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The fact that the building is privately owned should not prescribe or influence its consideration, as the legislation sets out a procedure for the owner to lodge an objection and to seek compensation. A decision by the Authority to declare the building would set in motion communication and negotiation between the Government and the Club; it is quite possible that a satisfactory solution could be negotiated, an exchange of land could be arranged, or that an eventual objection from the Club
could be allowed. A. decision to proceed with the gazetting
process would allow for a much fuller investigation of
the possibilities.
It must also be borne in mind that the Club membership
has in the past shown a considerable desire to save the
building, if the means could be found. A statement by
the Authority of its intention to gazette could have a
galvanizing effect on Club members.
Specific Proposals
Negotiation with the Club may well indicate that the Club
would be willing to examine new possibilities for retain-
ing the building after its designation as a monument.
Three alternative arrangements would engender such a
situation:
10 Payments could be made under section 7 of the
Ordinance directly for the structural maintenance of
the building. Such a subsidy is common in other
countries, and would be seen by the public as a form of compensation to the Club for loss of development
revenue; it would thus be an entirely appropriate
expenditure of public funds to obtain conditions 1
through 7 above.
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