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Edmonton’s $69-million downtown library renovation has run into problems with the foundation expected to add millions of dollars to the cost.

City and library officials refused to give an exact cost estimate because they are re-negotiating the construction contract, but said the foundation of the 50-year-old Stanley A. Milner Library was not built as expected.

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As well, concrete floor plates have more exposed rebar than expected, which will require extensive remediation, city officials told council Wednesday.

A bigger budget is also needed to upgrade roofing materials and replace the heating system to ensure it lasts longer.

“You never know what you’re going to find; it’s a risk you go into (with) any of these types of rehabilitation projects,” said Adam Laughlin, the city’s head of infrastructure.

He said officials were not able to double-check the as-built drawings because the library was occupying the space until last December.