General Updates and News

[terrynorthend]

The Cohn is being renovated/expanded.

Dal Arts Centre is going to be renovated/expanded, including the addition of smaller 300 seat space. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about this project. Unfortunately, the glaring omission in the call for design proposals is an upgrade to the back of house/stage space for the Rebecca Cohn, which IMO is the centrepiece of the facility.

[beyeas]

Dal Arts Centre is going to be renovated/expanded, including the addition of smaller 300 seat space. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about this project. Unfortunately, the glaring omission in the call for design proposals is an upgrade to the back of house/stage space for the Rebecca Cohn, which IMO is the centrepiece of the facility.

It is bizarre that you would have a performing arts centre with that much seating, and yet zero backstage space, very limited flys, etc. I agree it is a poor planning step to do work to renovate without addressing that.

[musicman]

I keep on hearing rumours about something on the parking lot between the maple and lower water as well. 24 story condo/appartment building.. Who knows tho i've been hearing this one for about 2 years now.

[Keith P.]

That lot is owned by the province. What I heard is that the long-delayed new Justice Center was to go there to consolidate both courthouses in one spot.

[musicman]

That lot is owned by the province. What I heard is that the long-delayed new Justice Center was to go there to consolidate both courthouses in one spot.

Also heard that there was a deal for a land swap to go along with it... Who knows tho? there are so many rumours out there right now it is crazy. However this one is persistent. It may have fell through mind you.

[someone123]

Also heard that there was a deal for a land swap to go along with it... Who knows tho? there are so many rumours out there right now it is crazy. However this one is persistent. It may have fell through mind you.

This was a long time ago and the likelihood that it's still being considered may be low but I also heard about a plan to build in behind the Spring Garden Road courthouse. This may never have been a viable plan because of the viewplanes.

I hope something does happen soon with the site around Sackville and Lower Water. The transformation happening along Sackville Street is impressive, but there is still a lot of parking all the way south to Terminal Road. The open wound that is the former TexPark site doesn't help either. Hopefully something will happen with that site too.

If the equivalent of 2 more Maples go up on either side there are going to be a lot of residents in that area. I think it would do wonders for Barrington.

[Keith P.]

This was a long time ago and the likelihood that it's still being considered may be low but I also heard about a plan to build in behind the Spring Garden Road courthouse. This may never have been a viable plan because of the viewplanes.


Tbhere was a time during the HRMxDesign discussions where NS Justice was trying to make a claim on the site at SGR/Queen that went to the library for their Justice center. They were the only people in the room who thought it was a good idea.

[beyeas]

Work has finally begun on the replacement school for LeMarchant St Thomas. They are doing the work through 3 separate RFPs (foundation, steel, finish). Updated site plan is here: https://www.hrsb.ca/about-hrsb/operations-services/capital-projects/new-halifax-south-peninsula-p-6 (https://www.hrsb.ca/about-hrsb/operations-services/capital-projects/new-halifax-south-peninsula-p-6)

Three excavators working away this morning, and it is relatively easy going since basically when the previous school came down last year they just backfilled it in. It will be interesting though if the foundation gets closer to the soccer pitch (which is basically thin soil on solid rock). Hopefully they don't hit rock when they dig toward the field!

[Colin May]

Crazy people in Cabbagetown (Toronto):

World class NIMBYism against a daycare !!!!!!

"Oh, give it a rest,” one proponent wrote in an online thread. “It’ll be great. I can’t wait for this to open! This is so needed in Cabbagetown where I live too. Oh, but the traffic, the noise, the children! Absolutely ridiculous. It will be FINE. It’s a freaking daycare, not a dragstrip they’re putting in. Only the most NIMBY’s of NIMBY’s could possibly oppose this.”
But they did. Did they ever. One resident who wrote to city hall about the issue said he and his wife work at home and worry about noise from the kids playing in the daycare sandbox. “The idea of tolerating this kind of noise,” he said, “is frankly ludicrous.”

A guy who lives near the site told the committee that opening up a “commercial operation” such as a daycare would be “a slippery slope for this iconic neighbourhood.” Trades people already refuse to come to his place because of the inadequate parking, he said. The daycare would just make things worse. “This is insane,” he said. “It’s an outrage.” Only in Toronto, in 2018, could proposing to create a nursery for little children be considered outrageous. "

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-cabbagetowns-latest-opponent-a-daycare/

[IanWatson]

Well that's my hilarious/depressing read for the morning.

