Why did the cost of Downtown Vancouver’s new park increase so much?

If you walk around the intersection of Richard and Smithe in Downtown Vancouver, you'll likely have seen the billboards promoting a new park that's going to replace a parking lot in the area.

There should be some movement on the project early next week, because the Vancouver Park Board and Vancouver City Council are both expected to award the contract. 

But the price tag is prompting a few questions. 

The Vancouver Sun today is reporting that the original estimate was $8 million - which was fully covered by the developer behind the Telus Gardens project.

That was 2011. Now, the cost is expected to be $14 million. So why has it increased so much? And who's going to have to pick up the tab?

Guest: Sarah Kirby-Yung

Vancouver City Councillor

If you walk around the intersection of Richard and Smithe in Downtown Vancouver, you'll likely have seen the billboards promoting a new park that's going to replace a parking lot in the area.

There should be some movement on the project early next week, because the Vancouver Park Board and Vancouver City Council are both expected to award the contract. 

But the price tag is prompting a few questions. 

The Vancouver Sun today is reporting that the original estimate was $8 million - which was fully covered by the developer behind the Telus Gardens project.

That was 2011. Now, the cost is expected to be $14 million. So why has it increased so much? And who's going to have to pick up the tab?

Guest: Sarah Kirby-Yung

Vancouver City Councillor