General Updates and News [Archive] - Page 25

q12

Jun 10, 2011, 7:59 PM

Citadel Hotel to close
Employees to be laid off in January
Silverbirch head says new development will be another hotel to make better use of the property

http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/885427--citadel-hotel-to-close

http://media.metronews.topscms.com/images/6a/85/b3373ce84afbaae64bb3da4fee26.jpeg

ALEX BOUTILIER
METRO HALIFAX
Published: June 10, 2011 12:30 a.m.
Last modified: June 10, 2011 12:33 a.m

Halifax’s Citadel Hotel will close in January for at least a year and a half to undergo a massive redesign.

Silverbirch Hotel and Resorts CEO Steve Giblin said the property — built in 1963 — requires a full-scale, multimillion-dollar renovation.

“We’ve looked at the property and what we can do with it, and we’ve looked at the site and we’ve realized … we need to completely update the hotel,” said Giblin Thursday.

“We’re going to have to take out a lot of the existing facilities and re-configure the site … To do that, we’re going to have to close the hotel.”

The renovated hotel, planned to open in mid-2013, will be “totally different” than the current property, according to Giblin — he wants to get rid of the parking lots that border the hotel and make better use of the property.

Of course, all of that is conditional on approval from the municipality. Giblin said Silverbirch has yet to file any applications with the municipality, but that his company plans to start the process soon.
“We’ll bring (the plans) forward as fast as we can get them done,” said Giblin.

Employees at the Citadel have been notified that their positions will be terminated as of January.

“We’re working with them now to ease that transition, and to do everything we can to ensure people get jobs and get the compensation due to them, and again take care of them as best we can,” said Giblin.

Good to see that they will be getting rid of the parking lot. Hopefully the plans will fill in that area nicely with some height.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=44.650069,-63.578844&spn=0.001544,0.003484&t=h&z=19

someone123

Jun 10, 2011, 8:47 PM

Great news.

My guess is that they will make things easy for themselves by proposing whatever goes along with HRM by Design. If this happens then they should get approval quickly.

fenwick16

Jun 10, 2011, 10:06 PM

It certainly is great news (except for the employees). I have never liked the Citadel Hotel design. It would be very difficult to make it look worse.

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 10, 2011, 10:21 PM

It certainly is great news (except for the employees). I have never liked the Citadel Hotel design. It would be very difficult to make it look worse.

But its a heritage hotel fenwick! I'm starting a group with all the exact same members of other groups called "Friends of the citadel... hotel" to stop these evil developers from changing the beautiful facade of this structure and daring to build anything near this site.

Also, think of the children. :jester:

ZET

Jun 11, 2011, 5:37 PM

folks dressed in wait-staff apparel are moving stuff in to the MOIRS building; perhaps the restaurant that's opening?

Jonovision

Jun 11, 2011, 7:01 PM

Baton Rouge opens on Wednesday.

icetea93

Jun 11, 2011, 9:05 PM

Baton Rouge opens on Wednesday.

SO pumped. I plan to go there next weekend.

eastcoastal

Jun 12, 2011, 1:55 PM

But its a heritage hotel fenwick! I'm starting a group with all the exact same members of other groups called "Friends of the citadel... hotel" to stop these evil developers from changing the beautiful facade of this structure and daring to build anything near this site.

Also, think of the children. :jester:

I think it's kind of charming as an example of its era. It's not great urban design though, so I hope they maintain some of the 60s feel while providing a better interface with the city at street level (especially considering the brutal approach of the Halifax Apartments across the street.

macgregor

Jun 13, 2011, 11:44 PM

The former gas station at Chebucto and Elm/Connolly/Beech is fenced around and the main building (with 3 bay garage) was demolished. The "canopy" over the pumps is still standing, hopefully not for long. I noticed a month ago that the station was closed and boarded up.

This would be a perfect spot for a small development. However, I expect surface parking.

JET

Jun 14, 2011, 2:24 PM

Baton Rouge opens on Wednesday.

This article has some nice shots of the inside:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1248522.html

halifaxboyns

Jun 14, 2011, 2:48 PM

This article has some nice shots of the inside:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1248522.html

It looks like they did a great job. In the article it says that Stephen Terauds was hired to do the work - he's the chair of the heritage advisory committee, so I can't think of anyone who would be more qualified to consider the heritage value of the building!

pblaauw

Jun 16, 2011, 3:35 AM

Two houses east of the NE corner of Tower and Inglis is a fence with a WM Fares sign, and some construction equipment inside the fence.

Anyone know what's happening there?

someone123

Jun 16, 2011, 4:08 AM

Is it 5757 Inglis? There was a proposal for that site: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/100928ca1042ppt.pdf

Looks okay.

pblaauw

Jun 16, 2011, 6:11 AM

Is it 5757 Inglis? There was a proposal for that site: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/100928ca1042ppt.pdf

Looks okay.

Yup, that's most likely it, though I only remember seeing 2 houses between that and the corner. I could be wrong. ;)

coolmillion

Jun 16, 2011, 9:35 PM

To go back to the Citadel Inn renovations... I was in Portland, Oregon a couple of months ago and came across a place called the Modera Hotel that reminded me a lot of the Citadel, but much more upmarket in comparison. I think it's of a similar vintage and underwent a retrofit that enhanced its "modern" elements, while streamlining and updating. Something similar could be done with the Citadel, rather than starting from scratch, though I doubt this is the direction they envision... www.hotelmodera.com
Apparently it used to be a Day's Inn: http://chatterbox.typepad.com/portlandarchitecture/2008/02/holst-transform.html

Dmajackson

Jun 16, 2011, 10:10 PM

Construction on new Dartmouth High gymnasium to begin soon
Published on June 16, 2011
Joanne Oostveen

Dartmouth High School is part way through a construction project that will extend the life of the school for at least another 15 years.
The province approved $11.8 million in funding for an alterations and additions project to the school that will give D.H.S. a longer life, said Ron Heiman, Halifax Regional School Board’s operations services coordinator of maintenance.
What many residents may have already noticed, a large part of the school has been torn down.
Heiman said they are just completing demolition of the original gymnasium and board administrative offices to allow for construction of a much-needed new school gym, which will start this week.
Salvaging recycled material has been part of the interior dismantling process of the old gym.
“The new gym is planned for completion during the next school year,” said Heiman.
Many of the building systems improvements completed so far are critical, but have not really been seen by the staff and students, he said.
“To date, we have completed lighting upgrades, heating plant upgrade and conversion to natural gas,” said Heiman. “There was also an electrical service upgrade to increase capacity, window replacement and we are nearing completion of the roof replacement.”
The next phases of work will also provide visible changes to the student spaces and will include new LCD projectors, white boards and some larger classrooms.
Classes have been relocated within the center wing of the school to accommodate construction of the new Learning Center and the renovation of some classrooms that will include new break out group work spaces.
This renovation project has been the biggest one yet at Dartmouth High which last saw significant additions to the building in 1961 and 1967.
“The sponsor group continues to assess the priorities for the next phases of work,” said Heiman.
Dartmouth High School currently has a student body of approximately 1,100 students, a teaching staff of 57 and a support staff of 14.