[Colin May]

Another column about opposition to a daycare in Cabbagetown ................

" How scarred and dark the psyche of an adult human being would have to be for her to stand up in a room full of other people and suggest that strollers on a front porch present an unbearable “heritage concern” or a threat to the “character” of a neighbourhood.

The horrible experience of the world that would lead a man to consider the presence of a day nursery in a downtown neighbourhood to be an “outrage.”

One can almost conjure the misanthropy of a character holding such attitudes, but the cartoonish level of oblivious villainy that would lead a person to stand up and make those arguments in public, as if they should be considered reasonable? It stretches credibility. "

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/04/12/consider-the-character-of-a-neighbourhood-that-rejects-a-daycare.html

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/04/11/cabbagetown-daycare-proposal-refused-at-city-hall-over-traffic-concerns.html

[Jonovision]

The addition to the Dartmouth General.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/795/41504426351_bb619e9c20_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26eB2XM)20180415_173716 (https://flic.kr/p/26eB2XM) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

The Cove.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/789/26634149947_bea4150a16_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GzyYRR)20180415_181213 (https://flic.kr/p/GzyYRR) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[RoshanMcG]

Just drove by what appeared to be a meeting about the new Mikmaq Friendship Centre on the site. Is this a go?

Also, unrelated, but does anyone know why the trees kind of around exit 1D on both sides of the 102 are being cut down?

[hoser111]

Just drove by what appeared to be a meeting about the new Mikmaq Friendship Centre on the site. Is this a go?

Also, unrelated, but does anyone know why the trees kind of around exit 1D on both sides of the 102 are being cut down?

If I had to guess, possibly this?

https://novascotia.ca/tran/highways/Highway102-103-interchange-upgrade.asp

[Keith P.]

Mason is beating the drum for the Friendship Center. All I know is that I hear a giant sucking sound of tax dollars being vacuumed out of my wallet.

[JET]

The addition to the Dartmouth General.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/795/41504426351_bb619e9c20_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26eB2XM)20180415_173716 (https://flic.kr/p/26eB2XM) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

The Cove.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/789/26634149947_bea4150a16_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GzyYRR)20180415_181213 (https://flic.kr/p/GzyYRR) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr


Not many windows in that new addition to the Dartmouth General.

[Keith P.]

Not many windows in that new addition to the Dartmouth General.

Low bids for both architecture and construction. That result is what you get.

[IanWatson]

Low bids for both architecture and construction. That result is what you get.

I'm really confused. If the government spends money it's, "wasteful abusing of the taxpayer", and if they don't it's "crappy low-bid procurement."

[eastcoastal]

Low bids for both architecture and construction. That result is what you get.

I think a lot of it is Operating Rooms, which don't have much in the way of windows.

[Keith P.]

I'm really confused. If the government spends money it's, "wasteful abusing of the taxpayer", and if they don't it's "crappy low-bid procurement."

Balance. That doesn't mean excess like the library is ever acceptable either.

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Bell Lofts taken by me
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/795/39782723210_9608dcfc26_b.jpg

[ns_kid]

If I had to guess, possibly this?

https://novascotia.ca/tran/highways/Highway102-103-interchange-upgrade.asp

I've long thought this interchange is among the most dangerous in the region (t's not that there aren't many other contenders); it's long overdue for replacement. Unfortunately I searched the TIR description in vain for any mention that the project will include lighting improvements. This interchange, and the 102 generally between Northwest Arm Drive and Lacewood, is in desperate need of lighting. Light bleed from neighbouring Bayers Lake has only made night driving on this heavily-trafficked highway even more risky, particularly in fog and rain.

[kph06]

Bell Lofts taken by me
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/795/39782723210_9608dcfc26_b.jpg

Nice to you you back posting, your photo updates were much appreciated!

[pblaauw]

Anyone know what's going on behind the Lady Hammond Inn? The lot is cleared and there's an excavator onsite.

Please share the thread, if applicable.

[Northend Guy]

Anyone know what's going on behind the Lady Hammond Inn? The lot is cleared and there's an excavator onsite.

Please share the thread, if applicable.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=208119

[pblaauw]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=208119

Okay. I know exactly what it is now. Thanks. :)

[someone123]

Here's a small one for Cornwallis Street, an expansion of the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute:

https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/applications/case-21606-5450-cornwallis-street-halifax

Looks like a nice addition to the existing building.

