someone123
Feb 2, 2008, 7:03 PM
From the Daily News:
New library delay frustrates Uteck
CITY HALL Public asked for 'vision,' although funding uncertain
RACHEL MENDLESON
Library staff and international consultants will be hosting a public meeting next week to establish a vision for a new downtown central library. But one area councillor says the lack of municipal funding for the long-awaited facility should be the public's most pressing concern.
South End Coun. Sue Uteck says she was recently "very frustrated" to learn there are no immediate plans to set aside money for the project, which could cost $30 million.
"I just think that it's not a priority with senior management or the mayor, and it's not going to make capital budget again," said Uteck, who also sits on the library board.
Mayor Peter Kelly acknowledged HRM staff may have shared speculation about the allocation of funds in preliminary discussions, but with budgetary debate still several months away, he says it's premature.
"It would depend upon what the library is asking for ... If there is an ask, that will be debated and discussed throughout the budgetary process," Kelly said.
"If council wants to begin a council allocation program for the library, that is possible. And council, and only council, can make that determination."
The project, he says, will be a joint venture between all levels of government. But the cost will depend upon the public's vision, and the construction site.
Council has approved in principle the designation of the provincially owned lands at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street, and talks to negotiate a land-swap are underway.
"We need to complete that process, too, and see what will be the differential that we may have to pay, or they may have to pay us," he said.
A new downtown library has been in the works for more than a decade.
In 1997, council approved a $24-million facility to replace the deteriorating Spring Garden Road building. But after budgetary constraints put the project on hold, $5 million that had been donated for a new downtown facility was diverted to the construction of the Keshen Goodman Library.
Despite the long wait, Halifax Public Libraries CEO Judith Hare says she's looking forward to the first public meeting.
"It's really important that we do have that shared vision," Hare said. "We don't want to pre-suppose what it is that the public wants. I think that you get a better building in the end if you talk to people and you listen to people about what they want to see."
rmendleson@hfxnews.ca
New library delay frustrates Uteck
CITY HALL Public asked for 'vision,' although funding uncertain
RACHEL MENDLESON
Library staff and international consultants will be hosting a public meeting next week to establish a vision for a new downtown central library. But one area councillor says the lack of municipal funding for the long-awaited facility should be the public's most pressing concern.
South End Coun. Sue Uteck says she was recently "very frustrated" to learn there are no immediate plans to set aside money for the project, which could cost $30 million.
"I just think that it's not a priority with senior management or the mayor, and it's not going to make capital budget again," said Uteck, who also sits on the library board.
Mayor Peter Kelly acknowledged HRM staff may have shared speculation about the allocation of funds in preliminary discussions, but with budgetary debate still several months away, he says it's premature.
"It would depend upon what the library is asking for ... If there is an ask, that will be debated and discussed throughout the budgetary process," Kelly said.
"If council wants to begin a council allocation program for the library, that is possible. And council, and only council, can make that determination."
The project, he says, will be a joint venture between all levels of government. But the cost will depend upon the public's vision, and the construction site.
Council has approved in principle the designation of the provincially owned lands at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street, and talks to negotiate a land-swap are underway.
"We need to complete that process, too, and see what will be the differential that we may have to pay, or they may have to pay us," he said.
A new downtown library has been in the works for more than a decade.
In 1997, council approved a $24-million facility to replace the deteriorating Spring Garden Road building. But after budgetary constraints put the project on hold, $5 million that had been donated for a new downtown facility was diverted to the construction of the Keshen Goodman Library.
Despite the long wait, Halifax Public Libraries CEO Judith Hare says she's looking forward to the first public meeting.
"It's really important that we do have that shared vision," Hare said. "We don't want to pre-suppose what it is that the public wants. I think that you get a better building in the end if you talk to people and you listen to people about what they want to see."
rmendleson@hfxnews.ca