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Sir Ian Athfield may rest in peace. Nikau’s palms are safe, as is his building.
In what Mayor Andy Foster called a “big news day” for Wellington, the city council on Wednesday voted unanimously to repair the Central Library designed by the late and revered architect, at a cost of $ 179 million.
In doing so, they turned their back on the public’s preferred option for new construction, which is estimated at $ 180 million.
Foster said at Wednesday’s meeting that it was a “great decision, and the community wants us to go ahead and make it.”
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And they did, with that decision seemingly influenced by the ability of designers and engineers to reduce the large estimated initial cost to repair the building from $ 200 million to $ 178.7, including foundation insulators to reduce the risk of future earthquakes, and upgrades. to bring the library into the 21st century.
Like most participants and respondents in an independent survey, some councilors had been spooked by that initial high estimate.
The council had received 1,456 written submissions on the five options on the table, which included varying degrees of strengthening (options AC), while options D and E related to new construction.
Comments showed that 42 percent of people were in favor of Option D – building a new library on the existing site – while 31 percent preferred Option C, which councilors opted for.
An independent survey had provided a similar but narrower margin of support for new construction.
Ross Giblin / Stuff
Wellington Central Library has been closed since it was declared earthquake prone in March last year.
Foster said at Wednesday’s meeting that he had been “drawn to a quick repair job.” His deputy, Jill Day, had also “favored the cheap and simple option.”
But Foster, Day and others were impressed by the work of council officials to close the cost gap and offer a “have it all” option that preserved the building’s heritage, improved access to Civic Plaza, and “prepared the future ”The library with modern equipment.
Foster called it “exciting.”
“We will offer something that will be much better, more attractive and more accessible.”
Councilwoman Jenny Condie said she would deliver all the benefits of Option D – the new construction – “and of keeping the same building, at the same price … without” a battle for equity value “that would have stalled the project.
WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
A $ 179 million upgrade is planned for Wellington’s earthquake-prone Central Library, with an expected opening date of May 2025.
Iona Pannett said that the planet would also be a winner. Councilors were concerned about the impact of the demolition on carbon emissions.
“Maintaining the building was the best environmental result,” he said.
Laurie Foon said it was “a great story for Wellington, allowing us to keep our unique building in a unique place.”
WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
The upgrade would turn the earthquake-prone library into a modern 21st century library.
Taxpayers can save even more money, after councilors agreed to an amendment that allows officials to “optimize” the building’s footprint in the design and possibly add floors and space that could be rented.
“The whole project is a once in a generation opportunity,” said Fleur Fitzsimons in supporting the amendment.
“We’ve already hired the experts, so it’s about looking outward and upward … Seizing the opportunity to consider the full potential of the site.”
The council will now begin more detailed design work, with a view to presenting something more substantial to the public in March next year, as part of the Long Term Plan process.
Former Mayor Helene Ritchie was “very pleased” that the building was not demolished, even if it would cost four times what it would have cost if it had simply been repaired.
She had advocated for the cheapest option of fixing the library and opening it earlier.
“It is practically a new construction,” he said. “It’s a very seductive new design” that will require very strict contract management by the city council.
“I don’t think there is any doubt that the cost will increase … and I will commend the council if it does not.”
And she was concerned about city council plans to “optimize” the building’s footprint and make the most of opportunities in redesign and retrofit.
“That did not go out to consultation at all … because people would have wondered if they believe that the building can preserve its heritage [value] going up or out, which is what this amendment would do.
“The additional capital cost will be significant.”
ROSS GIBLIN / THINGS
Wellington’s central library closed on March 19, 2019 following advice received from engineers that the building might not be safe in the event of an earthquake.
The library was closed indefinitely on March 19, 2019, after the council received engineering advice on significant earthquake vulnerabilities.
This included “specific structural concerns” with the library floor seating, similar to those found in the Statistics New Zealand building that partially collapsed in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.
At the time, then-Mayor Justin Lester described the library as the “living room of the city” and said it was visited by about 3,000 people, including 500 children, every day.
