[Keith P.]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1063784.html

New 'flagship’ library could cost $42 million

By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Tue. Jun 24 - 5:45 AM

Halifax’s proposed central library will cost just over $42 million.

"It’s going to have a lot more than we have now," said Coun. Dawn Sloane (Halifax Downtown). "So, of course, it’s going to come with a steep price. And it’s something that is desperately needed."

The plan for the new facility came following a series of public meetings, which concluded earlier this month.

"This is what the citizens have said they want," Ms. Sloane said.

The cost analysis was prepared by Hanscomb Consultants Ltd., which estimates that the building will cost $321.60 per square foot.

At that rate, the basic cost of the building — slightly more than $35 million — includes green certification, site development and construction allowances. The addition of fixtures, furniture and equipment increases the total to $42.03 million.

Those numbers, along with municipal staff’s recommendation to move forward with the facility by approving the library in principal, will be put to council’s session of the committee of the whole today.

The proposed building area is 108,896 square feet. The existing main branch is 38,000 square feet.

Earlier this month, consultants said they were able to reduce the initial proposed size of the building partly by designing the interior to be flexible to allow for changes down the road.

The new facility would offer many new services, including a cafe, a 250-seat auditorium, meeting rooms and a new technology centre.

Many services that the library now offers would expand in the new building. There will be more computers, increased seating, longer hours and expanded adult, teen and children’s collections.

"It’s going to be the flagship library for our municipality," Ms. Sloane said.

Officials have said the proposed facility will not fit on the current site of the main branch on Spring Garden Road. Instead, a new central library would be built on land almost directly across the street.

Council is in the midst of negotiating a land swap with the province to acquire a lot at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street for the new library.

The report also recommends that council get staff to begin looking at funding options and to develop a financial plan.

Ms. Sloane would like to see a fundraising campaign begin as soon as council gives the go-ahead.

"We’ve heard from citizens that they want this, and some of them are willing to contribute. So, let’s get going."

Ms. Sloane said she hopes that councillors who represent districts off peninsular Halifax will OK the high price tag. "They’ve got to realize that, at one point in time, their citizens will be using this also."

This is an excessive cost for a facility that only a small minority will ever use. They need to go back to the drawing board and come up with something more realistic..