Thoughts on the 'jewel case?'

In my column in Friday's paper, I suggested a glass addition proposed to adorn the end of the old Loretto Convent should be scrapped in an attempt to bring the relocation of the Guelph Civic Museum back within budget.

I'm curious to know how others feel about it. (If you haven't seen, or don't remember, this particular feature, click here to see a sketch and/or read my column)

Comments

[Dave Sills]

I agree that it is does not enhance the appearance of this important heritage building. But as I understand it, the reason it is there is because the stairs need to be on the outside of the walls, and this was the architect's way of adding those stairs while preserving the view of the original wall.

[On The Edge]

For those who missed it, here is a snippet you can view on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL-eVxRcr-g

[KWM]

They need to work with what they have, bring it in within budget, and in the future if the $$ becomes available, then make the changes. Yes it would be nice to do it all know, but sometimes we can't get everything we want, when we want it.

[Edward Pickersgill]

I have a somewhat vague memory of there being a related plan to move that locomotive from near the train station to the convent grounds. Is that part of the budget for the new museum or is that a separate issue?

[Pwing]

Scott, I totally agree. Lets complete the building on budget. Get rid of the the unnecessary architecture (which is totally ugly)

[ugh]

Pwing, I think the motive in adding the glass addition to the side of the building is to draw attention away from the disgusting appearance of the new city hall. Perhaps the same tactic is being used with the "budget"... come in a couple million over budget and it won't make the fiasco of the new city hall "budget" seem so bad. It may even train the public that municipal projects are okay to go way over budget and that municipal politicians are not fiscally responsible. Seems pretty clear so far.

[Doug]

Here we go again!
When will the people in Guelph learn that the less city staff has to do with planning or construction, the better.
As stated before, this is just another bait and switch tactic used to distract attention away from the bad management.
We should start running the city the same way the old man in the candy store used to sell to the little kids who came in.
He would look at the children, smile and say "before we start to pick out what you want, SHOW ME YOUR MONEY".
If the "Wizzards of Smart" at city hall can't or won't run things with current revenue, then maybe they should find another line of work.
Unlike city hall, WE, the taxpayers, only have a finite supply of money!

[Bill D.]

Oh Doug. Have you ever done home renos? When was the last time you went to a roofer, electrician, carpenter or contractor and said, "I have $10K. Here's want I want". It doesn't work that way. You say, "Here's what I want. What is it going to cost me?" More than likely, it will cost more than you have. Since the city operates in the Real World, it should come as no surprise that the tenders came out in Real World prices. In the home reno scenario, you would adjust your project scope (ie. take out the marble floors and skylights) and get a revised price. That's what the museum folks are doing now. They are changing the project scope and getting a new price that is more in line with the budget.

What it probably means though, is that some features that would have made a better museum might be scrapped, which is a real shame because I, for one, believe that public investments should be high quality and lasting. I'm okay with good investments as a taxpayer. Not only does it save money in the long run to build quality up front, but it defines how the city looks and feels. Today's economists generally agree that these types of facilities (museums, libraries, parks, etc.) attract new investment and business - because they define a city's character and willingness to invest in itself. Cheaping out on the museum would be a shame.

[D C]

maybe the the city can just fire the general contractor ...

[Harry]

Bill D.
One thing to keep in mind is that with all the infrastructure projects that are going on the firms are busy, busy, busy.
So in going out with a multi-million dollar tender request, is it possible that the bidders are factoring in a safety factor? I think I would.
The time to put out such a tender is when everyone is crying for work. That is when the bidder pencils get really sharp, not when they have many projects booked.
So the wise thing for the City to do would be to defer the project, however I think the Federal funding has a drop dead date, so the City is between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Ouch!

[Doug]

Well Bill, As a person who is directly involved in the purchasing and renovation game, I can tell you that any good contractor
would tell you " If you can't afford to do the project properly, wait and save until you can. Don't cut corners!".
But the point here is not how much to spend or build, but what we need rather than what we want.
Taxpayers in Guelph and all over the country are at the limit . They are out of money and many are facing job concerns or have lost the job they had for years.
When will governments at all levels just stop spending money they don't have on projects they don't need?
Just once I would like to hear the Mayor say "We can't afford anything extra".
How many people at city hall have been laid off this year and not been replaced by a temp,usually the same person.
All I want is for city hall to cut back as much as the rest of us have had to.

[Bill D.]

Well we do agree on one thing then - let's do it right the first time. Cheaping out costs more in the long run.

Unfortunately, postponing this project will cost $5 million more since there is federal money tied to it.

As one of those taxpayers who is feeling the hit this year, I recognize it's going to be a tough year at city hall, just as it is in just about every other city and village in Canada.

[Doug]

But Bill, the $5 million from the feds is our money.
There is only one taxpayer.
I'd hate like hell to be a senior or on a fixed income !

[Harry]

Doug:
Well said.
It does not matter if the money comes out of my right pocket (Federal Tory) my Centre moneybelt pocket (The HST Guy from Ottawa) or my left pocket (Council), it is still taxpayer dollars.
In Life there are wants, needs and desires.
Which is the Museum in the Convent locationÉ
A WANT - To very few people yes, but not to most and more importantly the Diocese.
A DESIRE - again to a few people but not the silent majority in Guelph.
A NEED - no way Jose. If the City wants to move the Museum, then move it to the Downtown Library building once that is moved to the new and totally unnecessary new Library on Baker Street. By the way, the Diocese NEEDs parking at that site
Ka Ching, Ka Ching, Ka Ching
Inflation is at 1.3%, for everything else there is the tax rate!!!

[Todd M. Cochrane]

I think it would be interesting if we loosely combined the discussions RE: Hanlon Creek Business Park... and this re-use adaptation program of an existing building and land.

All the enviro tree huggers (With all due respect) pay close attention..... RE-USE. Just like City Hall's expansion and reconstruction.

All of the City Council bashers, cool your jets. While many municipalities are shrinking and losing places to work and people, Guelph continues to grow and plan. Be proud