Redevelopment of historic Mayo hotel uncertain due to high costs

CALLS for the historic Imperial Hotel in Castlebar to be redeveloped are facing obstacles due to the high costs involved.

Marie Crowley, head of the Castlebar Municipal District, said while the potential of the site at the Mall is significant, the front of the building is protected.

This limits options and, as a result, it will be costly to develop.

She elaborated: "Leveraging council-owned property beside the hotel may offer the best option to maximise the return of the site.

"All of the proposals being put forward are desirable, but will be expensive to execute."

The proposals include civic offices, a museum, a tourist office and an enterprise hub.

While plans were drafted after the building was purchased by the council in 2011 for a sum of €680,000, they were never progressed over the past eight years.

Ms. Crowley's report was in response to questions submitted by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne.