Cork councillors call for taskforce to tackle graffiti 'blighting the landscape' in the city centre
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There have been calls for the establishment of a special taskforce to tackle the rise of graffiti in Cork City and areas of its historic spine “left to rot” pending the delivery of several multi-million regeneration projects.
It follows the defacing of one of the city’s most historic bridges in what many have described as a sign of the “broken windows” theory playing out in the city centre.
The theory, first proposed in large US cities in the 1980s, uses the broken window as a metaphor for any visible sign of disorder that goes unattended by the authorities — such as vandalism, loitering, or petty crime — and suggests if the "broken window isn’t repaired or dealt with", it can encourage further decay in a neighbourhood, and ultimately to an increase in crime.
In Cork City, hoarding around the long-time vacant event centre site on South Main Street has been covered in graffiti for months.
Graffiti has now been sprayed on the western wall of the adjoining South Gate bridge — a heritage structure and one of the city’s oldest bridges.
Part of the quay wall on the city side of the bridge which collapsed almost two years ago has yet to be repaired by the private landowner City Hall says is responsible.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, said much-needed investment was coming soon.
But he said simple things could improve things in the short-term such as requesting BAM, which owns the event centre site, to repaint its hoarding, and perhaps include information panels on it.
He also said he has noticed the “rise of a new generation” of ‘taggers’, who have defaced several buildings in the inner city, and that needs a wider response.
“We had a hold on this for a few years but there now seems to be a new generation coming through, who seem more ruthless about what they tag. And it’s clear that they have no sense of pride in the city. We need to nip this in the bud,” he said.
A spokesman for City Hall said it would inspect the graffiti on South Gate Bridge but warned traditional removal methods may not be an option, given its heritage status.
“This is natural stone and that could limit our options in terms of how we remove the paint. Obviously, we don’t want to use any technique or chemicals that could damage the stone. We will assess it with our heritage experts and decide on the best options but that will take time," he said.
Cllr Mick Finn said most cities treat their historic spines with love and attention, but unfortunately that is not the case in Cork.
“While Barrack Street has been improved in some fashion, and the new houses when eventually opened after four years will help to lift that further, there is still a lot of work needed to lift it, while areas like South Main Street and North Main Street have been left forgotten,” he said.
Last month, city officials outlined a raft of urban regeneration projects that are in the pipeline, including a proposed €60m investment in the Grand Parade area up to 2030, to include the refurbishment of Bishop Lucey Park, as well as major public realm upgrades to start this year on South Main Street, Tuckey Street, Crosses Green and Proby’s Quay, including two new pedestrian bridges onto the event centre site.
Mr Finn said South Main Street in particular was run down and left to rot.
“In fairness to some businesses and services, they are trying keep the place alive. While the planned event centre, nearby public realm enhancement and work on Bishop Lucey Park are aimed at regenerating the area, nothing is being done to keep the place looking tidy.
"The only rejuvenated area, the plaza area in front of the Counting House, is fenced off and off limits — opening this up with some seating and planting, even temporarily, would be an asset."
He also said the four buildings at the junction of North Main Street and Paradise Place “remain a blight on the landscape" years after they were CPOd.
In response to queries from the , BAM said it is considering “project-specific hoarding” for the events centre site and will consider including infographics on it.
“BAM has recently collaborated with The Walls Project in the revamp of the hoarding on the Sullivan’s Quay site,” a spokesman said.
However, when asked if the company would open to the public the plaza in front of the Counting House as a gesture to the city pending delivery of the event centre, he said “security measures must remain in place” around it until the building is occupied.
“Negotiations on the occupancy of the Counting House are continuing with interested parties,” he said.