Quote:
Originally Posted by Coldrsx
We had to 'value engineer' about 30-50mil out of our project....
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Yeah I remember, I can't believe they got rid of the street retail activation. That is one of the things causing the argument at council, because almost everyone sees it as a necessity because it's the centrepiece of the Entertainment District, so it won't be cut. The contingency fund allows for an overrun of $50 million (total price tag $600 million), and the argument last night was about how to deal with it if it goes over that amount.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JHikka
I'm having trouble finding anything official on what Chad is speaking to re: Calgary council, arena costs, etc.
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Why would there be anything official? It's not like they're going to do a press release the very evening they have the debate.
from
https://twitter.com/LiveWire_DK/
"by far the most stunning thing that I've seen in my entire time as a Councillor," - Farkas
"Revealing this confidential information could compromise the commercial interests of the city," said City solicitor, Jill Floen
'voting on the main motion. That passes. The capital projects information will stay confidential.'
Quote:
Originally Posted by OutoftheIce on SRC
Council spent 5 hours behind closed doors getting a capital projects update. The CMLC was asked to be part of the closed door update which narrows things down to BMO Convention Centre, Arts Commons and the Event Centre. When Council came back into chambers Farkas said what they heard was one of the most shocking updates during his time on Council and wanted to make the information public. Diane Colley-Urquhart (big pro Flames/pro arena Councillor) used a procedural trick to block Farkas' motion from being considered and then Council voted on accepting the confidential update with Farkas, Farrell, Woolley, Chahal and Gondek voting against. One of the only times Farrell and Farkas have ever agreed was over the arena deal and the Event Centre Council Committee was chaired by Jeff Davison who is rumored to be contemplating a run for mayor so it would be in Gondek's best interest to have an arena controversy become public since he would be the one wearing most of the controversy.
To me it was enough to validate the rumours on here about a cost over run but the fact the Mayor, Keating and Carra voted in favour is enough to suggest to me it's not a major over run and there's an appetite to just get the thing built and it's better to push ahead and get it done right and not value engineer all the community benefits away to hit a budget targets.
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