Parveen AroraTribune News ServiceKarnal, February 18

The Municipal Corporation (MC)s demolition drive in various parts of the city on Thursday has brewed resentment among BJP councillors.

Seven showrooms, two houses, several DPCs, boundary walls and road networks in four different parts of the city were razed. As per the MC sources, a showroom of a BJP leader and another of an ex-councillor were razed, which gave fuel to the fire.

We have apprised the CM about the officials demolishing the houses that have been constructed several years ago in illegal colonies, after which the CM had assured that no constructed house or establishment will be demolished. Despite this, several constructed establishments have been demolished by the MC and District Town Planner team, said Yudhveer Saini, councillor. He said several people had already deposited the development charges.

A meeting of Mayor Renu Bala Gupta and councillors was held with DC Nishant Kumar Yadav and MC Commissioner Vikram Kumar.

Gupta said they would pass a resolution in the House, requesting the government to regularise the colonies and not demolish the constructed buildings by charging development charges from them.

Denying the allegations, MC Commissioner said: Weve already served notices to all violators. We razed only under-construction buildings.

Meanwhile, DTP Vikram Kumar said they had conducted a fair and transparent demolition drive. We have adopted the proper procedure, he added.

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Demolition drive irks BJP councillors - The Tribune India

The European Union called on Israel to halt the demolition of the illegal Palestinian herding village of Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley, after the IDF razed it for the fifth time in three months this week.

"Confiscation, demolition of structures in Hamsa al-Foqa & dislocation of around 60 people confirm regrettable trend despite #COVID19 & obligations of [Israel] as occupying power under [international] humanitarian law," EU spokesperson Peter Steno tweeted on Tuesday.

He called on Israel to "halt this practice."

Nine tents were removed by the Civil Administration on Monday, which according to the left-wing NGO B'Tselem, housed 61 people, including 31 minors.

It added that five tents and two shacks for livestock were removed. Three vehicles were also confiscated.

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Stano said that some of the structures confiscated and destroyed in Humsa this month and in November had been funded by the EU and EU Member States.

He linked the demolitions to West Bank settlement development, which he also said must cease.

"The EU recalls its firm opposition to Israels settlement policy and actions taken in that context, such as forced transfers, evictions, demolitions and confiscations of homes, which it sees as illegal under international law and as an impediment to a viable two-state solution," he said.

"The EU also reiterates its call on the government of Israel to halt all continued settlement expansion," he added.

Last Thursday, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and European Union representative Sven Khn von Burgsdorff made a solidarity visit to the village, which is accessible only via a dirt road. Village residents told them they had no desire to relocate.

The Belgian Foreign Ministry said that its country had provided funding for some of the tents and condemned the demolitions.

This practice goes against international humanitarian law. We demand the Israeli authorities put an end to it, the Belgian Foreign Ministry said last Friday.

The Israeli Right has argued that illegal villages such as Khirbet Humsa are part of a Palestinian Authority plan to strengthen its hold on Area C of the West Bank, so that it can become part of a future Palestinian state.

The Palestinians believe that Israel is cracking down on such villages and refusing to legalize Palestinian construction to ensure that the land can be used Israeli development and preserved for eventual annexation.

These demolitions are part of Israels policy, enacted throughout the West Bank, to make Palestinians lives unbearable, in order to force them to leave their homes, concentrate them in enclaves and take over their land.

This policy constitutes an attempt at forcible transfer which is defined as a war crime under international humanitarian law, BTselem said.

Link:
EU calls on Israel to halt demolition of Palestinian herding village - The Jerusalem Post

It's time to say goodbye to the Dawson House: "one of the last remaining architectural landmarks of its kind in West Vancouver."

After years of efforts to preserve the Dawson House, West Vancouver will say goodbye to yet another architectural landmark.

The District of West Vancouver council voted unanimously in favour of staffs recommendation to remove the property, at 4170 Rose Cres., from the Community Heritage Register to allow the owners to demolish the house, in preparation for a subdivision sale, at Monday's (Feb. 8) general meeting.

