General Updates and News - Page 259

Dmajackson · #**5161** Posted **Feb 10, 2014, 6:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by counterfactual

On the other side of Barrington, there is so much wasted space. That Tim Hortons looks like it should be out in the suburbs somewhere, not in an area that ought to be more densely developed.

Why the shabbiness? Is it just cheap owners/landlords, wanting to avoid rising taxes via increased property assessments?

Tim Horton's was built to the standard at the time. After Southport gets built it will see more pressure put on the company to sell the land. This particular Tim's services the South Downtown area which given the high usage of "active" commuting could probably do fine with a large walk-in only shop. Tim's recently opened a beautiful new location in the Bow Tower (Calgary) on the Plus 15 network so I know when prompted they are capable of building great locations. Hopefully a similar one will be built to replace this and/or the Spring Garden location.

As for the shabbiness it mostly has to do with investment. Most of the buildings in the South and North Ends are owned by investment companies that buy up properties, get the rent money until the leases are over, buy up a few neighbours over time, demolish the buildings, then sell them to developers as a package. Some investors will go as far as getting a development agreement before selling the land.

The good news about drive-thrus is the Centre Plan will presumably limit their locations on the Peninsula. Gas stations have been shuttering around the Peninsula for a while now and after land clean-up they can become nice redevelopments spots (ie Bayers & Oxford).

Dmajackson · #**5162** Posted **Feb 11, 2014, 3:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Westwood Group in conjunction with Teal Architects will be holding a Open House on February 10th, 2014 (4-6pm at 1475 Queen Street) for their proposed DHX Building Expansion (SGR & Queen).

Source : WestwoodGroup.ca PDF

Apparently the plan is to get quick approval for this project and start construction in April. The building should be complete in the Fall to complement the new library.

Source : "DANNY CHEDRAWE TARGETS APRIL START AT WINSBY'S" by Amy Pugsley Fraser (February 11th, 2014) - AllNovaScotia.com

worldlyhaligonian · #**5163** Posted **Feb 11, 2014, 8:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drybrain

I dunno, I guess, but that's still kinda unfortunate. They were dilapidated, but there are still more pretty nice old vernacular houses slated for demolition eventually around there, including on Kent Street. I'm also afraid that the houses used as storefronts around that nearby intersection at Inglis and Victoria are potential teardowns.

It's a shame because so much of the neighbourhood looks like this, right next door to 1056. Tear that down, developers.

Come on now, there are plenty of this style of house on other residential streets. I think the main streets of Halifax are developing well... those houses were out of place and run down. I'm sorry, but they don't contribute and the way they were being used as retail was not the best... in fact it was sketchy and I don't think it benefited the area.

Let's get more density (that isn't faux historic) along that stretch and keep the houses on back streets that are "vernacular" intact.

Like that one house on SGR... it needs to go. There are tons of examples in the neighbourhoods of that style.

worldlyhaligonian · #**5164** Posted **Feb 11, 2014, 8:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Apparently the plan is to get quick approval for this project and start construction in April. The building should be complete in the Fall to complement the new library.

Source : "DANNY CHEDRAWE TARGETS APRIL START AT WINSBY'S" by Amy Pugsley Fraser (February 11th, 2014) - AllNovaScotia.com

Nice... quick win for SGR and the area.

Drybrain · #**5165** Posted **Feb 11, 2014, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Come on now, there are plenty of this style of house on other residential streets. I think the main streets of Halifax are developing well... those houses were out of place and run down. I'm sorry, but they don't contribute and the way they were being used as retail was not the best... in fact it was sketchy and I don't think it benefited the area.

Let's get more density (that isn't faux historic) along that stretch and keep the houses on back streets that are "vernacular" intact.

Like that one house on SGR... it needs to go. There are tons of examples in the neighbourhoods of that style.

There really aren't that many though, that have well-preserved finishings and details and that sense of grandeur. No reason that house on SGR has to go. Lots of way bigger cities than Halifax have main streets featuring converted homes. (Heck, some of the big Victorians on Barrington are old mansions.)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting all weepy over a couple of old houses. Just thinking out loud that the "there's plenty more" attitude tends to prevail until there aren't plenty, anymore.

xanaxanax · #**5166** Posted **Feb 11, 2014, 10:36 PM**

Talk of a new Concert Hall has been going on for a while.
http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/938200/...ax-waterfront-considered-the-ideal-spot/

Where would the ideal spot on the Waterfront be for a new Concert Hall. Could one fit in the Cogswell interchange redevelopment or between the PwC building and the Waterfront Warehouse? Seems like lots of attractions are asking for space on the Waterfront now, New Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Battle of the Atlantic, Cunard Block, Queens Landing, People want a aquarium somewhere eventually, and this Concert Hall. Is there room for them all?

Keith P. · #**5167** Posted **Feb 11, 2014, 11:38 PM**

I think we really need a decent sized music/arts venue. I am not sure it makes sense to put it on the waterfront. It could really go anywhere, within reason. It would be good to have it in or near the downtown core to generate synergies with the hotels, bars and restaurants there.

Maybe take a few floors of Nova Center!

counterfactual · #**5168** Posted **Feb 12, 2014, 1:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I think we really need a decent sized music/arts venue. I am not sure it makes sense to put it on the waterfront. It could really go anywhere, within reason. It would be good to have it in or near the downtown core to generate synergies with the hotels, bars and restaurants there.

Maybe take a few floors of Nova Center!

