Green light for €62m Galway County Hall upgrades as councillors back expansion plan
Galway County Council has agreed to move ahead with the design phase of a major extension and retrofit of County Hall in Prospect Hill.
A feasibility study presented at this week’s council meeting outlined six options for consolidating staff accommodation, with councillors ultimately backing a plan to extend the existing building.
The report assessed expansion, redevelopment and relocation scenarios, taking into account long-term compliance requirements such as emissions targets and higher building energy ratings.
At present, the council operates across three office sites at an annual cost of €568,000, accommodating 138 staff in 3,388 sqm of space. “The primary importance is to have all of our staff under one building,” said Loughrea councillor Michael Regan, as members supported the consolidation plan.
While relocating to a new 10,000 sqm suburban site was considered, described in the report as a “clean slate” option, councillors were told it would involve the highest capital cost. Leasing alternative buildings was also deemed unviable due to limited availability and high rents.
The preferred option involves a 4,438 sqm extension and exemplar retrofit of County Hall, delivering an NZEB-compliant building with an A1 BER rating. The €61.8m project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2031, with the potential for fast-tracking to late 2030.
Once finished, the redevelopment would allow more than 600 staff to be consolidated on a single site, enabling the council to terminate leases on its two other offices. The retrofit would also make room for an expanded municipal district presence at Prospect Hill.
Staff consultation to date has indicated a preference to remain at County Hall with renovations carried out for capacity.
Some concerns were raised, with Cllr Seán Cunniffe questioning the financial implications of the decision, the impact on council budgets and the ease of terminating existing leases.
Also in questions is the assurance that the building will remain fit for purpose in the decades ahead, citing Galway City Council Crown Square development and potential outgrowth before even moving in.