A real turning point for the fortunes of Limerick is how the local authority is describing the latest plans for the opera site in the city centre - which it says will be home to 3,000 jobs.
Limerick City and County Council is seeking expressions of interest to develop the site, which is seen as central to the success of the ambitious Limerick 2030 Economic and Spatial Plan.
Limerick CEO Conn Murray says this is the biggest city centre real estate project outside of Dublin over the next 10 years.
The council expects it will cost in the region of €100m. When completed, it will employ 3,000 people and be home to around 350 students from the University of Limerick (UL), Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) and Mary Immaculate College.
The 50,000 square metre site will provide a mix of office, educational, retail and residential uses - with plans to begin construction within the next 18 months.
There have been many false dawns for the opera site over the past number of years, but Mr Murray believes this plan is a turning point.
A deadline submission date is April 29th, with a shortlist of firms the following month.
