Turn Cork city centre car park into homes, says Green councillor

With parking charges in Cork City Council’s two publicly-owned multi-storey car parks jumping 20% this week, a Green Party councillor has proposed that one be redeveloped for homes.

Parking rates at the council’s North Main St and Paul St car parks were this week increased by an average of 20%, with the council pointing out it had not raised prices in four years.

According to senior council management, average occupancy rates in the 330-space North Main St are at 55%, while the 750-space Paul St has an average 59% occupancy.

Responding to that low average occupancy rate, Green Party councillor Honore Kamegni has suggested that the council considers redeveloping one of the two car parks for residential accommodation.

Council management noted that while the car parks are around half-empty for much of the year, they are busier over the Christmas.

Mr Kamegni responded that Cork should make better use of its existing Park and Ride facilities, which he said are underused and could help meet additional demand at peak times.

“It does not make sense to leave city centre car parks half-empty for most of the year when these sites have such potential for quality residential accommodation, with services and amenities on the doorstep,” he said.

He said that bringing more people to live in the city centre would also benefit local businesses through increased footfall throughout the year.

“A full-time resident contributes to the city every day. They shop locally, use local services and bring life and footfall to the city centre."

Acknowledging the proposal, chief executive Valerie O’Sullivan said that if one of the car parks was to be redeveloped, her preference would be the North Main Street car park, helping to regenerate the local area.

Cllr Kamegni said this should now be seriously considered as part of Cork’s future development.