General Updates and News

[-Harlington-]

Just finished watching the BC vs Quebec hockey game on tsn 2 and they had some really nice aerials of Halifax
they are showing long track on monday and various other hockey games as well as curling and short track.

[fenwick16]

Just finished watching the BC vs Quebec hockey game on tsn 2 and they had some really nice aerials of Halifax
they are showing long track on monday and various other hockey games as well as curling and short track.

It is interesting that TSN2 has their broadcast centre set up at the NS Community College in Dartmouth so they have the Halifax skyline in the background. The hockey game was sponsored by Destination Halifax so they had several interesting ads about Nova Scotia.

TSN is having short video clips about the Winter Games made by volunteer broadcast students from NSCC - the video clips that I saw, looked very professional.

[someone123]

There was an article in ANS this evening about the acquisition and potential development of the funeral home on Robie near Quinpool.

One misleading part of the article was that they talked about MPS four to six storey "height limits", which I believe is just the limit for as-of-right development. The intention of that threshold was to encourage more careful consideration of larger developments, not to limit everything to 4 storeys as STV and others would have us believe.

[worldlyhaligonian]

There was an article in ANS this evening about the acquisition and potential development of the funeral home on Robie near Quinpool.

One misleading part of the article was that they talked about MPS four to six storey "height limits", which I believe is just the limit for as-of-right development. The intention of that threshold was to encourage more careful consideration of larger developments, not to limit everything to 4 storeys as STV and others would have us believe.

From what I hear it may include the house next door as well. I would love to see something with groundfloor retail across that whole section (Funeral home and house lots) with a tower above it... like 10-16 floors.

[kph06]

What Westwood now owns runs from the Armco building on the corner up to and not including the blue house beside the Welsford.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I can't find the thread for this, but its the newest office building on Agricola:

Credit: lisa enman on flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5437278030_ecab82ae1d_b.jpg

[Dmajackson]

I really hope more of these pop up in the neighbourhood. It's just a shame the McCully project didn't go through.

[halifaxboyns]

This office building is nice; but too small. Mixed use, all the way and lets called the STV BS ('put all the tall towers on Agricola and Quinpool') and really go for it. Mixed use, some big box format stores as the ground floor occupants like in Vancouver (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Vancouver&aq=&sll=43.65688,-79.381144&sspn=0.002236,0.006158&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Vancouver,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.264626,-123.114713&spn=0,0.012317&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.264799,-123.114906&panoid=sT7fJYiu18oEyBfGLFeFHg&cbp=12,126.4,,0,-0.96) and crank the density to the max - 30 to 35 stories. If the STV crowd are going to harp that this is the appropriate place for 'towers' then lets build some towers and put in a streetcar to give them an option on how to get to and from work.

I'd suggest a route from the Hydrostone (because if you put high frequency transit it there, it would encourage bigger developments and I would think encourage policy to be adopted to allow for it - so no more knocking off 2 floors to keep buildings under 10 storeys because it's too tall) down Agricola to Hollis Street and double back via Lower Water Street.

Like I said - if they are going to make the case that this is a more appropriate place for towers, then lets put them there, but to heck with this 10 storey non-sense. Mega Density, all the way.

[Jonovision]

AllNS was reporting today that Danny Chedraw is ready to start construction on a 6 storey condo building on the triangle piece of land beside the citadel adjacent to the commons. He is waiting for HRM By Design approval and if all goes well will start construction in the summer.

[DigitalNinja]

Yeah, we have a thread about it already :D

[-Harlington-]

yeah, thats the drum condos, that thread just started so i guess you just missed it, aha
ill repost that though.

[worldlyhaligonian]

This office building is nice; but too small. Mixed use, all the way and lets called the STV BS ('put all the tall towers on Agricola and Quinpool') and really go for it. Mixed use, some big box format stores as the ground floor occupants like in Vancouver (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Vancouver&aq=&sll=43.65688,-79.381144&sspn=0.002236,0.006158&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Vancouver,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.264626,-123.114713&spn=0,0.012317&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.264799,-123.114906&panoid=sT7fJYiu18oEyBfGLFeFHg&cbp=12,126.4,,0,-0.96) and crank the density to the max - 30 to 35 stories. If the STV crowd are going to harp that this is the appropriate place for 'towers' then lets build some towers and put in a streetcar to give them an option on how to get to and from work.

I'd suggest a route from the Hydrostone (because if you put high frequency transit it there, it would encourage bigger developments and I would think encourage policy to be adopted to allow for it - so no more knocking off 2 floors to keep buildings under 10 storeys because it's too tall) down Agricola to Hollis Street and double back via Lower Water Street.

Like I said - if they are going to make the case that this is a more appropriate place for towers, then lets put them there, but to heck with this 10 storey non-sense. Mega Density, all the way.

I totally agree, but the problem comes down to the "Halifax situation".

The STV just say that is where towers "should be" built, but its a lie tactic because all of the hippy/hipster types in this neighborhood will likely shit their pants if anything tall is proposed... further north you are dealing with NIMBY as we have seen with St. Joseph's.