[Jonovision]

Bell lofts coming along.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/898/41647827714_102f24e572_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26sh1c5)20180523_164531 (https://flic.kr/p/26sh1c5) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[Jonovision]

Some new lighting installed on the St Pauls building now that half of the scaffolding has come down. Makes me very excited to see it once it is fully restored.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/886/42343353882_a3abdd5126_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27vJKTy)20180526_211012 (https://flic.kr/p/27vJKTy) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[HalifaxRetales]

What is the crane by the Armdale Yacht Club?

[mleblanc]

What is the crane by the Armdale Yacht Club?

Could be this: http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1557292-planned-11-storey-apartment-building-too-big-say-some-residents-of-purcells-cove-area
but I haven't heard much else about this one.

[IanWatson]

Could be this: http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1557292-planned-11-storey-apartment-building-too-big-say-some-residents-of-purcells-cove-area
but I haven't heard much else about this one.

I'm almost certain that this one was as-of-right, so there would have been no pre-notice (e.g. a planning application) for it.

[kph06]

I'm almost certain that this one was as-of-right, so there would have been no pre-notice (e.g. a planning application) for it.

It is, similar to Craigmore near the Rotary. Hopefully the savings from skipping the lengthy approvals and revision process can result in a high quality design.

[IanWatson]

At the end of last week, NSP had bucket crews on Hollis taking down the power poles from the Ralston all the way to Keith Hall.

[someone123]

At the end of last week, NSP had bucket crews on Hollis taking down the power poles from the Ralston all the way to Keith Hall.

Are they also doing the United Gulf site or does this mean there will be one half block of power poles in that spot? :)

I wonder what the useful life of these power poles is. Some of them look very old and decrepit. Are they in a steady state of decrepitude, or will NSP be forced to replace them over the next few years? Hopefully new replacements will all go underground.

I understand why the power lines may not be undergrounded in an area like Porters Lake but in higher density areas the cost per capita of undergrounding is pretty small. Consider the Maple for example which is a building with 500 residents that was served by a couple of power poles.

[IanWatson]

Are they also doing the United Gulf site or does this mean there will be one half block of power poles in that spot? :)

I wonder what the useful life of these power poles is. Some of them look very old and decrepit. Are they in a steady state of decrepitude, or will NSP be forced to replace them over the next few years? Hopefully new replacements will all go underground.

I understand why the power lines may not be undergrounded in an area like Porters Lake but in higher density areas the cost per capita of undergrounding is pretty small. Consider the Maple for example which is a building with 500 residents that was served by a couple of power poles.

It's actually funny, I was walking by a couple of weeks ago and realizing that none of the buildings were actually connected to the poles for power, only for telecom. So it seems like the undergrounding was done some time ago? So I think this pole removal is permanent.

[beyeas]

The new LMST elementary school on Lemarchant is now full underway.

The foundation work is done, and there is a mobile crane onsite that started putting steel up this week. Fabrication of the steel itself is apparently complete. I am surprised at the pace at which they are moving on this.

https://www.hrsb.ca/sites/default/files/hrsb/peninsula_south_project_update_may-2018.pdf

[terrynorthend]

Does anyone know what is going in where the old National Art Building was behind Staples? It was a parking lot, but they are excavating furiously these days.

[kph06]

Does anyone know what is going in where the old National Art Building was behind Staples? It was a parking lot, but they are excavating furiously these days.

6 story rental that is as-of-right.

[teddifax]

Is there a link for that development. Also, what ever happened to the church site at the corner of Brunswick and Cogswell? I believe it is just a parking lot now.

[kph06]

Is there a link for that development. Also, what ever happened to the church site at the corner of Brunswick and Cogswell? I believe it is just a parking lot now.

No, there is little info at the moment as it didn't need to go through a public approvals process.

The former Trinity Church site is owned by the group that was caught in the St. Pat's Alexandra sale fiasco with the city. They are currently renovating Fenwick, so unlikely they would tackle another project until that is complete. This site is another as-of-right, 19 floors I believe.

[someone123]

It's too bad there's no municipal project page for these, even though they don't need a development agreement.

This area might change a lot in the future. Crombie is also planning a residential building for Brunswick Street, there's another a block or two farther north, and there's the friendship centre. Eventually the police building will be up for redevelopment too.

Now is a good time for all of this development so that 5-10 in the future when the Cogswell lands are developed there will be other buildings to connect that area up with the North End.

