The London 2012 Olympics haven’t even begun, and already there is talk of demolition.
The Financial Times is reporting that sdvisers to Mayor of London Boris Johnson are examining the costs of tearing down the Olympic international broadcast centre after the games, threatening David Cameron’s dreams of an east London “Tech City”. The IBC, together with the adjoining five-storey media press centre, takes up 1m sq ft and cost £295m to build.
The move comes amid a tender competition between consortiums bidding to take over the whole media complex on a 99-year lease.
One assessment of the demolition cost has already been prepared as a benchmark to assess the financial benefits to the taxpayer of the bids. But people with knowledge of the situation say a request has been made to re-examine the cost.
A London Assembly report warned in 2010 that the complex would have to be adapted for post-games use, and “a public contribution may be required”.
At least one bidder has indicated it is willing to absorb the conversion costs privately, although that may affect the amount bidders are willing to pay to lease the building.
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