New Garda HQ for Galway City finally on the move
After years of delay, plans for the construction of a new Garda Headquarters for Galway City took a major step forward this week.
The Office of Public Works (OPW), charged with building the new Garda Regional and Divisional Headquarters on the Dublin Road, has invited contractors to register an interest in the building project.
Two years ago this month, it was announced that the €15 million project would be built as part of the €190 million justice envelope in the Government’s stimulus package.
The then Justice Minister, Alan Shatter, said at the time that work on the facility would begin in 2013, and he set a completion date of 2015 for the building, opposite Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT).
That commencement date came and went, however, without any progress. But this week the OPW invited contractors to register an interest in the building project.
“We are seeking applications from experienced building contractors who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which tenders will be invited for the construction of a new Garda Regional and Divisional Headquarters on a greenfield site at the Dublin Road, Galway,” said the OPW.
As well as builders, the OPW invited interest from mechanical specialists, lift specialists and electrical contractors. The OPW said the works include the construction of an 11,200 metres squared building inclusive of a basement.
“The project involves the construction of a five storey (over basement) building, which steps down to a single storey (over basement) to the rear of the site. Basement level car parking and secure landscaped courtyards are to be provided,” it said.
Once the panel of contractors for the various parts of the project is compiled, the OPW is expected to invite tenders later this year.
Read more in this week‘s Connacht Sentinel