Expressions of Interest – Former Birr Library
Offaly County Council are seeking Expressions of Interest for the Lease or Sale of the former Branch Library building, located at John’s Place, Birr, County Offaly.
This building is a detached single storey former Presbyterian Church, built in 1885. The building is included in the Birr Town Council Record of Protected Structures. The building is also included in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage [Ref. No. 14819250] and is considered of Regional Importance in that inventory.
The building, with its impressive architectural design, makes a positive addition to the streetscape of John’s Place. The structure retains many architectural features which tell of its religious past, such as the lancet windows with stone mullions, the timber battened doors as well as the fine stone buttresses.
Any proposed use of the building would have to reflect and protect the essential role that the building plays in the Architectural and cultural heritage of Birr Town.
Your Expression of Interest should:
identify if you propose to lease or purchase the premises;
include consideration to be offered to council for lease or sale of the premises;
outline the proposed use of the building;
outline the long term benefit of the proposed use for the community;
outline the measures that will be taken to secure the building’s status as an important structure of local and regional significance.
Offaly County Council reserves the right to determine if it will proceed to the sale/lease of the premises or not. Where the Council decides to lease the premises it will do so on a minimum five year lease, subject to review after three years.
Expression of Interest should be submitted with any required supporting documentation in a sealed envelope addressed:
Expressions of Interest for Sale or Lease of the Former Birr Library,
Offaly County Council,
Áras an Chontae,
Charleville Road,
Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Closing date for receipt of completed submissions is 3.00p.m. on Thursday 30th June 2011.
