Controversial plans for a "glass clip-on" atrium as part of the $45.4 million redevelopment of Dunedin's Town Hall are officially on hold, following a vote at yesterday's Dunedin City Council meeting.
Councillors voted in favour of the preferred "alternative option without atrium" recommended by the Dunedin Centre subcommittee last month, meaning the glass atrium would be deferred indefinitely.
Construction would instead focus on a staged upgrade of the Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin Centre, Town Hall and Municipal Chambers, beginning in September 2009 and due for completion by January 2012.
The development aimed to create heritage conference facilities in Dunedin, but plans for a glass atrium extending into Harrop St had met community opposition in the shape of the Hands Off Harrop protest group.
Yesterday's decision came despite more objections by Cr Bill Acklin, who favoured excavations underneath the Town Hall to create larger conference and performance spaces.
While supporting the "preferred option" yesterday, Cr Acklin suggested a second resolution authorising a $10,000 investigation into the feasibility of excavations under the Town Hall while work on the approved upgrades continued.
Expert opinion from consultants Opus Architectural and Shand Shelton was that excavating under the building "certainly can be done", but more work was required to confirm that, he said.
"It may well be that it doesn't fly, but at least we will know. It's an opportunity we shouldn't miss without investigation," he said.
The idea won some support from Cr Andrew Noone, but was strongly opposed by Cr Fliss Butcher, who feared the excavations could unearth historic finds that delayed the project causing delays.
Others feared the investigation would only unearth additional costs and a budget blowout.
"I'm sorry Bill, I understand where you are coming from, but no, no, no, no, no, no, no," Cr Butcher said.
"I can see I'm fighting a losing battle here," Cr Acklin conceded, before his resolution was put to the vote and defeated.