[Jonovision]

No, there is little info at the moment as it didn't need to go through a public approvals process.

The former Trinity Church site is owned by the group that was caught in the St. Pat's Alexandra sale fiasco with the city. They are currently renovating Fenwick, so unlikely they would tackle another project until that is complete. This site is another as-of-right, 19 floors I believe.

Waye Mason had posted some blurry renderings for this a while back. It looks pretty bad :(

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi2uQ_-HGYU/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi2q6HxHh3R/

[Dmajackson]

2165 Gottingen Street has been demolished. Anybody know of any plans for the site? It is on the east side between Cornwallis and Cunard.

[JET]

2165 Gottingen Street has been demolished. Anybody know of any plans for the site? It is on the east side between Cornwallis and Cunard.

Is 2161 still there? Or is that also gone?

[JET]

2165 Gottingen Street has been demolished. Anybody know of any plans for the site? It is on the east side between Cornwallis and Cunard.

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[Jonovision]

Update on Bell Lofts.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/28943343058_5a35e0b1f4_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/L6Ccwb)20180613_182632 (https://flic.kr/p/L6Ccwb) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1724/41915434345_82c19014b1_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26RVyjv)20180613_182726 (https://flic.kr/p/26RVyjv) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[RoshanMcG]

http://i.imgur.com/XLSBtJc.jpg (https://imgur.com/XLSBtJc)

[terrynorthend]

It looks Icelandic. I like it.

[Jonovision]

Got up into The Anchorage this week and got a nice view of Bell Lofts.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1764/42037064135_5ed4005fad_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/273EWBR)20180620_165101 (https://flic.kr/p/273EWBR) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[here4theride]

Couldn't find a page for this one on the corner of Macara and Isleville but the current building has been removed and it looks like they are digging a hole, although it might just be to remove contaminants.https://www.flickr.com/gp/158098840@N02/f7o98S

[here4theride]

My pictures don't post? I used the link to attach photo such added IMG on each end of my link

[here4theride]

1

[IanWatson]

My pictures don't post? I used the link to attach photo such added IMG on each end of my link

When I go to the link embedded in that "?" box (https://www.flickr.com/gp/158098840@N02/f7o98S), I get to your photo stream instead of directly to one of the photos. So I think you're using the wrong address. Click on the photo you want to share, and in the bottom right there's a curved "forward" arrow. When you click on that it'll give you the image address.

[mleblanc]

Saw this beast while browsing the folks behind 3900 Barrington Sts website. Only information is it's called 'north' on Almon and it's coming in 2021.
https://i.imgur.com/TKnPLW6.jpg

[IanMacDonald]

Saw this beast while browsing the folks behind 3900 Barrington Sts website. Only information is it's called 'north' on Almon and it's coming in 2021.
https://i.imgur.com/TKnPLW6.jpg



That looks like it's maybe at Isleville and Almon across from the newer development.

[Jonovision]

I remember seeing that in a development agreement a few years ago. Not sure if it ever got approved though.

[hoser111]

Ottawa's tallest building one step closer to reality

Despite existing rules that only allow 30-storey buildings at 900 Albert St., the city's planning committee voted seven to two in favour of a development that includes three towers, one of which would be Ottawa's tallest at 65 storeys.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/planning-committee-approve-65-storey-building-1.4740486

[HalifaxRetales]

didn't find when I searched
Oxford Bayers< >Young

http://cwatlantic.com/properties/3077-3085-oxford-street/
https://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SideView-1140x375-1.jpg

[IanWatson]

The Maxwell's Plum building is for sale. I wonder if Dexel will buy it and incorporate it with the bank bunker development.

[ns_kid]

Marco Group started renovations on Mic Mac Mall last fall but owner Ivanhoe Cambridge finally made a statement about it yesterday in a news release (https://www.ivanhoecambridge.com/en/news-and-media/news/2018/07/mic-mac-mall). It says they are spending $55 million and the work will include "new upgrades in the common areas, such as the renovation of the food court on the third level, with new seating, lighting and dining options."

It also announced that Linen Chest will be one of the retailers locating in the former Target/Zellers/Eatons space at the south end of the mall. No other retailers are named. Halifax Retales earlier reported that Chapters/Indigo may relocate from their stand-alone location at the north end of the mall. Linen Chest already has a Bayers Lake store.