Halifaxnewsnet Article (http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/News/2011-06-16/article-2590314/Construction-on-new-Dartmouth-High-gymnasium-to-begin-soon--/1)

Jonovision

Jun 17, 2011, 11:43 AM

Developers must build for future

Waterfront projects must plan for rising water levels in harbour

By CHRIS LAMBIE

Business Editor

Whoever wins the right to develop the Cunard Block on the Halifax waterfront will have to take rising sea levels into account, says the president of Waterfront Development Corp. Ltd.

Experts are saying the water level in Halifax Harbour could be 73 centimetres higher in 2100 than it is now. But the city is planning for a three-metre change because waves and massive storm surges could add another 1.74 metres on top of that, so developers of waterfront buildings have to plan accordingly.

Construction becomes “a real challenge because the more that you accommodate for the sea level rise, the higher up you have to build the podium to hold the building," said Colin MacLean, who unveiled potential designs Thursday for the vacant lot just south of Southwest Properties Ltd. ’ s Bishop’s Landing project.

“The higher up you build the podium . . . the more uninviting and inaccessible it is for people who have come down to the public spaces. So it’s a bit of a challenge. But we absolutely have to incorporate that into the thinking."

The head of the provincial Crown corporation wants to see a mixed-use project built on the property that will include an 18-storey apartment tower that incorporates public spaces and commercial retail venues.

Developers will eventually get a chance to make their pitch for a long-term lease on the land, worth about $8 million.

“You could be looking at an annual lease rate of somewhere between $400,000 to $500,000," MacLean said.

Southwest Properties CEO Jim Spatz said building on the waterfront, which is really landfill next to the harbour, is expensive. “You need to have pilings to get you down to something solid," Spatz said Thursday. “You need to have a very robust structure because it’s going to face the pressure of the harbour tides and storm surges.

“The waterproofing has to be very good. Anything that you put down there has to be ballasted.

You have to put enough building on top of it so the harbour doesn’t sort of pop it up and make it float."

Despite the cost, the Halifax developer is keen to learn more about the Cunard Block. He didn’t know Thursday if his company will make a bid for the property.

“We’re not sure but we’re much more than curious," Spatz said.

Halifax’s Lydon Lynch Architects

has been working on two conceptual designs for the property that are variations on one theme. One is 270,000 square feet and the other is about 307,000 square feet.

One is heavily weighted towards residential space while the other would have more retail sites “That, together with the type of public spaces we’re suggesting, is what we’d like to get people’s feedback on," MacLean said.

Both incorporate the boardwalk system in and around the buildings. One design has a rooftop patio the public could access.

The project aims to accommodate the equivalent of 208 twobedroom units.

The idea is to attract more people to live in the downtown, MacLean said.

“We’re running the risk in the city of growing so much in the suburban areas, which is fine for many, many families and people. But it’s taking away from the downtown."

“We are proposing that they be rental," MacLean said. “The apartment rental perhaps broadens the range and scope of people who might consider that as a living opportunity, whereas a condo might not be as broad."

He’s hoping to have a final design for the project by this fall.

(clambie@herald.ca)

‘… the more that you accommodate for the sea level rise, the higher up you have to build the podium to hold the building.’

COLIN MacLEAN

President, Waterfront Development Corp.

https://my-waterfront.ca/cunard/index.php

fenwick16

Jun 17, 2011, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the link Jonovision. I like the live/shop/play option the best since it includes more open space and therefore won't create a superblock.

(source: from the WDCL link provided by Jonovision - https://my-waterfront.ca/cunard/index.php)

https://my-waterfront.ca/cunard/images/01.jpg

Live/Shop/Play (option A)
https://my-waterfront.ca/cunard/images/02a.jpg

Live/Shop/Play
https://my-waterfront.ca/cunard/images/03a.jpg

Keith P.

Jun 17, 2011, 9:23 PM

As Shania Twain used to sing, "That don't impress me much".

Pretty nondescript.

HRM

Jun 17, 2011, 10:38 PM

Hard to believe this is all it takes to get $75-100K of our tax dollars out of WDCL. A few ghostly boxes and some narrative. For that kind of money LL could have at least read the narrative twice to catch the typos and spelling mistakes. Unbelievable this document made it out the door with such errors.

It's hard to imagine WDCL is serious about public input. How can anybody get a feel for the finished quality of the options when the "concept drawings" are nothing more than a few stacked nondescript Lego blocks and some trees gratuitously scattered about to satisfy the greenies. If this is all we get to pass judgement on then the chosen (and very lucky) developer will have carte blanche on the money spent on finish materials. And in Halifax we all know what that means.

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 17, 2011, 10:39 PM

I just want to see something built here.

Empire

Jun 17, 2011, 10:50 PM

I hope that one new development "proposal
/concept/drag people out to yellow sticky what's your opinion events will recognize what a fantastic building the original highrise in Halifax was. The Dominion Public Building has everything ....Street presence, built form, style, quality,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Build something similar and never build another Paramount

Paramount....the ugliest side but there is no good side
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=halifax&aq=&sll=44.643697,-63.58022&sspn=0.003534,0.007221&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Halifax,+Halifax+County,+Nova+Scotia&ll=44.644675,-63.579956&spn=0,0.001805&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=44.644675,-63.579956&panoid=XxAY-0e7WFcu5j_BaymWyg&cbp=12,170.73,,2,-15

Dominion Public Building 1
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=halifax&aq=&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=26.054149,59.150391&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Halifax,+Halifax+County,+Nova+Scotia&ll=44.647744,-63.572095&spn=0,0.001805&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=44.647726,-63.572173&panoid=LD-2L7B279PkpE-eIv33SA&cbp=12,24.7,,0,-45

DPB 2
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=halifax&aq=&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=26.054149,59.150391&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Halifax,+Halifax+County,+Nova+Scotia&ll=44.647463,-63.572053&spn=0,0.001805&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=44.647463,-63.572053&panoid=tvDRykNXVeECMxtGolXlmQ&cbp=12,7.33,,0,-37.5

eastcoastal

Jun 17, 2011, 11:00 PM

fenwick16

Jun 18, 2011, 2:51 AM

I have to say Empire, you have some valid points; however, if the Dominion Building were proposed today then many people would probably say that it is too bland. I think it is just ok. The genuine stone work is its best feature, in my opinion.

