A call has been made for a ‘retirement village’ to be built on the site of City Hall when Galway City Council moves to its new HQ at Crown Square in Mervue.

Fine Gael Galway City East Councillor Shane Forde said the College Road site presented a unique opportunity to deliver much-needed, age-appropriate housing in a prime city-centre location.

“We have close to four acres of prime land in the heart of Galway city, adjacent to all key services and public transport routes. This is the perfect location for the council to seriously examine a transformational project such as a retirement village for older people,” he said.

“The site is already on major bus routes, close to shops, medical services and community facilities. If we get this right, it could become a template for other local authorities across the country.”

Cllr Forde said that all options for the College Road site should be explored once it is vacated, and that a portion of the land should be earmarked for innovative housing solutions.

“When the council moves to Crown Square, we will need to look at every possible option for this site, and for me this proposal should absolutely be part of that discussion,” he said.

He also called for a public consultation to gauge interest among older residents who may wish to downsize.

“A consultation period would allow us to hear directly from those who may be interested in downsizing. In doing so, we also create an opportunity for the council to acquire much-needed family homes, while planning properly for the future needs of our elderly residents.”

Cllr Forde added that the project would represent a forward-thinking approach to housing and community planning in Galway City.

“This is about planning for the future, supporting our older population, and making better use of valuable public land for the benefit of the entire city,” he said.

Pictured: Galway City Hall: ideal location for a retirement village, says councillor.