Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said believes both the Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel and the Taculing site are feasible for a City Hall.

However, he said he will ask the Baclod Sangguniang Panlungsod to nominate their representative to compose part of the Appraisal Committee that will study the proposal of the owners of the Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel.

Rafael Lizares Jr., chairman of Luxur Realty and Development Corp., had written Leonardia offering the lots and building at a discounted price of P285 million. He said the cost of constructing a new city hall with the same size as the hotel at today's price will be about P230 million (computed at P15,000 per square meters).

Leonardia said he was originally for Brgy. Taculing for the new City Hall, and the Convention Plaza is a supervening event which has to be evaluated. But he said the Taculing site is still a possibility, because, if the city hall is built there, it can be built in its original design, although it may take time. The Convention Plaza may be an instant city hall, but it will need major renovations, he added.

Leonardia said he prefers to get the recommendation of the City Hall Committee because, the bottom line, for him, is that the city needs and should have a new city hall.*CGS

back to top