I think this more recent building is better - Founders Square (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=halifax&aq=&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=26.054149,59.150391&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Halifax,+Halifax+County,+Nova+Scotia&t=h&layer=c&cbll=44.647745,-63.572094&panoid=Gu1UffTNc26x5w6yRV8FIQ&cbp=12,187.68,,0,-16.93&ll=44.647725,-63.572173&spn=0.001431,0.004128&z=19). I also think that the Bank of Montreal Tower (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=halifax&aq=&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=26.054149,59.150391&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Halifax,+Halifax+County,+Nova+Scotia&t=h&layer=c&cbll=44.648476,-63.573253&panoid=a_u_U8wh8QV44XgyU_qi1Q&cbp=12,14.7,,0,-38.22&ll=44.648401,-63.573216&spn=0.001431,0.004128&z=19) has more interesting exterior features than the Old Dominion building.

1801 Hollis (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=halifax&aq=&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=26.054149,59.150391&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Halifax,+Halifax+County,+Nova+Scotia&t=h&layer=c&cbll=44.64884,-63.573417&panoid=e5hzO5RTO1o7qK5wdiiqmA&cbp=12,10.66,,0,-28.92&ll=44.648931,-63.573458&spn=0.001431,0.004128&z=19) is better than most of the heritage buildings (except for several classic heritage buildings such as Province House).

Most of the heritage buildings that remain are worth saving. But ones like the Roy Building, for example, aren't really worth preserving (just my opinion).

I think we are becoming too critical. Halifax has an interesting downtown (except for the vacant lots) with interesting buildings from all eras. But the Cogswell interchange has to be torn down and the northern areas need to be integrated into the current downtown core. I just hope that modern buildings will continue to be built in spite of all the opposition from the special interest groups.

One more point - where would Halifax be without the old and modern architecture of Dalhousie University (and even SMU :) )

someone123

Jun 18, 2011, 3:05 AM

Yeah, the Cunard renderings are fine but it will be more interesting when there's an actual proposal. The WDC has produced a large number of "conceptual" plans that haven't amounted to anything. Traditionally a lot of this stuff in Halifax has been "busywork" that makes it look like politicians and bureaucrats are making progress when in reality nothing is ever implemented. I hope this will change in the future.

There was a blurb in ANS about planning for sea level rise. It seemed a bit odd because they mentioned how they have to plan for 90 years into the future and might have to add a taller podium that won't be as attractive (note the raised building in the renderings). Why? Is this building even going to be around in 2100? How much of the downtown dates to 1920? Why can't the building be retrofitted somehow so it's attractive now and in the future?

In any case, they're also looking at developing the helipad in front of Bishop's Landing. I'm not sure it was ever used much and it could add something interesting to the area.

Too bad the Salter development died. That lot really increases the separation between the north and south parts of the waterfront (the Waterfront Warehouse lot is also bad). The Alexander also would have improved this area a lot.

JustinMacD

Jun 18, 2011, 5:29 PM

Two houses east of the NE corner of Tower and Inglis is a fence with a WM Fares sign, and some construction equipment inside the fence.

Anyone know what's happening there?

That is a TERRIBLE lot so I really hope something nice goes in there. It was nothing but weeds and overgrown shrubs. Thank god that something is going in there.

Jstaleness

Jun 19, 2011, 12:24 PM

I know this is a skyscraper forum so I apologize for going off topic.

I wanted to wish all you Dad's out there a Happy Father's Day. It's not an easy job but you do it everyday 24hrs a day.

JS

someone123

Jun 20, 2011, 4:12 AM

beyeas

Jun 20, 2011, 12:15 PM

According to ANS the rowhouses at 5161-5167 South Street have been deemed unsalvageable after the fire and will be demolished.

Really unfortunate. It sounds like nothing will be saved. There aren't very many remaining brick rowhouses in Halifax.

Yeah that is definitely too bad. I had always liked the look of them when Caf Chianti used to be there.

I am sure there are others, but off the top of my head the only brick rowhomes that I could think of are the ones around Jubiliee & Henry.

beyeas

Jun 20, 2011, 2:25 PM

On a separate note, it is interesting of late to see which developers are actually stepping up and doing the projects they propose, and which just seem to never go anywhere.

Dexel, Westwood Developments and WM Fares all are actively finishing developments and then already having their next project begin construction as they finish their last one.

Some others (who I won't bother to name) just seem to whine and make excuses. That is, admittedly, a generalization, and there are many others in-between those two extremes who really are just caught in credit crunch or redtape etc.

However, it is born out of my increasing frustration with some developers just seeming to be spending time making excuses while others simultaneously seem to be able to go out and make their projects happen.

someone123

Jun 20, 2011, 7:38 PM

My take on the situation (as a person with no special insider knowledge) is mostly that some developers just happen to focus on more modest residential proposals while others have historically done office developments. The residential projects, especially rental, suit the current downtown market much more and therefore tend to be more successful.

One fundamental problem seems to be that Halifax developers are slow on the uptake and propose buildings not suited to the appeal process or local market. Many proposals feel like they were pulled out of the 70s and then dressed up by an architect (International Place is this for sure).

People can complain all they like about NIMBYs and suburban office parks but the fact is that they are a reality that will be around at least for a number of years. If this had been taken into account maybe we'd have a bunch of nice 12 storey apartment buildings instead of empty lots with faded placards announcing new proposals.

Of course the various levels of government are also guilty of being incredibly slow and inefficient. It's crazy how long it's taken for the WDC and HRM to develop prime lots on the waterfront and around Spring Garden Road.

mcmcclassic

Jun 20, 2011, 7:53 PM

Don't know if this has been posted yet, but it's a rendering of WM Fares' project on Inglis St. (where the construction fencing is).

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/1396/e11e21263de3d6c12cc5286.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/577/e11e21263de3d6c12cc5286.jpg/)

someone123

Jun 20, 2011, 7:56 PM

Err... are they actually making the old house taller or is that just a bad rendering? Those proportions are terrible.