The work will also include replacing and relocating the escalators, work that's already underway, and replacing all the old railings around the open centre court. These date to the mall's opening in 1973; I have fond memories of leaning on them with the boss during slow periods when I worked at the original Coles ("The Book People") back then. ;)

The work is supposed to be completed by late next year.

Artist's rendering of the updated south end of the Mall:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/941/42933132764_1c32279256_z.jpg

[Keith P.]

It's a shame they do not appear to be doing anything about the mall entrance at that end (in the corner between BMO and whatever replaced the NSLC there) which has always seemed like an afterthought and is difficult to access and dingy. I can appreciate that it might be a difficult thing to fix.

[terrynorthend]

London Free Press (https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/ikea-shelves-plans-to-open-london-store) is reporting that IKEA is putting plans to open a full store on hold (indefinitely) while they examine their options in a rapidly changing retail environment.

It seems like we got ours just in time. I wonder what this portends for IKEA's plans overall.

[HalifaxRetales]

London Free Press (https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/ikea-shelves-plans-to-open-london-store) is reporting that IKEA is putting plans to open a full store on hold (indefinitely) while they examine their options in a rapidly changing retail environment.

It seems like we got ours just in time. I wonder what this portends for IKEA's plans overall.

IKEA is still buying the land in London though

and Quebec City store opens in a few weeks

[Keith P.]

IKEA is still buying the land in London though

and Quebec City store opens in a few weeks

Ikea's existing store model must be a very expensive one to build and operate. Huge stores, lots of frills like the food hall, massive footprint, big inventories, and lots of staff. One wonders if they would not be served by a better model that is a showroom where items can be seen/touched/used and then ordered for expedited delivery.

[alps]

One wonders if they would not be served by a better model that is a showroom where items can be seen/touched/used and then ordered for expedited delivery.

Ikea's four stores in Hong Kong are set up that way. You can buy smaller items at the store, but anything substantial or specialized must be ordered from the warehouse in Kwai Chung. Also, all the stores are located in the upper floors of existing highrises (except for the Causeway Bay location, which is in a basement).

I visited Halifax earlier this month and was impressed with the new Ikea. The restaurant was really nice – both the store and the restaurant seemed to have a better selection than Ikea in HK. Much better shopping experience than HK too. Just too bad about the location and lack of transit access.

[Querce]

The new Shell station station on Main Street has the convenience store facing the street and the pumps in the back

https://www.facebook.com/villageonmainNS/photos/a.10150121692816955.320119.357036001954/10156300727921955

[Jstaleness]

The new Shell station station on Main Street has the convenience store facing the street and the pumps in the back

https://www.facebook.com/villageonmainNS/photos/a.10150121692816955.320119.357036001954/10156300727921955

I can't believe this got approved. With all the talk of fixing Main St. Dartmouth these past years, this is a huge step backwards. We didn't need another gas station.

[ns_kid]

I can't believe this got approved. With all the talk of fixing Main St. Dartmouth these past years, this is a huge step backwards. We didn't need another gas station.

It is and we don't. (There are two other gas stations within a block.) But no approval was required. The lot was already zoned to allow it. It is clear that despite years of talk about revitalizing Main Street, HRM council has done exactly nothing to facilitate it. Speaking as a resident of the district for 25 years, it's a simply a disgrace.

[terrynorthend]

Halifax Retales is reporting a rumour that Simons is going into 2 floors of the Sears space in Hfx Shopping Centre, and Marshalls, & Homesense the remaining floor. Also that a Tesla store is coming to Halifax, possibly in HSC.

[HalifaxRetales]

Halifax Retales is reporting a rumour that Simons is going into 2 floors of the Sears space in Hfx Shopping Centre, and Marshalls, & Homesense the remaining floor. Also that a Tesla store is coming to Halifax, possibly in HSC.

All still unconfirmed, but solid talk
the Tesla may end up being a full Service Centre elsewhere

[teddifax]

Has anyone else heard the rumour that the Round Tower in Clayton Park at 200 Willett is going to be demolished and the site rebuilt. I live across the street and have been noticing the seemingly alarming number of vacant windows and was recently told that leases are not being renewed and they are emptying out the building. I don't know if this also includes the low-rise apartment buildings behind this one. There have been various owners of this property over the years and none have taken good care of the property. I wonder what will be built there.....

