Four plans, including one by the architect who designed the replacement for the Twin Towers in New York, have been shortlisted for the controversial redevelopment of the Carlisle Pier in Dún Laoghaire.
The pier has been in disuse since 1995 when the ferry terminal was relocated to accommodate the new HSS high-speed craft. The site was rezoned by the council for "harbour-related amenities, recreational and commercial use". However, locals are concerned that any new commercial development could effectively "privatise" the harbour.
A competition to select a new building for the site was announced in July by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; 14 proposals were submitted, and the four front- runners were announced yesterday.
Key conditions of the competition were for a "landmark building of international architectural significance" that should include "cultural attributes", a viewing area, public space and walkways.
The projects are estimated in excess of €100 million, and a "significant commercial element" would be included to cover the cost.
The details of the four plans published yesterday list the cultural element of each development, but the commercial proposals are not disclosed.
A spokesman for the harbour company said the profit-making side of the plans could not be released for commercial reasons as the competition was ongoing.
However, the Save Our Seafront Campaign, which wants the harbour retained as a public amenity, is not convinced.
A campaign spokesman, Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, said: "This confirms our suspicions that the cultural element is just an add-on. We are very concerned that the harbour company wants a major commercial development, which we believe would effectively privatise a big section of the harbour and make the pier exclusive."
A Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown councillor and director of the harbour company, Mr Victor Boyhan, said he was "rigorously opposed" to any residential development on the site. However, some commercial element was needed to fund the 2.25-acre development.
The cultural elements of the four designs include a maritime museum; a diaspora museum; an arts and literature centre, gallery and emigration history museum; and a national aquarium.
Mr Daniel Libeskind, who designed the replacement for the World Trade Centre, has drawn up plans which include a diaspora museum. His proposal is also understood to include a 250-bedroom hotel, bars, shops and apartments.
A public consultation process on the proposals will take place in January.
The original Carlisle Pier, built in the 1850s, was a major emigration depot for nearly 150 years. The ferry from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead docked at the pier until 1995 when a new terminal was opened for the high-speed HSS craft.