The side buildings are okay I guess. They won't really be that visible.

someone123

Jun 20, 2011, 7:59 PM

I wish somebody would tear down this house and replace it with something appropriate. What a waste of land:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5757+Inglis+St,+Halifax,+NS+B3H+2Y5,+Canada&hl=en&ll=44.634017,-63.577387&spn=0.003104,0.004823&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.849851,79.013672&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=44.634072,-63.577127&panoid=hndb0k1kDu8aXPUxWY4ACw&cbp=12,163.81,,0,-4.1

The HRM should be looking at turning Inglis into a more commercial street, with a mix of old heritage houses and some mid-scale (3-6 storey) buildings with ground floor businesses.

haligonia

Jun 20, 2011, 8:43 PM

The South End really does need a good retail corridor. The North End has Agricola/Gottingen and the Hydrostone, and the West End has Quinpool. I think Inglis would be a great choice.

mcmcclassic

Jun 20, 2011, 8:54 PM

[/QUOTE] The HRM should be looking at turning Inglis into a more commercial street, with a mix of old heritage houses and some mid-scale (3-6 storey) buildings with ground floor businesses.[/QUOTE]

I agree completely. I live on Inglis St. and it would be nice to see a continuation of the commercial strip currently at the most easterly end of the street and make it more than just food establishments. Seeing some commercial closer to SMU would be great and I imagine many people from SMU (and surrounding community) could keep them in business.

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 20, 2011, 9:03 PM

The HRM should be looking at turning Inglis into a more commercial street, with a mix of old heritage houses and some mid-scale (3-6 storey) buildings with ground floor businesses.[/QUOTE]

I agree completely. I live on Inglis St. and it would be nice to see a continuation of the commercial strip currently at the most easterly end of the street and make it more than just food establishments. Seeing some commercial closer to SMU would be great and I imagine many people from SMU (and surrounding community) could keep them in business.[/QUOTE]

That is definitely a good idea... I would like something HQ in the 8-10 story range to replace that "Christian Science" building on the corner of SP and Inglis.

Dmajackson

Jun 21, 2011, 1:53 PM

Office vacancy rates improving downtown
By BILL POWER Business Reporter
Tue, Jun 21 - 4:54 AM

The office vacancy rate in Halifax’s central business district has landed at a healthy level of 8.7 per cent after more than a year of stress, commercial real estate adviser Michael Brown reported Monday.

Brown, with Cushman & Wakefield Atlantic, released the first-quarter 2011 office market update for the Halifax regional market.

...

( bpower@herald.ca)

Click HERE (http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1249616.html) for the full article and more importantly to read the last sentence which has some good news for the 2011 Construction Season in Halifax. :)

halifaxboyns

Jun 21, 2011, 2:21 PM

Oh thank god - finally some good downtown news. If only DD had this when he went to Ottawa, he could've talked up how the downtown is strengthening and the Nova Centre would continue that trend!

halifaxboyns

Jun 21, 2011, 5:29 PM

I thought I would add something to my comment about the downtown office vacancy rate that didn't dawn on me until now. I was in Edmonton last weekend, as I was meeting with some of their planning staff (we're both doing a similar project and since I was going up anyway, I figured might be a good idea to exchange info).

One thing I noticed that Edmonton seems to be really good at; is having old office buildings convert to residential development. The building next to the hotel I stayed at is a great example. This (http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=105+Avenue,+Edmonton,+Alberta&hl=en&ll=53.542919,-113.501094&spn=0,0.003079&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=33.601713,67.587891&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.542919,-113.501094&panoid=iprZNIewg-3jQ0C5jsxnVg&cbp=12,127.07,,0,-14.43) clearly was an old office building, but it's now apartments. So is this (http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=105+Avenue,+Edmonton,+Alberta&hl=en&ll=53.541591,-113.501124&spn=0,0.003079&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=33.601713,67.587891&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.541591,-113.501124&panoid=t_BVT7fjKbbzNAtI5rNwOg&cbp=12,215.42,,0,-24.38). I did a quick count and saw about 8 or 9 examples of this all through the downtown. It's very similar in thought to what happened to the Raddison on Hollis - it was a former office building.

By converting these buildings, you get rid of older buildings from the mix and reuse them for other purposes. I have friends who live in the second example I gave - it's pretty swanky. But that also drives up rents, because the cheap space disappears and decreases vacancy rates too. I wonder if we'll see that happen over the next few years if a few new buildings (like Nova Centre, Twisted or International Place) are built? Would be interesting...

Northend Guy

Jun 21, 2011, 6:38 PM

someone123

Jun 21, 2011, 7:54 PM

Oh thank god - finally some good downtown news. If only DD had this when he went to Ottawa, he could've talked up how the downtown is strengthening and the Nova Centre would continue that trend!

I find that these articles exaggerate the situation both ways to make it sound more dramatic. Vacancy rates haven't changed much compared to other cities. The focus on rental space is also misleading, since it means that new construction of company-owned buildings like NSP's new HQ are "negative absorption". Basically it's all described from the perspective of renters, not the overall health of the downtown. I don't feel too bad for the company that's rented out Scotia Square for 30+ years. I'm sure they've made plenty of money.

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 21, 2011, 9:26 PM

halifaxboyns

Jun 21, 2011, 10:18 PM

I think the anti-development people have been trying to over state the vacancy rates as well. They just make up numbers. This disproves that that there isn't ANY demand.

Under 10% must be close to the natural level of vacancy.

That is certainly better than what Calgary is doing right now; downtown Vacancy is around 13%. But despite that, 8th Avenue Place is already talking about going ahead with it's second tower since the first tower is now completely full.

I suspect my number maybe wrong as I haven't heard a recent update on the vacancy rates, but I've been seen many buildings that were new (and mostly empty) getting tenants. Even the bow has 5 floors below the 15th floor occupied and it's still under construction. I can see it from my balcony since I'm less than a block from it.

spaustin

Jun 22, 2011, 12:20 AM

If vacancy rates have stabilized, maybe McCrea will be able to find some tenants and proceed with Waterside Centre. Would be great to see that underway as the site looks really terrible right now.

JET

Jun 22, 2011, 11:54 AM

I recently got wind that there is going to be a new residential building at 5 corners in Dartmouth. I don't think that's been on here yet - I'm a little shy on the details, but it will be in the range of 50-60 units. I believe that Michael Napier's office is working on it.

Someone had posted that recently, but can't remember when or what thread. The site is on Portland, below five corners, across from the Tim's. Sounds good

-Harlington-

Jun 22, 2011, 2:46 PM

Halifax Harbour Solutions project declared complete

The $333-million Halifax Harbour Solutions project was declared successfully complete on Tuesday.
the city's largest-ever infrastructure project was declared successfully completed by city officials on Tuesday.

