[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed - Page 165

halifaxboyns · #**3281** Posted **Dec 9, 2012, 4:46 AM**

I would assume that it's quite likely the floor plate/layout will have to be significantly changed. But considering the RFP had detailed specifications on the size of the meeting space, number or rooms and meeting spaces and all that - any changes to the design of Nova Centre would have taken all of that into account.

Some of the comments in that presentation are quite surprising in terms of what we are losing out on with the current WTCC. Here are some quotes. From June 2007 to June 2010 (Lost business):

80 Conferences.
$10 million in revenue for the WTCC lost
Over 75,000 delegates.
129,000 room nights.
$108 million in direct expenditures.

This is on slide 32. Slide 33 is an interesting list of places that say they require a new centre to consider Halifax. There are 17 groups in that list, if we got even 8 of those events that would be a major boost!

worldlyhaligonian · #**3282** Posted **Dec 9, 2012, 1:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

I think pedways are a bad bad idea.

How?

worldlyhaligonian · #**3283** Posted **Dec 9, 2012, 1:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzyWuz

Did anyone see Peggy Cameron's latest rant in the Coast? It's time to say out loud that she is either a liar or an idiot. She stated that the government money was 375m. She stated that the Nova Center goes against HRMbD. She's saying it will need LUB amendments and public hearings and there's still a chance to vote it down. The only explanation I see is that she is deliberately aiming to lie to the public.

She has zero credibility or influence over the project. The Coast is not the best venue for her to be trying to be involved in the discussion anyway.

Realistically, all the naysayers have varied reasons for being against this, but false info doesn't become true at the end of the day.

Allegations made by the anti-groups are simply allegations and the public engagement process came up with a great end product that will be refined and finalized.

Like someone123 already stated, the decision has been made already to build a new trade centre. Its obvious that the current one isn't sufficient. We do live in a democracy, implying that not everybody is going to agree, but our council and government somehow were smart enough to get this to the stage where it will be built. So contribute or be quiet.

someone123 · #**3284** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 3:06 AM**

There was an article about the Nova Centre in ANS tonight. Joe Ramia is planning to make an announcement about tenants soon. BMO was mentioned but they said they haven't made a decision yet. The article also stated that the plan is to move forward with construction on all components of the development (convention centre, 2x office towers, hotel) in the spring. That goes against some of the speculation about staging we've seen in this thread in the past.

fenwick16 · #**3285** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 3:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

There was an article about the Nova Centre in ANS tonight. Joe Ramia is planning to make an announcement about tenants soon. BMO was mentioned but they said they haven't made a decision yet. The article also stated that the plan is to move forward with construction on all components of the development (convention centre, 2x office towers, hotel) in the spring. That goes against some of the speculation about staging we've seen in this thread in the past.

That is good news. I would hate to see the Nova Centre become a platform of the next provincial election.

eastcoastal · #**3286** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 11:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

How?

I think pedways are bad because I believe they dilute street activity. I know this is Canada, but the weather is not so bad in Halifax that we need to shield ourselves from going outside as much as possible.

I think they're particularly dangerous for Halifax because our density is not so great, and I feel like healthy streets are either non-existant, or tenuous where they do exist.

Jonovision · #**3287** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 12:59 PM**

Construction cam went up this morning!

http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/halifax/nova-centre-construction.html

RyeJay · #**3288** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 2:03 PM**

Nice view!! Wow!!

I realise this is a large development, on paper... But with this cam's view, I'm starting to more appreciate just how big this project is.

-Harlington- · #**3289** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 2:48 PM**

Nice view of the site and the skyline

beyeas · #**3290** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyeJay

Nice view!! Wow!!

I realise this is a large development, on paper... But with this cam's view, I'm starting to more appreciate just how big this project is.

indeed. that is one HUGE hole in our downtown that is about to be filled!

someone123 · #**3291** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 5:38 PM**

I was wondering if/when they'd put a Nova Centre webcam up!

halifaxboyns · #**3292** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 6:49 PM**

I envy you guys for just having rain...I wish this snow out here in Calgary would go away!

teddifax · #**3293** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I envy you guys for just having rain...I wish this snow out here in Calgary would go away!

Torrential rain here and continuing mild through the weekend!

Haliguy · #**3294** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 7:41 PM**

Any idea how many cranes will be up during construction?

halifaxboyns · #**3295** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 9:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haliguy

Any idea how many cranes will be up during construction?

Well if the Citadell site has 4; I'd guess that this site would have at least that, if not 5 or 6. We are now talking 3 towers (not 2 anymore).

worldlyhaligonian · #**3296** Posted **Dec 10, 2012, 11:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

I think pedways are bad because I believe they dilute street activity. I know this is Canada, but the weather is not so bad in Halifax that we need to shield ourselves from going outside as much as possible.

I think they're particularly dangerous for Halifax because our density is not so great, and I feel like healthy streets are either non-existant, or tenuous where they do exist.

I don't think they dilute street activity when the current site has no people on it and will bring in tons of streetlife that isn't likely on those floors on a regular basis. It makes it easier for the office workers... with the restaurants, etc on argyle, I don't think those people will be walking the pedways too often, even in the NC restaurants / bars at street level.

Phalanx · #**3297** Posted **Dec 11, 2012, 12:57 AM**

As a regular pedestrian (no car), I make use of both the Link system and the sidewalks. I find the Link quick and convenient when I need to get somewhere with relatively few obstructions, or the weather is poor. Otherwise, quite happy to use the sidewalks.

Given the very utilitiarian nature of the system, I don't think it detracts from street life at all, it's mainly used by people who need to get from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time. It's generally not used by people who would be window browsing or heading out to the pub/restaurant/cafe.

Hali87 · #**3298** Posted **Dec 11, 2012, 12:59 AM**

We just need to make sure not to "rely" on the pedways too much. In Winnipeg for example the streets downtown often are pretty dead, presumably because the pedway system is much more pleasant to walk than the cold, windy streets full of cars going 60.

JustinMacD · #**3299** Posted **Dec 15, 2012, 11:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Harlington-

Nice view of the site and the skyline

Really gives you an idea how massive this project is. Wow that's a huge footprint.

someone123 · #**3300** Posted **Dec 15, 2012, 11:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinMacD

Really gives you an idea how massive this project is. Wow that's a huge footprint.

This view also demonstrates just how low-density and single-use some of the struggling stretches of Barrington are. There are 2 big empty blocks just west of Barrington and Sackville, and another 2 half-empty blocks just to the east. Barrington itself has mostly 2-8 storey heritage buildings. Some of them cannot have apartments on their upper floors due to fire concerns. NFB is totally abandoned, and buildings like CD Plus were marginal (1 usable floor, 100% retail space in poor condition). The neighbourhood is out of balance; it consists overwhelmingly of a certain type of older retail space. There isn't enough residential or office space to bring in customers to drive demand to fill the storefronts.

When looked at in this context, I think it's impressive how many good businesses have managed to make a go of it on Barrington. Even more importantly I think we'll see a huge transformation when some of the new buildings are completed. The difference between having 1 million square feet of hotel/office/convention centre 1 block away vs. two weedy, half-empty parking lots is enormous. Even Barrington itself will have somewhat better buildings in the future (1592 and Barrington Espace).