LIBRARY SUNK BY THE WAIT

19-07-2007

Birmingham Council insists that it's determined to press ahead with plans for a new Central Library in Centenary Square - but admits that a key report, due to be finished by spring, still hasn't been completed.

That’s the upshot of the Stirrer’s enquiry yesterday, when we asked why a feasibility study by consultants Capita Symons still hadn’t been put into the public domain (see our item here)

We now learn that the document won’t be put to the city’s ruling cabinet until September - but hey, what’s a few more months between friends, when we’ve already been waiting seven years?

This is the Council’s official explanation for the latest delay: “Due to the rigorous research work being undertaken, the business case for the new Library of Birmingham has taken a little longer than originally estimated to complete.

”However we anticipate it will be finished shortly and presented to Cabinet for a decision in September 2007, the next available opportunity following the summer recess.”

”The Cabinet report will recommend an optimum, value-for-money solution for delivery of the Library of Birmingham using the site identified on Centenary Square and will be made public via the council.”

It’s an interesting response, in that refurbishing the existing library in Paradise Forum has now been clearly ruled out - as has council leader Mike Whitby’s bonkers “split site” scheme.

Unfortunately, all the indications are that the parcel of land (the car park between the Rep and Baskerville House) simply isn’t big enough to deal with a library this size unless a) it’s an unsightly 14 storey skyscraper or b) a gloomy underground warren.

Alternatives might include increasing capacity by constructing a bridge across the road to a secondary building occupying what is currently the tranquil oasis of the Peace Gardens.

Hmm, with those kind of options, no wonder it’s taking so long.