Priority to create community hub at former HSE facility
THE Social Enterprise Development Company (SEDCo) are working on a plan to rent part of the former HSE site on the Ballyfermot Road.
Community organisations are encouraged to contact SEDCo, and form a collective community grouping, to rent detached buildings at the attractive site location.
Rónán Ó Dálaigh, Sedco CEO, said the priority for the social enterprise group, is to create a “community hub.”
Mr Ó Dálaigh said: “We have been in the Civic Community Centre for nine months and started looking into this. We want to see if community organisations who are looking to relocate, or form, in the building.”
He continued: “The building will need work, staff and maintenance. Rent is estimated to be in the region of €60,000 to €70,000. At the moment we are putting together a feasibility study. If the interest is there, we’ll go back to the agents, although we will go back anyway.
“If we had a community hub, which is central, we might look at having a cafe, there is great space at the back. It can work when you have community organisations working together to address issues in the community.”
The former HSE health centre was acquired by a Dublin based investor for over €825,000 at the start of January.
The Echo spoke to the investor, who wishes to rename nameless, but it is understood the company have acquired several properties around the city as investments, including the former HSE site.
Property consultants Bagnall Doyle MacMahon (BDM), who acquired the site on behalf of the investor, said the owners plan to let the three detached buildings at the site, and will be flexible on terms.
A spokesperson for BDM said: “The client considers it a strategic site and felt something should be done with it so he will take local needs into consideration as part of the decision making process. He is a long term investor with local interests.”
The 1.04 acres site contains three detached buildings, including the former health centre (561.7 sq m), a childcare facility (226.3 sq m) and a child psychology building (364.6 sq m).
It is designated a “prime urban centre” and zoned “to provide for and improve mixed services facilities” under Dublin City Council’s Development Plan.
Community groups interested in forming part of SEDCo’s plans for the site, are encouraged to email him at ronan.odalaigh@sedco.ie or at 085 1632732.
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