A planning application is expected to be lodged with Kilkenny Borough Council this year for a €100 million development earmarked for a largely derelict site adjacent to McDonagh railway station.
The city site is over nine acres and takes in land owned by CIÉ and Kilkenny County Council, as well as a site procured from Chadwick's building suppliers.
Plans for the site are to be submitted to the local authority by Chesterbridge Developments Ltd, of Leeson Park, Dublin, with members of Kilkenny Borough Council having been briefed on the proposals this week.
The company's plans include a shopping centre of 12-14,000 square metres with car parking, a hotel, restaurants, offices, residential accommodation and community and cultural facilities.
The company hopes to develop the site, which is covered by an integrated area plan, in partnership with Kilkenny County Council and CIÉ.
Mr Tony Reddy, of Anthony Reddy & Associates, is currently finalising architectural drawings for the site with an environmental impact statement and traffic data likely to be included in the planning application.
The new development - which could be completed by the end of 2004 - is expected to employ more than 500 people when fully operational, and the process of securing retail, commercial and community tenants has already begun, with Douglas Newman Good appointed as property agents.
Mr Gary Talbot, of Chesterbridge Developments Ltd, claims the development is based on a local partnership model.
"We have taken on board all comments, both good and bad, that we have received, and dealt with all issues and concerns raised. We are keen to develop something that is sustainable and vibrant for Kilkenny. We are delighted with the cross-party support we received at this week's borough council meeting."
The developers say the design of the Kilkenny project has taken into account developments in other medieval cities such as York and Chester in England, and "draws inspiration from established urban quarters such as Covent Garden in London".