[Dion]

The $25 million is enough to pay for the design of two bridges but will only build one--and that's if the project stays on budget, which it rarely does with Calatrava.

Critics of his bridge in Venice say it went four times over budget, while council maintained it would come in at double the initial estimate. The project was so widely hated, the city cancelled the lavish opening ceremony planned in August.

Controversy follows Calatrava wherever he goes. Opponents to a suspension bridge he built in Jerusalem objected to an alleged lack of transparency in the planning process. They were also angered by the price, said in 2004 to be nearly 70 per cent more than a conventional concrete bridge.

When administration was asked to explain why city staff recommended opening design talks directly with Calatrava, John Hubbell, the city's general manager of transportation, said, "He has a world reputation for designing very nice bridges."

But, Mr. Hubbell, he didn't always have that reputation. Calatrava was unknown when he opened his architectural firm in Zurich, Switzerland. It was only thanks to a local competition that gave him an opportunity to compete that he won his first major commission a year later. He designed Zurich's Stadelhofen Railway Station, thus launching his successful career.

Calgary and Alberta are full of talented architects, engineers and designers. I dare say there are more than a few future Calatravas among us who equally deserve a chance to compete.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...ec0dc9c157&p=1