The residence in the Sandy Cove neighbourhood was designed by award-winning architect Ron Thom and built in 1958. Its a classic example of West Vancouvers mid-centurymodern housing, but it has failed to garner interest from heritage buyers over the years. The propertyis known as theDawson Housebecause it was originally built and owned by Bob Dawson, afriend of Thom.

Speaking at the meeting, Michelle McGuire, senior manager of current planning and urban design with the district, said this was "a unique circumstance where staff had worked with the owners to temporarily retain the house to look at heritage protection opportunities."

She said the homeowners had "acted in good faith" throughout the process.

"For the last six to seven years, the owners have actively marketed the site, showcasing the heritage potential,"said McGuire.

"Unfortunately, the owners have informed staff that there has been no interest from a potential owner who would like to save the house to date, through a heritage revitalization agreement, and the owner let staff know that they're now looking to sell the properties."

Looking back, she said the homeowners had completed a renovation of the house and site that had resulted in the district awarding them the Heritage Achievement Award in 2009 for their efforts.

Initially, the home was never listed on the Community Heritage Register, and in 2016 the owners submitted a subdivision application to the district, and the site met all the zoning requirements. McGuiresaid the proposed subdivision would have required a demolition because the new lot lines would have bisected the house, and that's not permitted under the zoning bylaw if you're creating new lots.

"So, in order to avoid demolition, staff worked with the owners to approve a temporary use permit, which allowed the house to remain after the site was subdivided," she said.

Approved in 2018, the temporary use permit, which is valid for three years, is set to expire coming up in September.

"With the approval of the temporary use permit, it was understood at the time that the house could be demolished prior to the expiry of the permit if a heritage retention option couldn't be found,"said McGuire.

In 2019, council also added all nominated sites, including 4170 Rose Cres., to the Community Heritage Register.

After many years of trying to save the property, staff recommendedthe house be taken off the register to allow the homeowners to get on with their sale plans.

However, the West Coast Modern League, a non-profit society dedicated to celebrating and enhancing appreciation of West Coast architecture, were incredibly concerned about the removal of the property from the register and its imminent demolition.

Adele Weder, founder, and Steve Gairns, chair, had hoped the current or future owners could continue to work with the district to explore heritage conservation options and move towards a permanent solution to safeguard one of West Vancouvers last remaining architectural landmarks of this kind.

The house is one of the earliest built examples of the hexagonal grid, they wrote in a statement. Also called the hex grid or 30-60-90 grid, in reference to its acute and oblique angles, this unique design approach was pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright and brilliantly harnessed by Ron Thom as an effective way to design homes on West Vancouvers famously irregular topography.

For the collective good of the community and its future generations, we implore council to reject the removal of this landmark from the Community Heritage Register.

Council agreedwith staff that there was no more that could be done.

Coun.Sharon Thompson said she accepted that staff and the owner had done everything they could for the property, but it was "a heartbreaker"to see it go.

"It's a gem of a home, and it's a part of our history and culture that we won't get back and, you know, in my heart of hearts, I hope somebody swoops in and says I'll take that house and relieve the whole situation," she said.

Coun. Craig Cameron said while he was also "a big lover of architecture,"unfortunately, the district couldnt "solve every problem with the public purse."

He said he expected the district would receive criticism for its choice, as it did with its decisions to demolish both the deteriorating Klee Wyck house, at 200 Keith Rd., and the Forrest-Baker house, another masterpiece of West Coast Modern architecture designed by Ron Thom and Dick Mann, at 1143 Eyremont Dr.

"It's the sad reality that we just can't, we cannot, spend public resources to buy all these properties to make sure they get preserved,"said Cameron.

"I wish it were different, but that's the fact of the matter."

Mayor Mary-Ann Booth echoed the sentiment that everyone involved had done their best to save the house.

"As a lover of mid-century modern housing, I am always impacted by this, but I think in this particular case, the owner has really done everything they possibly can," she said.

"It's been actively listed, so anybody that is seriously looking for these types of houses is watching for that."