Even the relatively short Agricola NSLC replacement building has been met with criticism.

STV just says that to take the pressure off their own agenda (downtown height/density), they have no authority to say that projects won't be met with similar or worse obstructionism anywhere else in the city.

[someone123]

I don't necessarily think it makes sense to have tons of towers in this area, but it would be interesting to have a few 30-40 storey "focal points".

Here is an example of something that could go on Young Street: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=north+road+burnaby+bc&aq=&sll=49.218422,-122.956233&sspn=0.031283,0.084543&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=N+Rd,+Burnaby,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia,+Canada&ll=49.251866,-122.892915&spn=0.015519,0.042272&z=15&layer=c&cbll=49.251866,-122.892915&panoid=_Jwarn5Ae-SYIdrqVhKsvQ&cbp=12,313.13,,0,-13.37

[someone123]

Also, ANS reported about the future development of the Cruikshank Funeral Home site. Sounds like it's going to be something along the lines of existing projects like Armoury Square and shorter than the Welsford.

[halifaxboyns]

I totally agree, but the problem comes down to the "Halifax situation".

The STV just say that is where towers "should be" built, but its a lie tactic because all of the hippy/hipster types in this neighborhood will likely shit their pants if anything tall is proposed... further north you are dealing with NIMBY as we have seen with St. Joseph's.

Even the relatively short Agricola NSLC replacement building has been met with criticism.

STV just says that to take the pressure off their own agenda (downtown height/density), they have no authority to say that projects won't be met with similar or worse obstructionism anywhere else in the city.

Well I think it was obvious to all of us that it was a ploy from STV. But I look at it this way: If HRM goes and looks at this area and Hydrostone - they are two logical areas where high density could occur connected by something like a streetcar.

If HRM goes ahead with streetcars as a form of LRT for the core - it needs to setup clear policy to support density so that there are no arguments about height. Personally; I'd like to see the policy set out minimum heights and then allow for increased height as other things are achieved (such as a 10% low income housing, street furniture upgrades etc).

Focal points is a great idea and that's not a bad starting point. To be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing the Agricola 'corridor' between North and Cunard at a more reasonable height of 20 stories - but at a range between 15 and 25.

This (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Vancouver,+BC&sll=44.648881,-63.575312&sspn=0.036454,0.065832&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Vancouver,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.277437,-123.123801&spn=0,0.012317&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.27748,-123.123727&panoid=mBhKGEbudtALCfSa2Lu_4Q&cbp=13,80.43,,0,-17.81) is what I was thinking. A lot of them down the street but in some cases, instead of one level of commercial - two so that you could have a Future Shop on the upstairs and a Winners or homesense at Grade or some sort of two level grocery store like Whole Foods or even an improved Sobeys/Superstore.

[Dmajackson]

Agricola @ West Office Building - February 15th, 2011:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5450285560_f51c793c4a_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5449665115_b91ccf2eea_z.jpg

3150 Barrington Street - February 15th, 2011:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5449675131_4249b650cd_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5450280116_5a7ff26d58_z.jpg

[Jstaleness]

I really like the Agricola at West building. Turned out better than I thought.

[DigitalNinja]

That building is going to be so ugly on Barrington.

[Empire]

That building on West is not bad. Too bad about the siding and shear concrete.

[eastcoastal]

That building on West is not bad. Too bad about the siding and shear concrete.
I live nearby - the concrete and siding are both done quite nicely. I think it looks much better in person. I would characterize it as a thoughtful use of materials to work with the massing. I would also say that at this point, it looks like it'll have a nice relationship to both Agricola and West streets.

[fenwick16]

Not all siding can be considered to be cheap material. Vinyl siding is cheap and looks cheap but some types of siding are concrete/wood-fiber composite materials that are fireproof and much more costly than vinyl siding. It is often called Hardiboard - http://www.jameshardie.com/ (there are other brands also).

[Empire]

I live nearby - the concrete and siding are both done quite nicely. I think it looks much better in person. I would characterize it as a thoughtful use of materials to work with the massing. I would also say that at this point, it looks like it'll have a nice relationship to both Agricola and West streets.

Unfinished concrete will bleed salts created by the concrete curing process. (Efflorescence) This will leave ugly white/brown stains on the unfinished concrete surface. This is a lazy cheap way to build. Take a look around town at the concrete blocks used to mimic granite and you will see that most of them have stains. Hardi plank is much better than vinyl but is more appropriate on houses IMO. I would sooner have seen dryvit or stucco on the concrete and shear aluminum (looking) panels on the rest.

[halifaxboyns]

I found this in another thread - what do people think of something like this in the south end areas where building height is limited?
http://djcoregon.com/files/2011/02/0208otb_belmont_project_sum_design_studio.jpg

[beyeas]

not bad... it reminds me of some of the buildings in sections of Helsinki

[alps]

The venerable/creepy Connaught Pharmacy (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2326382937) has been undergoing renovations for a few months, and looks now to be a Beltone hearing aid store. :happysad:

We've still got this place (http://maps.google.ca/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.646681,-63.601398&spn=0,0.009323&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=44.646679,-63.601372&panoid=GrbB6lJ_gvo7P-YSZ70YWQ&cbp=12,204.87,,0,2) however, which I've never seen anyone enter in 15 years of living nearby.

