Tenders issued for multi-storey carpark repair works
Tenders have been advertised for essential repair works to the multi-storey carpark in Cavan Town, half of which has been closed to the public for close to two years.
The council has sought tenders for ‘Remedial Works’ as part of a proposed €1.5 million revamp of the facility.
According to a report seen by the Celt, “significant structural renovations” are required.
It follows a mechanical and electrical appraisal commissioned by the local authority and completed in 2021, which “advised the precautionary closure” of carpark levels 7 to 15.
It also made a number of recommendations regarding other important maintenance actions to ensure the “long term viability” of the carpark property.
The winning submission is to be evaluated on ‘Price/Cost Effectiveness’.
The contract for works will be for nine months, excluding extension, and the submission deadline is dated September 7.
The carpark property has had a storied history since it was first built by Elliott’s in 2001, with the latest twist in the tale coming in 2014 when the council was forced to buy the structure as per a watertight pre-agreement with the nine person-strong Virginia Consortium.
Trading as Glassell Ltd, of which council is the sole shareholder, the loss-making multi-storey facility was purchased via a €4m 30-year loan.
The carpark has been affected by rises in maintenance and energy costs since before the pandemic hit.
Such expenditure rose by more than 24% in 2022 (€201,442.80) compared to costs accumulated in 2019 (€161,667.75).
The multi-storey requires yearly capital contributions from the council in order to operate. In 2023, the authority adopted in its budget a contribution to Glassell Ltd of €100,000. In 2022, councillors adopted a contributory sum of €70,000, but ended paying up nearly double that figure.
There has been a gradual recovery in fortunes since, however, but nowhere near back to the levels experienced pre-pandemic, with 2022 revenue just over 62% of 2019 levels.
Average daily user numbers have also crept upwards. 2022 saw an average of 72 people using the parking facility each day, up from 55 in 2021, and 30 in 2020.
Previously the council said that “interim measures” could be taken to reopen levels 7-15, however it is considered more “prudent and less disruptive” to keep them closed while design, construction, and modernisation works are undertaken.
“It should be noted that this is the first major maintenance works package planned for the [Multi-Storey Car Park] since its opening 21 years ago and it is necessary to ensure both its long term viability and enhance its attractiveness as a town core facility.”