[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed

[Aya_Akai]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

No worries. The post wasn't directed at anyone in particular. I was just vocalizing my thoughts on the recurring NDP = Anti-development theme.

NDP stands for the "No Development Party"

[Phalanx]

...Sigh...

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

[politics]
Just for the record, the most vocal anti-development NDP party member was shut out of cabinet...

I'm just tired of the common "The NDP are anti-(insert development related issue here)" diatribe. You can't paint everyone in the party with the same brush... these views are not monolithic. I support the provincial NDP (federal - not so much) and I'm very pro-development, and I'm pretty sure you'll probably find your fair share of Conservative and Liberal party members siding with, and among the Heritage Trust.

If you want to know how the elected officials feel, why not try asking them? If you feel strongly about a project, tell them.

So before people start accusing the NDP of obstructing projects, some sort of proof would be nice. Until such time, lets keep it apolitical.
[/politics]

Anyway, enough of that... lets just see what happens here.

Totally agree. My thoughts exactly (you just put it a bit more clearly! LOL).

[phrenic]

Originally Posted by beyeas

Totally agree. My thoughts exactly (you just put it a bit more clearly! LOL).

+1

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

[politics]
Just for the record, the most vocal anti-development NDP party member was shut out of cabinet...

I'm just tired of the common "The NDP are anti-(insert development related issue here)" diatribe. You can't paint everyone in the party with the same brush... these views are not monolithic. I support the provincial NDP (federal - not so much) and I'm very pro-development, and I'm pretty sure you'll probably find your fair share of Conservative and Liberal party members siding with, and among the Heritage Trust.

If you want to know how the elected officials feel, why not try asking them? If you feel strongly about a project, tell them.

So before people start accusing the NDP of obstructing projects, some sort of proof would be nice. Until such time, lets keep it apolitical.
[/politics]

Anyway, enough of that... lets just see what happens here.

Agreed. There are many forces pushing and pulling at any party in government, no matter what their politics. One may call the NDP anti-business/pro-union, and that may or may not be true. If it is true, i'm certain there would as much pressure from unions pushing for large developments and the hundreds of trades that would be employed. Look at Saint John. Irving just put aside plans for an 8B$ refinery. The media reaction focused almost entirely on the disappointment of trade unions.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

Agreed. There are many forces pushing and pulling at any party in government, no matter what their politics. One may call the NDP anti-business/pro-union, and that may or may not be true. If it is true, i'm certain there would as much pressure from unions pushing for large developments and the hundreds of trades that would be employed. Look at Saint John. Irving just put aside plans for an 8B$ refinery. The media reaction focused almost entirely on the disappointment of trade unions.

The NDP has historically promoted taxing big business and promoting unions. Big business doesn't like that and will avoid that political hotbed if they can. Michelin has hinted more than once that they wouldn't be able to operated in NS if they were unionized. Gloss over all you want that all parties are the same etc. but the bottom line is we have a majority government who has been know to make big buisness nervous and we are on the wrong side of the fence to tap into federal cash from a POLITICAL perspective and let's face it, that is what we are talking about. So far there have been no good news stories come out of the NDP power seize. Just on the brink of many bad news stories, we'll see when the budget is tabled in the fall.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by Empire

The NDP has historically promoted taxing big business and promoting unions. Big business doesn't like that and will avoid that political hotbed if they can. Michelin has hinted more than once that they wouldn't be able to operated in NS if they were unionized. Gloss over all you want that all parties are the same etc. but the bottom line is we have a majority government who has been know to make big buisness nervous and we are on the wrong side of the fence to tap into federal cash from a POLITICAL perspective and let's face it, that is what we are talking about. So far there have been no good news stories come out of the NDP power seize. Just on the brink of many bad news stories, we'll see when the budget is tabled in the fall.

Give the government a chance to establish a record before you start attacking it. Dexter is on record as saying that he has no intention of rocking the boat when it comes to businesses in the province, and understands that healthy businesses are good for everybody. Where is all this bad news that we're on the brink of? Surely you have some articles to share? Or are you just reading tea leaves?

As for being on the wrong side politically for getting federal cash... take it out on the federal government for playing petty politics, then, not the local government. And before you point out that this is nothing new... I know. I didn't like it when the Liberals did it, and I feel no differently about the Conservatives. What does it say about the democratic system when we feel obligated to vote a certain way just to kowtow to the federal party to get a handout?

Anyway, can we please get back to discussing what's actually happening with the convention centre? There's a sub-forum for business and politics, so if we're going to continue with this, why don't we take it there?

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

Give the government a chance to establish a record before you start attacking it. Dexter is on record as saying that he has no intention of rocking the boat when it comes to businesses in the province, and understands that healthy businesses are good for everybody. Where is all this bad news that we're on the brink of? Surely you have some articles to share? Or are you just reading tea leaves?

Dexter is rocking the boat just by being there. The tea leaves say federal money for the library, the Atlantic Gateway, federal transfer payments and all NS provincial infrastructure projects just became a tad harder to get.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by Empire

Dexter is rocking the boat just by being there. The tea leaves say federal money for the library, the Atlantic Gateway, federal transfers payments and all NS provincial infrastructure projects just became a tad harder to get.

