Cost Increases for Disney Hall

Re “Cost Hikes Won’t Kill Disney Hall, Officials Say,� Aug. 24:

Question: Why aren’t the responsible parties to this gigantic construction-cost error being held responsible?

According to the June, 1994, Building, Design & Construction, Los Angeles commercial construction costs went up approximately 4% during the past year while Disney Hall costs went up approximately 20% (i.e. five times greater than the local index). The costs of seismic safety--additional requirements for steel-framed buildings mandated by the January earthquake--are yet to be factored in: expect another surprise cost increase.

It is time to stop work and get a new, qualified team to perform a value-engineering analysis. When the “fat� is located, take it out. Don’t go begging for more money; save that for the next cost surprise, which will surely come.

WILLIAM KRISEL, AIA, Los Angeles

*

Who thought it was a good idea to spend $260 million for the construction of Disney Hall? Did anyone ask me what I thought of it? All over Los Angeles one can see libraries closing down or reducing their hours. Our schools are besieged and overcrowded and teachers have been forced to take a pay cut.

Frederick M. Nicholas, chairman of the Walt Disney Hall Committee, says, “This city needs this design. It needs this hall� (“Early Start on Disney Hall Project Was Calculated Risk,� Aug. 27).

Mr. Nicholas, we do not. It is a disgrace that the Disney family and the people who make these decisions would prefer to see their names splashed all over a self-aggrandizing piece of architecture than put to invisible but important work keeping our schools and libraries going.

In 50 years who will attend a Disney Hall Philharmonic concert? A few wealthy families who could afford to keep their children in private schools? Shame on Los Angeles.

ALEXANDRIA LEVITT-MUZQUIZ, Los Angeles