The City of Calgary “topped off” Wednesday morning with a ceremony to celebrate the placement of the last panel covering the LRT line in East Village.
Dignitaries and onlookers applauded the cement slab swinging into place as it signified a new phase in construction for the central library that will be built around and above the railway.
The encapsulation of the tracks and building the library comes with a hefty $245-million price tag. The city is footing most of the bill with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) paying $70 million.
CMLC’s president and CEO called the project a blessing to the East Village.
“The exciting thing about the library is it’s the jewel,” said Michael Brown. “We are so blessed. I don’t think people understand how significant it is to have the National Music Centre and the new library down in our neck of the woods.”
Brown said the area is going from a negative proposition of everything to an abundance of riches.
The new library is aiming for a gold rating in the area of leadership in energy and environmental design.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi was at the ceremony and hinted of more big announcements to come related to the library.
Details of a $1-million donation and naming rights will be unveiled on Saturday.
Construction of the new central library is scheduled for completion in 2018.
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