[bornagainbiking]

The last picture looks like one of those shipping container bldgs. With Halifax/Dartmouth being a major shipping centre and I imagine there are a great many spare shipping containers, do you think someone might go into this business.
I saw where some guy in Quebec is doing huge houses for big bucks.
Just stack em like Lego and cut out the centers.
Just a thought, steel last almost forever with a coat of paint or five. :tup: :tup:
tried to cut and paste a couple pictures but ????
I did find that each sontainer is about 292 sq ft. 39X7.5 ft
INSIDE LENGTH 39'8"
INSIDE WIDTH 7'8"
INSIDE HEIGHT 8'10"

[Jstaleness]

Good place for a 8-12 storey development in the last picture. It would shadow the area FOREVER!!! Muahahah.

[Keith P.]

The venerable/creepy Connaught Pharmacy (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2326382937) has been undergoing renovations for a few months, and looks now to be a Beltone hearing aid store. :happysad:

I was sad to see that place go - I have lived in this city forever and I cannot remember it ever being open. I often wondered how much old 1950s merchandise was in that store.

We've still got this place (http://maps.google.ca/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.646681,-63.601398&spn=0,0.009323&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=44.646679,-63.601372&panoid=GrbB6lJ_gvo7P-YSZ70YWQ&cbp=12,204.87,,0,2) however, which I've never seen anyone enter in 15 years of living nearby.

That used to be Cleveland Industries, a Johnson/Evinrude outboard motor dealer. I lived in that neighborhood in the '70s and it was in business then. There was a cool cutaway 1960s Johnson outboard on display in the window forever. I believe the owner was German and I am not sure if he has passed away or what exactly, but apparently the business just shut down due to old age.

[cormiermax]

I remember looking into the window of the old Connaught Pharmacy awhile back, It was totaly filled with old goods which looked as though they were probably from somtime in between the late 70's to the early 90's. Was really cool seeing all the old labeling and such. It was as if the place just one day shut down for the evening and was never opened again, I wonder what did they do with all that cool old stuff! :haha:

[EGS]

I looked inside the other day and the inside is being torn down, slowly, presumably by one or two people. It's a corner lot.

[Rinny]

Halifax Regional Council has unanimously chosen the former Deputy City Manager of Toronto as the new Chief Administrative Officer of Halifax Regional Municipality. Richard Butts assumes his new responsibilities March 28, 2011.

Richard has worked in municipal government and the private sector for over 25 years, primarily with the City of Toronto, most recently as Deputy City Manager. In that role he was responsible for a capital and operating budget of $2.2 billion and over 10,000 employees with management oversight responsibility for water, solid waste management, fire services, city planning, emergency management, waterfront development, engineering, major capital infrastructure projects and the city's development application process. Prior to that, he served in increasingly senior roles for Solid Waste Management and Licensing and Standards. He is known for promoting collaboration and innovation across municipal government with emphasis on sound fiscal and organizational management practices and citizen-focused municipal services.

[kph06]

Allnovascotia ran an article last night saying that the old DQ on Spring Garden will be turned into an Eastlink store as they are getting into the celllphone business, no word on what renovations will be done.

[Northend Guy]

Allnovascotia ran an article last night saying that the old DQ on Spring Garden will be turned into an Eastlink store as they are getting into the celllphone business, no word on what renovations will be done.

If that is the case, I suspect that there would need to be some fairly significant overhaul happen. I have a hard time believing that a business offering a technology product would be marketing out of a decrepit old building that looks as though it could be used as a dumping ground for rotary phones. Sounds encouraging - at least that corner has the potential to be cleaned up - although it would be nice to see something more substantial go there.

[JustinMacD]

If that is the case, I suspect that there would need to be some fairly significant overhaul happen. I have a hard time believing that a business offering a technology product would be marketing out of a decrepit old building that looks as though it could be used as a dumping ground for rotary phones. Sounds encouraging - at least that corner has the potential to be cleaned up - although it would be nice to see something more substantial go there.

Would've been way nicer to see some high-end retail go there.

[City_of_Lakes]

don't know where to ask this probably stupid question. what's going up at martello & college?

[someone123]

don't know where to ask this probably stupid question. what's going up at martello & college?

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=181446

[planarchy]

Some updated Google Earth imagery today from Fall 2010. You can see the Oval under construction among other things

[1ajs]

quite the tunel their building
http://www.halifax.ca/harboursol/images/projectmap.gif

[fenwick16]

1ajs, this looks like the system that was completed a couple of years ago. If it is, then it cost about $330 million and has been successful in cleaning up the Halifax Harbour, although there was one big hiccup. During a storm and power outage, the main treatment facility on the Halifax side filled with raw sewerage (I think even the control room was full of raw sewerage). However, that has been rectified and it is back in service, with some improvements.

