Galway's new 'black box' – so big 'it could be rented out on Airbnb'!
The new ‘black box’ that has appeared in Galway City Centre – almost seven foot tall – is part of an automated bollard system recently installed to ‘protect’ the pedestrian zone on Cross Street.
Galway City Council has confirmed that it considered putting the box underground but decided that “it was desirable for design longevity, operations and user safety” that the electrical components and pumps remain over ground.
The local authority said that the infrastructure – which has caused a stir online including negative commentary about its size – did not require planning permission and was deemed ‘exempted development’ under the Planning and Development Act.
Described as a ‘kiosk’ by the Council, it measures one metre wide, 2.1m high and 82 centimetres deep. It is located on the footpath outside Supermac’s on Cross Street/Bridge Street.
A senior employee at City Hall confirmed to the Galway City Tribune that the estimated total cost of the project, including the kiosk, “will be north of €200,000” when it is completed.
Similar bollard systems, but with smaller boxes, are located at Mainguard Street, Quay Street, and William Street.
Galway City Council said emergency services, including Gardaí, requested the bollards be installed “as a priority . . . with a view to providing protection to what is now an extended pedestrian zone” on Cross Street.
Entrance into the area by select groups of vehicles – including emergency services, cash-in-transits and essential maintenance personnel – is controlled, and they “operate under a strict protocol”, the Council said.
A spokesperson said the current location of the higher kiosk was “subject to review and revision”.
They had planned to site it against the Cross Street wall of the Dew Drop Inn but the pub is a protected structure and so “it was deemed inappropriate”.
They then looked at putting it outside Supermac's on Cross Street, opposite The Dew Drop but there is a basement under the footpath on that side of the road, a constraint which ruled this option out as “unviable”.
It could not be located outside the front of The Dew Drop Inn on Mainguard Street due to the pub's outdoor seating and Active Travel bicycle stands. Another consideration or constraint is that the kiosk must be close to the operable bollards.
“The option of under-grounding the infrastructure as currently housed in the kiosk was reviewed, as it was previously (for other kiosks at different locations), and it was determined that it was desirable for design longevity and operations and user safety that electrical components, pumps etc. continue to be above ground,” Galway City Council said.
Councillor Eibhlín Seoighthe (Ind) sarcastically described it as a “new Galway monument” in a social media post that attracted much negative commentary about the street clutter.
Former Labour Party Councillor Nuala Nolan in a Facebook post said if it was any bigger, “it could be rented out on Airbnb”.