CORK’S CITY manager has heaped praise upon a number of developers whose “enterprise and initiative” transformed the city over the past decade.
Outgoing city manager Joe Gavin spoke out against what he felt was the vilification of certain developers and lauded those who were willing to take risks and invest in massive construction projects across the city.
Mr Gavin singled out Greg Coughlan of Howard Holdings for his work in bringing the City Quarter project at Lapp’s Quay to fruition.
Mr Coughlan is understood to be living abroad having failed to obey court orders aimed at executing a judgment against him for €28 million in unpaid loans.
Last March, a High Court judge ordered gardaí to arrest him over the contempt of court orders.
Speaking to The Irish Timesyesterday, Mr Gavin said Mr Coughlan deserved great credit for his work in Cork.
“Howard Holdings came in and redeveloped the totally derelict Lapp’s Quay area when they were told that it would not work and was too far outside the city centre. Their efforts totally transformed that part of the city, which has now become symbolic of Cork,” he added.
A handful of developers, including Owen O’Callaghan for his work in Mahon and the new Opera Lane shopping precinct in the city centre, and Michael O’Flynn for the construction of Ireland’s tallest building, were among those responsible for “transforming the city”, Mr Gavin said.
He also paid special tribute to Clayton Love for his shopping and office development in Blackpool, John Cleary for his City Gate office development in Mahon, and the beleaguered Frinailla Developments for its shopping and apartment complex in Blackpool.
“Developers over the years have made an important contribution to the development of this city. They have shown vision and taken risks.
“None of these projects would have happened were it not for these developers, they had the courage to take risks and organise sites for development,” Mr Gavin said.
Praising I developers in general, he said they were “very impressive in their skills and ability to organise and construct”.
Mr Gavin also defended developers who embarked on projects that ran out of money mid-construction.
He confirmed that Frinailla’s €300 million scheme for a largely derelict 0.53 hectare (1.3 acre) site on Grand Parade which was to include shops, offices, apartments and a new city library would not go ahead.
“Cork city is lucky as there are very few projects commenced that haven’t been finished. Frinailla is one of those companies that is now in serious financial difficulties.
“It will take them or somebody else some time to bring certain unfinished projects to completion,” he said.
“Okay, they now have financial difficulties, but they did deliver a certain amount and we will need developers again for future projects.”
Mr Gavin is due to retire next month, following 45 years in public service.