By SHAWN LOGAN
Calgary Sun
May 14 2008
The city will look at spending $25 million to upgrade its aging public building on Stephen Avenue Mall after hearing plans to do a world-class historical restoration would wind up costing more than three times that amount.
The city's land committee yesterday heard the 78-year-old heritage building attached to the Epcor Centre needs extensive renovations that would bring its electrical, mechanical and insulation up to a modern standard, which would result in a savings of $172,000 a year in energy costs.
The work would also require 20 months of construction while requiring the city to lease space for 225 employees that work in the building.
Ald. Joe Ceci suggested council do a full restoration, filling the building with green technology such as solar hot water and other innovations.
The cost would be more than $63 million and require 40 months of construction, but Ceci said the city needs to look further into the future.
"To eliminate that possibility really means we can't go back and do it again," he said, suggesting the estimated $400-million cost for a new downtown police and fire headquarters as a means of finding more cash.
But, Ald. Ric McIver said the city had far too many pricey projects on the books to be irresponsible with the few capital dollars it has with which to work.
"This is a nice idea, but it's also an unaffordable nice idea and spending this kind of money for an ego trip, I'm not there at all."
The decision must still be approved by council and when the renovations are completed, there will be room for 150 more staffers in the building.