[kph06]

QEH is coming down. (photo's by me)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5540049583_065b06da81_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5540048891_c5303756c8_b.jpg

[EGS]

Last November the Planning & Design Centre at Dalhousie's school of architecture produced its semi-annual pamphlet, SEEK, that identifies about 20 private and public projects that are proposed, approved or set for construction downtown. But the centre did something much more instructive than just identify projects.
http://halifax.infomonkey.net/blog.details.php?post_id=19466

[worldlyhaligonian]

QEH is coming down. (photo's by me)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5540048891_c5303756c8_b.jpg

That was the bio lab... QEH was such a great school, its sad to see it go, but its legacy will live on.

Anybody know anything about the tunnel near "the den"? I once walked into it for about 10 minutes without seeing the end... it has been rumored that it goes into citadel hill, but I don't believe that.

[ewjonsson]

Does anyone know what the new building that is going up at dockyard is? It's huge, my guess would be some sort of workshop as it is right next to the FMF and the sub.
Thanks
Eric

[here4theride]

The new building is to house a submarine when out of water for maintenance. It replaces an older building that did the same for the smaller Oberon Class Submarines. The point of this new structure seems more of a waste of money as a 20 year contract has been given to a shipyard on Vancouver to do all future refits/maintenance on these Upholder Class Submarines.

[resetcbu1]

That was the bio lab... QEH was such a great school, its sad to see it go, but its legacy will live on.

Anybody know anything about the tunnel near "the den"? I once walked into it for about 10 minutes without seeing the end... it has been rumored that it goes into citadel hill, but I don't believe that.

I am not sure exactly but I did the same around 98' and have always wondered if that rumor was true. I wonder if there is anything online about that? I really am curious now I haven't thought about it in a decade:cool:

[Jstaleness]

I didn't go to this school. Never having seen this tunnel, could have been related to the times? The school opened in 1942. I would have been built in war years. Maybe it was a safety tunnel in case Halifax was ever to be attacked.

[Dmajackson]

Not to derail this discussion but here's some colour for the page;

3150 Barrington Street:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5549241752_c7a11b20b5_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5548721913_dff35ccb83_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5549256370_028be1e089_z.jpg

Mainland Common Indoor Soccer Facility:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5548690861_323c948a00_z.jpg

Brenton Place Renovations (Curry Village?):
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5548689347_d70e15e7cb_z.jpg

Agricola @ West Office Building:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5549289460_94f314bb18_z.jpg

And out of curiousity is this the rumoured location of Chickenburger II?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5549296980_b70c936acd_z.jpg

[Jstaleness]

A few from my cell today:
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00329.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00330.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00331.jpg

[alps]

Worldly, what's "the den"? I remember a weird little room at the base of the south-easternmost stairwell that had a tunnel going off it that I never really investigated...is that it?

Kinda sad to see it go!

[-Harlington-]

And out of curiousity is this the rumoured location of Chickenburger II?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5549296980_b70c936acd_z.jpg

Just noticed this on here but to answer your question i believe that is where chicken burgers going

[Jonovision]

There was an article this week about the chickenburger opening at the airport and in the article it said they are no longer looking at opening on queen street.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Worldly, what's "the den"? I remember a weird little room at the base of the south-easternmost stairwell that had a tunnel going off it that I never really investigated...is that it?

Kinda sad to see it go!

The Den is the football locker room, it was located underneath the gym with an exit right into the parking lot in the quad.

Yes, the tunnel is where you are talking about from what I remember, the floor under where the long hall extends down to the gym.

[DigitalNinja]

3150 Barrington has started the second floor today... Wooden structure, this is going to be an eye sore.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I thought it was going to have a brick facade?

Can anybody dig up the render? I can't find it anywhere.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I pulled a DJ one this one... found it. I hope to god the beige parts aren't vinyl siding.

If it was taller and the materials were better, it could have been a decent design.

http://images.homezilla.ca/img/37/3762800_1.jpg

[Jstaleness]

From Today: By Me

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00337.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00339.jpg

[worldlyhaligonian]

From Today: By Me

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00337.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00339.jpg

Thanks for the picture update, its actually great to see QEH go... I hope the hospital can move quickly on this property and build something.

Putting a garden on this property is absolutely rediculous given the level of exhaust emissions around this property and the threat of asbestos and other threats to human health left over from QEH.

[Jstaleness]

I heard that the soil where the school is could take 10 or so years to be completely decontaminated. That is with them excavating the already known toxins on the surface.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I hope not, given this is such a prominent corner!

On second thought, let the wingnuts grow food on the property, and eat it... maybe the incidence of obstructionism would go down in this city? ;)

[someone123]

Ignoring the contaminants, I guess using the site as an "urban farm" would be okay for a temporary use, but as a permanent use it makes no sense whatsoever, particularly if you are the sort of person who is in favour of sustainability, local food, limiting sprawl, etc. Taking valuable inner-city sites and using them to grow food just pushes everything farther apart, making it harder to walk and more attractive to drive. It eliminates affordable housing options and lengthens commutes.

