Taxpayers billed $173K for Redford suite, documents show

Alberta taxpayers were billed $150,000 just for designconcepts on a planned penthouse for former premier Alison Redford,show documents tabled this week in the legislature.

The total bill for all consulting work on the suite, dubbed the"sky palace" by the opposition and media, was just over $173,000.

The documents were tabled Tuesday by former infrastructureminister Ric McIver.

They show that $150,000 was spent on conceptual design, relatedcontract documents, and fittings.

There was $11,850 for advice on how to change the plumbing andair systems. There was $7,400 on suggestions on lighting and powerchanges. Architect fees to co-ordinate the engineering subconsultants were pegged at $3,850.

The penthouse was to be on the 11th floor of the Federal Building an historic structure under renovation that will eventually houseoffices for all members of the legislature along with othergovernment officials.

It is a block north of the legislature, and the top offersstunning views of the sandstone-domed structure.

Suite under negotiations since 2012

The project was run by the Infrastructure Department, but emailcorrespondence released in March revealed that starting in late2012, Redford's office became involved and ordered changes to the10th and 11th floors.

The changes called for a "premier's suite" built to the styleof the ultra-posh Hay Adams Hotel in Washington D.C.

There would be bedrooms for Redford and her pre-teen daughter,Sarah, a shared bathroom, a powder room, a walk-in closet, abutler's pantry and areas for dining, studying and lounging.

There would be grooming and changing areas, a fireplace androom-by-room temperature controls.

There were multiple emails on the composition of room-dividerpanels. One memo urgently demanded "colour boards." Another spokeof 3D floor plans.

Ultimately, the suite was never finished.

McIver has said he learned of it in January, just weeks aftertaking over the infrastructure portfolio.He said some of the framing for the suite had already been done.He ordered the existing framing redone to turn the floor intomeeting rooms and cancelled the premier's penthouse.

McIver said it wasn't something taxpayers should pay for.

Documents show city planners balked at plans

The new expense totals follow up on a raft of memos, emails andreports released by the province in late March, less than a weekafter Redford resigned ahead of a reported caucus and party revoltover her spending and plummeting poll numbers.

The documents showed that at one point, city planners balked atRedford's apartment. They said if she planned to stay overnight, thedevelopment permit had to be changed and made public.

Redford's office replied that nothing would be made public forsecurity reasons.

Confusion over project timing

There has been confusion over who killed the penthouse project.

Wayne Drysdale, the current transportation minister butinfrastructure minister at the time, has said he thought hecancelled the project in late 2012.

It should all come back to the ministry.- Premier Dave Hancock

Drysdale, ironically, is now infrastructure minister again.McIver resigned from cabinet Tuesday to announce Wednesday he willrun in the PC party leadership race to replace Redford.

Opponents have held up the suite as the symbol of the excess andentitlement of the governing party. Since the project was reportedlykilled twice, the Wildrose party refers to it as the "zombie sky palace."

Premier Dave Hancock admitted Wednesday the project went off therails.

"It wasn't appropriate," said Hancock."Infrastructure should have been in charge of that process rightalong, and I think that's what we need to make sure (that happens inthe future).

"It should all come back to the ministry."

However, he said, "at the end of the day (the Federal Building)will be a good project for Albertans."

Redford has refused to comment on the planned penthouse, sayingshe has moved on with her new life as a backbencher for the ridingof Calgary-Elbow.

All members of Redford's inner circle have left the government,sharing $1.3 million in severance.