"This project has reached total completion, and with it come achievements that have been long asked for and delivered," said Carl Yates, the general manager of the Halifax Regional Water Commission.

Yates told regional council members on Tuesday the $333-million project had come in approximately $3 million under budget. The water in Halifax harbour is so clean, he said, that it meets guidelines for shellfish harvesting set out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

"There are other elements that DFO considers when they look at shellfish harvesting but from a water quality point of view, excellent right throughout the inner, middle and outer harbour," Yates told council members.

The three water treatment plants in Halifax, Dartmouth and Herring Cove are now fully functioning.

The all-clear comes after the failure of the Halifax sewage treatment plant in early 2009, after a power failure set off a sequence of events that eventually caused the station to overflow with raw sewage.

It took 18 months and $11 million to bring the plant back online.

On Tuesday, Yates revealed that insurance had covered all but $500,000 of the repair bill. The builders — Degremont Technologies of France and Dexter Construction of Bedford — also gave the city money in a settlement agreement reached several months ago.

"We did reach a settlement agreement with D&D water solutions, which was concurrent with total completion for all the waste water treatment facilities," said Yates.

"As a result of that settlement, Halifax Water did receive $3 million as an all-inclusive settlement for all outstanding contractual matters."

The Halifax Regional Water Commission said all other deficiencies in the plants have been repaired.

"Now we can truly say mission accomplished," said Coun. David Hendsbee.

Mayor Peter Kelly said he was also happy to see the work done.

"We want to thank you and your team and certainly all the stakeholders involved for a job well done to come under budget with all the challenges that have been endured," Kelly told Yates.

"It has been a challenging and rewarding project that will leave an environmental and economic legacy for generations to come."

JustinMacD

Jun 22, 2011, 3:32 PM

I saw several condoms in the water the other day. It obviously hasn't worked that well.

Keith P.

Jun 22, 2011, 3:52 PM

I saw several condoms in the water the other day. It obviously hasn't worked that well.

Either that, or someone had a hot date on a boat... :tup:

Phalanx

Jun 22, 2011, 5:08 PM

gm_scott

Jun 22, 2011, 8:38 PM

pblaauw

Jun 22, 2011, 11:41 PM

A post by SkyscraperPage.com on FB brought this to my attention. Could this work in DT Halifax and Dartmouth?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouverism

Empire

Jun 23, 2011, 12:12 AM

Yeah, the system seems quite flawed... given that it seems to back up just about any time there's a storm. And the fact that one of the collection stations occupies a chunk of prime real estate downtown will always annoy me. Surely there could have been other locations?

There sure could have been a better location. Not only is the location brainless, it is the most brainless looking building in existance. Everything about the sewage treatment plant is a boondoggle and very typical Halifax. I was shocked when they built this disaster and no one spoke out against it. I go by the STP on the bus and on a warm day people in the bus have to cover their nose. The Cogswell Interchange lands are tainted with the stench of poor HRM planning.

Brainless ugly typical HRM building:
http://maps.google.it/maps?q=halifax+ns&hl=it&ll=44.651437,-63.57801&spn=0,0.014248&sll=53.72438,-1.861577&sspn=0.186476,0.455933&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=44.653142,-63.580241&panoid=DOca-Ej2YSc2o8wxYkRhsw&cbp=12,70.78,,0,0

Another ugly angle:
http://maps.google.it/maps?q=halifax+ns&hl=it&ll=44.652892,-63.579801&spn=0,0.003562&sll=53.72438,-1.861577&sspn=0.186476,0.455933&t=h&layer=c&cbll=44.652892,-63.579801&panoid=Mgv5Tdb4LP9S2tIAxucvaA&cbp=12,337.79,,1,0&z=18

Dmajackson

Jun 23, 2011, 4:50 AM

So a couple of things I noticed today:

According to an article in the Chronicle Herald the St Patrick's - Alexandra School on Maitland St is closing this month. It's in the Square so don't expect to see a good reuse of the land but more residential might be helpful for the area.

There is an excavator and the site has been fenced off at the corner of Gottingen and Cunard St. There is a four storey as-or-right building proposed for the site.

The former Diamond's Bar across the street is now pay public parking (surprise!)

Dmajackson

Jun 23, 2011, 5:42 AM

I saw several condoms in the water the other day. It obviously hasn't worked that well.

It's been working in the Basin for quite awhile now. I've been wading in the water for a couple of summers now and so far this year I have seen no floatables. I snapped a couple of photos today in an attempt to show just how clear the water is now and at the bottom is Save the Reefs video that shows the wildlife returning to the area.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5861941687_67f8ff0899_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5862497694_a375eb5f53_z.jpg

Gsi7MpQ8A7c

fenwick16

Jun 23, 2011, 5:51 AM

Thank you for the pictures and unbiased report Dmajackson. I am sure that the Harbour Solutions project has had a positive effect on the Halifax Harbour. Your pictures and pictures by others provide the evidence of a successful wastewater treatment project.

-Harlington-

Jun 23, 2011, 2:14 PM

I think its definitely better than it was, everytime im near the waterfront it does seem like it got a lot clearer.

although you still wouldnt catch me swimming in there yet.

Northend Guy

Jun 23, 2011, 6:38 PM

Someone had posted that recently, but can't remember when or what thread. The site is on Portland, below five corners, across from the Tim's. Sounds good

I don't think it's the same site. The site I am referring to is right at 5 corners. My understanding is that it will be replacing something that is already there.

Jstaleness

Jun 23, 2011, 8:02 PM

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 24, 2011, 6:55 AM

I mentioned this as well in a comment on the cbc.ca news story. Last time I checked I received over 45 thumbs down for saying "job poorly done". It appears that the few of us on here are they only group of people that feel a sewage treatment plant doesn't belong directly in the downtown.

Most of the folks that post on CBC.ca don't have a clue. I wish we could educate people through this forum. Its a terrible spot for the plant, I hope something can be developed over top of it some day.

fenwick16

Jun 24, 2011, 10:47 AM

There are two issues regarding the wastewater treatment plant:
1) The location of the wastewater treatment plant
2) The effectiveness of the wastewater treatment plant

If the argument is that the wastewater treatment plant is not effective then most people won't accept that argument, since all they have to do is look at the harbour and see the big improvement.

Regarding the location, I also wonder why that location was chosen but I haven't seen stories in the newspaper recently about odours coming from it. It doesn't look that much out of place next to the Halifax Dockyards.