Booth also said part of her vision for a new Arts and Culture Centre is to highlight the communitys unique and long history of mid-century modern housing.

In Palm Springsthey have a museum dedicated to it, and it's really shone a light on all of their mid-century modern housing, and they are now very valued," she said.

"Without any protection measuresthey become as sought after as a unique piece of art."

ElisiaSeeberis the North Shore News Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by theLocal Journalism Initiative.

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Another West Vancouver heritage house is bound for demolition - North Shore News

One of the three remaining buildings scheduled to be taken down from the former Sims site came down around 9 a.m. Friday

One of the three remaining buildings scheduled to be taken down from the former Sims site came down around 9 a.m. Friday, signifying the first of multiple planned explosive demolitions to raze the Harbor Island coal plant.

The scrubber building, located in between the smokestack and the unit 3 boiler house, was the first building to come down. There was a three- and one-minute countdown before viewers along the waterfront near Waterfront Stadium saw the building come down, accompanied by a loud explosion.

A perimeter was set up around the controlled explosion with Grand Haven Department of Public Safety officers. Multiple firetrucks and ambulances were stationed off Harbor Drive.

The demolition went really good, Board of Light & Power engineer Erik Booth said. The contractors they brought in, Bierlein, are top drawer contractors. They did a really good job the site perimeter was set up really well.

While the safe zone around the site was set at 1,400 feet, the explosion could be heard and felt for miles.

At the Tribune office at 700 Washington Ave., advertising representative Kim Street said the explosion shook the windows in the building.

Eric Kaelin of 103.5 WAWL Radio was talking with Grand Haven mayor Bob Monetza when the boom halted their conversation for a moment.

"I had Mayor Monetza on talking about shoveling the sidewalks, and I couldn't feel it, but we heard it," Kaelin said.

The explosion isn't audible on-air, but after a short pause, Kaelin says, "You know what that was? That was the power plant coming down."

"Yup, they just exploded a part of the power plant," Monetza said. "Just heard it boom."

Demolition of the former Sims coal plant on Harbor Island has been in effect since early 2020. It was determined that the coal plant would no longer be used months before its last day in operation in early February 2020.

The scrubber building housed two vessels that used to scrub the exhaust gas from Unit 3 for sulfur dioxide emissions, Booth said.

Bierlein, the demolition contractor, was awarded a $5 million contract. As of Jan. 22, about $3 million has been invoiced, which is on track with whats expected, Booth said. Dykon, a separate explosive contractor, executed the explosive demolition.

BLP General Manager Dave Walters said at a board meeting that a 1,400 foot radius is likely to be used for this kind of explosive demolition. That is all being left up to Bierlein and Dykon, as they are responsible for any liability, Walters said.

The demolition of the Sims plant is in the final stages, Booth said. BLP is ahead of schedule. Only the smokestack and Unit 3 building still remain visible on the island from afar. Demolition is expected to be wrapped up by June, according to a BLP board meeting discussion.

You can watch a video of the demolition by clicking here.

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this.Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.

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First of three explosive demolitions on Harbor Island takes place - WZZM13.com

JERUSALEM, 5 February 2021 - United Nations representatives met yesterday with the Palestinian Bedouin community of Humsa al Bqaia, in the northern Jordan Valley of the West Bank. On 1 and 3 February, 60 people, including 35 children, were displaced from their homes and their belongings seized or destroyed by Israeli forces. Among items seized were tents provided to them as humanitarian assistance following an earlier demolition of83 other structures in November 2020, the largest single demolition since 2009.

The demolitions and confiscations were carried out after the families were verbally ordered to leave the area, although the community has made it clear they want to remain. The community has made appeals to the courts and rejected previous proposals to be moved to another location. This situation where the community is put under pressure to move raises a real risk of forcible transfer, which is a breach of international law.

