Architect returning to The Public
The architect behind troubled Black Country arts centre The Public will be returning to the building he has described as his best work next Friday.
Will Alsop will be in West Bromwich for the first time since the building has been fully open to give a talk and lecture at the New Street venue.
The controversial £72 million project, which is running £49m over budget, has been the subject of an audit report which revealed it should be mothballed, decommissioned or even demolished. The project has been surrounded by controversy after costs spiralled and it failed to open on time.
Sandwell Council has taken over the project after the Arts Council walked away earlier this year, handing the authority a final £3m of funding. And earlier this week the centre was advertising for five high-profile managers with salaries of up to £49,000 despite the damning report that revealed its future is in doubt.
The talk on November 27 aims to give audiences an insight into the origins of some of its projects and artworks. Stirling prize winner Alsop, who has been awarded the OBE and elected to the Royal Academy, is known for his colourful and eye-catching buildings.
Earlier this year he told the Express & Star the pink and black building was fundamentally a good project and "fills a real need in West Bromwich and the region".
The Public's general manager Linda Saunders, said: "He is a very colourful and entertaining speaker. This will be the first time he has been able to see the building fully open to the public and we are very much looking forward to showing him round." His other projects include the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre, Hamburg Ferry Terminal, North Greenwich Tube Station, Peckham Library, Sharp Centre for Design in Ontario, The Toronto Sales Centre in Canada and The Stratford Docklands Light Railway Station.
Last month it was revealed council bosses are holding monthly reviews of The Public's £1.1m-a-year budget.
A report by auditors KPMG has warned that the budget, equivalent to more than £3,000 a day, will not be enough to make it break even, and closure or even demolition should be considered.
Alsop's talk is free, but places are limited and must be booked in advance. It runs from 4.45pm until 6pm and will take place in the Longroom on level three of The Public, which is located in New Street, West Bromwich. To book a place or to find out more call the box office on 0121 5337161.