In my opinion, the Mayor and Councillors who supported the wastewater treatment project deserve a lot of credit. And of course, there are many HRM staff members who worked on it behind the scenes. It seems to be a great success at a manageable cost.

When I consider the benefits of Mayor Kelly's term and Councillors, I consider the following as positives:
1) The harbour cleanup
2) The skating oval
3) BRT expansion
4) Significant employment growth
5) The Canada Winter Games event was a great success within a manageable budget.

Negatives
1) the Commonwealth Games result; in my opinion, it should not have been axed but instead the budget cut drastically. Then if Halifax didn't win the bid to be the host Commonwealth city, there wouldn't have been the lasting black eye on the municipality.
2) Slow movement on building an economical stadium and attracting a CFL team.
3) Too many development opportunities were turned away.

I consider the HRM_by_Design to be both a negative and positive. The planning and implementation were a great achievement but the height controls are too restrictive. It hasn't provided the building boom that it was intended to achieve.

JET

Jun 24, 2011, 12:03 PM

I don't think it's the same site. The site I am referring to is right at 5 corners. My understanding is that it will be replacing something that is already there.

I can't think of anything right at five corners that would be replaced. There are three nice old homes, a large apartment building and a duplex (small lot) on the five corners. Lets hope that it's not the nice old buildings.

JET

Jun 24, 2011, 12:23 PM

the facade on mitchell's enviro on Gottingen st is coming down today. There is an excavator digging on the empty lot across the street next to the Company House

terrynorthend

Jun 24, 2011, 12:47 PM

I can't think of anything right at five corners that would be replaced. There are three nice old homes, a large apartment building and a duplex (small lot) on the five corners. Lets hope that it's not the nice old buildings.

Are they referring to the Portland/Pleasant intersection, or the Portland/Canal intersection down the hill? I've heard both of these intersections refered to as five corners by different people. I could see something replacing the old Moffatt's Pharmacy building, or maybe the building beside Bluebell Cabs...

Jonovision

Jun 24, 2011, 1:59 PM

Are they referring to the Portland/Pleasant intersection, or the Portland/Canal intersection down the hill? I've heard both of these intersections refered to as five corners by different people. I could see something replacing the old Moffatt's Pharmacy building, or maybe the building beside Bluebell Cabs...

Five corners is the intersection of Portland and Pleasant and at one point Albert street used to come into it as well, hence the 5 corners.

I believe what is being referred to here is just down Portland Street from five corners. There was a public meeting a few weeks ago regarding a 40 or 60 unit 4 storey building to be built where the fire was a few years back. Here is the street view of the site.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Dartmouth,+Nova+Scotia&hl=en&ll=44.668142,-63.56108&spn=0,0.008165&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=37.843677,66.884766&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=44.668165,-63.560942&panoid=YCF8_BiYMGBbfEuJyaptaA&cbp=12,142.36,,0,-3.31

JET

Jun 24, 2011, 2:06 PM

The site for the 4 storey apartment building at 222 Portland Street:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5724587634_69fb2a0728_z.jpg

Just down from the pleasant/albert/portland five corners. Good potential there.

spaustin

Jun 24, 2011, 11:26 PM

Geez the Knotweed sure loves a vacant lot. That fire wasn't that long ago and it looks like it's already well on its way to filling it in.

Keith P.

Jun 25, 2011, 1:52 AM

Geez the Knotweed sure loves a vacant lot. That fire wasn't that long ago and it looks like it's already well on its way to filling it in.

One thing HRM does better than any place in the nation is to encourage the growth of weeds. It's the dandelion/knotweed/creeping charlie capital of Canada.

TheNovaScotian

Jun 25, 2011, 2:16 AM

The developer bought the blue and yellow houses in the picture, the lot for the yellow house is actually quite large, so he now owns quite a large chunk of prime downtown dartmouth property. I'm hoping that at the public meetings because the developer is going to need a DA, that the city allow the developer to maybe add a few stories to make it more economical to use good materials and make sure its not set too far back from the street hopefully maintaining the feel of the area.

Empire

Jun 25, 2011, 11:30 AM

One thing HRM does better than any place in the nation is to encourage the growth of weeds. It's the dandelion/knotweed/creeping charlie capital of Canada.

True, if you need some good examples just stroll through the Public Gardens.

Keith P.

Jun 26, 2011, 12:20 AM

True, if you need some good examples just stroll through the Public Gardens.

Which is tragic.

eastcoastal

Jun 26, 2011, 12:42 PM

There are two issues regarding the wastewater treatment plant:
1) The location of the wastewater treatment plant
2) The effectiveness of the wastewater treatment plant

If the argument is that the wastewater treatment plant is not effective then most people won't accept that argument, since all they have to do is look at the harbour and see the big improvement.

Regarding the location, I also wonder why that location was chosen but I haven't seen stories in the newspaper recently about odours coming from it. It doesn't look that much out of place next to the Halifax Dockyards.

In my opinion, the Mayor and Councillors who supported the wastewater treatment project deserve a lot of credit. And of course, there are many HRM staff members who worked on it behind the scenes. It seems to be a great success at a manageable cost.

Effectiveness: The Federal Government requires Secondary Level treatment, Tertiary is better, and the most responsible course of action, this project only achieves Primary.

Let's not pat ourselves on the backs for finally treating our sewage as it flows directly into our harbour. Do we really want to tell the world we are backwards enough to feel like Primary treatment is a progressive accomplishment for a capital city in the developed world in the Twenty First Century? We can do better.

Location: While there is no stunning urban context for this to fit into at this point, are we really at the stage where we feel like living up to the low standards of the dockyards is a positive? What about the idea that the city leads by example, and that this was an opportunity to use a piece of civic infrastructure to advance an agenda of great city planning? We can pretend that the values espoused by HRMbyDESIGN were not in place yet, but they are hardly new concepts.

The city should have used this project to be a little more forward thinking than: "Well, it only reaches the first level of treatment, although we know that the federal government is going to require at least the second level in the future, this is good enough. I suppose it's no worse than pseudo-industrial military dockyards, and I know that this is really one of the few 'gateways' to downtown, this is good enough. We are only Halifax."

fenwick16

Jun 26, 2011, 1:37 PM

Effectiveness: The Federal Government requires Secondary Level treatment, Tertiary is better, and the most responsible course of action, this project only achieves Primary.

Let's not pat ourselves on the backs for finally treating our sewage as it flows directly into our harbour. Do we really want to tell the world we are backwards enough to feel like Primary treatment is a progressive accomplishment for a capital city in the developed world in the Twenty First Century? We can do better.

