Tender issued for Swords Cultural Quarter development

Fingal County Council is to seek to appoint a project management services team to oversee the delivery of projects within the multi-million euro Swords Cultural Quarter (SCQ) development.

The Swords Cultural Quarter will contain a major new central public and civic space set against the backdrop of the historic Swords Castle. It will boast a new library, public theatre and art exhibition space adjacent to County Hall, as well as a new cultural quarter on North Street/Main Street. Significant landscaping in the park and town will also be undertaken.

A tender is about to be published by Fingal. It is expected that the appointment will be made during the summer which will enable the procurement of a full design team for the projects within the SCQ by the end of 2019.

Considerable preparatory work has already been undertaken around Swords Castle and the site of the Cultural Quarter. Works have already been tendered and an appointment is imminent in relation to site investigation on the proposed site of the main cultural centre building on the existing carpark at Seatown Road/ North Street. The results of this testing will inform the design process.

Works is also ongoing in relation to conservation works at Swords Castle and is due for completion in May. A consent submission has been prepared for the National Monuments Service to allow for works to facilitate demolition of some derelict buildings on North Street which block views of the Castle.

Director of Housing and Community Margaret Geraghty said: “The development of Swords Cultural Quarter is one of the priorities under our three-year Capital Programme 2019-2021 and we are delighted to move the project to the next stage.

“The ambition for this much-anticipated project is to create a cultural destination which will make an enduring impact on Swords, as well as providing a new cultural centre for the citizens of the town and the whole of Fingal.”

County Architect Fionnuala May said: “The regeneration of the urban centre of Swords is one of Fingal County Council’s flagship projects. The appointment of a project management team to oversee the delivery of the project is another important step as we move forward with this exciting and much-anticipated project.

She added: “The project will reinforce and strength the town centre of the county town of Swords. Swords has an important and significant town centre and this new civic and cultural hub will respect and enhance the past, as well as creating a landmark of design quality and a destination for local communities and visitors alike.”