A row is brewing over Mayo County Council’s decision to place the old library in Castlebar on the market,
The former library headquarters at Mountain View has been derelict for decades with the local authority failing to develop the site
The former library headquarters at Mountain View has been derelict for decades with the local authority failing to develop the site.
Now, the council’s chief executive Kevin Kelly has decided to place the property for sale with a price tag of €250,000.
Castlebar-based councillors are at odds over whether this is the right call.
“Who came up with the value of €250,000? This is crazy stuff,” said Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne who accused the local authority of “trying to sell off the family silver” and failing to turn the central site into housing.
Fianna Fáil’s Blackie Gavin said he had hoped that the prime site could have been developed into housing for the elderly.
“Here was a golden opportunity for this council. I think the council is after scoring an own goal.”
However, Fine Gael councillors Donna Sheridan and Ger Deere believe the right decision is being taken.
“It seems to me to be a fair price. If somebody was to come in and build student accommodation wouldn’t that be fantastic,” said Cllr Sheridan.
Cllr Deere said the profits from the sale can be ring-fenced into building housing.
Mr Kelly said it was his decision to put the site up for sale but he told councillors that it will ultimately be their decision on whether this approach proceeds. The matter is set to be hotly debated when the proposal comes before Castlebar Municipal District Council.
