Limerick City and County Council has said that it will work closely with the University of Limerick to realise its commitment announced today to grow its existing City Centre Campus.
Acknowledging UL’s confirmation today that it has applied to government to designate lands adjoining the north campus of the University as an Economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Daniel Butler said, “We recognise UL’s contribution to Limerick City through its City Centre Campus, which saw the first of its students move into the Sarsfield Street campus in recent weeks. We are encouraged by the commitment in today’s announcement that it intends to extend its existing campus footprint in the city.
“Specifically with regard to the SDZ application, while we have not seen the application, the University’s commitment to ensuring that the site would deliver a considerable economic, social and cultural boost to Limerick is in keeping with the objectives of Limerick City and County Council. However, we must ensure that the economy and growth of the City Centre is safeguarded in any proposals and that the City Centre continues to be the main economic growth centre of the region. Our focus now is that, at the earliest opportunity, we have meaningful engagement with UL as part of its consultation process to ensure that the SDZ, should it get government approval, will be for the greater good of the city and region.”
Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council Pat Daly said: “UL’s stated intention to establish Limerick as an economic and social centre of excellence on a par with leading urban locations in Europe and the US is fully aligned with our Limerick 2030 Economic and Spatial Plan. However, collaboration has been a key factor in the growth story of Limerick across the last decade and, to that end, we will engage with UL to ensure that the SDZ plans deliver on that common goal to ensure the best interests of city and region are achieved.”