[kph06]

Has anyone else heard the rumour that the Round Tower in Clayton Park at 200 Willett is going to be demolished and the site rebuilt. I live across the street and have been noticing the seemingly alarming number of vacant windows and was recently told that leases are not being renewed and they are emptying out the building. I don't know if this also includes the low-rise apartment buildings behind this one. There have been various owners of this property over the years and none have taken good care of the property. I wonder what will be built there.....

Totally anecdotal, but I had heard that was a well built building, same with Forest Green (3 pointed building across the street). I like seeing these 70's built buildings modernized. Maybe they will gut it if the structure is solid.

Timbercreek was the last manger I remember seeing on the signs and they don't list it on their website anymore. Looking at the site it is pretty large, and the footprint isn't, so it probably is a good candidate for a rebuild. I don't recall seeing Timbercreek building anything here, they seem to purchase buildings that have occupancy.

[teddifax]

I live in Forrest Green and yes they are modernizing all the units here, but the Round Tower sadly has not been maintained. The grounds are not taken care of.

[Keith P.]

I can't believe this got approved. With all the talk of fixing Main St. Dartmouth these past years, this is a huge step backwards. We didn't need another gas station.

This isn't Main St's biggest problem. The other side of the street, with it's weed dispensaries, head shops, tattoo parlor, pawn shops, sex toy emporium and various other sketchy enterprises needs to be razed.

I noticed the other day that the C-store being built abuts almost directly to the sidewalk. A very odd look. The gas pumps are at the center/rear of the lot.

[Jstaleness]

This isn't Main St's biggest problem. The other side of the street, with it's weed dispensaries, head shops, tattoo parlor, pawn shops, sex toy emporium and various other sketchy enterprises needs to be razed.


I'll buy that they may not be everyone's favorite stores both visually and product offering. I do visit these shops from time to time so they do serve a purpose for me at least. However I never drove down the street worrying about running out of gas.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Has anyone else heard the rumour that the Round Tower in Clayton Park at 200 Willett is going to be demolished and the site rebuilt. I live across the street and have been noticing the seemingly alarming number of vacant windows and was recently told that leases are not being renewed and they are emptying out the building. I don't know if this also includes the low-rise apartment buildings behind this one. There have been various owners of this property over the years and none have taken good care of the property. I wonder what will be built there.....

That would be a shame as it is one of the few buildings built around here during that era that has some character.

Hopefully it will just be a gutting and renovation from the interior side.

[stevencourchene]

This isn't Main St's biggest problem. The other side of the street, with it's weed dispensaries, head shops, tattoo parlor, pawn shops, sex toy emporium and various other sketchy enterprises needs to be razed.

I noticed the other day that the C-store being built abuts almost directly to the sidewalk. A very odd look. The gas pumps are at the center/rear of the lot.

why are you narrow minded! get out of our city and move to the country where none of the "sketchy places are"

we are a small but still a city and need places of all kinds.

i understand that the store fronts don't look new and the most appealing but theses are all stores we need.

i don't smoke and wont but i am a realist and realize people do and they need their store to get it for what ever reason they choose also head shop and tattoo parlor same thing people get tattoos and hair done and want not and everyone in the world has a reason at one point or another to use a convenient located sex shop and if you haven't found that you did you may want to start by going in and seeing what theses places could offer you in life.

these stores are not huge money making companies and need a place to be and affordable and convenient.

also may i ad last year it was found nova Scotians purchase the most sex related and novelty products then any other place in Canada but yet we have the smallest amount of places to shop for such items then the rest of Canada

night magic use the to be best.

[Keith P.]

why are you narrow minded! get out of our city and move to the country where none of the "sketchy places are"

we are a small but still a city and need places of all kinds.

i understand that the store fronts don't look new and the most appealing but theses are all stores we need.

i don't smoke and wont but i am a realist and realize people do and they need their store to get it for what ever reason they choose also head shop and tattoo parlor same thing people get tattoos and hair done and want not and everyone in the world has a reason at one point or another to use a convenient located sex shop and if you haven't found that you did you may want to start by going in and seeing what theses places could offer you in life.

these stores are not huge money making companies and need a place to be and affordable and convenient.

also may i ad last year it was found nova Scotians purchase the most sex related and novelty products then any other place in Canada but yet we have the smallest amount of places to shop for such items then the rest of Canada

night magic use the to be best.

Geez pal, don't get you split-crotch bloomers in a bunch! :P

I'm not the one posting renderings of a bucolic tree-lined Main St with boutiques and cafes populated by young professional couples pushing designer baby carriages. That is the planning community. Such businesses as I describe and you endorse seem not to be part of the planning credo these days.

