The August 2 arson attempt to Calgary’s city hall has been estimated to have caused between $1.3 and $2.2 million dollars in damages and expenses for taxpayers.
The city released details of the estimated cost on August 12, stating that it anticipated 80 per cent of the damage would be covered by insurance.
“While it will be many months before we know the final cost, our team has been working hard to assess the scope of the damage and work with the City’s insurer,” said Carla Male, Acting City Manager for the City of Calgary.
“The building has extensive water damage affecting three levels, including both equipment and the building itself.”
According to the City, the amounts estimated include emergency responses required to minimize damage, stabilization activity, restoration of the building and affected furniture and equipment.
The temporary relocation of services to the Central Library is also included in the city’s cost estimate.
City Hall services to resume starting August 22
The city said that the Fair Entry, Cashiers Services and Tax Advisory Services counters, currently operating from the Central Library, are expected to return to service at the Municipal Building starting on August 22.
The Planning and Development Services counter, which sustained more damage in the incident, will be continue to be temporary located at the Whitehorn Multi-Services Centre.
The city has created a website with the current temporary services relocation locations, and the planned schedule for resumption of services at Calgary.ca/temporaryclosure.
On August 2, at around 4 am, the Calgary Police Service responded to reports of a man with a large edged-weapon starting fires in the main municipal building.
Extensive damage was caused to the third floor of the Municipal complex, with water damage extending down all floors below and into the basement.
The suspected arsonist was known to CPS as a Police and Crisis Team client.
