Old City Hall restoration could cost upward of $35.2 million
Posted Oct 16, 2014 12:42 pm.
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There’s a big discrepancy when it comes to how much it will cost to restore the crumbling sandstone around old City Hall.
The heritage building is showing its age; scaffolding went up around the exterior after two fist-sized chunks came crashing to the ground.
A few councillors admittedly were caught off guard after seeing Thursday’s report as to how much it would cost.
Many had been told it would only be three to four million, but Thursday’s status report revealed it could take 10 times as much (35.2 million).
It goes on to say the condition of the 103-year-old building has improved as a result of post-flood repairs, however the historic sandstone is in critical condition and requires immediate significant investment.
“With Old City Hall, there is two numbers that have been bounced around and we’re trying to reconcile those two,” said Ward 9 Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, Chair of the Land and Asset Strategy Committee.
“I’ve said for a long time, it’s a very difficult political decision because you’re either going to face an angry mob of citizens who are asking you why you’re wasting taxpayer dollars, feathering the politicians own nest and then at some point that mob is going to flip a switch and ask you why you didn’t take care of a valuable city asset.”
Carra said they don’t how much they have to spend and they have some money that they will channel into it as part of regular maintenance and this being an emergency.
“And if we need more, we’re going to have to have a serious conversation about that.” he said.
The Ward 9 representative admits he’d like a number that’s closer to the 3 or 4 Million, instead of the 35.
City staff has been instructed to look into the matter and bring back more exact numbers early to mid-next year.
