REFURBISHMENT OF PARADE AND CANAL SQUARE
REFURBISHMENT OF THE PARADE/CANAL SQUARE PROJECT
Kilkenny Urban Renewal Scheme of The Parade, Mayors Walk, Canal Square and Canal Walk, commonly and collectively known as The Parade Project, is the result of a commitment by Kilkenny Borough Council in their Kilkenny City Centre Local Area Plan to reinstate The Parade as the city's main urban space and to redevelop Canal Square as a gateway to Canal Walk.
To further their commitment, Kilkenny Borough Council, after an open design competition, engaged a Dublin based architect, GKMP Architects, to design a concept that would be in line with other major urban renewal schemes, such as O'Connell Street in Dublin and Patrick Street in Cork. The design is based on bringing to life the urban space by use of selected paving materials and lighting installations, while respecting the sensitive historical and cultural importance of The Parade and Canal Square.
The finalised design involves the following;
The Parade
Location
Between the Mayors Walk on the northside and the business and residences on the southside and extending from the junction with Rose Inn Street to the pedestrian crossing lights on the Castle Road past the entrance to Kilkenny Castle.
Design
The design allows for use of non slip pavers of varying sizes to indicate the different areas including;
- The main parade area, formally the taxi rank and parking areas, which will now become a pedestrianised plaza that can be used as a performance area.
- The realigned 2 way carriage way which will move away from the existing footpath on the southside to allow for a mobility impaired footpath to be constructed outside the steps at Kilkenny Design Centre and Rinuccini's, and
The new taxi, loading and parking facility will be provided for on the southside. - The paved area of the main parade will be dissected at numerous points by ground mounted strip lighting as the architects and Kilkenny Borough Council wish to avoid the erection of poles so as to give an open feeling to the finished product.
- The distinction between the carriageway and the plaza will be delineated by a marble strip, the concept of which originates from that witnessed by the architects during a visit to St Canice's Cathedral Kilkenny.
- Public seating will be incorporated at intervals along the left hand side of the plaza as one approaches the castle.
The Mayors Walk
Location
Between the Rose Garden Wall on the northside and the railings on the southside and the steps at National Irish Bank and the entrance to the Rose Garden in front of the Castle.
Design
The architectural design allows for:
- The removal of the existing public toilets and the construction of a new kiosk away from the Rose Garden Wall which will incorporate a vending area, 3 automatic toilets and a wardens office.
- The Reconstruction of the Rose Garden Wall which was removed in the 1960's when the old public toilet block was constructed. Under agreement with the Conservation Department of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, this section of wall is to be reinstated as per the original construction.
- The Railings and Entrance Piers are to be refurbished and reinstated as per the instructions of the Conservation Department of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
- The surface of the Mayors Walk will be a mixture of selected non slip paving and bound gravel. The bound gravel concept is based on the premise that the original surface was gravel as per the alternative name for the area "The Gravel Walk".
- Public seating will be incorporated along the Rose Garden Wall and up lighters installed along the length of the wall to emphasise the architectural features of the wall.
Canal Square
Location
Bordered by the Nore River to the north and the business premises and Rose Garden Wall to the south and stretching from Rose Inn Street to the gated entrance to Canal Walk.
The Design
The Canal Square design is based on converting the area into a paved plaza with a loading bay located on Rose Inn Street:
- The ESB Sub Station currently located there will be claded to reduce the negative visual impact that it currently projects.
- The gated entrance to Canal Walk will be removed to allow a free lowing connection to Canal Walk.
- Public seating and lighting will be installed to provide an inviting ambiance for the new plaza.
Canal Walk
Location:
Running along the south bank of the River Nore stretching from Canal Square for approximately 100m towards the stepped entrance to the Castle.
The Design:
The existing river wall is to be removed and a new stainless steel railing installed to visually open up the area. The surface is to be a polished concrete punctuated with selected non slip pavers. Public lighting is to be installed in the surface to act as up lighters for the Rose Garden Wall again highlighting the architectural features visible.
Artist's Image of Canal Walk
CONSTRUCTION PHASE:
Kilkenny Borough Council Officials, realising that the construction process gave an ideal opportunity for the upgrade of all underground services, put out to tender packages for the design of electrical services, structural services etc.. Following this process the following consultancy posts are filled within this project;
- Structural Engineers
- Services Engineers
- Cost Consultant
- Health and Safety Consultant
- Archaeological Consultant
- Traffic Consultant
In Late 2007 the finalised tender for the Main Contractor was issued and after a short tender stage and tender appraisal stage, SIAC Construction Ltd., with their Head Office located in Dublin were appointed.
On Friday the 11th April, 2008, The Mayor of Kilkenny Borough Council and Representatives, officially signed a 16 month contract in the Council Chambers in City Hall, Kilkenny.
On Monday the 14th April, 2008, at 7.30 a.m. works commenced on site.
Works to Date:
SIAC Construction are currently working in all areas of The Parade Project, and to date have been installing and upgrading underground services, including surface and foul water drainage, ESB ducting, Eircom ducting, public lighting ducting, Bord Gais mains connections, water main services and broadband services.
Archaelogical Excavation Works:
During the excavation for these services, which is being carried out under ministerial consent from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Borough Council's Archaeological Consultant has directed all archaeological investigations.
The Parade itself and its proximity to Kilkenny Castle have resulted in extensive archaeological monitoring and investigation. The excavations for services have resulted in exposing of cobbled services from the 13th century along with many artefacts which are currently being cleaned and catalogued by the archaeological team.
Exposing Previous Parade Surfaces
Currently Kilkenny Borough Council, The Consultant Archaeologist and the Kilkenny Archaeological Society are considering the display of important artefacts at a location within the city.
Paving:
As 90% of services, within the area that the Contractor is working in, are now installed the Contract has recently commenced the placing of paving slabs on The Canal Walk and The Mayor's Walk, together with the placing of insitu concrete slabs on the plaza area of The Parade which will form a foundation for the selected non slip paving and architectural light installations.
Rose Garden Wall
After much consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, work has commenced on the reconstruction of the Rose Garden Wall.
To date the new kiosk building is constructed to wall plate level and is expected to be open to the public in late 2008 early 2009.
Once construction is complete within certain areas it is the proposal of Kilkenny Borough Council to open up to the public.
Construction of New Kiosk Building