Time is money for project

Dec 17, 2010
Source: postandcouier.com
By: Robert Behre

More was at stake Thursday than the architectural details of the renovated Gaillard Center.

City officials and the project architect have noted that the $142 million project has a tight budget and that each month of delay could add as much as $2 million to the bottom line because of rising construction costs.

Too long a delay could jeopardize it altogether.

Michael Maher of the Charleston Civic Design Center, who has worked on the project with design architect David M. Schwarz, said Thursday's positive Board of Architectural Review vote helps keep the project on budget and on track.

"The less we can spend on that (delays in design review), the more we can spend on stone," he said after the vote. The renovated building will be clad with a mix of stucco and limestone.

These financial considerations weren't raised during the hearing, though at least one speaker raised concern that the city not lose this chance to improve what many agreed is a dated-looking building.

"I'm concerned if we go back and ask for major improvements, then what we may get is nothing at all," said Marcus Durlach of Ansonborough. "And that would be a tragedy."

Schwarz said after the vote he wasn't sure when he will reappear before the board for preliminary approval, during which the board will consider more detailed architectural features.

The city's ideal timetable calls for breaking ground in late summer 2012 and completing construction by September 2014.

The Gaillard Center budget calls for $71 million in private donations -- one $20 million gift is already in hand -- while the other $71 million would come from existing city revenue streams, not new taxes.