Montreal’s city hall is reopening to the public, after five years of a heritage restoration project – at a cost of $211 million.
The work was to bring the building up to code and current standards.
When the project was first announced in 2016, the initial budget was set at $66 million.
City officials had explained that the COVID-19 pandemic, construction circumstances and supply chain issues were the cause for the delays and ballooned budget.
Back in May, the first wave of employees moved back into the building on Notre-Dame Est street. They had been working in the neighbouring Lucien-Saulnier building for the past five years.
Other teams are reportedly set to move-in this month.
Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, and the president of the municipal council, Martine Musau Muele, are holding a press conference Friday morning to explain to the public more about the project and reopening.
An open house for the public will be held Saturday, June 8.