Riverfront properties acquired for Ulster University’s Magee campus growth

A business group has announced the sale of five riverfront properties in Londonderry. These sites are intended to support the expansion of Ulster University’s campus within the city. The properties, formerly belonging to businessman Garvan O’Doherty, were sold subsequent to the release of a report by the Magee taskforce earlier this week. This taskforce, established in March by Economy Minister Conor Murphy, is charged with creating and supervising an action plan for the expansion of the Derry campus, previously known as Magee. According to the report, an increase in student enrollment in Derry from approximately 6,000 to 10,000 is projected to generate over 4,600 jobs throughout Northern Ireland, with more than half of these positions expected in the north west region. The taskforce, led by Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI, comprises representatives from the community and voluntary sectors, as well as from central and local government bodies. Mr. Kelly characterized the campus expansion as “the most important catalyst for the regeneration of the north west,” emphasizing that it requires funding and backing from every tier of government. Furthermore, the taskforce warned that any additional postponements in securing funding for the expansion “will result in further missed opportunities for the economy in the north west and across Northern Ireland.” The objective of reaching 10,000 students in Derry was outlined in the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, which re-established Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive in 2020. This agreement specified that both the United Kingdom and Irish governments would endeavor to provide financial backing for the goal of expanding student numbers to 10,000. The Garvan O’Doherty Group issued a statement confirming the finalization of the sale of five “strategically important sites along Derry’s riverfront which will be used as part of the expansion by Ulster University.” The group indicated that these sites, situated on Queens Quay, had been acquired over a period of several years with the intention of revitalizing the economic activity of the previously vibrant Derry quayside. A spokesperson for the Garvan O’Doherty Group stated that the university’s expansion is “universally agreed as being the most important economic investment in the city.” The spokesperson added, “Bringing economic life back to the city centre, creating new jobs in new industries, are the catalysts we need to realise Derry’s untapped potential.” The group also noted, “There has been considerable interest in these sites, and we have had other, higher offers, but decided to sell at a lower price in the civic interest. We all want to see Magee expand to 10,000 students and this will facilitate that.” The official transfer of the properties is anticipated to occur in 2025.