Location: While there is no stunning urban context for this to fit into at this point, are we really at the stage where we feel like living up to the low standards of the dockyards is a positive? What about the idea that the city leads by example, and that this was an opportunity to use a piece of civic infrastructure to advance an agenda of great city planning? We can pretend that the values espoused by HRMbyDESIGN were not in place yet, but they are hardly new concepts.

The city should have used this project to be a little more forward thinking than: "Well, it only reaches the first level of treatment, although we know that the federal government is going to require at least the second level in the future, this is good enough. I suppose it's no worse than pseudo-industrial military dockyards, and I know that this is really one of the few 'gateways' to downtown, this is good enough. We are only Halifax."

All well said, and I believe that what you said has merit. But I believe it is being referred to as advanced primary treatment and there is the capability to upgrade to secondary treatment - http://www.halifax.ca/HWWTF/Myths.html. It should also be noted that advanced primary treatment in Halifax will be far more effective than such a system in Toronto that doesn't have ocean currents to disperse the discharge from the treatment facilities. (and unless all sea creatures start using toilets with wastewater treatment facilities then the ocean will always contain some biological discharge).

One question - if secondary treatment would have improved the harbour quality by an additional 10% then would residents have wanted to spend the much higher cost of such a facility? As is often the case, municipalities and individuals have to accept what they can afford. I am sure that many people would like to live in mansions, but instead live in smaller homes that they can afford. I don't want to sound sarcastic, but talk is cheap. I feel that the HRM got the best that it could afford. However, if residents are willing to pay much higher taxes then there is room for improvement.

On a related topic, the Cogswell interchange is a blight on the community and should be removed as soon as possible. This area looks far worse than the wastewater treatment plant - http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=halifax,+ns&ll=44.652887,-63.579791&spn=0.011448,0.033023&gl=ca&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=44.652818,-63.579673&panoid=bGDC58JPFRA4DKD80ybipg&cbp=12,136.55,,0,-2.81 . The Scotia Square Trade Mart looks worse than the wastewater treatment plant, in my opinion. The wastewater treatment plant is hardly even noticeable from Barrington Street.

Empire

Jun 26, 2011, 2:43 PM

The location of the sewage treatment plant is a blight on downtown. The building was designed to hide an extremely cheap facade. This location is the gateway to downtown and all efforts should have been exhausted to locate it elsewhere. I think the original location was under the bridge but a property dispute canned that location.

There certainly was no effort to engage the public on ways to improve the usefulness or appearance of the structure. If the STP is not an objectionable operation then let's put a bus shelter on the top or perhaps a tourist bureau welcoming people to downtown.

The effectiveness of the plant is still up for debate. I walk along the boardwalk at noon and it is still hit or miss if the water is clear. There are still the occasional floatables and murky water. The murky water is not always due to storm water swamping the plant but can be any host of discharged liquids. An outfall below Summit Place still discharges a light grey product on occassion. Generally it is better but certainly not guarnteed. For +400 million we should be seeing clearer water most of the time.

Northend Guy

Jun 27, 2011, 2:43 PM

Just down from the pleasant/albert/portland five corners. Good potential there.

The drawing I saw says its 230 Portland St.

Jonovision

Jun 28, 2011, 11:15 AM

beyeas

Jun 28, 2011, 11:39 AM

ANS was reporting today that Louie Lowan will be going to council in the near future to seek a development agreement for his holdings on Spring Garden Road up near the Tim Hortons close to Robie. He is looking to building something in the range of 16-22 stories.

What is the HRMbD regulation on height in that area?

I am certainly glad he is proposing 22 stories because, given the St Josephs debacle, we will probably end up with this being cut back. Might as well start high then!

Having said that, I assume StJ development wasn't covered by HRMbD... is this one? I can never keep track of where exactly the boundary ends for it!

I am glad to see that it is Dexel though... just given that they are one of those few developers who have been moving forward with projects of late (The Vic, City Centre expansion).

eastcoastal

Jun 28, 2011, 3:15 PM

halifaxboyns

Jun 28, 2011, 4:50 PM

What is the HRMbD regulation on height in that area?

I am certainly glad he is proposing 22 stories because, given the St Josephs debacle, we will probably end up with this being cut back. Might as well start high then!

Having said that, I assume StJ development wasn't covered by HRMbD... is this one? I can never keep track of where exactly the boundary ends for it!

I am glad to see that it is Dexel though... just given that they are one of those few developers who have been moving forward with projects of late (The Vic, City Centre expansion).

The area is outside of HbD; so the typical height precincts and zoning height regulations will apply. If memory serves me; the area is at 35' for the height precincts; which means that any building over that height must obtain a development agreement.

Certainly the area has context to support something that tall (with the adjacent high density residential - the tallest appears to be 21/22 stories) - my only concern would be the fact that there is a heritage streetfront along Carlton. That may cause our 'friends' at the Heritage Trust to intervene in someway.

beyeas

Jun 28, 2011, 5:30 PM

my only concern would be the fact that there is a heritage streetfront along Carlton. That may cause our 'friends' at the Heritage Trust to intervene in someway.

Indeed. On a related note, I was at Baton Rouge on Saturday night before the AGNS event... as I walked past the wreck that is the Waterside and noticed that they still have the "Heritage Designation" plaques on the building facades. Seems to me they would be better off taking those off, since it accomplishes nothing except to enflame HT types to have to see those for years on the side of bombed out shells!!

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 28, 2011, 5:57 PM

Oh, they don't need any reason to intervene. I'm guessing this one will be obstructed by a mix of NIMBY and Heritage Trust. I can't see the Just-us Coffee people down the street being development friendly.

22 stories would be perfectly acceptable for this site. I hope it only gets reduced to 17-19. (Which I assume it will.)

someone123

Jun 28, 2011, 7:10 PM

JET

Jun 28, 2011, 7:37 PM

Carlton St is a registered Victorian Streetscape. I wonder if anyone will take pause to consider that.

Empire

Jun 29, 2011, 3:19 AM

Indeed. On a related note, I was at Baton Rouge on Saturday night before the AGNS event... as I walked past the wreck that is the Waterside and noticed that they still have the "Heritage Designation" plaques on the building facades. Seems to me they would be better off taking those off, since it accomplishes nothing except to enflame HT types to have to see those for years on the side of bombed out shells!!

