Building a new city hall -- an option discarded when the $42-million renovation was approved two years ago -- is now back on the table.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger also put up for consideration a sweeping shuffle of the core that would see the city, board of education and McMaster University all involved to save money.

In May 2005, after considerable controversy, debate and angst, city council approved the renovation for a crumbling and inadequate city hall, forsaking a new building of up to $120 million, now estimated at $149 million.

Eisenberger favours rebuilding, saying that in the long run, it'll be much cheaper. He's suggesting a partnership that sets in motion a possible rejuggling of locations for the three institutions: city hall and the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board could combine new digs into one major civic centre. Source...