Bradford Degeneration Correct but not Politically Correct

In 2004 BCR commissioned Ove Arup to undertake a detailed study of the Odeon's structural condition... or so we thought! A feasibility study presented by Ove Arup skimmed over the Odeon's condition and declared that the steelwork of the building was corroded, whilst admitting that a detailed study had not been carried out due to asbestos in the building fabric. I say that the report skimmed over the condition of the building because once you read the report it is apparent that Arup were actually requested to look at the feasibility of opening up Bradford Beck, which runs under a corner of the Odeon.

Remember that consultation in the T&A in Autumn 2004 where we were asked to vote for one of these three options:

* Demolition of the building, but retaining the towers within a new
structure

* Demolition of the building inc the towers, but new towers or a similar reference points to where they once stood

* Demolition of the building inc the towers, and a completely new building to be built with no reference to the Odeon towers

Those three options are recommended in this report to BCR by Ove Arup, but the following sentence tail end is repeated within each optionbox: "making good site including opening up Bradford Beck"

In other words, the opening up of Bradford Beck would have provided Alsop's original lake vision in the BCR masterplan with its supply of water...

During a meeting with Maud Marshall and Marc Cole of BCR, the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group challenged them both with the statement that the Odeon had to be demolished to allow the beck to be opened up. BCR responded by asking where on earth they had heard such a ridiculous suggestion. When BORG stated they
had actually read the same feasibility study on BCR's website, BCR responded by removing it immediately from their site!

Fast forward two and a half years and the Alsop lake idea has now been reduced to a Mirror Lake in the City Park... Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, Andrew Mallinson had this to say in the T&A on March 1st:
"The Odeon building has not been in use for many years now and from a regeneration perspective, it is restricting the future development of a crucial part of the city centre."

Although he has not come out with the truth, he is basically saying that whilst the Odeon stands the Mirror Pool scheme is being restricted...

So sadly, the Odeon supporters out there who have also pledged support for the City Park scheme during the current public consulatation are unwittingly signing the Odeon's final death warrant!