[Acadie_1755]

Geez pal, don't get you split-crotch bloomers in a bunch! :P

I'm not the one posting renderings of a bucolic tree-lined Main St with boutiques and cafes populated by young professional couples pushing designer baby carriages. That is the planning community. Such businesses as I describe and you endorse seem not to be part of the planning credo these days.

Who says young professional couples never go to smokeshops, tattoo shops, sex shops or hell, even all three? Maybe they've started a family and have a respectable line of work now, but liked to blaze it and get some ink in their younger years. Main street is a community, not a monastery.

Your habit of pushing the blame on the planning profession as a whole, especially when other forum users call out the flaws in your arguments, has become quite redundant. Planning is not solely about boutiques, cafes or designer carriages, even if a developer or community group decides to market the neighborhood in that way.

[Keith P.]

Who says young professional couples never go to smokeshops, tattoo shops, sex shops or hell, even all three? Maybe they've started a family and have a respectable line of work now, but liked to blaze it and get some ink in their younger years. Main street is a community, not a monastery.

Your habit of pushing the blame on the planning profession as a whole, especially when other forum users call out the flaws in your arguments, has become quite redundant. Planning is not solely about boutiques, cafes or designer carriages, even if a developer or community group decides to market the neighborhood in that way.


Could have fooled me. :rolleyes:

[Franco401]

Could have fooled me. :rolleyes:

Brilliant retort. Thanks for your contributions.

[Keith P.]

Brilliant retort. Thanks for your contributions.

Always glad to assist.

The planning profession really does need a shakeup. It continues to push for the One True Way for development even though that does not fit what many people want. The lack of flexibility in thinking really makes many in the profession seem out of touch and rather foolish.

[Jonovision]

Work on the south side of Province House is now in full swing.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1838/29093095287_79cede162b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LjRHDa)20180813_161435 (https://flic.kr/p/LjRHDa) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1795/43300776444_0d2e5bc7a2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28YkNg7)20180813_161444 (https://flic.kr/p/28YkNg7) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[Jonovision]

Bell Lofts update

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/44036952151_67fe112a79_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2a6oTDH)20180814_101839 (https://flic.kr/p/2a6oTDH) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[HalifaxRetales]

I figure you folks will like to read this
I have a guest post on my blog today about 10-minute Neighbourhoods in HRM (https://halifax.retales.ca/2018/08/10-minute-neighbourhoods/)

https://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/bloomfield-595x421.png

[eastcoastal]

I figure you folks will like to read this
I have a guest post on my blog today about 10-minute Neighbourhoods in HRM (https://halifax.retales.ca/2018/08/10-minute-neighbourhoods/)

https://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/bloomfield-595x421.png

Enjoyed that thoroughly.

Thanks

[mleblanc]

I figure you folks will like to read this
I have a guest post on my blog today about 10-minute Neighbourhoods in HRM (https://halifax.retales.ca/2018/08/10-minute-neighbourhoods/)

https://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/bloomfield-595x421.png

I enjoyed the read, and as someone who lives in one of these 10 minute neighborhoods, I agree fully on the concept. The only thing I'm confused on is grocery stores. Both Agricola and Gottingen's closest ones are either Young St, Barrington St, or Pete's on Dresden, unless I'm forgetting something?

[teddifax]

Sobeys at North and Windsor and Superstore on Young St. too...

[HalifaxRetales]

I enjoyed the read, and as someone who lives in one of these 10 minute neighborhoods, I agree fully on the concept. The only thing I'm confused on is grocery stores. Both Agricola and Gottingen's closest ones are either Young St, Barrington St, or Pete's on Dresden, unless I'm forgetting something?

The grocery is cumulative of specialty grocers and corner stores
JJ Mart, Ratinaud, Lf Bakery, Joes, Tomeh's etc ..

[Keith P.]

The grocery is cumulative of specialty grocers and corner stores
JJ Mart, Ratinaud, Lf Bakery, Joes, Tomeh's etc ..

Pretty big stretch with that. Those aren't the kind of places where you will buy toilet paper and cat food.

[someone123]

Pretty big stretch with that. Those aren't the kind of places where you will buy toilet paper and cat food.

I don't think it's quite right to say that there's a choice to be made between frequent shopping or loading up at Costco once a month.

