General Updates and News

[JET]

"Urchin is interested in putting up a large residential/commercial complex on the corner of Queen Street behind the historic Sterns building"

I'm confused. Sterns is at the corner of Alderney and Portland, and behind it is where 19 Portland is being built ( not a large complex). Not sure what the Queen St reference is. Perhaps the reporter got it confused. JET

[someone123]

I'm guessing they mean one of the parking lots on Queen Street? It's sort of "behind" the Stearns Building in the sense of being behind it on the same block.

Queen between King and Alderney is a great spot for some apartments or condos.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

Across the street, the upper floors of the Green Lantern building, housing the Pogue Fado, have been unoccupied since Hurri cane Juan damaged it. It’s being converted to office and residential space.

That's great to hear. I found the article confusing though. Is the Green Lantern currently being redeveloped or is going to be redeveloped?

[someone123]

The downtown Halifax article is also a little weird. There's stuff like this:

Another two buildings on Barrington have been restored as well. One is the former National Film Board Theatre, now owned by Costa Elles and Chris Tzanteas, which burned down about 15 years ago.

Isn't it still just sitting there? It was when I was in town a month ago. I get the sense that in most cases the people who write these articles don't even bother personally investigating the situation.

I am optimistic about Barrington's chances but there's a difference between something that is planned and something under construction. United Gulf and the Salter development have been approved for years and nothing has happened. The NFB building has had multiple redevelopment schemes. I'll be happy when we actually see people working at these sites.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

You're right, talk is cheap. Shovels in the ground and crews on site are what really matter. By the tone of the (admittedly confusing) article we should know come spring - it sounds like some of these projects are ready to go.

[spaustin]

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

That's great to hear. I found the article confusing though. Is the Green Lantern currently being redeveloped or is going to be redeveloped?

In a interview a few weeks back Andy Filmore referenced a condo project for the Green Lantern so there seems to be something in the works even if nothing is officially out there in public yet. If something does happen there it would probably be a good thing. The Green Lantern is one of the best on the street in terms of historic and architectural value, but it is also probably the one in the worst shape (NFB doesn't count as it's only a facade!). Would be great to have more people living Downtown too.

[Wishblade]

I saw in the Moncton thread that 2009 population estimates are available now. I've decided to post the information here:

CMA Estimates

Halifax: (2007 - 388.3) 2009 - 398.0 Growth - 2.49
St. Johns: (2007 - 183.7) 2009 - 187.6 Growth - 2.12
Moncton: (2007 - 130.6) 2009 - 133.9 Growth - 2.52
Saint John: (2007 - 125.3) 2009 - 126.6 Growth - 1.03

Economic Region Estimates

Halifax: (2004 - 380.5) 2009 - 398.0 Growth - 4.59
St. John's: (2004 - 251.2) 2009 - 257.2 Growth - 2.38
Moncton: (2004 - 193.7) 2009 - 201.8 Growth - 4.18
Saint John: (2004 - 172.1) 2009 - 172.5 Growth - 0.23
PEI: (2004 - 137.7) 2009 - 141.0 Growth - 2.40
Fredericton: (2004 - 130.7) 2009 - 135.3 Growth - 3.52

Regards to mmmatt for getting this information for us


link: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-214-x/2008000/t013-eng.htm
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-214-x/2008000/t075-eng.htm

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Wishblade

I saw in the Moncton thread that 2009 population estimates are available now. I've decided to post the information here:

CMA Estimates

Halifax: (2007 - 388.3) 2009 - 398.0 Growth - 2.49
St. Johns: (2007 - 183.7) 2009 - 187.6 Growth - 2.12
Moncton: (2007 - 130.6) 2009 - 133.9 Growth - 2.52
Saint John: (2007 - 125.3) 2009 - 126.6 Growth - 1.03

Economic Region Estimates

Halifax: (2004 - 380.5) 2009 - 398.0 Growth - 4.59
St. John's: (2004 - 251.2) 2009 - 257.2 Growth - 2.38
Moncton: (2004 - 193.7) 2009 - 201.8 Growth - 4.18
Saint John: (2004 - 172.1) 2009 - 172.5 Growth - 0.23
PEI: (2004 - 137.7) 2009 - 141.0 Growth - 2.40
Fredericton: (2004 - 130.7) 2009 - 135.3 Growth - 3.52

Regards to mmmatt for getting this information for us


link: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-214-x/2008000/t013-eng.htm
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-214-x/2008000/t075-eng.htm

Since this set of data is for July 2009, by now (Feb 2010) the population of the HRM should be about 401,000. By the year 2020 (10 years time) at 1.2 % growth per year, compounded annually, the population would be about 452,000. It really is time for the HRM to start thinking about facilities like a new stadium.