Fine, fine... lets just do away with provincial governments altogether, then. Apparently they only work when the governing party is the same as the federal government anyway, right? Premiers will be appointed rather than elected... Work for you? Silly NDP party... thinking they could take part in the democratic process like that.

Like I said, take it up with the federal government if you have problems with how federal funding is going to be distributed. Don't blame the provincial government.

Anyway... next reply in the Business and Politics forum, no? Should there be one, anyway.

[Barrington south]

says in the Atlantic Restaurant Industry news that the first stages of construction....or rather destruction.....of the existing buildings...could start this autum...it also states that the city and Provence are committed to having the center up and running by jan 2013

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Barrington south

says in the Atlantic Restaurant Industry news that the first stages of construction....or rather destruction.....of the existing buildings...could start this autum...it also states that the city and Provence are committed to having the center up and running by jan 2013

Perfect....a new gravel parking lot with a rope fence.

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by Empire

Perfect....a new gravel parking lot with a rope fence.

Not really, if they stick to that timeline. up and running by Jan 2013? its already Aug 2009.

[sdm]

Originally Posted by Barrington south

says in the Atlantic Restaurant Industry news that the first stages of construction....or rather destruction.....of the existing buildings...could start this autum...it also states that the city and Provence are committed to having the center up and running by jan 2013

all that is committed is a memo of understanding, hardly anything i would run around holding faith on.

Besides, with out federal funding and the province in the shape the NDP claim i doubt they will meet that timeline. Shame, but until i see a crane i won't get too excited about it as there are a number of smaller projects that haven't even started.

The buildings will however come down for sure, and soon.

[Jonovision]

News on new trade centre coming soon, premier says

By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter
Fri. Sep 4 - 4:46 AM

News about a new World Trade and Convention Centre in downtown Halifax is coming soon, Premier Darrell Dexter said Thursday.

Mr. Dexter said the project is one of many announced by the previous Tory government that has been under review.

"The trade and convention centre question is one that I’ve had a close look at," Mr. Dexter said after Thursday’s cabinet meeting.

"It is a matter that we’re still considering closely, and shortly we’ll have more news on it."

Former premier Rodney MacDonald announced the proposed Nova Centre on the morning of May 4. His minority government went down to defeat at suppertime that day.

The project has a price tag of about $300 million, though the province’s share hasn’t been determined.

Developer Rank Inc., led by Joseph Ramia, was chosen for the project. Mr. Ramia couldn’t be reached for comment.

Coun. Dawn Sloane (Halifax Downtown) said she had faith the new NDP government would press on with plans for the new facility. "Darrell has a good head on his shoulders and the government realizes the World Trade and Convention Centre is a very important infrastructure piece to the city," Ms. Sloane said.

"Everybody would love for it to be built tomorrow, but it doesn’t work that way. It’s not Lego."

At the announcement, officials said the projected completion date was 2013.

Mr. Dexter, sworn in as premier in June, said he would be reviewing the previous Tory government’s infrastructure commitments to see which were solid and had to be continued. The NDP has since received a consultant’s report showing the province could be in dire financial straits if changes aren’t made.

The NDP has not said what criteria it is using to determine if a project will go ahead.

Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott, a Tory, announced in late April when he was the economic development minister that a replacement for the Amherst jail would be built in Springhill, but Justice Minister Ross Landry has said that’s under review.

Mr. Dexter also wouldn’t say what’s happening with a $22-million wellness centre for Pictou County, announced in late March.

With Jeffrey Simpson,

provincial reporter

( [email protected])

[someone123]

It is good that these things are being reviewed in a timely fashion. Hopefully the news will be concrete and come fairly soon. This is a really key site in the downtown.

The political speculation seems fairly pointless without real details. The "NDP are leftist, which means bad economy" argument is overly-simplified and the relationship of the province to the federal government is complicated as well. One could just as easily point out that this new provincial government is mostly supported by more urban parts of the province, so maybe we'll see a better balance between spending in the city vs. rural areas.

[Barrington south]

[QUOTE=sdm;4416539]
Shame, but until i see a crane i won't get too excited about it as there are a number of smaller projects that haven't even started.

QUOTE]

I am definitely a convert to this train of thought....for about the last 4 years anyway

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

Coun. Dawn Sloane (Halifax Downtown) said she had faith the new NDP government would press on with plans for the new facility. "Darrell has a good head on his shoulders and the government realizes the World Trade and Convention Centre is a very important infrastructure piece to the city," Ms. Sloane said.

"Everybody would love for it to be built tomorrow, but it doesn’t work that way. It’s not Lego."

Seriously? This is possibly the funniest development related quote of the year. Am I reading this properly?

[worldlyhaligonian]

I had to post again, and just say wow. Really? I thought Lego was the most popular building material out there (next to vinyl siding that is).

How long would it take to construct the entire Nova Centre completely out of Lego? I'd say longer than traditional construction methods. This fact alone invalidates any merit in the Lego statement.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

This fact alone invalidates any merit in the Lego statement.

No, the source (Dawn Sloane) invalidates any merit in any comment she makes.

[terrynorthend]

CTV and several City Councilors reporting that an announcement should be made on this after Thursday's Provincial Cabinet meeting. Sounds like its a green light.

Kelly wanted to add a 2000-3000 seat Performing Arts Centre connected to this project (not entirely sure where) but agreed to back off if it means getting the Convention Centre built.