The humanitarian community has also consistently expressed concerns over other impending demolitions, including of schools. One school in Um Qussa, in the southern West Bank, is currently under imminent threat of demolition, which would impact 50 children. Bedouin children, especially girls, are amongst the most vulnerable to human rights violations. Limiting their access to education and other basic services during a pandemic only exacerbates this vulnerability. Currently, 53 schools, which are attended by 5,200 children, have demolition orders placed against them. The rights of children to protection, safety, and well-being must be upheld at all times.

The humanitarian community will continue to provide assistance to those impacted by this demolition, ensure their humanity is recognised and dignity upheld, and advocate for respect for international law.

#####

Notes to editors:

Since the 1970s, Israel has declared some 18 per cent of the West Bank, or nearly 30 per cent of Area C, as firing zones for military training. Humsa al Bqaia is one of 38 Bedouin and herding communities partially or fully located within these firing zones. These are some of the most vulnerable communities in the West Bank, with limited access to education and health services, and to water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure.

In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, it is estimated that since 2009, some 7,400 Palestinian-owned structures have been destroyed, resulting in the displacement of over 11,000 people from their homes, including some displaced more than once. Since the beginning of 2021 alone, at least 152 structures, of which 37 were donated, have been destroyed, rendering at least 184 Palestinians homeless. The lack of Israeli-issued building permits is typically cited as the reason, even though, due to the restrictive and discriminatory planning regime, Palestinians can almost never obtain such permits. Demolitions are a key means of creating an environment that leaves Palestinians with no other choice than to leave their homes.

For a statement issued by the Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. following the demolition in November 2020, see ochaopt.org/content/west-bank-witnesses-largest-demolition-years For detailed data on demolitions: ochaopt.org/data/demolition

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UN reiterates its call for demolitions to end and for international law to be respected - UNICEF

Sumedha SharmaTribune News ServiceGurugram, February 10

Gurugram manages to only treat 10 per cent of its average daily collection of Construction and Demolition (C and D) waste, leading to increasing heaps of untreated waste at collection points.

With a channelised collection mechanism in place around 3,000 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste is being collected daily while only a maximum of 300 metric tonnes of waste is treated at the sole treatment plant in Basai.

The situation worsened with around nine lakh tonnes of legacy waste that has accumulated over the years.

Out to tackle the issue the MCG is planning yet another treatment plant which will reduce the collection and treatment deficit and help in dealing its biggest civic crisis of C and D waste disposal.

We have a proper collection mechanism in place where people are proactively calling for waste collection but the treatment speed is yet to match this efficiency. We are mulling on setting up another plant with an increased output which will smoothen the C and D waste management of the city. We will soon be issuing tenders, revealed a senior MCG official.

The MCG has also been purchasing recycled aggregates from its Basai plant and plans to start manufacturing its paver blocks, for use in pavements and bicycle tracks, from October 2020 and a new treatment the plant would provide more raw material.

Amidst the Covid crisis, Gurugram Municipal Corporation, led by commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh, went ahead dealing with its oldest

civic issueillegally disposed of construction and Demolition waste.

Hiring a professional agency the authority went on clearing citys empty plots, green belts and Aravali area of C and D waste which had been lying there since many such years. The Corporation managed to collect around 6 lakh metric tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste from across the city the highest for not just for district till date but entire NCR. The sluggish pace of treatment however seems to be defeating what promises to be a perfect C and D disposal plan.

Link:
Only 10 per cent of construction and demolition waste being treated in Gurugram - The Tribune India

Heavy snow from a three-day snowstorm last week caused two buildings in the city to partially collapse and threaten surrounding buildings. Throw in the COVID-19 pandemic and the city is facing another problem with one of the buildings.

The city worked quickly to stabilize and demolish the portions of a vacant three-story building in the 500 block of Miltimore Street after the roof collapsed on Feb. 2.

To finish demolition, crews will have to cut power to the neighborhood, leaving students who are attending school virtually because of the pandemic unable to do so.

I know the residents are very frustrated the electricity is going to be cut, Managing Director Abraham Amoros said at Monday's City Council meeting. Its going to cut into their childs learning time.

We are going to do everything we can to provide solutions to those residents."