If the province and city does more to promote growth in the HRM it could be much more than this. At 1.5% growth, compounded annually, over 10 years it would be 465,000 (boom cities like Calgary often see 3% growth per year so this isn't far fetched). It should be pointed out that the population of Nova Scotia is no longer shrinking but has started to increase again. A similar trend happened in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Both of these provinces were supposed to be (or continue) shrinking but are now seeing strong growth.

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

If the province and city does more to promote growth in the HRM it could be much more than this. At 1.5% growth, compounded annually, over 10 years it would be 465,000 (boom cities like Calgary often see 3% growth per year so this isn't far fetched). It should be pointed out that the population of Nova Scotia is no longer shrinking but has started to increase again. A similar trend happened in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Both of these provinces were supposed to be (or continue) shrinking but are now seeing strong growth.

The good news is, if you look at the patterns over the past 5 years, the rate of growth has been increasing tremendously since 2004. I hope it keeps up, but for now were growing nearly as fast as Hamilton, a city almost twice our size.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Since this set of data is for July 2009, by now (Feb 2010) the population of the HRM should be about 401,000. By the year 2020 (10 years time) at 1.2 % growth per year, compounded annually, the population would be about 452,000. It really is time for the HRM to start thinking about facilities like a new stadium.

If the province and city does more to promote growth in the HRM it could be much more than this. At 1.5% growth, compounded annually, over 10 years it would be 465,000 (boom cities like Calgary often see 3% growth per year so this isn't far fetched). It should be pointed out that the population of Nova Scotia is no longer shrinking but has started to increase again. A similar trend happened in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Both of these provinces were supposed to be (or continue) shrinking but are now seeing strong growth.

One of the many this this current council is very bad at is promoting the city. They don't understand two basic concepts. One - a population the size of HRM expects things like a stadium, good transit, big concerts and a top notch library in a location like Spring Garden Rd. Two - by creating venues and infrastructure that should already be in place more people and business will be attracted adding to the tax base.

[Dmajackson]

http://www.halifax.ca/planning/documents/Case15781FactSheetPIM.pdf

Information Sheet for the Dartmouth Oppurtunity Sites List regarding the proposed development of new lands. The PIM is on February 15th at 7:00pm at Dartmouth High School.

On a side note apparently they are renaming Pine St Ext to Irishtown Rd effective later this month (Feb. 15th)

[Dmajackson]

Next week the HAC will be considering the proposed additions/renovations to the Sam the Record Man and adjacent buildings.

Case H00348

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by Wishblade

I saw in the Moncton thread that 2009 population estimates are available now. I've decided to post the information here:

CMA Estimates

Halifax: (2007 - 388.3) 2009 - 398.0 Growth - 2.49
St. Johns: (2007 - 183.7) 2009 - 187.6 Growth - 2.12
Moncton: (2007 - 130.6) 2009 - 133.9 Growth - 2.52
Saint John: (2007 - 125.3) 2009 - 126.6 Growth - 1.03

Economic Region Estimates

Halifax: (2004 - 380.5) 2009 - 398.0 Growth - 4.59
St. John's: (2004 - 251.2) 2009 - 257.2 Growth - 2.38
Moncton: (2004 - 193.7) 2009 - 201.8 Growth - 4.18
Saint John: (2004 - 172.1) 2009 - 172.5 Growth - 0.23
PEI: (2004 - 137.7) 2009 - 141.0 Growth - 2.40
Fredericton: (2004 - 130.7) 2009 - 135.3 Growth - 3.52

Regards to mmmatt for getting this information for us


link: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-214-x/2008000/t013-eng.htm
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-214-x/2008000/t075-eng.htm

I was looking at the chart for all the CMA's and within two years HRM is going to take over 12th spot!

