Big props to the always awesome CBC reporter Arthur White-Crummey for breaking this doozy of a story on Ādisōke being even more delayed and always more expensive. According to a report presented to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee (on the agenda for the June 2 meeting), the new library will require another $18.5 million in order to open at a date we can’t determine.
This was supposed to cost $175 million, to be split with the feds. Not an even split, as the new building is mostly Ottawa Public Library and only a little bit Library and Archives Canada. The feds were supposed to pay about $71 million and the city would pick up the rest.
By the time this is over, we’ll likely be popping $400 million.
A few months ago I said I wanted to get to the bottom of this story. I haven’t — yet. But I’ve been reading a shit ton (that’s a technical measurement) of background material. I’ve now reached the end of 2015. A lot happened that year. I have a timeline of relevant milestones and documents that’s available online for anyone to play along. There’s a whole bunch of information in the post-2015 story I need to fill in. You’re welcome to send me tips and sources if you like. I’ll take all the help I can get.
But mostly, I want to force leaders to come out of hiding and talk to us about what the hell is going on. I’ve asked the mayor, some councillors and all declared candidates for mayor for their comments. I will share what I get.
I am beyond furious that even after the LRT debacle and the public inquiry that followed, here we are in the exact same kind of mess that will also require an inquiry after which we’ll say “never again” and not mean it.
I want to stop that.
