Cost of library/art gallery project in Sudbury rises to $98.5M
A report headed to city council in Greater Sudbury this week says the estimated cost to build Junction East -- a new art gallery and library downtown -- now sits at $98.5 million.
And the report includes a resolution to suspend plans for Junction West, which would have seen a new convention centre also built downtown.
The Junction project, along with the Kingsway Entertainment District (KED) and the Place des Arts, are all part of the so-called transformative 'big projects' councillors approved in the last several years.
Place des Arts opened this spring, while the KED is moving forward slowly after years of legal challenges.
The original estimate for Junction East was $42 million in 2017, calling for a 92,000-square-foot building to house the library and art gallery, the report said.
Since then, the plan has evolved to become more of a "cultural campus," the report said. Groups such as the multicultural centre and the Sudbury Theatre Centre will be tenants in the building, expanding the scope of the project.
And rather than building a new parking structure, the report recommends the city spend $4.1 million to buy two lots across from the Shaughnessy Street site to help make up for spots lost to the new building.
"The two empty lots on the west side of Shaughnessy which directly face the main entrance of the new building will be redeveloped into a dedicated parking lot for Junction East," the report said.
"There is opportunity to realize parking as well as a strong pedestrian connection from the Minto Street parking lot to the new Junction East facility."
Construction costs are estimated at $80.7 million, with land acquisition for parking, enhanced sustainability measures and other related costs bringing the total to $98.5 million.
The biggest source of funding -- $68 million – would be debt financing, the report said. The city hopes it can reduce that amount, since it can get up to $37.2 million from upper levels of government and $3.1 million from cultural hub partners.
Read the full report here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.