Most people in Halifax do not see these tradeoffs. They just think "green space = good" and in the absence of leadership their uninformed opinion rules. As a result the city suffers from a host of issues: bad traffic, lack of affordable housing, volatile school enrollment, etc. etc.

[JET]

Ignoring the contaminants, I guess using the site as an "urban farm" would be okay for a temporary use, but as a permanent use it makes no sense whatsoever, particularly if you are the sort of person who is in favour of sustainability, local food, limiting sprawl, etc. Taking valuable inner-city sites and using them to grow food just pushes everything farther apart, making it harder to walk and more attractive to drive. It eliminates affordable housing options and lengthens commutes.

Most people in Halifax do not see these tradeoffs. They just think "green space = good" and in the absence of leadership their uninformed opinion rules. As a result the city suffers from a host of issues: bad traffic, lack of affordable housing, volatile school enrollment, etc. etc.

It will only be a temporary use, maybe 5 years until the hospital decides to expand. A garden there should be fine; cover the soil that is there and use raised beds with clean soil, no problem

[Jonovision]

Developer looking to repeat

Metlege buys land, eventually wants to build another complex in north-end Halifax


By CHRIS LAMBIE

Business Editor

Halifax developer Tony Metlege has bought a property just west of the Hydrostone Market where he plans to build a residential and commercial complex.

The 13,760-square-foot proper­ty at 5651 Kaye St. is leased long­term to ICI Paints , a national paint supply company. But Met­lege, who completed his seven­storey Garden Stone Place across the street last year, hopes to build something similar on the newly acquired property.

“The tenants there currently have a lease for another five years, so unless they move earli­er or we try to move them, there are no plans to start on it right away," Metlege said Monday.

Eventually, Metlege wants to build a project similar to his $9-million, 30-unit apartment Garden Stone complex at 5552 Kaye St., which also has 20,000 square feet of commercial space over the two bottom floors. The commercial floors have tenants including Starbucks , Assante Wealth Management , Lang Optometry & Eyewear and The Adventure Travel Co.

“A lot of things can change in four or five years, but you’re probably talking a $9-million or $10-million development," said Metlege, who partnered with his cousin Steven on the recent pur­chase.

He wouldn’t say what they paid for the property. But a num­bered company controlled by the two cousins financed the pur­chase with a mortgage from the Bank of Montreal for $927,000.

They bought the land, which once housed a Shell service sta­tion, from Teaticket Holdings Inc.

“Land’s getting expensive everywhere," Tony Metlege said.

The building will likely be rentals, he said.

“It’s probably going to be (the city’s) biggest growing neigh­bourhood for the next few years," Metlege said.

“I’ve got another site down the street on the corner of Almon and Isleville."

Metlege said he and his cousin bought that land last year and they hope to get approval by the end of this year from Halifax Regional Municipality to start building there in the spring of 2012.

They’re hoping to build a seven-storey building on that vacant property that would have a layer of commercial space on the bottom and apartments above.

“Architects are just working on different designs now," Metlege said. “Nothing’s going to be under $8-million to $10-million." Larry Swinamer, whose com­pany,

Larex Properties , owns the Hydrostone Market, is keen to see more development nearby.

“Anything new in the area is good," Swinamer said Monday.

“It’s putting some increased density in here and changing the population mix to some degree."

Larex has owned the Hydros­tone Market for about 15 years.

“It’s a great property," Swi­namer said. “It’s one of the few commercial properties I’ve ever owned that I actually have an ongoing waiting list for."

Meanwhile, Sobeys- owned

ECL Properties Ltd. could be downsizing its plan to build an 11-storey condominium project nearby on a property bounded by Kaye, Russell and Gottingen streets, said Coun. Jerry Blu­menthal (Halifax North End).

“I think it’s down to eight storeys, plus a penthouse," Blu­menthal said, noting that ECL’s initial proposal was to build 14 storeys on the site.

The project would be sur­rounded by two-storey town­houses and commercial space on the site of the former St. Joseph’s Church, which was torn down in the summer of 2009.

(clambie@herald.ca)

[halifaxboyns]

This is great news and another perfect location. Now if we could just get the brewery to move - then we could restore the original block pattern and get 4 more highrise mixed use buildings in there with some good height and this neighbourhood will be kick ass (more so than now).

[sdm]

This is great news and another perfect location. Now if we could just get the brewery to move - then we could restore the original block pattern and get 4 more highrise mixed use buildings in there with some good height and this neighbourhood will be kick ass (more so than now).

Couldn't agree more :tup:

[coolmillion]

Ignoring the contaminants, I guess using the site as an "urban farm" would be okay for a temporary use, but as a permanent use it makes no sense whatsoever, particularly if you are the sort of person who is in favour of sustainability, local food, limiting sprawl, etc. Taking valuable inner-city sites and using them to grow food just pushes everything farther apart, making it harder to walk and more attractive to drive. It eliminates affordable housing options and lengthens commutes.

