Halifax Central Library | 27 m | 6 fl | Completed

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

I never said it's insignificant. I believe it's a reasonable contribution considering the importance of the library and the importance of the site. HRM clung to the decrepit and very undersized former library long after it was an acceptable home. To me this new library starts to reverse decades of under-investment in both the central library and the peninsula.

I completely agree.

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

Yes this library is expensive, but it's the first signature building built in this city in at least a generation. There's a general feeling that Halifax can't get anything done, has no vision, has no follow through: this library bucks that trend. I can't think of a better location, or a better institution than a library, or a better priority than on community and education, for us to invest in.

We'll see how much residential and commercial development is stimulated in and around the downtown region due to this public investment. Yes, the library is expensive (just like the Nova Centre), but that does not at all mean it's a wasted investment.

As you've already stated, the location is near perfect!

This library is a very appropriate compliment to a city with a growing student population.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Let's build them a movie studio too, and maybe give them a TV channel while they're at it.

You have to have limits. This is PUBLIC MONEY. More importantly, much of it is property tax money. This sort of thing has nothing to do with servicing property. Plus, there are any number of private recording studios in town. Why is HRM taking money out of their pockets?

This is becoming more and more ridiculous with each passing day. Someone should be keelhauled for this fleecing of the ratepayers of HRM.

And now you're exaggerating. The library's budget isn't infinite. It is a limited budget. This is public money, being used for a development that services the public. And the vast majority of the public is in favour of this investment.

We have to invest in our youth, so they don't turn into you.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Keith we will have to agree to disagree. It's clear we have different priorities.

I would love to live near this library, and that's one reason I find it exciting. I get the impression others on here feel the same way. This makes a signature destination downtown that will draw many types of people all through the day and into the evening. Thinking about this building and it's location on Spring Garden/ Queen, I think it just drives home the advantages Spring Garden has compared to the old main street, Barrington:

Public Spaces SG has the Public Gardens, Victoria Park and the small park in front of the current library; three of the best public spaces in the city. Barrington has Cornwallis Square (shabby and dull) and Parade Square (dull).

Residential SG: some of the densest neighbourhoods on the peninsula are immediately adjacent. Barrington South is next to a dense neighbourhood, but hardly anyone lives in the CBD.

Primary Uses SG: Dal Sexton Campus, Office, Residential, Retail, Library, walking distance to VG. Barrington: Primarily office in the CBD, residential and Sexton campus on the Barrington South.

Night time uses SG: Movie theatre, pubs, restaurants, cafes. Barrington: Restaurants, bars. The Metro Centre is nearby but from my experience most people head to Scotia Square or up Rainnie drive when games get out - Barrington doesn't seem to benefit from that traffic, but it's been a while since I was at an event at the Metro Centre.

Add in that Spring Garden is a natural corridor for people coming from most parts of the south end and west end and it's easy to see why it's becoming the street downtown, while Barrington continues to struggle. The big thing downtown is more residents, but I don't think that is the only issue on Barrington.

[Keith P.]

You make it sound like this library project is basically just for the south end. Maybe Glorious McCroskey was right all along!!

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

We have to invest in our youth, so they don't turn into you.

Well, it certainly seems that whatever was spent on you was a total waste...

[FuzzyWuz]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

We have to invest in our youth, so they don't turn into you.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

Keith we will have to agree to disagree. It's clear we have different priorities.

It's somewhat common for people to only approve of public investments in projects when it's a development from which they'll get regular use, regardless if it's an investment that's vital to a lot of people.

Even though I wouldn't use it as much as the library, I would still support public funds being directed toward a stadium, which Keith supports. I support the Nova Centre as well, as does Keith, I believe.

Even though I'm not homeless, I support public funds going to shelters -- as I support public funds going to addiction clinics, even though I'm not a substance abuser. I am doubtful about Keith's support for such initiatives.

We have to think about the broad implications as to why public investments in a variety of areas is necessary, instead of just reflecting upon our own immediate wants.

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

I would love to live near this library, and that's one reason I find it exciting. I get the impression others on here feel the same way. This makes a signature destination downtown that will draw many types of people all through the day and into the evening.

Oh I hear ya on this one!
Because of this library, I wish I lived in Park Victoria again!! Perhaps one day I'll purchase a condo near the Spring Garden Rd area (though, I wouldn't mind renting and returning to apartment life). This library isn't just amazing for our student population, but it makes this area more desirable for families.

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

Add in that Spring Garden is a natural corridor for people coming from most parts of the south end and west end and it's easy to see why it's becoming the street downtown, while Barrington continues to struggle. The big thing downtown is more residents, but I don't think that is the only issue on Barrington.

With all the developments, particularly residential, in or around Spring Garden Road -- this immediate area will be doing rather well in the coming years!

Barrington Street, I'll feel better about once projects like the Discovery Centre Redevelopment begins. I'm excited about the Rowe Building as well, but the snails across the street from the Rowe have to finish up first...

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Weekly updates:

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Weekly updates:

[haligonia]

Where was that last photo taken? The ocean in the background is stunning.

[musicman]

Going to have to go with Citadel Hill.

[hoser111]

I'm glad to see that 4th floor(the orange floor) is skewed from the rest. I saw a few renderings where it was squared off and linear with the other floors and it made it much less interesting IMO.

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Originally Posted by haligonia

Where was that last photo taken? The ocean in the background is stunning.

Originally Posted by musicman

Going to have to go with Citadel Hill.

musicman is right.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by haligonia

Where was that last photo taken? The ocean in the background is stunning.

I was thinking when I saw that what a spectacular view it is going to be from that top floor "living room"!

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by beyeas

I was thinking when I saw that what a spectacular view it is going to be from that top floor "living room"!

Queen Judith may be crying bitter tears until she expropriates it to be her private office as originally planned.

[hoser111]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Queen Judith may be crying bitter tears until she expropriates it to be her private office as originally planned.

Well I must say I was gobsmacked when reading the CH article regarding City Hall's environment committee recommending that municipal buildings should be built with wood (http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/21048...save-money-environment-says-staff-report) and that Keith P. would rant in his comments against Jennifer Watts, and lo and behold, use our new library as an example why wood would be a bad idea! Really? Judith's library? lol

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Queen Judith may be crying bitter tears until she expropriates it to be her private office as originally planned.

I think the only one crying bitter tears in all of this is you...

[RyeJay]

I agree, completely.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

I agree, completely.

Its a bit dramatic... but he does give some insight into the issues that plague Halifax, like some people having control over public funds within their own empires. Its akin to anything in the city, whether it be city hall, you name it.

I think a stadium / Nova Centre is just as important as a library (especially given the internet and the existence of many libraries across HRM) and it seems as though some issues get more attention arbitrarily than others.

We need a library, we need a stadium, we need a convention centre. The issue is who's in control sometimes. All the stink about the nova centre was absolutely ridiculous.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Its a bit dramatic... but he does give some insight into the issues that plague Halifax, like some people having control over public funds within their own empires. Its akin to anything in the city, whether it be city hall, you name it.

I think a stadium / Nova Centre is just as important as a library (especially given the internet and the existence of many libraries across HRM) and it seems as though some issues get more attention arbitrarily than others.

We need a library, we need a stadium, we need a convention centre. The issue is who's in control sometimes. All the stink about the nova centre was absolutely ridiculous.

Insight? I must have missed his political criticisms about public funding for the convention centre and for a potential stadium -- because I've only seem him complaining about the library.