General Updates and News

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

I can't remember if there is a thread for this but anyway, an update on the Cunard lot:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/40808-cunard-block-application-set-winter

Cunard Block application set for winter
December 8, 2011 - 6:33pm By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter

The Cunard Block development project on the Halifax waterfront has now moved on to another phase.

Two conceptual designs for the property were unveiled by Waterfront Development Corp. Ltd. in June, when the provincial Crown corporation invited public feedback.

As of Dec. 1, the project moved forward into the design development phase.

....

The corporation wants to see a mixed-use project built on the property, located on Lower Water Street north of the new Nova Scotia Power headquarters by Marginal Road, that will include an 18-storey apartment tower housing 275 units. The project would incorporate public spaces and have anywhere from 20,000 and 40,000 square feet of commercial space.

Lydon Lynch Architects of Halifax led a team that worked on the two initial conceptual designs. The next phase will move forward with a new team of experts led by Michael Napier Architecture and Ekistics Planning & Design.

....

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2013.

“It’s an aggressive timeline, trying to get the project to a point where construction would begin in 2013, and that’s our intent, and so we’re working hard with all the project partners to work toward that.”

I wonder if this is the concept that they are going with?

(source: http://ourhalifax.com/2011/06/19/cunard-block-development/ )

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

The corporation wants to see a mixed-use project built on the property, located on Lower Water Street north of the new Nova Scotia Power headquarters by Marginal Road, that will include an 18-storey apartment tower housing 275 units. The project would incorporate public spaces and have anywhere from 20,000 and 40,000 square feet of commercial space.

Lydon Lynch Architects of Halifax led a team that worked on the two initial conceptual designs. The next phase will move forward with a new team of experts led by Michael Napier Architecture and Ekistics Planning & Design.

....

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2013.
“It’s an aggressive timeline, trying to get the project to a point where construction would begin in 2013, and that’s our intent, and so we’re working hard with all the project partners to work toward that.”

An 18-storey tower makes me excited, but is the Cunard site not within the same viewplane as...the VIC?

A 2013 construction commencement makes me yawn. I was hoping for something sooner.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

An 18-storey tower makes me excited, but is the Cunard site not within the same viewplane as...the VIC?

A 2013 construction commencement makes me yawn. I was hoping for something sooner.

I think this is a different height limit - 49 meters (post-bonus height) and 39 meters (pre-bonus height); that is, if this is the correct location - http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=halifax,+ns...unty,+Nova+Scotia&gl=ca&t=h&z=19&vpsrc=6 . 49 meters would allow about a 16 storey building, so 18 storeys might require a drawn out process and development agreement.

[worldlyhaligonian]

18 story apartment tower! Well this might actually be huge for the southern downtown/waterfront!

[RyeJay]

Yes, coupled with the Alexander especially; this part of the downtown would benefit from the added variety of dimensions, since nearly all buildings in this area are extremely low-lying, as well as the obvious benefit of a population boost.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Plus, apartments are more realistic in the Halifax market

[wackypacky]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I drove by the site this week and was struck by a number of things:

1. There is still a ton of work to do before this is usable. The site is still very much a construction site.

2. This thing is massive. It looks far bigger than the one last year. Though the track may be the same size, it looks like much more has been added to the site - and the pricetag. I suspect HRM staff did their typical job of inflating the scope of the thing.

3. It looks out of place and somewhat haphazard. I have a sneaking suspicion we will be regretting this decision in a few years.

4. To amplify someone123's comment above, it seems a shame to have sunk this money into the oval when it could have done so much for the entire Common.

From what ive read by you on here your a very intelligent person so dont get me wrong, but this oval will be wonderful and fairly unique to Halifax. You just complained about pretty much every aspect of the oval. I think itll bring the city together; something for all ages to get out of the house in the damn winter, and its just good exercise. I bet the oval will pay for itself in no time just by having less trips to the hospital. Now I don't consider myself an expert by any means, the opposite really lol, so please don;t take offense young lad, but at the same time, if all your posts were similar in nature to this one, I probably wouldn't frequent this site. Might as well change it to ht/save the fuckin view forum.
On an aside, my little 13 year old brother cant wait for the oval to open up so me and him can use it on a semi daily basis and work on our skating together. So there ya go its already brought me and him together. Lets all try to have a bit more pride in our city. Its one of the best and only getting better by the month. PS: Don't be offended Ive seen people get pretty heated towards eachother about some pretty basic stuff lol.

Here Keith have a beerand maybe a lil splilf

[worldlyhaligonian]

Is mother nature going to play a factor in usage?

[someone123]

My understanding was that they had some form of refrigeration so an ice surface could be maintained at temperatures somewhat above zero, so that the sort of conditions happening now would be sort of prime time for skating. That's the only way something like that would be worthwhile in Halifax. Some people think of Halifax as a cold winter type city but the average high in December for example is +3 (in Vancouver it's only 3 degrees warmer at +6).