Most people in Halifax do not see these tradeoffs. They just think "green space = good" and in the absence of leadership their uninformed opinion rules. As a result the city suffers from a host of issues: bad traffic, lack of affordable housing, volatile school enrollment, etc. etc.

I agree that it's a large plot of land and should have density eventually (and it will), but there are a lot of different issues here. Opening this space may actually make it easier to walk through if a path is included. When Capital Health built the new emergency centre as an expansion to the infirmary they actually blocked pedestrian access from Robie to Bell Road that I used as a short cut sometimes. Using this site for affordable housing was never on the books and, as far as I understand, it will be a further hospital addition. The bad traffic, lack of cheap housing, etc. has very little to do with community movements (some of which, I agree, are of little benefit) and much more to do with planning decisions and the municipal political structure. Of course, lack of leadership, like you point out, is a big problem.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Article from CBC on the Oval Passing

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/03/29/ns-halifax-common-oval-future.html

But Beverly Miller, co-chair of Friends of the Halifax Common, doesn't like the price or location.

"The question is should it be the oval, which is huge and far in excess of what's needed for your average recreational skating facility, and also should it be here on the Common?" Miller said.

Miller said green space is already limited in the park. She also doesn't want to see the Common become too commercialized.

WHY DOES THIS UN-ELECTED PERSON HAVE SO MUCH INFLUENCE?

[cormiermax]

Who is this nut anyway?

[Wishblade]

How can anybody think theres not already enough greenspace in Halifax. I honesly wish we would just build over some of it and increase density.

On that note though, Im very glad to see this approved though I cant say Im surprised at all by the outcome.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Who is this nut anyway?

See my post in the 1595 Barrington Street development thread.

[Keith P.]

Who is this nut anyway?

A nut. :koko:

Someone mentioned she has a MBA. In my experience most MBAs, especially the newly-minted Executive MBA types, are among the most loony and self-important types I have ever encountered. They wouldn't know a good idea if it presented them with an engraved invitation. But they can take a really bad idea, spend millions planning it, measuring it, evaluating it, and spinning it, and claim a total failure is actually a good investment. :gaah:

[MonctonRad]

Article from CBC on the Oval Passing

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/03/29/ns-halifax-common-oval-future.html

But Beverly Miller, co-chair of Friends of the Halifax Common, doesn't like the price or location.

"The question is should it be the oval, which is huge and far in excess of what's needed for your average recreational skating facility, and also should it be here on the Common?" Miller said.

Miller said green space is already limited in the park. She also doesn't want to see the Common become too commercialized.

I think the commons (especially that particular location) are an excellent location for a skating oval. It does not take away from the green space as far as I'm concerned, and will make the commons a little less "cold" and lonely in the wintertime. Also, if I'm not mistaken, aren't they planning on a beach volleyball facility in the middle of the oval for summertime use, as well as the oval doing double duty for in-line skating?

You can't just reserve the commons for dog walking and ball diamonds. It has to be more than this to feel alive. The commons are a treasure for the central peninsula. They should be developed for all forms of recreational purposes.

Some people will just oppose anything, I think Beverly Miller is one of them......

[worldlyhaligonian]

They want it to be nothing but green space... these folks don't like the ballfields, etc.

[fenwick16]

Wrong thread.

[someone123]

Yep, the Commons are poorly set up and before the oval that area offered very little. Bev is wrong, as usual.

We even have a precedent for this -- the skatepark area is much more popular now than it was when it was grass. This pretty much by definition means that it is a better public space.

That blurb about how she wants infill but not $500k condos is classic. MBAs don't require Econ 1000 I guess.

[David1gray]

Yep, the Commons are poorly set up and before the oval that area offered very little. Bev is wrong, as usual.

We even have a precedent for this -- the skatepark area is much more popular now than it was when it was grass. This pretty much by definition means that it is a better public space.

That blurb about how she wants infill but not $500k condos is classic. MBAs don't require Econ 1000 I guess.

The skate park area is definitely more used now. My friends and I plan to make a trip up this summer just for that reason. I'm not much of a skateboarder mind you. I'm the photographer:)
It is always fun

[-Harlington-]

Halifax, province want to sell more public property, Kelly says

By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE City Hall Reporter
Thu, Mar 31 - 3:08 PM

Halifax city hall and the Dexter government are teaming up to try to bring their downtown properties to market, Mayor Peter Kelly said Thursday.

He told a business luncheon the Opportunity Sites Task Force will deal with an "unacceptable" amount of government real estate sitting in Halifax Regional Municipality's urban cores.

Kelly said there's "a sizeable amount of vacant and underutilized land owned by government" in Halifax and Dartmouth.

"This land must be put to work - and it will be," the mayor said during a prepared speech at a Halifax hotel.

Kelly said the task force will attempt to move land into the hands of developers, through real estate negotaitions, though he was short on details.

