[WaterlooInvestor]

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[WaterlooInvestor]

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[WaterlooInvestor]

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[WaterlooInvestor]

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[WaterlooInvestor]

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[WaterlooInvestor]

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[jcollins]

City Hall restoration could include a view from landmark clock tower

October 02, 2008
Kevin Swayze
RECORD STAFF
CAMBRIDGE

http://media.therecord.com/images/bc/15/b2556dfb46d3a4a8264755d2682d.jpeg

Restoration of the oldest public building in Waterloo Region could include a public lookout from its landmark clock tower.

This week, city councillors received an update on the heritage master plan for historic City Hall, which turns 150 next month.

It calls for removing an aging elevator from the clock tower and replacing it with a new unit elsewhere inside the building. That would allow main entrance doors halfway up the clock tower -- in use until a major restoration in 1965 -- to go back into use.

Two grand entrance staircases are proposed along Dickson Street, up to the doors.

Removing the elevator also makes room for public access up the tower again, perhaps to an observation deck just below the Victorian-era clock that still rings on the hour, every day of the year.

"I think we may find challenges from a budget point of view of being able to complete this. . . . We are satisfied it's something we are able to do," said Gary McCluskie of Diamond Schmidt architects.

Renovations are also planned for the ground and main floors.

Councillors made no decisions about the project this week.

Work on the final design and cost estimate is underway.

A tender will likely be called in January, said Don Smith, city chief administrative officer.

The city has budgeted $3.7 million over the next three years to pay for the renovations.

While the clock tower stairs and the lookout were part of conceptual designs for renovations, they may not be worth the cost, Smith said.

"It many not be high enough to give a much of a view," he said.

Already, $1.9 million has been spent on a glass bridge between the old building and the $30 million city office building next door. Last year, $1 million was spent to replace the slate roof on old City Hall.

kswayze@therecord.com

[WaterlooInvestor]

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[DHLawrence]

I think we can officially classify this one as 'Complete' now that the sculpture is complete.

[MolsonExport]

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do you mean, -

[waterloowarrior]

What happened to a whole bunch of your posts and photos WaterlooInvestor? You had some great photos and good info in there

[MolsonExport]

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Right on the money. :tup:

[DHLawrence]

Can we call this 'complete' yet? I know the place still looks incomplete, but let's face it--every public building less than forty years old still looks incomplete thanks to the bare concrete outside.