Let's convert the armoury to a Center for the Arts. Here's the Park Avenue Armory in NYC:

kph06 · #**5169** Posted **Feb 12, 2014, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drybrain

I dunno, I guess, but that's still kinda unfortunate. They were dilapidated, but there are still more pretty nice old vernacular houses slated for demolition eventually around there, including on Kent Street. I'm also afraid that the houses used as storefronts around that nearby intersection at Inglis and Victoria are potential teardowns.

It's a shame because so much of the neighbourhood looks like this, right next door to 1056. Tear that down, developers.

I could see that building's days being numbered - it has the same owners as the houses torn down and the parking lot behind. Maybe we'll see a proposal soon.

beyeas · #**5170** Posted **Feb 12, 2014, 1:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by counterfactual

Let's convert the armoury to a Center for the Arts. Here's the Park Avenue Armory in NYC:

I have certainly voiced support for this before, and I think that there could be an interesting opportunity to link a revamped Armoury as a performing arts venue with the tear down of Cogswell and reconnecting the north end with the downtown. Parking is obviously an "issue", but one that could be dealt with. Overall though, I think that this could an interesting project that links the border of downtown and the north end.

I also do agree with Keith that this is not one of the ones that is critical to be on the water. A performing arts venue is mostly going to be used in evenings, and even then not every evening by any stretch, so much of the time it would be a dead zone. What I want to see on the waterfront are things that are going to be actively used for many hours a day and will generate activity on a daily basis (e.g. the new museum proposal)

MonctonRad · #**5171** Posted **Feb 12, 2014, 2:31 PM**

Now this is an excellent idea. Redevelop the armoury as a cultural space with a large concert hall, and (since the building is so large), for other uses as well - such as an exhibit space or with smaller recital halls. This is exactly what the armoury should be repurposed for! Kill two birds with one stone rather than building another monument on the waterfront. This is a real win/win proposition!!

Dmajackson · #**5172** Posted **Feb 12, 2014, 10:20 PM**

The Bay / Eurofax Building Expansion is moving forward. First reading for the MPS amendments will be on Tuesday (February 18th, 2014). A public hearing will follow and after the amendments are in affect the development agreement will be approved separately.

Case 18462 Staff Report

In response to the PIM held in 2012 the exterior of the existing parkade will now be lined timber to hide the concrete.

kph06 · #**5173** Posted **Feb 13, 2014, 9:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

The Bay / Eurofax Building Expansion is moving forward. First reading for the MPS amendments will be on Tuesday (February 18th, 2014). A public hearing will follow and after the amendments are in affect the development agreement will be approved separately.

Case 18462 Staff Report

In response to the PIM held in 2012 the exterior of the existing parkade will now be lined timber to hide the concrete.

The move must have started for CBC, a CBC satellite dish is now on the west side of the building by the side road to Walmart.

Dmajackson · #**5174** Posted **Feb 18, 2014, 6:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Garden Crest Apartments at 5881 Spring Garden Road (Summer Street north-west corner) is planning a commercial extension. The plan is to essentially build a street-level podium two floors high to house the existing restaurant, new commercial space, a residential vestibule, and 2nd floor office space.

This project will add new commercial to the west-end of Spring Garden Road and along with the plans for Carlton Terrace (Thread) next door this will add greatly to the north sidewalks already pedestrian-friendly area.

Google Streetview

Case 19050 Details

The project is considered a substantive amendment to an existing development agreement (from 1994) so it will require a public hearing at Halifax & West Community Council.

The Public Information Meeting for the Garden Crest Expansion will be held on March 6th, 2014 @ 7pm @ 6310 Coburg Road Room 117.

I don't know if it was mentioned before but Daniel Daniel Dentistry will be moving out of the building to some building in the North-End.

MeEtc · #**5175** Posted **Feb 19, 2014, 9:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I don't know if it was mentioned before but Daniel Daniel Dentistry will be moving out of the building to some building in the North-End.

Their new space is being renovated right now, signs are up in the window at the former Living Lighting space on Lady Hammond Rd.

xanaxanax · #**5176** Posted **Feb 21, 2014, 6:22 PM**

Whats going on with the Khyber, apparently the city is really mishandling the issue they are having and mucking things up for them, they closed the building down without notice to anyone because of reports of asbestos but the building was built before asbestos was commonly used so the findings were most likely false or in a very small limited area from renovations at some point in time to a limited area. 1. According to the last study on the building (received Feb 19) it appears as though there are only a few localized spots that need to be worked on and its just for the 2nd floor. Apparently the Khyber is being completely ignored in their requests for updates for a timeline for completing the proposed reno's and reopening and having temporary accommodations provided to them that were promised

Keith P. · #**5177** Posted **Feb 21, 2014, 9:36 PM**

Maybe the city is trying to get some value out of this property instead of letting the handful of Khyber members use it as their personal clubhouse.

I still maintain that the best thing that could happen to this building and its decrepit neighbors is a Cat D-8.

worldlyhaligonian · #**5178** Posted **Feb 28, 2014, 10:58 PM**

A photo update of most of the developments would be great

kph06 · #**5179** Posted **Mar 1, 2014, 9:20 PM**

A couple scraps that don't have their own thread.

New Audi dealership (site of former dealership):

Defense Research Canada new building. This will likely be moving slow, due to multiple lawsuits/liens. Formwork company is suing the general contractor, and the crane rental company is suing the formwork company.

Metalsales · #**5180** Posted **Mar 3, 2014, 8:30 PM**

The Audi dealership is going to be a lot different. Audi has two designs that they stick to and it will stand out on the street.

A big improvement over the previous buildings.