He said 12 per cent of the total area in downtown Halifax is owned by government; in Dartmouth, the figure is 14 per cent.

"This joint venture will be agile, it will be decisive, it will be action-oriented and it will be focused on reinforcing our position as Atlantic Canada's regional centre," Kelly said in his annual state-of-the-municipality address.

The mayor's announcement seems at odds with comments a provincial cabinet minister made in January.

Bill Estabrooks, minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, said the province’s sale of a Halifax office building doesn’t mean other government sites will be on the market.

He made the statement after the province announced it will sell the Joseph Howe Building to Universal Realty Ltd. downtown for close to $15 million. The firm submitted the highest bid for the property, which the province has on a lease-to-own basis.

Universal will acquire the 13-storey building in 2012, after the province takes ownership.

(mlightstone@herald.ca)

[someone123]

I don't recall exactly what Estabrooks said but I think he was talking more about the province selling off buildings in use rather than vacant sites.

Good to hear that this issue is getting some attention from the government itself. Some real estate analysts, developers, etc. have been complaining about this for years. It's really bad for the downtown.

However, I am a little worried about grand plans for "reinforcing our position as Atlantic Canada's regional centre". That sounds nice but it is way better to have simple plans that are executed than grand plans that gather dust on a shelf somewhere. Downtown Halifax would be a much better place if even average buildings went up on the empty lots; in the future if there were demand for the more elaborate buildings then the average ones could just be torn down and redeveloped. The idea that land has to be saved until the "perfect opportunity" is really harmful.

[-Harlington-]

Im not to sure if they were talking about vacant lots or other buildings but at least its a step in the right direction

[FuzzyWuz]

I think the commons...

Just a reminder, it's 'common' without an 's'.

:yes:

[coolmillion]

I grew up three blocks away and "the commons" has always been more common than "the common". Hehe... This is local popular vernacular!

[DigitalNinja]

Yupp, its always been the commons

[pblaauw]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9020408.html

[q12]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1236190.html

City, province to unload downtown properties
Vacant, underused sites to be sold

[Empire]

Something that seems to get lost in the oval debate is the possibility of competitions on a national or international scale. The opportunity exists to help local speed skaters develop their skills to the highest level. Skate Canada has endorsed the oval as a great venue but as usual we have comments like "why not build several smaller community rinks instead"?

[someone123]

Something that seems to get lost in the oval debate is the possibility of competitions on a national or international scale. The opportunity exists to help local speed skaters develop their skills to the highest level. Skate Canada has endorsed the oval as a great venue but as usual we have comments like "why not build several smaller community rinks instead"?

Or the classic "we shouldn't keep it because some people won't use it". If universal usefulness were a requirement for government spending no public amenities would ever be created.

It's also worth noting what it costs to build rinks. The one in Bedford was $40M. The $4M or whatever it is for the oval isn't going to pay for rinks all over the municipality.

[Dmajackson]

Diamonds demolition:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5590482989_ec9d7ef5fd_z.jpg

[EGS]

This post sheds some light on decisions made about the oval:

http://halifax.infomonkey.net/blog.details.php?post_id=19633

[-Harlington-]

City staff: Sportsplex No. 1 on list
$22-million Dartmouth project would include gym, fitness centre
By CLARE MELLOR Staff Reporter
Wed, Apr 6 - 4:54 AM

The Dartmouth Sportsplex is the top priority when it comes to revitalizing some of Halifax Regional Municipality’s aging recreation and fitness facilities, says a city hall staff report.

The proposed $22-million project would include construction of a gymnasium, a new fitness facility and weight room, pool renovations and parking improvements, says the report, which was presented to council’s committee of the whole session Tuesday.

The renovation and expansion to the Sportsplex is not slated to get underway until 2013 and still requires regional council’s approval before it proceeds. However, council has set aside $250,000 for a preliminary study of the project this year.

"Staff’s opinion is that rather than having construction ongoing over four years, which would be very disruptive to the facility, we can do this in two phases," said Phil Townsend, the municipality’s director of infrastructure and asset management.

It is not yet known how the municipality will pay for the project. But councillors agreed the facility, built in 1982, is in need of an upgrade. The building, which serves a wide catchment area and is vital to the community, is losing money and members.

Revamping it would be more economical than building a new one, said Betty Lou Killen, a community planner with the municipality.

The renovation is going to change the Sportsplex’s whole vision and get it off "the lifeline of bingo" by making it into a "family-orientated wellness centre that is going to operate in the black," said Coun. Jim Smith (Albro Lake- Harbourview), who sits on the facility’s board.

Renovations to the Halifax Forum, proposed for a few years down the road, are expected to cost about $10 million, Killen said. Other proposed projects currently on the municipality’s radar include upgrades to the St. Andrews and Needham centres, and a replacement of the Bloomfield Centre’s gymnasium.

( cmellor@herald.ca)

[DigitalNinja]

22 million, that is a good chunk towards a stadium.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Yeah, like 1/3.

I'm for this revamp... but seriously, if we keep spending double digit millions on all these kind of projects we are just throwing away the opportunity to have maybe one larger, worthwhile project.

