COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 10, 2011

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That the Manager provides a full report on Creative Village with particular emphasis on how this project is being promoted and how ideas can be brought forward by businesses and members of the public.

REPORT:

REPLY: Initially there were 140 expressions of interest regarding the Creative Village when arts, craft and design workers were surveyed in January 2011. One unit of approximately 127msq. in Library Square was identified as potentially suitable and discussed with CBRE, the agents managing the property.  The project was promoted to the earlier survey respondents and again through sectoral networks, local arts databases and local press. Over 1000 brochures were printed and distributed through the Library Service. The Creative Village Project has been highlighted on the fornt page of www.sdcc.ie. The Arts Office received 13 enquiries for the project and from this 5 applications of varying quality across visual arts, photography and craft were received.

This project was intended to reinvigorate and animate the area adjacent to the Luas Line at the entrance to Tallaght Town Centre through the identification and of allocation of retail/commercial units to artists, creative companies, collectives and entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, the tennacy arrangements and fit out, service and running costs as required under the proposed conditions currently appear to make the project unviable. However, negotiations will continue in this regard.  In the meantime, SDCC will continue to develop the project through existing Council buildings and other available opportunities