The Fairview area was discussed at Dublin City Council’s North Central Area Committee in December 2011. The following are reports provided by local councillors about that meeting.
We had a good presentation from Jimmy Bowler of Brams Cafe as Chair of the Fairview Business Association at the North Central Area Committee Meeting. The point of the meeting was to get both the unrealised positives and the untreated negatives together and see what could be done about both.
Some of the unrealised positives were:
Some of the untreated negatives were:
- Graffiti on the pump station and sub station at the bottom of the Malahide Road
- Derelict Building on Popular Row, tree out of roof of Prescotts Cleaners, Repaint needed on the Buena Vista entrance at Fairview Cinema
- Inconsistent treatment of lighting standards and unused poles
- Appearance of pedestrian bridge - scheduled for repaint in 2012
These and other items came up and “Fairview” as an item will be taken again in April with a view to making sure there is progress on what was discussed.
Steve Margolis and Shane Molloy - Senior and area planners came to the meeting following on from my request and it was the express view of the meeting that they should use whatever powers available to pressure a developer to clean up his development on Richmond Avenue.
Please see below reply to question put also:
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL NORTH CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE 19th December 2011
Q.10 Question in the name of Councillor Gerry Breen
Can the manager please have the street lights which are not working repaired/replaced on the 2 standards – one opposite Kebab outlet on Marino Mart and the other nearer the footbridge both on the townward side of the road in Fairview and also on the 2 standards opposite Smyths Pub and O Donoghue Solicitors both on the townward side of the road in Fairview.
Reply: The two lights in question were repaired on the 2nd December 2011.
Report to November North Central Area Committee
Fairview Village
Area
Fairview is an old historical area of Dublin and is well known both citywide and indeed nationally. It’s proximity to Croke Park makes it a focal gathering place for match goers during the Gaelic games season.
Fairview is also a major arterial traffic route into the city and many commuters pass through the area daily from the Howth, Clontarf and Malahide Roads. On a positive amenity perspective, the area is well served by Fairview Park, which provides opportunities for active and passive recreation for citizens of all ages. There are also some notable buildings in the locality such as The Church of Our Lady of the Visitation and Marino College.
Fairview Business Forum
In May 2010 North Central Area Office staff invited all local businesses to an information meeting with a view to establishing a business forum in Fairview. The purpose of the forum was to engage with the local businesses on relevant local matters, which are within the remit of the Council. Based on successes of other business forums elsewhere in the North Central Area, it was hoped to foster local engagement which would result in better co-operation between the Council and local businesses.
Boundaries of DCC/Fairview Business Forum
The boundaries for the Forum are Fairview Strand, Malahide Road to Annesley Bridge, Fairview Park boundary and junction of Richmond Road/Luke Kelly bridge.
Business profile
The profile of the businesses in the are
Health Services – Doctors surgeries / dentists / pharmacies / opticiansa comprises primarily of service and retail outlets, which serve both the communities of Fairview and Marino. There are over one hundred businesses operating in the area providing a wide variety of services as follows:-
- Financial – Bank / financial services companies / credit union
- Legal / property - Solicitors / estate agents
- Food Retail – mini markets / newsagents / butchers / fishmongers
- Leisure – coffee shops / restaurants / public houses / take-aways / gyms
- Culture – Art Gallery / music school / art school
- Other retail – hairdressers / beauty salons / hardware / cycle shop / suit hire / jewellers
- Other services – Post Office / library
Meetings of DCC Fairview Business Forum
The forum meets 4/5 times per annum in the library in Marino College courtesy of the college principal. Although attendance by the local businesses at the meetings has varied, there is a core group who attend the meetings regularly.
Topics of DCC Fairview Business Forum
Given the environment, the recurrent major theme is traffic with agenda items such as cycle lanes, illegal parking, duration of parking times and enforcement. Regular updates are given at the meetings on developments in Fairview Park such as the pavilion, playground and bandstand. As the area is on a main thoroughfare, litter and waste management issues also feature frequently at the meetings. Other representations made to the Area Office through the business forum has resulted in the removal of obsolete & unsightly telecom kiosks from two locations.
Recent DCC Improvements
In mid 2010 the Area Office provided funding for the painting of the lamp standards along the retail frontage of Fairview and this was much appreciated by the local businesses. More recently, “Welcome to Fairview” signs have been installed at three key locations when entering the area from the Malahide Road, the Clontarf Road and Fairview Strand / Annesley Bridge Road. Some small planters have also been placed at locations along Fairview.
The Public Domain Officer and crew are active at keeping the area as litter free as possible. Particular attention is given to the area at weekends. Assistance has also been given to residents in the area for environmental clean up days and the crew responds regularly to reports of illegal dumping, which is an issue particularly in the laneways of the surrounding area.
Littering, especially around school lunchtimes has also been an issue and Area staff have visited local schools to highlight this matter with a view to improvement and prevention in the future.
Residents Associations
The City Council’s Community Development Section link in regularly with the residents in Fairview and the wider Marino area through contacts in both the Fairview Residents Association and the Marino Residents Association. Residents have approached the community team with some ideas for the area and the community staff will continue to provide support and assistance to develop and bring these ideas to fruition.
Plans and possibilities for the future
Examining “ greening “ option
The “greening” of Fairview is regularly discussed at the meetings and it is proposed to draft a plan for 2012 to achieve this by the use of pots, planters, hanging baskets etc., similar to other DCC / business initiatives, which have been successful in other areas of the North Central.
Croke Park way signs or furniture
Fairview has long been a focal gathering point for match goers to Croke Park and a number of ideas have been explored as to how to highlight and enhance Fairview’s association with the stadium. Unfortunately, some of the proposals mooted were not feasible but we are currently pursuing alternative ideas in this regard. Whilst these proposals are at an early stage of planning, we are hopeful that they will come to fruition in the future.
Fairview park – play ground
The tender process for proposed improvement works to Fairview Park to include a playground and bandstand has been considerably delayed. However, a preferred contractor for the project has now been chosen and it is hoped that work will commence on site before the end of the year.
Events in the park
With these new facilities in the park by early summer 2012, the Area Office, in conjunction with the businesses, is proposing to hold a Family Fun Day in late May next year.
Christmas
In keeping with the approaching Christmas season, the Area Office is exploring the idea of placing Christmas lights on a mature tree at the key location of the Malahide Road/ Fairview junction. This will provide additional Christmas cheer during the festive season.
Advocating case for JC Decaux DCC bikes
The Forum has also highlighted the potential for locating a DCC/JC Decaux bike station in the Fairview area. There are a number of sites in the area, which may be suitable to locate this facility. The suitability of the area for the scheme is also enhanced due to the fact that the surrounding area is well served by cycle lanes, the area is within easy cycling distance of the city centre and the coastal cycle path extends from the area to the Dublin / Fingal boundary at Kilbarrack Road. Whilst the Planners are currently looking at expanding the service further into the Docklands and Heuston areas, as well as Kilmainham to Harold’s Cross, the office then expects the scheme to expand into the north of the City. It is our intention to continue to promote Fairview as a suitable location for the bikes scheme and to seek its prioritisation for future expansion of the bike scheme.
Summary
Fairview village is a well known area of the city and it has a distinct identity of it’s own. Although the area is on a main thoroughfare, it has a major asset in Fairview Park and there is a vibrant business community, which serves the citizens of Fairview and Marino very well. The Area Office hopes to build on the relationship which has been fostered through the business forum and to raise the profile of the area in a positive way. This can be achieved by enhancing the appearance of the area, utilising the park to benefit both residents and businesses alike and generally make the area a more attractive place to visit and do business.