Halifax Central Library | 27 m | 6 fl | Completed

[Nilan8888]

Today in the AllNS they said the crane is being shipped to Northern Alberta for an oilsands projects.

Does that signify that maybe local growth is dying down? You'd think that if the demand kept up they'd ship the crane off to the next local construction project rather than Alberta.

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by Nilan8888

Does that signify that maybe local growth is dying down? You'd think that if the demand kept up they'd ship the crane off to the next local construction project rather than Alberta.

I don't think so. This crane has a longer boom than most and I think it is used a more specific sites than a standard crane.

[Dmajackson]

New Halifax library gets budget boost
February 13, 2013 - 7:34pm BY LAURA FRASER CITY HALL REPORTER

The budget for the $55-million central library under construction in downtown Halifax got a $2-million boost from the audit and finance committee Wednesday, pending regional council approval.

The chief executive officer of Halifax Public Libraries told council $1.4-million of the extra funds will come from the central library’s fundraising campaign and another $600,000 through a transfer from the library reserve.

Judith Hare told council there would be no risk to Halifax Regional Municipality because the library would not spend any more than it is able to raise itself.

...

([email protected])

Read More: thechronicleherald.ca

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

New Halifax library gets budget boost
February 13, 2013 - 7:34pm BY LAURA FRASER CITY HALL REPORTER



([email protected])

Read More: thechronicleherald.ca

Soo... all you Keith P. haters must feel pretty stupid right now.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Soo... all you Keith P. haters must feel pretty stupid right now.

For what, specifically?

Everyone on this forum, from what I've seen, has acknowledged the library's grand budget. The public benefits, however, are enormous; and no one has to pay for tickets to get in, unlike what Haligonians will have to do to see games at a potential stadium, even after taxpayers foot the bill for its construction.

I also wasn't aware anyone on this forum hated him. In the end: it doesn't matter.

Do you have any opinions of this news story, wordlyhaligonian?

I wonder how much money will be raised once the campaign is launched.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Soo... all you Keith P. haters must feel pretty stupid right now.

Except it's not for budget overruns. All tenders awarded are reported to be within budget. This is an ask to up the quality of materials... vinyl floor to wood, acoustic tile ceiling to linnear metal, etc. If the increase wasn't granted, they would have continued with the design as tendered.

Odd - considering I would have expected the cost estimating to include premium finish rates in the $$ per sq. ft. Still, I'm sure that there is a range of cost/sq. ft considered appropriate for public buildings, and while vinyl and acoustic tile tend not to be utilitarian, they could be considered appropriate for a lower-profile civic structure.

Despite the stated intent for the upgrade to be paid for via fundraising, there is the risk that the money won't be raised, and the municipality will have to provide the additional money itself.

[Drybrain]

City staff recommendation on the old Memorial Library was presented to the Planning and Economic Development Committee today. Basically:

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Community Planning & Economic Development Standing Committee make the following recommendations to the Halifax Regional Council:

1) Declare the Memorial Library building, excluding the lands, surplus to municipal needs;

2) Direct staff to grant an Option Period ending December 16, 2013, to the Assembly of Mi’kmaq Chiefs, to allow for the Assembly to develop potential conditions of occupancy for the Memorial Library building; and

3) Direct staff to advance alternative plans including the demolition of the Halifax Memorial Library and the restoration of the full site as a public park, should the Assembly Agreement fail to produce agreeable terms.

I think if the Mi'kmaq could use the site, that'd be amazing. But number 3 (if not, tear it down!) is more of the usual depressing HRM approach to surplus buildings.

[cormiermax]

I really hope it doesn't become the Mi'kmaq legislature, for so many reasons that makes no sense at all.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by cormiermax

I really hope it doesn't become the Mi'kmaq legislature, for so many reasons that makes no sense at all.

Like what reasons?

(And it looks like if it doesn't, it's another one for the wrecking ball.)

[cormiermax]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Like what reasons?

(And it looks like if it doesn't, it's another one for the wrecking ball.)

Well the obvious one is the Mi'kmaq believing they are an independent nation, a nation that Halifax is not apart of. Would it not be common sense to put your own legislature within your own nation? Also the last thing Spring Garden needs is another stuffy government office, put retail in there or at the very least, a Halifax museum.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by cormiermax

Well the obvious one is the Mi'kmaq believing they are an independent nation, a nation that Halifax is not apart of. Would it not be common sense to put your own legislature within your own nation? Also the last thing Spring Garden needs is another stuffy government office, put retail in there or at the very least, a Halifax museum.

