Vacant Buildings
Ongoing
Johnstown currently has 4 locations with vacant buildings:
1) Former Petrol Station
After a brief reopening as a petrol station in the early 2010's, it remained open for car cleaning but closed around 2015. Laying idle and being such a prominet 'welcome' sight to Johnstown we have invested time trying to screen off the site.
2) Former Athlumney Centre
The few vacated outlets become an eyesore for nearly a decade. The Spar shop closed in 2014, the 'Pit Stop' pub and the local butchers both closed in/around 2017. The car park quickly became a fly-tipping area until planning permission was approved in 2021 for the creation of 42 apartments in 2 blocks, with 2 'take away' commercial units, and one 'community space'.
The last tenant vacated the building in late March 2022, work commenced immediately to secure the site with steel fencing and demolition began in May 2022. Within one year the change has been significant, the derelict and rundown shopping centre has been replaced with new modern apartments to provide a more suitable first appearance to Johnstown visitors.
3) Metges Road Gym
Dormant for a decade the former Gym has been slowly occupied by 'FeelFit Gym' in 2019, 'Easy B&C' cafe in 2020 and 'Spun Cycles and Spun Run' in 2021. The vacant space was loaned to the Johnstown Ukraine Appeal in March 2022 before part was opened as a Surgery in April 2023.
We intend to maintain a neat edge around the perimeter of the grass lawn until the last premise is occupied.
4) Old Johnstown Village Corner Shop
With no tenant for many years, the Old Johnstown Community Group has continued to maintain summer flower displays in window boxes and has done outstanding work to ensure that the building enhances the village's appearance.
In 2021 they painted and decorated the corner building winning the Meath Pride of Place 2021 Vacant Premises Award and Small Town Award.
Old Johnstown Makeover
March 23rd, 2023Cllr. Emer Tóibín informs us that the Town Council Meeting has discussed a proposal for a makeover to Old Johnstown Village if URDF funding comes through. The Council has bought 1.7 acres that includes the vacant and derelict old stone house opposite Mace and the corner site surrounding it.
The indicative plans show a public plaza area that will form the focal heart of Old Johnstown, a cycle lane, and redevelopment for mixed-use. Conceptual plans show 14 townhouses,8 apartments, and 5 commercial units.
Concerns about levels and speed of traffic have been an issue for some time and will be further addressed at a later date.
Sustainable Development Goals
This project has connections with the following categories:
