[Halifax] Skye Halifax (1565 Granville) | 66 m | 2 x 21 fl | U/C - Page 9

Keith P. · #**161** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 12:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwick16

The HRM just put out a list of projects and expiry dates. It was posted somewhere but I am not sure where? The development agreement expired in March 2010. However, the report mentioned that an extension is possible but it would have to go through HRM council for approval (so who knows what will happen - it didn't get the necessary votes to pass the first time. Instead it passed on appeal to the NSURB.

Unless my memory is faulty, this is incorrect. It passed council despite votes against by the likes of Sloane and the mayor. The appeal was launched by the obstructionists (HT) who got free lawyer services from Kommissar Howard Epstein. Fortunately the UARB tossed them out in their decision. Unfortunately they caused over a years delay and the world had changed in that time.

eastcoastal · #**162** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 1:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Unless my memory is faulty, this is incorrect. It passed council despite votes against by the likes of Sloane and the mayor. The appeal was launched by the obstructionists (HT) who got free lawyer services from Kommissar Howard Epstein. Fortunately the UARB tossed them out in their decision. Unfortunately they caused over a years delay and the world had changed in that time.

My memory is the same Keith - HRM approved the project, and it was appealed to the UARB, where the municipality's lawyers had to defend the decision.

fenwick16 · #**163** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 1:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Unless my memory is faulty, this is incorrect. It passed council despite votes against by the likes of Sloane and the mayor. The appeal was launched by the obstructionists (HT) who got free lawyer services from Kommissar Howard Epstein. Fortunately the UARB tossed them out in their decision. Unfortunately they caused over a years delay and the world had changed in that time.

I am wrong - the council voted 15 - 5 in favour - page 20 of this report - http://www.halifax.ca/council/documents/C060321.pdf . I was confusing it with the vote in the Waterside Project.

I am glad that so many councillors were in favour of this project. It should easily get an extension (at least I hope, since the downtown needs more residential units).

someone123 · #**164** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 9:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Unless my memory is faulty, this is incorrect. It passed council despite votes against by the likes of Sloane and the mayor. The appeal was launched by the obstructionists (HT) who got free lawyer services from Kommissar Howard Epstein. Fortunately the UARB tossed them out in their decision. Unfortunately they caused over a years delay and the world had changed in that time.

I find it strange that the deadline for construction was set before the delay caused by the URB.

The whole UG story is pretty sad. The TexPark came down in, what, 2004 or something?

halifaxboyns · #**165** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 4:17 AM**

The deadline for construction is specified in the DA; but what I don't understand is: isn't the date changed because of the URB appeal? I thought it was?

worldlyhaligonian · #**166** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 4:40 AM**

If Waterton tower 2 gets underway, I believe we could legitimately see the UG towers happen if enough of the development is turned to residential and retail is lined up.

someone123 · #**167** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 5:38 AM**

The original United Gulf proposal was mostly condos, along with a smaller hotel component (the narrower tower on Sackville Street). There was some office space included but I think it was small-scale stuff to be located on a second floor - maybe offices for United Gulf or doctor's offices and so on.

I am having troubles finding the original DA for this development but it was granted on March 21, 2006 and the expiry date was March 21, 2010. This to me strongly suggests that the date was not changed based on the URB hearing.

fenwick16 · #**168** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 11:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

The deadline for construction is specified in the DA; but what I don't understand is: isn't the date changed because of the URB appeal? I thought it was?

That would make a lot of sense but according to this document it expired on March 21/2010 - http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/101012cai04.pdf .

However, since the HRM council vote was 15 - 5 in favour of this project, I would assume that it would get an extension.

beyeas · #**169** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 11:31 AM**

I personally think that Lady MacSaberi doth protest too much.

The more he says "I am definitely not selling. Nope, no way am I selling. Totally 110% committed to this. I would never ever in a million years sell this. Well, I mean if someone made me an offer I can't refuse I would have to consider it. But there is absolutely no way I am selling.", the more it sounds to me like he is trying to bait an offer if it is lucrative enough. It would not surprise me if he is hoping to make a profit off the downtown land and use it to help offset some of his other projects (especially given the issues that have been reported about some of those projects). Might be wrong, but I just feel suspicious when some ones protests that strongly.

beyeas · #**170** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 11:31 AM**

sorry... double post

ScovaNotian · #**171** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 11:51 AM**

Would anyone know since when UG has owned the lot? Did they own Texpark, or did they buy it only around 2004?

sdm · #**172** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 1:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyeas

I personally think that Lady MacSaberi doth protest too much.