The city is working with local organizations to ease the burden.

Our Reading Fire Department and Community Development have reached out to our partners in the community, the Olivet Boys & Girls Club and the Reading Public Library, said Communications Coordinator Christian Crespo. They are eager and available to provide their resources to any children impacted by the utility interruption from Met-Ed.

The closest Olivet club is the Clinton Street club, Crespo said.

All kids have to be registered by an adult before entry to collect emergency contact information, he said.

Community Development Director Jamal Abodalo said the electricity needs to be shut off for the safety of the contractors because the power lines are close to the building.

We are looking for a place for the children to continue their education," Abodalo said, adding that the city will also address the needs of the elderly.

An abandoned factory building in the 200 block of Maple Street partially collapsed Friday, forcing officials to evacuate nine homes.

Residents were able to return to their homes late Friday night after a demolition contractor took down a portion of the building.

All the emergency demolition is complete on both buildings, Fire Chief William Stoudt Jr. told council.

Now officials are working to demolish the remainder of the buildings later this week, he added.

With more snow in the forecast, Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnersthiz asked if the city is keeping an eye on other potential collapses.

We know we have a lot of abandoned factory buildings throughout the city, she said. I wasnt surprised about the building on Maple Street. That was always high risk.

Abodalo said the city is aware of several vacant buildings, but it's hard to determine the structural integrity of each building.

If they are owned by a property owner we cannot really enter that property because we dont have a reason, he said. The properties on the blight list, we are very vigilant and we monitor them as we go. We have continuous discussions with the property owners."

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COVID pandemic complicates demolition of collapsed building in Reading - Reading Eagle

The Brewton City Council took steps to approve the demolition of two properties within the city.

Steve Yuhasz spoke to the council to give information on residences located at 118 Lynbrook Drive and 21 Eula Drive. A business facility located at 1023 Douglas Avenue was also included in the topic of demolition.

Previously, the City Council has approved a time-frame for improvements to the dilapidated residence at 118 Lynbrook Drive. However, Yuhasz said that no improvements have been made at the location to stop the demolition process.

The has been no improvement or progress at the location, Yuhasz told the council. :The yard has been cut and cleaned and some debris has been removed. The property owner has paid nearly $1,000 in redemption costs and has shown a plan for further improvements. Pressure washing was planned at the residence, but has not happened due to what I suspect is weather issues.

Yuhasz said he believed the owner had intentions to continue to improve the property.

Councilwoman Carrie Brown suggested the council extend a little time to allow the owner a chance to make those improvements needed to halt demolition. Following Browns lead, the council agreed to extend time to March 8 to allow the owner to proceed with improvements.

A residence at 212 Eula Street was also set for demolition by the City of Brewton if improvements were not made on the property.

Yuhasz told the council that no work had been started on the property to indicate a plan for repairs.

We have sent the notification and have not heard from the owner, Yuhasz said. The time has elapsed. This is a small structure and is definitely a nuisance in the neighborhood.

After some discussion, the council approved moving ahead with demolition at the Eula Street location. RMCC was the low bidder on the demolition project at a cost of $1,250 to the city. No time frame for the demolition was given.

One large building in Brewton will be set for demolition as a result of Mondays discussions by the council.

The former Brewton Heights Shopping Center locationn at 1023 Douglas Avenue will be demolished based on the councils approval Monday.

Yuhasz said a request for demolition will be sent to the owner of the building which will be torn down at the owners expense.

Mayor Yank Lovelace said the cost of the demolition will be the responsibility of the owners, Namdar of Great Neck, New York.

This is a larger piece of property and will be a larger expense, Lovelace said. We will bear the cost of the residence demolitions, but this will be at the expense of the owners.

The city first addressed the issue of the old shopping center in November 2020 and had conversations with owners and developers for the property. With the current state of disrepair of the building, the owners have declared it beyond repair and have no prospects for development at that location.

No time frame was given as to when the demolition of the center would begin.

