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

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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