A group tasked with findings ways to improve Dublin city centre has recommended that the GPO be redeveloped as a major public building with a greater public function.
It is one of a number of recommendations to revitalise O’Connell Street contained in the report of the Dublin City Centre Taskforce which will be brought before the Cabinet this morning.
Last November, the Dublin riots brought the issue of safety in the capital and the condition of Dublin city centre to the top of the political agenda.
In May of this year, the Taoiseach announced the appointment of a taskforce to try to make Dublin a more attractive and safe city, saying its social and cultural character had changed since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group, chaired by An Post CEO David McRedmond, included input from gardaí, Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority.
The report, which was presented to the Government last month, will be brought before the Cabinet this morning and contains ten major initiatives to revive the city centre, with recommendations on the revitalisation of O’Connell Street and a particular focus on the former An Post headquarters at the GPO.
The taskforce said it should be redeveloped as a major public building with a decision on its future to be made by next spring.
Proposals were made to the taskforce for the GPO to be used as a museum, a Government department or as a place to relocate the national broadcaster.
The group did not make a determination, but said the regeneration of the O’Connell Street area should be managed by a special programme.
It also said that a “step change” is needed in how the area is developed.
Housing, policing, waste management and culture are also covered by the report.
It is expected the Government will establish an interdepartmental group overseen by the Department of the Taoiseach to report back by the end of the year.
The full report of the taskforce is due to be published next week.