Originally posted here:
Portion of old Brewton Heights Shopping Center to be demolished - The Brewton Standard - Brewton Standard

The stadium in Mission Valley has been known by many names, San Diego Stadium, Jack Murphy Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, and SDCCU Stadium. Though since 1967, despite all of the name changes, one thing remained constant San Diegans enjoying a day at the field.

Those days, unfortunately, are coming to an end.

After decades of the Chargers, Padres, Aztecs, and various events and concerts in the bowl of The Murph as many San Diegans fondly remember it, the place grew old and in serious need of an update.

While plans to build a stadium for San Diego State were approved, as were plans to knock down the old one.

An article in The San Diego Union-Tribune revealed that even though demolition was initially set for 2022, construction had to be expedited due to the stadium being in an unsustainable state.

In other words, the final ball had been thrown, the last bat had been swung, the final song had been sung.

It was time for The Murph to go.

Demolition started in November 2020.

Since then day by day, hour by hour San Diegos concrete titan is being broken down into rubble.

Harvard School of Design graduate and lecturer of interior architecture at SDSU James Brown looks back fondly on his days spent at the stadium.

My first job was at San Diego Stadium in 1977, he said. I was employed by ACE parking. I took the job for only one reason to get into the Charger games at halftime for freeMan, that was good.

Despite many people saying the Murph was past its prime from a sports standpoint, Brown said the architectural qualities make it stand the test of time.

The stadium was a beautiful sculpture sitting like a pearl surrounded by a chaos of parking and partyingThe edifice was classified as brutalist, as is the Geisel Library at UCSD, he said. They have strength, both literally and figuratively, in their heavy concrete structure and massing.

That brutalism making it one-of-a-kind in its heyday is what made it become a signature part of Americas finest city.

So, while the building has stature and grace, it lacks connectivity to its surroundings. It sat alone in splendorous isolation.

Clark Construction is in charge of demolition having been awarded a $250 million contract in March 2019.

Albert Valdivia, Clark Constructions vice president, grew up in San Diego and has fond memories of spending time at SDCCU Stadium.

My dad would take us to Padres games in the late innings when they would open the gates and you could get in for free, Valdivia said. I was able to play on the field in a CIF Championship game, watch my kids play football on the field during a Chargers halftime, and watch my best friend play for the Chargers for several seasons.

While many San Diegans can share similar anecdotes and sentiments, its become apparent that these memories of athletes like Tony Gwynn, Ladainian Tomlinson, Dan Fouts and others have been clouded by the recent decline of the stadium and what it had to offer.

Ill cherish these memories forever, but for years I have felt like the fan experience has been poor, Valdivia said.

Valdivia wasnt alone in thinking this, in fact in the final year the Chargers played at the stadium, attendance fell by over 100,000 compared to the year before.

Even though there was a steady decline in the experience in its later years, the stadium will be missed by many SDSU students.

Communications senior Alexis Armenta spent quite a few Saturdays at SDCCU stadium cheering on the Aztecs.

Im really going to miss the old stadium, Armenta said I had a lot of memories tailgating with my friends and then going to the football games.

With the end of an era actively taking place, all eyes are on a new one to begin.

Adjacent to the demolition, Clark Construction is also building Bashor Field at Aztec Stadium the first piece of the SDSU Mission Valley campus.

The brand-new stadium will be filling the shoes of the stadium-sized hole in San Diego. This modern, clean take on the new home for Aztecs Football has students excited.

Marketing freshman Ian Harper, is looking forward to the different atmosphere once Aztec Stadium is finished.

As a current freshman and football fan, Im beyond excited to spend time and make memories at the new stadium, he said.

This new generation of SDSU students will go on to have great experiences at a new spot a new cornerstone in San Diego culture.

Brown also shared some insight behind the new projects construction.

The design, simplified by the need for only one sport configuration, is clean, and surprisingly intimate, he said. The space on the exterior perimeter is active, engaging and offers glimpses of the field here and there, which is sure to get the blood pumping.

One key part of the project that catches Browns eye? The seating arrangement.

