Works to stabilise historic Cork buildings to begin
Stabilisation works are due to start tomorrow on three buildings on Cork's historic North Main St following a partial collapse on June 20.
It comes amid confirmation that there are now 100 sites on the city's derelict sites register, with an additional 83 files under active investigation.
Almost half of all derelict sites files since 2010 are in the city's south central ward, with most of them concentrated in the older parts of the city, including the central island.
And while the value of all derelict sites levies is in the order of €624,000, the council collected just over €43,000 last year.
Councillors were told this evening that the proposed works submitted by the owners of 62 to 64 North Main St have finally been agreed with city officials following two weeks of contacts, and are cleared to start tomorrow.
The owners have been told that the facade of 63 must be stabilised, and that key elements of 62 and 64 must also be stabilised to ensure further collapse risk is eliminated.
However, given the uncertainty over what may be discovered during this process, officials said they can't give precise timeframes for when the work will be finished.
"Every effort is being made to identify and publish inductive timeframes. We are very conscious that the opening of the street to traffic is of key concern to the traders on the street and are working to delivering this as soon as possible in a safe manner," director of services, David Joyce, said.
Mr Joyce, who has been overseeing the council's response to the issue over the last two weeks, also defended the council's role in the issue since the partial collapse to the rear of number 63.
"Every effort is being made to protect the building heritage and streetscape," he said.
"No decision has yet been made that the buildings have to be demolished.
"This situation is under constant review. Options going forward will become clearer as the stabilisation process progresses."
He also hit back at misinformation which he said has been circulating, insisting that the hoarding being erected around the buildings is a health and safety measure, and not to "hide what is happening" on the site.
Green Party Cllr Dan Boyle hit out at building owners who allow their properties fall derelict.
"They are traitors to the city," he said.
He said the city must do more with the powers it has to tackle the issue or it will continue to be a problem.
Independent Cllr Mick Finn said the council is fighting the issue of dereliction with one hand tied behind its back.
The fines are minuscule to property owners. We need multiplier fines to make it difficult for them.
SF Cllr Thomas Gould warned property owners who allow their buildings fall into long-term dereliction and don't give a damn that the city is not going to "take this kind of crap anymore".
"For 10 years, I have been looking to CPO properties around the city and nothing has happened," he said.
"North Main Street is a living disgrace and we as councillors as responsible. The message needs to go out from here tonight that we're not taking this kind of crap anymore."