It is nice to be able to shop at a good butcher instead of buying a 30 kilo bag of chicken breasts that sits in your freezer for months. There is no similar advantage to buying artisanal toilet paper or tiny bottles of dish soap every few days.

The boring, standard, nonperishable stuff you want to pick up in a car infrequently. The other stuff (perishable, unpredictable) you want closer to your house so that you can easily buy it when you need it. So actually I think it is true that these neighbourhoods have a good mix of amenities.

I'm not sure what the car sharing situation is in Halifax these days but in a lot of cities a mix of short term car rentals, ride services, and online shopping have made it easy to get buy in walkable neighbourhoods without owning a car that you'd only use once a week or so.

[JET]

Pretty big stretch with that. Those aren't the kind of places where you will buy toilet paper and cat food.

The pharmacy at Cornwallis and Gottingen will sort you out nicely if that all you need.

[Keith P.]

The pharmacy at Cornwallis and Gottingen will sort you out nicely if that all you need.

At an artisinal price, no doubt (BTW are we still allowed to say the word "Cornwallis" in HRM The Good?).

I find this a rather curious exercise, as it is an offshoot of the planning dogma that the only truly acceptable way to get around a city is by walking. I suppose cycling would be an acceptable alternative. Older folks or those with mobility issues I guess are out of luck and unwelcome if they require a vehicle. Perhaps all should be banished to suburbia and let the hipsters take over the core of the city to enjoy their artisinal lattes and food with mysterious, previously unheard of but undoubtedly hip ingredients.

[Hali87]

I live in the "22" zone and both the Young Street Superstore and North/Windsor Sobeys are within a 10 minute walk of my house. I generally buy a week's worth of groceries at a time and carry them home by foot. I realize that this isn't an option for everyone (each trip ends up being maybe 30lbs x 10 min on the way home). These are both open 24/7 except on some holidays. The Shoppers at Robie/Almon also sells some groceries.

There are a bunch of smaller specialty stores along Gottingen, Agricola, and the Robie/Young area (I'm thinking things like Mid East Food Store, Foxhill, Italian Market) and most of the convenience stores in the area do in fact sell toilet paper and cat food. Some of these places are overpriced yuppie type stores but many of them aren't. There's also things like the Tare Shop (bulk foods) opening off Gottingen and Local Source Market etc. on Agricola.

I previously lived near Victoria/Inglis in the South End and that area was about the same (or slightly better - Sobeys and Superstore were each less than a 5 min walk and the Seaport Market was about 10).

I think this exercise is more about "viable places to live if you don't have a car", not "places where people who can't carry 30lb over a kilometre shouldn't be allowed to live". FWIW a lot of units in this neighbourhood don't have space for parking so there will always have to be people living here who don't own motor vehicles (unless we demolish a bunch of housing to create parking)

[mleblanc]

The pharmacy at Cornwallis and Gottingen will sort you out nicely if that all you need.

I've lived in this area for the past 5 years. I visit Ratinaud/LF on special occasions, but no, these little shops do not make up for a grocery store whatsoever. I luckily do own a car, and 90% of the time the only use it gets is to drive to the Barrington St. Superstore. The northern side of downtown desperately needs a small but full grocery store.

[JET]

[QUOTE=Keith P.;8299204]At an artisinal price, no doubt (BTW are we still allowed to say the word "Cornwallis" in HRM The Good?).
QUOTE]

Your reference to artisanal prices reminds me of the Sobeys store on Gottingen Street that always increased their prices near the end of each month. All the bad press they had no doubt resulted in the closure of the store. A Capitol store would have been much better located there.

[Dmajackson]

No details are available but 1874 Brunswick Street is going to Design Review Committee for a preliminary presentation. This is the gray office building located just below The Pearl at Brunswick/Gottingen/Duke.

Anyone have any ideas or insider information?

EDIT: The presenter is an architect based out of St. John's. Fougere Menchenton (http://fougeremenchenton.ca/)

[HalifaxRetales]

No details are available but 1874 Brunswick Street is going to Design Review Committee for a preliminary presentation. This is the gray office building located just below The Pearl at Brunswick/Gottingen/Duke.

Anyone have any ideas or insider information?

EDIT: The presenter is an architect based out of St. John's. Fougere Menchenton (http://fougeremenchenton.ca/)

Steele Hotels bought that property

[Jonovision]

Another infill for Gottingen.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/44574332241_b30608af2c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2aUT72F)20180908_143514 (https://flic.kr/p/2aUT72F) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr