How the junction between Sean Costello Street and John Broderick Street is expected to look as a result of the streetscape redevelopment starting in the coming weeks.

What Athlone's new streetscape revamp is expected to look like

Adrian Cusack

Published: Fri 3 Feb 2023, 6:27 PM

Westmeath County Coucil has released design images to show what the upcoming Athlone streetscape revamp, at Mardyke Street and Sean Costello Street, is expected to look like.

Work on the the 13-month project, which will cost in excess of €4m, is expected to get underway before the end of February.

As the images illustrate, the development will see the pedestrianisation of a 90-metre stretch of Sean Costello Street, between Flannery's pub and The Stairwell (formerly Murphy's Law).

Street furniture and foliage planned as part of the forthcoming pedestrianisation of part of Sean Costello Street in Athlone.

Westmeath County Council said the project would act as an extension of the Church Street redevelopment undertaken in 2018.

As with the Church Street project, the contractor chosen for the work was the Kildare-based civil engineering and building firm, John Cradock Ltd

"Natural stone surface treatments, street furniture and public lighting improvements," are planned as part of the new-look streetscape, and the starting of the work is currently pencilled in for the third week in February.

The council said the pedestrianisation of Sean Costello Street would create "an open and inviting link" between the retail areas in the centre of town.

The local authority acknowledged there would be some disruption as a result the work, and said it would "communicate any key information through the council's website and social media channels as the project progresses."

Another view of how Mardyke Street is expect to look when the project is completed in the Spring of 2024.

Meanwhile, the council has also confirmed that a contract for the sale of the former O'Neill's pub and Finlay Auctioneering site at the junction of Mardyke Street and Sean Costello Street is being drafted at present.

The council's Chief Executive Pat Gallagher notified councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday that "the sale will be subject to a grant of planning permission and a number of other conditions to ensure the site is developed in a timely manner."

Expressions of interest to develop the site were sought last June, with estate agents Avison Young describing it as a “unique development opportunity” in a high-profile location fronting onto Sean Costello Street, Pump Lane and Mardyke Street. Offers in the region of €300,000 were sought.

The 0.034-hectare site was subject to compulsory purchase by Westmeath County Council which took ownership in 2021, more than a decade after buildings were destroyed by fire, in December 2010, and had been lying idle in the interim.

Spanning around 306 square metres, the site was described as providing a unique opportunity for a mixed-use commercial and residential development.