[kph06]

Here's a bunch I snapped of the QEH demolition while driving by today:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5596714784_0d6169e403_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5596132523_65e6ba311f_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5596715662_e6e9bc7f3f_b.jpg
Its interesting how this is what it would have looked like years ago before the modern addition.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5596133319_58603527c3_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5596133739_2d86eda89d_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5596134107_ac5796509d_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5596134479_2a9fa57a6f_b.jpg

[RyeJay]

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/canada-new-england/ports/halifax-nova-scotia/

Disney Cruises are now advertising Halifax as part of their 'New England Coast' package. This is because of this...

http://www.portofhalifax.ca/english/news-and-events/index.html#disney

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/04/06/ns-disney-magic-cruise.html

!!!!! OK HALIFAX !!!!! This would be a very, VERY good time to push through a lot more of these vital developments for our downtown. This is an amazing opportunity for our tourism, and far beyond! Halifax has many assets, particularly with its density of high quality post secondary institutions. This, combined with the developing Halifax Atlantic Gateway, provides a strong economic foundation for investment in ...again...I repeat: DOWNTOWN Halifax. The people are gonna be comin. Let's offer them a place to visit, and a place in which they dream of living.

[worldlyhaligonian]

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/canada-new-england/ports/halifax-nova-scotia/

Disney Cruises are now advertising Halifax as part of their 'New England Coast' package. This is because of this...

http://www.portofhalifax.ca/english/news-and-events/index.html#disney

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/04/06/ns-disney-magic-cruise.html

!!!!! OK HALIFAX !!!!! This would be a very, VERY good time to push through a lot more of these vital developments for our downtown. This is an amazing opportunity for our tourism, and far beyond! Halifax has many assets, particularly with its density of high quality post secondary institutions. This, combined with the developing Halifax Atlantic Gateway, provides a strong economic foundation for investment in ...again...I repeat: DOWNTOWN Halifax. The people are gonna be comin. Let's offer them a place to visit, and a place in which they dream of living.

Definitely... but you are making the assumption that the vocal minority against development wants people to come to Halifax. This is not the case and they only believe people come here for heritage, which is absolute nonsense.

I hope more opportunities like this for Halifax will tip the balance and silence the obstructionists.

[RyeJay]

Definitely... but you are making the assumption that the vocal minority against development wants people to come to Halifax. This is not the case and they only believe people come here for heritage, which is absolute nonsense.

I hope more opportunities like this for Halifax will tip the balance and silence the obstructionists.

I am not making any assumption at all. I did not even mention any political voice.

[icetea93]

Speaking of people coming to Halifax, at least for the shopping side of things...

It looks like Hollister will be opening it's first store east of Toronto in Halifax this year:
http://dodgeprojects.construction.com/Hollister-Store--Tenant-Imprs---Nova-Scotia-Canada--Painting---Wall-Covering---Nova-Scotia_stcVVproductId130481538VVcatId547207VVviewprod.htm

This will be a BIG deal for Halifax in drawing people in to spend money here!

[-Harlington-]

:previous:

id like to see something like that downtown because im not sure how many people visiting from other areas frequent the main malls here

plus it would be nice to have a draw like that downtown

But nonetheless glad to see something like that here, thats impressive that its not even in Montreal but its comming here.

[alps]

It'd be interesting if they left a couple small chunks of QEH standing as a sort of garden folly, at least until hospital expansion started.

[resetcbu1]

:previous:

id like to see something like that downtown because im not sure how many people visiting from other areas frequent the main malls here

plus it would be nice to have a draw like that downtown

But nonetheless glad to see something like that here, thats impressive that its not even in Montreal but its comming here.

It's been a few years since I've been home , is "MILLS BRO's" still there? If not is there another tenant? That would be a prime location for that type of store.

[resetcbu1]

Definitely... but you are making the assumption that the vocal minority against development wants people to come to Halifax. This is not the case and they only believe people come here for heritage, which is absolute nonsense.

I hope more opportunities like this for Halifax will tip the balance and silence the obstructionists.

Heritage,heritage,heritage....Hmmmm do you think in a hundred years people will flock here to see our historical holes in the ground? the tour would sound like "And here we have a hole from the turn of the millenium , during this time many holes were dug throughout downtown and remain ,generally as they were when dug. Because of this, development in this area of the city is restricted to protect historic value of these century old holes in the historic (HOLE DISTRICT)....."

[icetea93]

:previous:

id like to see something like that downtown because im not sure how many people visiting from other areas frequent the main malls here

plus it would be nice to have a draw like that downtown

But nonetheless glad to see something like that here, thats impressive that its not even in Montreal but its comming here.

I agree, it would be better for Halifax to have these king of stores downtown. However, whenever I'm in the malls, there are a lot of PEI and NB license plates in the parking lot. The malls are usually very busy so I think that's why Hollister is opening in one of those, I don't think they have an outdoor-downtown type location in Canada yet, they are all in the big malls.