Quote:
Originally Posted by RedMileDJ
I just have a hard time believing that it was necessary to get a designer from overseas to get a beautiful design. They really couldn't find a local or national talent? Come on.
Add on the ridiculous price...and people are gonna be pissed.
It didn't need to or have to cost that much. Are we in competition with other cities to have a beautiful bridge?
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This is what bugs me about the cost argument. They were still going to build a bridge there no matter what.
A 1970's style, concrete and steel bridge that resembled pretty much every overpass in SE calgary, would have cost around 15 million give or take. The peace bridge designed by a world renown architect, and is a stunning piece of architecture that is internationally recognized....cost 25 million give or take.
I hear so many people say "Silly Hall blew 25 million dollars on a bridge!" No they didn't. They spent an extra $10 million dollars to build a nice bridge, along our most scenic road, as opposed to something that looks like it belongs in an Edmonton suburb.
If you watch pretty much any recent video montage of Calgary, local or foreign, videographers flock to the bridge for signature shots, because it is such an interesting piece of architecture. It is getting more coverage than the Calgary Tower in most of them. The bridge was an excellent investment for the image of the city.
I get some people are pissed because it doesn't have cowboys, horses or hay bales lining it, but thank god they aren't the people in charge of these decisions.