St. Catherine's - Niagara is at 402'000 and only growing by 200 a year so if we haven't already HRM will easily take over their place.

Making it into the top ten will be decades down the road though since the next closest is 489'000 (Kitchener and Hamilton) and both are growing at a rate comprable to HRM.

Just to give perspective on how much larger we are recently Victoria is now 40'000 people behind us.

[Phalanx]

That's all assuming trends remain as they are, though. An Alberta style economic boom (or downturn, for that matter) would have a dramatic effect on population. Granted, I can't see that happening anytime soon outside of some inspired political leadership and following, say, the Ireland model.

The other thing that could improve the growth rate would be the provincial government finally getting its act together on improving immigration, and keeping immigrants here (rather than being a stepping stone as they move on to points west).

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

That's all assuming trends remain as they are, though. An Alberta style economic boom (or downturn, for that matter) would have a dramatic effect on population. Granted, I can't see that happening anytime soon outside of some inspired political leadership and following, say, the Ireland model.

The other thing that could improve the growth rate would be the provincial government finally getting its act together on improving immigration, and keeping immigrants here (rather than being a stepping stone as they move on to points west).

The population will increase dramatically if the NDP does not renew the moratorium on drilling on Georges Bank set to expire in 2012.

[fenwick16]

There is also the potential for onshore gas from abandoned coal mines: (source http://www.gov.ns.ca/energy/oil-gas/onshore/ ). Since coal and oil are both fossil fuels it makes sense that Nova Scotia with its large coal reserves could also have large onshore natural gas reserves. In addition to potential natural resources, Nova Scotia and the Halifax area can tap into its huge educated work force; if the province and city can just keep them from moving to Alberta and Ontario. Many future jobs are seen as being in high-tech jobs and there is no reason, with the internet, that these jobs can't be in Nova Scotia.

Oil & Natural Gas - Onshore Energy
Oil & Gas Onshore

For 40 years, all eyes on petroleum exploration in Nova Scotia have been offshore. Now, the focus has also shifted to what's been right under our noses - or more accurately, our feet.

Some of the same lands that were once mined for their coal are now being mined for their natural gas potential. Coalbed methane and shale gas exploration are making the onshore the new frontier for Nova Scotia's energy industry.

Another legacy from another kind of mining - salt caverns in Colchester County - are being explored as potential storage sites for significant amounts of natural gas.

And Maple Gas is moving closer to establishing the province's first LNG plant in Goldboro, near the pipeline for the Sable Offshore Energy Project, right next to Keltic Petrochemical's proposed operations.

The establishment of the Sable pipeline and other petroleum-related infrastructure and expertise has helped draw attention to new opportunities for exploration opportunities in Nova Scotia.

[MonctonRad]

Yes, it will be interesting to see what is available onshore...........there is a huge natural gas field south of Moncton, purportedly as large as all of the recoverable natural gas reserves in the rest of the country!!!

The key word here however is "recoverable". The gas field in southern NB is located in shale which apparently is much more difficult to recover. Still, this discovery is quite exciting!

You know, Moncton had gas powered streetlights in the 1890's which were supplied by natural gas from the Hillsborough area. It would be great if both NS and NB could benefit from natural gas in the future as well. I have great confidence in the future of our provinces in the 21st century...........our main enemy is demographics. We need more young people NOW and for the future.

[fenwick16]

Is this the McCully gas field being mined by Corridor Resources? From what I have read this certainly seems to have a lot of potential.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Is this the McCully gas field being mined by Corridor Resources? From what I have read this certainly seems to have a lot of potential.

McCully is part of it. They're producing gas right now from several wells close to the potash mines in Sussex.

The field is much more extensive than this and is centered more in the Elgin area but extends eastwards as far as Hillsborough.

In essence, the area of interest includes all the land south of the Petitcodiac River down as far as the Caledonia Highlands.

[spaustin]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

McCully is part of it. They're producing gas right now from several wells close to the potash mines in Sussex.

The field is much more extensive than this and is centered more in the Elgin area but extends eastwards as far as Hillsborough.

In essence, the area of interest includes all the land south of the Petitcodiac River down as far as the Caledonia Highlands.

On shore gas is exciting since that's something that we can truly reap the rewards. Ottawa can't swoop in and take it!