Today we see another milestone in the remodelling of Birmingham. Mike Whitby has won his argument and Patricia Hodge has caved in and gone against English Heritage and allowed the destruction of the existing Central Library to go ahead.
Whilst it might not be everyone’s favourite building it has a presence that will be shoved to one side to allow a multi use development to take its place. No doubt we’ll see a mixture of empty flats, every changing pubs/restaurants and the vast towers of empty offices.
Remember these figures. £193 Million to build the library, £600 million inward investment and 13,000 jobs.
Also we will have no Rep theatre for 2 years whilst the shared atrium is constructed and once the library is sold the land will be private. With all the usual restrictions on public access that private developments promote. Also remember Mike Whitby’s claim that it’ll open up Chamberlain and Victoria Square.
One note of caution for Whitby is the old Central TV studios. Remember that development? I just hope Argent (proposed land owners) are willing to go ahead.
Wanna stand for election against Whitby in 2010, @bounder thinks it a good idea. Harborne residents are you interested?
I’m quite interested to see what The Rep will get up to. They’ll be using other people’s spaces for a while – the mac, Crescent Theatre and (so I hear) various disused warehouse spaces around the city. It’s a shame to lose the venue, but it’ll be nice to see them get out and about for a little while. Might also help to support other places in a period when arts cuts are likely to bite.
Hope they do, we can’t afford to loose such a venue or their staff.