[JET]

Originally Posted by someone123

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

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

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