I'd love to see a city museum—that's a brilliant idea. But it looks like it may not be in the cards. If it's between a Mi'kmaq assembly and demolition, I'l take assembly. (Besides, as a city, province, and country, we have to bridge the gulf between First Nations and everyone else. Using the building as their assembly, in such a central and prominent location, would acknowledge the centrality and prominence of their culture to the province.)

[cormiermax]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

I'd love to see a city museum—that's a brilliant idea. But it looks like it may not be in the cards. If it's between a Mi'kmaq assembly and demolition, I'l take assembly. (Besides, as a city, province, and country, we have to bridge the gulf between First Nations and everyone else. Using the building as their assembly, in such a central and prominent location, would acknowledge the centrality and prominence of their culture to the province.)

Again though it just makes no sense. I don't see why the city doesn't just sell the property to the highest bidder. I'm sure they could get top dollar.

[JET]

Originally Posted by cormiermax

Well the obvious one is the Mi'kmaq believing they are an independent nation, a nation that Halifax is not apart of. Would it not be common sense to put your own legislature within your own nation? Also the last thing Spring Garden needs is another stuffy government office, put retail in there or at the very least, a Halifax museum.

A nation within a nation; I wonder where I've heard that before. Sounds so Canadian

[JET]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Soo... all you Keith P. haters must feel pretty stupid right now.

Keith must be away, nice to see you sticking up for him Worldly; good on ya!
Now if I see you joining the TB fanclub, I don't know if I will be able to stand all the love, of course it is Valentines Day

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by cormiermax

Again though it just makes no sense. I don't see why the city doesn't just sell the property to the highest bidder. I'm sure they could get top dollar.

I'd be happy with that, provided that retention/rehabilitation of the building was a condition of the sale. A condo conversion would be great on the site—probably better than commercial, since it's set so far back from the road.

I guess we'll see what happens when council accepts/rejects the recommendation.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by JET

Keith must be away, nice to see you sticking up for him Worldly; good on ya!

Worldly wasn't sticking up for him; Worldly was actually the forumer to mention him in the first place.

So now you too, are cheerleading.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

2) Direct staff to grant an Option Period ending December 16, 2013, to the Assembly of Mi’kmaq Chiefs, to allow for the Assembly to develop potential conditions of occupancy for the Memorial Library building

If the Mi'kmaq do not end up using this space, I wonder if, by the 16th of December, Halifax will have the option of expanding that site by merging it with one or more of the neighbouring sites.

What's going on with that church behind it old library?

[Hali87]

Originally Posted by cormiermax

Well the obvious one is the Mi'kmaq believing they are an independent nation, a nation that Halifax is not apart of. Would it not be common sense to put your own legislature within your own nation? Also the last thing Spring Garden needs is another stuffy government office, put retail in there or at the very least, a Halifax museum.

I think they mean "nation" as in "cultural collective", not as a state with territory etc. I'm all for the old library being used as the chiefs' assembly if they can make it work, although if they can't I don't think that destroying the building would be a good move.

Different parts of Canada tend to be known for embracing the native community or antagonizing it. Which, as Nova Scotians, do we want to be?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Hali87

I think they mean "nation" as in "cultural collective", not as a state with territory etc.

Clearly wrong. They in fact seem to believe that they have a direct relationship with Her Majesty the Queen of England, judging from their antics during the Idle No More debacle by writing directly to her and bypassing the Canadian govt.

I'm all for the old library being used as the chiefs' assembly if they can make it work, although if they can't I don't think that destroying the building would be a good move.

Is this not the same situation that HRM Council got into hot water over regarding the St Pats/Alexandra site? Bypassing policy regarding disposition of surplus properties? I fail to see why/how it can be directed to one group, thus avoiding obtaining best value for an asset disposition. I think this could quickly get into legal trouble.

Allowing the MicMac to use this building under anything other than full commercial terms would be yet another insult to the taxpayer, continuing the pattern set by this project from day one. Shameful.

[cormiermax]

For once I agree with Keith.