McCrae should be forced to clean up the site while he tries to make up his mind what to do with this unsightly bombed out mess. The mess on the site shows his lack of respect for this important site comprised of registered heritage shells.

someone123

Jun 29, 2011, 4:12 AM

McCrae should be forced to clean up the site while he tries to make up his mind what to do with this unsightly bombed out mess. The mess on the site shows his lack of respect for this important site comprised of registered heritage shells.

I do think there's something seriously messed up with this situation, where heritage properties are easily demolished and then left empty for years with no repercussions. I am worried about projects like the Roy Building or Discovery Centre. What assurances are there that we won't see more bombed out holes?

Perhaps developers should have to prove they have financing before beginning work, or maybe they should face stiff fines for empty sites. If they leave unsightly properties untouched for a long enough period they should forfeit the site to the city, which should then look for bidders to develop (with stipulations similar to what we see with the Clyde lots).

Hopefully something will change soon and there will be a tenant for Waterside. If not I hope they convert to residential or something similar.

fenwick16

Jun 29, 2011, 4:33 AM

If the municipality wants the Waterside project to proceed with the heritage buildings restored then they could make a commitment to rent space in the restored buildings. Possibly work out a deal so that the 9 storey new addition won't proceed.

The municipality doesn't have a great record for restoration work - they are in the process of tearing down the Wanderers Grounds clubhouse which they registered as a heritage property and then de-registered once they knew how much it would cost to restore. When it comes to the Waterside, there has been no co-operation from the municipality. Ben McCrea has done more for heritage restoration in Halifax than any other developer that I have heard of. Now it is time for the HRM and province to step forward and provide money for restoration of the Waterside instead of depending on a private developer to provide that service.

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 29, 2011, 4:52 AM

To be honest, I am in favour of just restoring these buildings at this point.

a) It will mean that tennants that might have moved in here will look at one of the bigger developments.

b) I'm not a huge fan of the proposal... its kind of weird to not have a coherent roofline in a heritage building with an offices build on top of it.

worldlyhaligonian

Jun 29, 2011, 4:54 AM

Carlton St is a registered Victorian Streetscape. I wonder if anyone will take pause to consider that.

I thought this lot was going to front onto SGR?

eastcoastal

Jun 29, 2011, 10:58 AM

I thought this lot was going to front onto SGR?

It is. At least, that's what I understand from the reporting in the press. Its proximity to Registered Heritage will likely require some sort of report from staff and a trip the the Heritage Advisory Committee for recommendation to Council.

Empire

Jun 29, 2011, 11:22 AM

I do think there's something seriously messed up with this situation, where heritage properties are easily demolished and then left empty for years with no repercussions. I am worried about projects like the Roy Building or Discovery Centre. What assurances are there that we won't see more bombed out holes?

Perhaps developers should have to prove they have financing before beginning work, or maybe they should face stiff fines for empty sites. If they leave unsightly properties untouched for a long enough period they should forfeit the site to the city, which should then look for bidders to develop (with stipulations similar to what we see with the Clyde lots).

Hopefully something will change soon and there will be a tenant for Waterside. If not I hope they convert to residential or something similar.

Hopefully this site will be used to set new standards. There should be a performance bond required for this type of development. 5% of the development sounds good. So this development is in the $30 million range and 5% would be $1.5 million for the bond. If the work does not proceed according to schedule or is not in accordance with the DA then the bond is forfeited. There should at least be an unsightly premises charge slapped on Armour.

I really hope the province/city buys this site and restores the REGISTERED HERITAGE BUILDINGS. It could be a Heritage Museum and a development office for downtown.

fenwick16

Jun 29, 2011, 11:40 AM

It is highly possible that the delays are because of the municipality. I have heard nothing in the media to indicate that the municipality has even issued the easement yet. Based on the situation with the Jazz condos, it could be that the HRM needs to start posting performance bonds.

The municipality and province don't contribute much to heritage restoration so the possibility of them buying these Waterside registered heritage buildings and restoring them is HIGHLY UNLIKELY. The HRM and province both know that there is no profit to be made in heritage restoration - that is why the HRM talks, and talks and talks about heritage preservation, but does little to nothing concrete (doesn't the demolition of the Wanderers Grounds clubhouse indicate that?).

JET

Jun 29, 2011, 2:57 PM

It is. At least, that's what I understand from the reporting in the press. Its proximity to Registered Heritage will likely require some sort of report from staff and a trip the the Heritage Advisory Committee for recommendation to Council.

I'm not an ANS subscriber, so I have not read the info. When it was discussed awhile ago, there was mention of the dental offices on the corner, which would affect the streetscape. Can anyone copy the ANS info? thanks

halifaxboyns

Jun 29, 2011, 2:57 PM

Hopefully this site will be used to set new standards. There should be a performance bond required for this type of development. 5% of the development sounds good. So this development is in the $30 million range and 5% would be $1.5 million for the bond. If the work does not proceed according to schedule or is not in accordance with the DA then the bond is forfeited. There should at least be an unsightly premises charge slapped on Armour.

I really hope the province/city buys this site and restores the REGISTERED HERITAGE BUILDINGS. It could be a Heritage Museum and a development office for downtown.

This is part of the problem with a zoning system. Where things are 'as of right' most of the time; you can't apply such a condition to approving the development. You might be able to get away with it through a development agreement (which waterside was given) - but then you risk that the developer might walk away or try to have someone on council strike that requirement.

The land use system in most of the western provinces would label this type of development discretionary, so it would be approved by a Development Officer, but you could apply a variety of conditions on the permit (such as public realm improvements, landscaping letters of credit). But the catch is that any condition can be appealed; so there is no guarentee the condition would stand on appeal. I did a project where the landscaping required a letter of credit of 2.2 million $ (it was a huge project). The guy appealed the condition of approval for the letter of credit. He ended up having to pay an extra $100,000 on top of the 2.2, because the neighbours also appealed and the appeal board added a whole bunch of trees for privacy lol.

I think if staff were to take a report forward investigating such a bond; if council decided to go with it - then you wouldn't really see any opposition from developers, since council would've made the decision.

wackypacky

Jun 29, 2011, 6:55 PM

:haha:The area is outside of HbD; so the typical height precincts and zoning height regulations will apply. If memory serves me; the area is at 35' for the height precincts; which means that any building over that height must obtain a development agreement.

Certainly the area has context to support something that tall (with the adjacent high density residential - the tallest appears to be 21/22 stories) - my only concern would be the fact that there is a heritage streetfront along Carlton. That may cause our 'friends' at the Heritage Trust to intervene in someway.

You should be careful not to help the Heritage Trust come up with things to complain about. Im assuming theyre pretty basic people so they probably troll this website looking for reasons. :haha: