Clearance works on derelict Athlone site to proceed this year
Westmeath County Council and TUS are to appoint a contractor to carry out enabling works on the site of the old Northgate Street RTC building in Athlone.
Members at the monthly meeting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District of Westmeath County Council recently received on update on the proposed smart innovation and co-working hub project at the location.
Responding to a question posed by Cllr Frankie Keena, a council spokesperson stated that the EU Just Transition Fund Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme application for "phase 1 enabling works" had been approved and Westmeath County Council (WCC) was finalising the details of the grant agreement with Pobal.
"The enabling works will include works to the protected structures, demolition, ground works and services. WCC and TUS will now progress to planning, design and tendering the works to appoint a contractor to carry out the enabling works in 2025. This investment will remove site barriers and pave the way for further capital investment to develop the site," the council spokesperson said.
The development of the Athlone Smart Innovation & Co-working Hub at the former workhouse site at Northgate Street will focus on innovation, collaboration in research, design, development and testing of innovative solutions.
It will provide a suite of supports and an eco-system for start-ups, existing micro-enterprises and SMEs. The facility will also include remote working spaces and will provide employment and business opportunities for people from the Just Transition Fund region.
Despite a financial impetus of €1 million for the enabling works from the EU Just Transition fund in May 2024, the full redevelopment project is expected to cost approximately €10 million, Westmeath County Council CEO Barry Kehoe revealed to the members previously.
If the innovation and working hub plan comes to fruition it would mean a building, part of which dates back to the Famine, when it was used as the Athlone Workhouse, could end up becoming a centre for new technological and commercial developments.