The more he says "I am definitely not selling. Nope, no way am I selling. Totally 110% committed to this. I would never ever in a million years sell this. Well, I mean if someone made me an offer I can't refuse I would have to consider it. But there is absolutely no way I am selling.", the more it sounds to me like he is trying to bait an offer if it is lucrative enough. It would not surprise me if he is hoping to make a profit off the downtown land and use it to help offset some of his other projects (especially given the issues that have been reported about some of those projects). Might be wrong, but I just feel suspicious when some ones protests that strongly.

Hence why i stated that when i read the article is came accross to me that "its for sale"

HRM · #**173** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 3:38 PM**

Agreed. There's no other way to read it. The site is for sale. I'm sure feelers were put out to the deep pockets in town long before the CH article. Seems like saving face PR 101 when an org cannot proceed with a project.

Today - "it's not for sale, unless someone offers top dollar."

Future date - "someone made an offer I couldn't refuse."

That was my first impression anyway.

beyeas · #**174** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 3:40 PM**

yeah before the most recent article I thought it might be for sale. But after that last one where he makes the point to say about "unless it was an offer I can't refuse", at that point you are practically putting the For Sale sign on the front lawn.

halifaxboyns · #**175** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 5:33 PM**

Scova> They would've owned the lot once the RFP (request for proposals) closed. It was all part of a public sale; so the garage was HRM's but they took it down and sold the lot to UG.

I got the impression the lot was for sale too - so I guess we'll see. I really hope that Halifax doesn't start turning into Calgary where developers come up with lavish proposals and get the zoning (or in this case a DA) approved and then sell it to someone else. That kind of speculation lead to the big crash out here. One developer (Torode) did it so much that now their big project in Victoria Park is totally stalled since they went under. Two other buildings are only partially complete. Shame too; nice projects!

someone123 · #**176** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 7:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I got the impression the lot was for sale too - so I guess we'll see. I really hope that Halifax doesn't start turning into Calgary where developers come up with lavish proposals and get the zoning (or in this case a DA) approved and then sell it to someone else. That kind of speculation lead to the big crash out here. One developer (Torode) did it so much that now their big project in Victoria Park is totally stalled since they went under. Two other buildings are only partially complete. Shame too; nice projects!

The difference is that they seem to actually build things in Calgary sometimes.

The ratio of talk to actual construction in the downtown area is staggering. It is no surprise that the area (roughly Lower Water to Brunswick, interchange to Salter) is doing poorly when there has been so little investment during the past 20 years. This particular case is primarily the fault of the city since they should have done a conditional sale.

As far as I know there also haven't been any starts on the Barrington projects (NFB, Green Lantern, etc.).

sdm · #**177** Posted **Oct 25, 2010, 8:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

The difference is that they seem to actually build things in Calgary sometimes.

The ratio of talk to actual construction in the downtown area is staggering. It is no surprise that the area (roughly Lower Water to Brunswick, interchange to Salter) is doing poorly when there has been so little investment during the past 20 years. This particular case is primarily the fault of the city since they should have done a conditional sale.

As far as I know there also haven't been any starts on the Barrington projects (NFB, Green Lantern, etc.).

Well that backs up my favorite saying as of late, the only people getting rich in Halifax are architects

worldlyhaligonian · #**178** Posted **Oct 26, 2010, 1:00 AM**

I don't think we'll see too much more new construction this fall.

However, I think next year is going to be big!

worldlyhaligonian · #**179** Posted **Oct 26, 2010, 1:01 AM**

I didn't read it as for sale at all...

someone123 · #**180** Posted **Oct 26, 2010, 1:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

I don't think we'll see too much more new construction this fall.

However, I think next year is going to be big!

Hopefully some combination of the Alexander, Salter, and Waterside Centre can move forward relatively soon.