The field is lowered, and one will feel a similar jolt of excitement upon entering it much as we do with our basketball arena.

The design promises intimacy and access. I am looking forward to it.

Its not just students and faculty who are excited for the new field, the people who are building the new home territory for SDSU are exuberant as well.

Valdivia and the Clark Construction crew are eager for their opportunity to shape a new part of San Diegos history.

The new Aztec Stadium will have so many neat features that will feel uniquely San Diego and will be the hottest ticket in town, Valdivia said. As excited as we all should be about the new stadium, the 80 acres of parks and open space is something I look forward to bringing my family to regularly for years to come.

San Diegans may be sad to see an old legend go but it seems that Americas finest city awaits its new stadium with excitement.

The demolition is proceeding as scheduled with sights set on a Fall 2022 debut in time for the Aztecs Football home opener.

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Reflections on the demolition of SDCCU Stadium The Daily Aztec - Daily Aztec

Listen to this report as it aired on KPCW 91.7

The Park City City Council had a lengthy discussion about affordable housing at the future arts and culture district at their meeting on Thursday night. KPCWs Sean Higgins has more on what the council ended up agreeing and disagreeing on:

The sticker shock of the price of affordable housing at the future arts and culture district continues to be a hard pill to swallow for a number of members of the Park City City Council.

Estimates currently put the price per unit at roughly $600,000 thanks to construction and material costs that have steadily increased over the last year. With a total price tag for the project now hovering around the $100 million mark, council was keen to explore cost-saving options.

Thursdays discussion on the district was dedicated to the housing dilemma and showed some divisions amongst the councilors on the best path forward.

No binding decisions were made on Thursday, but a quick poll of the council showed a divide on whether or not specifically building housing at the site of the district was essential part of the project. The city owns other parcels of land and construction costs will likely be less -- possibly $150,000 or more per unit less -- if housing was instead constructed there.

For Councilmember Steve Joyce, he said it was all about asking the right questions.

To me, this is opportunity cost, said Joyce. Its not do we need affordable housing, its do we do it here? Do we do it somewhere else? Can we do it cheaper somewhere else? I actually think thats an important part of the conversation.

Mayor Andy Beerman added the projected costs and reluctance from council reflect the truth of constructing anything, anywhere in Park City at the moment.

I want to be careful what assumptions were making that this is expensive because its in the arts and culture district, Beerman said. I think this is expensive because its the first time in a long time weve gotten really good projections ahead of time to look at, that these are numbers that maybe are close to accurate and were not seeing what we want to see, were seeing the reality of building in Park City right now.

Another aspect of the project council was divided on was whether or not to move forward with any construction without firm commitments, either in writing or in the form of checks, from partners Sundance Institute and Kimball Arts Center. Both organizations plan to build new headquarters on the site, but the pandemic put their capital campaigns on hold.

Councilmember Nann Worel brought up that all of the back and forth from council could make their partners nervous about committing to the project before the city does, characterizing the dilemma as a chicken and the egg situation. Fellow Councilmember Becca Gerber agreed with that assessment.

This is a tough one, but I think from my perspective we have heard nothing but that our partners are committed to moving forward and the hard part is when we bought the property, we committed to doing an arts and culture district, said Gerber. I think that we also have an obligation to move forward with our planning and make sure were being good partners to them as well, so it is a bit of a chicken and the egg, you know? As [Councilmember Max Doilney] said, we all have to be willing to take this jump together. As we kind of hesitate about what we want to put on the area, I think that its natural that might cause some concern amongst partners.

One thing council did come to an agreement on was to move forward with prepping the five-acre parcel for eventual construction. The buildings at the corner of Kearns Boulevard and Bonanza Drive sit vacant and the city does not intend to have anyone move back in. No firm date was set for demolition, but Gerber said the rough timetable was to have the site prepped by the spring.

Discussion of the arts and culture district will continue at the next city council meeting, currently scheduled for February 25th.

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Park City Council United on Demolition, Divided on Other Aspects of Arts and Culture District - KPCW