Plans to rejuvenate Waterford's north quays took a significant step forward yesterday with the launch of an international design competition for the project by the Office of Public Works.
Development of a seven-hectare site north of the River Suir is expected to create 1,750 jobs and will involve a total investment of some €200 million.
Officials of the OPW believe the scheme, which includes a proposal to build a major venue building serving the south-east, is one of the most exciting urban design projects undertaken in the State to date.
The venue building would be used as a conference/convention centre, concert hall, exhibition space and sporting and events arena.
Residential units, offices, a hotel and light industrial development are also envisaged for the site. A prize fund of €500,000 has been established for the architectural and urban design competition announced yesterday by the Minister of State in charge of the OPW, Mr Martin Cullen.
The project, he said, had the potential to totally reshape the economic landscape in Waterford city.
He believed the competition would attract huge interest from Ireland and abroad and that a master plan would emerge to regenerate the north quays.
The State is to contribute €63 million to the development and this is expected to attract a further €130 million or so from the private sector.
This, said the Minister, would result in approximately 1,750 new jobs for the area.
The project has been slow in coming to fruition and was first mooted in 1998 when a steering committee of several State bodies drew up a framework plan for the area.
However, the chairman of the Port of Waterford company, Mr Ben Gavin, said yesterday's announcement had lifted the scheme "to a higher plane".
"Little did we believe back in 1998 at the historic meeting of the City Council and the then Harbour Commissioners, when we adopted the development vision for the north quays, that it would become the subject of such a prestigious competition."
An international jury chaired by Mr Seán Benton, commissioner of the Office of Public Works and newly-appointed chief executive of Campus and Stadium Ireland, will assess the competition entries.
The last registration date for entrants is July 31st and September 13th next has been set as the submission date.
Details of the competition are available from the website: www.opw.ie/waterfordquays/register.asp