[Dion]

Chris Ollenberger, who is in charge of the project to build a second pedestrian bridge, understands the need for such input. The president and CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation immediately announced he will hold an open competition to find the right design for the next bridge;one located in his jurisdiction, the East Village. He says members of the public will have a chance to express their opinions in some fashion.

"Not everybody is going to come to a consensus on this bridge, that is going to be the sure outcome," says Ollenberger, who had no hand in the Peace Bridge process or the ill-conceived decision to acclaim Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

" Not everybody is going to like whatever happens. But to actually have a debate and engage people with it should lead to a better project and should lead to a sense of pride in the city for being involved with it. It's good."

By acclaiming someone famous, the city paid top dollar for a design many now feel has been imposed upon Calgary by an outsider who has no connection with Calgarians.

Understandably, many are overly critical of the red, helix-like structure often likened to a Chinese finger trap or hamster tunnel. One Herald reader said "it looks like something you would find wrapped around asparagus in the produce section." Another called it "ugly as sin" and said: "Say No to the orange torpedo."

http://www.calgaryherald.com/enterta...281/story.html