A 'meanwhile space' initiative would help attract new businesses into Tralee, by reducing the appearance of vacant units in the town.
That's the view of Tralee Chamber Alliance, which has developed proposals for a roadmap to rebuild Tralee.
'Meanwhile spaces' would see owners, of suitable vacant commercial spaces, temporarily waived from commercial rates, if the space was provided rent-free to house artists, groups and start-ups.
Tralee Chamber Alliance Chief Executive, Ken Tobin says they are proposing the programme be activated as a pilot in Tralee for 12 months; the properties would stay on the market for sale or lease while its being used temporarily.
He says the spaces would be provided free of rent and local authority commercial rates and in exchange the groups would commit to maintenance of the vacant unit, cover the cost of utilities and these groups would commit to public performances, murals or other works to benefit the town.
In addition, Tralee Chamber Alliance wants to see increased targets and zoning for the future when focusing on vacant and derelict sites.
It's asking, as part of a Strategic Growth Plan for Tralee, for planning and development to look forward to what these sites should be used for in the future and to work back from there in the current County Development Plan.
The chamber believes with advance planning of services and infrastructure, existing brownfield sites could be seen as an opportunity and be used as the benchmark for urban development with design led architectural buildings.
It's calling for the submissions received for the Island of Geese site to be re-examined and to identify what projects can be incorporated in the brownfield sites around Tralee; the chamber believes this would add vibrancy to the town.