New York has artificially cooled outdoor ice surfaces as does Vancouver.

[wackypacky]

Originally Posted by someone123

My understanding was that they had some form of refrigeration so an ice surface could be maintained at temperatures somewhat above zero, so that the sort of conditions happening now would be sort of prime time for skating. That's the only way something like that would be worthwhile in Halifax. Some people think of Halifax as a cold winter type city but the average high in December for example is +3 (in Vancouver it's only 3 degrees warmer at +6).

New York has artificially cooled outdoor ice surfaces as does Vancouver.

I know Vancouver tends to be a fair bit warmer but whats New York like compared to hali???

[someone123]

It's about 3 degrees warmer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City#Climate

I am thinking of the famous artificial Rockefeller rink. Perhaps they should build some 50+ storey towers around the North Common as well.

[someone123]

Here is the plan for the Commons: http://halifax.ca/commcoun/pcc/documents/CentralCommonPlan.pdf

It has been updated with the oval. Aside from that it looks similar to what I remember from a while ago. It looks like they will continue with other improvements after the oval itself is completed, which is good news. The other improvements are badly needed.

Another interesting pdf with the Phase 2 plans for extra amenities to go with the oval: http://www.halifax.ca/skatehrm/documents/Board5Phase2Amenitiescopy.pdf

[wackypacky]

Originally Posted by someone123

It's about 3 degrees warmer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City#Climate

I am thinking of the famous artificial Rockefeller rink. Perhaps they should build some 50+ storey towers around the North Common as well.

That would be absolutely amazing and who knows maybe itll happen in like a couple centuries down the road. Can't wait to see it lol. I was actually at the rockefellar rink on new years last year and it was quite stunning.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by someone123

My understanding was that they had some form of refrigeration so an ice surface could be maintained at temperatures somewhat above zero, so that the sort of conditions happening now would be sort of prime time for skating. That's the only way something like that would be worthwhile in Halifax. Some people think of Halifax as a cold winter type city but the average high in December for example is +3 (in Vancouver it's only 3 degrees warmer at +6).

New York has artificially cooled outdoor ice surfaces as does Vancouver.

I think we handle one outdoor ice surface. Here ia a list of some of the dozens of outdoor rinks in Toronto with ice plants.

http://www.toronto.ca/parks/skating/outdoor-rinks.htm

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by wackypacky

Here Keith have a beerand maybe a lil splilf

I don't drink beer and I never use illegal narcotics.

A skating rink like Rock Center in NYC would have been fine. This ridiculous oval, however, is a bad idea and a waste of money.

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by someone123

My understanding was that they had some form of refrigeration so an ice surface could be maintained at temperatures somewhat above zero, so that the sort of conditions happening now would be sort of prime time for skating. That's the only way something like that would be worthwhile in Halifax. Some people think of Halifax as a cold winter type city but the average high in December for example is +3 (in Vancouver it's only 3 degrees warmer at +6).

New York has artificially cooled outdoor ice surfaces as does Vancouver.

I think the last update about the oval was that the refrigeration units could support temps up to +10.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by someone123

It's about 3 degrees warmer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City#Climate

I am thinking of the famous artificial Rockefeller rink. Perhaps they should build some 50+ storey towers around the North Common as well.

Yeah the three big ones in NYC are the one at Rockefeller (which is my favourite to skate on), one in Central Park basically between The Plaza and the sheep's meadow, and the one at Bryant Park.

I'm heading there next week for a few days (wife wants to do some maternity clothes and xmas shopping), and plan on doing some skating while I am there!

[someone123]

When I've gone to NYC it's been in the summer. What I do normally is fly Seattle-NYC, which is like $350 round trip, then continue to Halifax (Canadian airfare is a HUGE ripoff). I also don't really know how to skate so it doesn't matter much.

Sadly I was too busy this year to go back in August and winter trips to Mexico or California are much more appealing.

What's the difference between the oval and the other rinks? Do people only skate in circles on the oval?

[someone123]

So it looks like Jono Developments/Joe Metledge will end up with the St. Pat's Alexandra land along Brunswick/Maitland.

I have not seen the non-profit plans for the site but it's probably better that it was handed off to a developer. This part of the city needs a better mix of private/public development. Non-profits are great but a neighbourhood with 80% social housing etc. etc. is never going to be great.

I do wonder about the timeline for this though. The Trinity site has been vacant for a while and Fenwick is expected to take another 18+ months, which means that we'll probably still have that parking lot at Brunswick and Cogswell for another 2 years or so. Is the St. Pat's development going to push off Trinity yet again? Are we going to have to wait 5 years for the school site to be developed?

[wackypacky]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I don't drink beer and I never use illegal narcotics.

A skating rink like Rock Center in NYC would have been fine. This ridiculous oval, however, is a bad idea and a waste of money.

I was jk, I only drink occasionally and dont smoke myself.