McCabe Group get contract to mend multi-storey

Local firm McCabe Group has been appointed to carry out the €4 million repair of the multi-storey carpark in Cavan Town.

A letter of acceptance was issued this week, according to a spokesperson for Cavan County Council, with works on the essential repair project set to “commence imminently”.

The parking structure closed to the public on May 20 to facilitate the necessary project.

McCabe’s from Ballyjamesduff will have until next year to complete the works that will focus on structural improvements rather than any form of reconfiguration.

This is the first major construction investment on the property since it was first built in 2001.

Up until recently, carpark levels 7 to 15 were shut following advice from structural engineers.

As spokesperson for the county council previously confirmed that “major structural elements” of the planned building works include the “replacement of weakened structural steel members in the internal ramps”, followed by sand blasting the entire structural steel frame back to bare steel, before “applying three coats of fireproofing intumescent paint to meet current fire safety standards”.

The installation of a “new traffic management system” includes entrance and exit barriers, as well as modern pay stations that will accept cash, cards and tap and pay facilities.

The two existing passenger lifts are also set to be replaced, together with an “upgrade to all other electrical and mechanical services”.

“New wall finishes, CCTV on all levels including lift Llobbies with emergency communication buttons, together with a new lighting system are all aimed at making the carpark a safe, accessible, and convenient place to park in Cavan Town Ccntre”.

The project has a nine-month contract period.

The council was forced to buy the parking structure in 2014 as per a watertight pre-agreement with its previous owners, the nine person-strong Virginia Consortium.

Trading as Glassell Ltd, of which the council is the sole shareholder, the loss-making facility was purchased on foot of a €4m 30-year loan.

The council currently pays annual charges for the carpark in the region of €166,000 on a loan agreement signed in 2015.