someone123
Dec 5, 2007, 3:51 AM
From today's Daily News:
MLAs, give up your parking
Councillor urges province to follow city's lead
BRIAN FLINN
The Daily News
http://www.hfxnews.ca/photos/TheDailyNews/stories/Province%20House-jpg.jpg
An artist's rendition of what the Province House grounds would look like as a park was included in HRM by Design.
Grand Parade is no longer a parking lot for politicians. But a block away, Province House continues to be crowded with the cars and SUVs of elected officials.
Downtown Coun. Dawn Sloane said it's time MLAs follow City Hall's lead and find a new place to leave their vehicles.
"I don't know why we're using public land as a parking lot," Sloane said. "It should be a park people can enjoy."
Nova Scotia is marking 250 years of representative democracy next year. Its historic legislature sits on land that looks and feels like private property, according to a consultants' report prepared last year for the province and Halifax Regional Municipality.
It suggests that's why people are not outraged about its use for parking, the way many were about the square in front of City Hall.
"Given the perception that the Province House grounds are more private (created by the limited pedestrian access to the space as a result of the less-permeable fencing and the presence of a security guard for the parking), the public sentiment about parking around Province House is less voluble," The CBCL report said.
The Province House grounds should be a Victorian garden, the report said. The square on the south side of the building, around the Joseph Howe statue, is already a "lovely park, shaded by mature trees," but few people use it. The report recommends creating new entrances through the wrought iron fence to make it convenient for pedestrians.
The square to the north of the building is potentially the most valuable part of the Province House grounds because it faces George Street, a busy pedestrian axis in downtown Halifax. Its Boer War monument once acted as the city's cenotaph. Now, it's covered in asphalt.
The lot can accommodate about 32 vehicles. MLAs park there when the legislature sits. Ex-MLAs are allowed to use it when the House is not in session.
The report suggests parking can be eliminated from the legislature property when the province builds a new administrative building and parking garage across Granville Street, on the former Birk's property. Construction of that building, which is expected to cost at least $19 million, is contingent on a land swap with the municipality involving the former Infirmary site on Queen Street.
Transportation Minister Murray Scott said no final determination has been made about the land deal. He would like to turn the parking lot into a park, but doesn't know how long that could take.
"It would be great down the road if we could take the cars out of Province House and find another place to park," he said. "With the historic nature of this area and tourists coming in, it would be great if we could find an alternate location for parking. It would add a lot."
Sloane said MLAs don't have to wait for a new building to give up their parking lot. Many keep apartments in Halifax that are within walking distance, she said. Others who live further from downtown could ride the bus, or rent their own space.
"It shows a sense of entitlement. They are elected officials," she said. "They should have to pay for their parking like anybody else."
bflinn@hfxnews.ca
MLAs, give up your parking
Councillor urges province to follow city's lead
BRIAN FLINN
The Daily News
http://www.hfxnews.ca/photos/TheDailyNews/stories/Province%20House-jpg.jpg
An artist's rendition of what the Province House grounds would look like as a park was included in HRM by Design.
Grand Parade is no longer a parking lot for politicians. But a block away, Province House continues to be crowded with the cars and SUVs of elected officials.
Downtown Coun. Dawn Sloane said it's time MLAs follow City Hall's lead and find a new place to leave their vehicles.
"I don't know why we're using public land as a parking lot," Sloane said. "It should be a park people can enjoy."
Nova Scotia is marking 250 years of representative democracy next year. Its historic legislature sits on land that looks and feels like private property, according to a consultants' report prepared last year for the province and Halifax Regional Municipality.
It suggests that's why people are not outraged about its use for parking, the way many were about the square in front of City Hall.
"Given the perception that the Province House grounds are more private (created by the limited pedestrian access to the space as a result of the less-permeable fencing and the presence of a security guard for the parking), the public sentiment about parking around Province House is less voluble," The CBCL report said.
The Province House grounds should be a Victorian garden, the report said. The square on the south side of the building, around the Joseph Howe statue, is already a "lovely park, shaded by mature trees," but few people use it. The report recommends creating new entrances through the wrought iron fence to make it convenient for pedestrians.
The square to the north of the building is potentially the most valuable part of the Province House grounds because it faces George Street, a busy pedestrian axis in downtown Halifax. Its Boer War monument once acted as the city's cenotaph. Now, it's covered in asphalt.
The lot can accommodate about 32 vehicles. MLAs park there when the legislature sits. Ex-MLAs are allowed to use it when the House is not in session.
The report suggests parking can be eliminated from the legislature property when the province builds a new administrative building and parking garage across Granville Street, on the former Birk's property. Construction of that building, which is expected to cost at least $19 million, is contingent on a land swap with the municipality involving the former Infirmary site on Queen Street.
Transportation Minister Murray Scott said no final determination has been made about the land deal. He would like to turn the parking lot into a park, but doesn't know how long that could take.
"It would be great down the road if we could take the cars out of Province House and find another place to park," he said. "With the historic nature of this area and tourists coming in, it would be great if we could find an alternate location for parking. It would add a lot."
Sloane said MLAs don't have to wait for a new building to give up their parking lot. Many keep apartments in Halifax that are within walking distance, she said. Others who live further from downtown could ride the bus, or rent their own space.
"It shows a sense of entitlement. They are elected officials," she said. "They should have to pay for their parking like anybody else."
bflinn@hfxnews.ca