionate. As the Council knows.
Car Parking East side from Denny: St Johns Car Park, A few on street car parking spaces Edward St,( Edward St High Rise Car Park closed approximate 3 years ago a Compulsory order for Retention of Car Park or derelict building notice to be served. Or Council Purchase it.
Dom O Donnell’s, & Slatts, East Side of Tralee In total I would think less than 200 spaces.
West Side of Tralee from Denny St approx. 2800 spaces which makes the Eastern side is Disproportionate.
Solution East side: Produce as many car Parking situations as possible. Not many options, but are there viable solutions. I feel yes and some of these are viable & obtainable if work is put into them.
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Edward St: Post Office have a large Car Park. It is felt that that could be regulated and made into a High Rise Carpark and would profit the Post Office by doing so. Also as it backs onto the Court House in Ashe Street there may be a way of connecting onto it and the Court House extended back to meet it. Therefore saving the Court House and would be a service for Gardi and their vehicles when Court is on.
St Johns Car Park extend: It is felt that there is extra land at the back of the TSB not being used. There would possibly be a problem as to get to it the two Banks both Bank of Ireland & TSB would have to be dealt with. The Bank of Ireland for part entrance and TSB to purchase land. This could possibly increase car spaces by 20-30 or more.
Slatt’s Car Park: There is land bordering Slatt’s and should be purchased by
Compulsory Purchase. Therefore increasing the Carpark by more than double
Capasity. Any other spaces that come available should be used for car spaces for
the Eastern side of Tralee.
Connectivity with Tralee & Manor Shopping Centre.
There has to be a connection with Manor shopping centre both going to and from. The same drop off point can be used in Denny Street as the large Enroid busses. Some of the parking bollards will have to be removed to facilitate this.
(2)Buildings & Grants: A few in lower but mostly in Upper Castle St need Grants to do up Buildings for Business or Apartments. A plan if they do them up of alleviating rates for a certain length of time.
(3) Pavements: We have been informed that this will take place in the second half of this year.
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(4) Tourist Office: It is essential again for the sustainability of the Town that the Tourist Office should be in the Main Street. Where better than lower castle Street. Which would be central. Failte Ireland did not open the office in Tralee in the Ashe Memorial Building last year.
They serviced Killarney and Dingle. Why not Tralee the Capital of the County Are they again going to have an Office in Tralee this year? And if so will it be on the Main Street” Castle Street”.
If not is it up to us in Tralee to create our own Office. Having thrown out feelers we found it to Feasible and viable. If there is a good grant for rent and support for staff. The Kiosk outside Penny’s which was our saving grace helped in a big way to both direct people that came to Tralee, to tourist venues and scenic spots and also for them to be directed to the Tourist office when it was in Tralee. All Tourist Offices are normally in a prominent position in a town the question why it was not in Tralee always pops up. It is generally felt it has affected Tourism in Tralee.
The locals not to mid the Tourists did not know where it was situated Our Volunteers in the Kiosk in Tralee who we are eternally grateful and thankful For. Words cannot thank them enough for their service and dedication they did fantastic under the circumstances.
What grants would be available if we were to progress with Tourism Tralee. Both for rent of building and staffing costs. This would be overseen by locals with a well based guiding Committee which would consist of Chamber Alliance, Business and Service industry People. Signed: Billy Nolan
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