General Updates and News

[counterfactual]

Really interesting piece in the Washington Post:

"America is rapidly aging in a country built for the young"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonk...-aging-in-a-country-built-for-the-young/

Although we seldom think about them this way, most American communities as they exist today were built for the spry and mobile. We've constructed millions of multi-story, single-family homes where the master bedroom is on the second floor, where the lawn outside requires weekly upkeep, where the mailbox is a stroll away. We've designed neighborhoods where everyday errands require a driver's license. We've planned whole cities where, if you don't have a car, it's not particularly easy to walk anywhere — especially not if you move gingerly.

This reality has been a fine one for a younger country. Those multi-story, single-family homes with broad lawns were great for Baby Boomers when they had young families. And car-dependent suburbs have been fine for residents with the means and mobility to drive everywhere. But as the Baby Boomers whose preferences drove a lot of these trends continue to age, it's becoming increasingly clear that the housing and communities we've built won't work very well for the old.

I would argue Halifax has a similar policy challenge in the years ahead; we're a very suburban city. That is where the vast majority of growth and development has been, and will be. But at some point, those communities won't be fit for aging Boomers.

[curnhalio]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

Really interesting piece in the Washington Post:

"America is rapidly aging in a country built for the young"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonk...-aging-in-a-country-built-for-the-young/



I would argue Halifax has a similar policy challenge in the years ahead; we're a very suburban city. That is where the vast majority of growth and development has been, and will be. But at some point, those communities won't be fit for aging Boomers.

They'll continue to drive as long as they can pass an eye test and get their adult children to mow their lawns. I don't mean that to sound snarky, but that is my opinion.

It is interesting though that plenty of young adults are moving into properties without lawns, or in townhouse communities where someone else does the upkeep. Makes sense, if you were too lazy to cut grass when you were a kid, why would you suddenly do it as an adult? (unless of course, your parents made you do it at their suburban home they stubbornly hang on to )

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

Really interesting piece in the Washington Post:

"America is rapidly aging in a country built for the young"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonk...-aging-in-a-country-built-for-the-young/



I would argue Halifax has a similar policy challenge in the years ahead; we're a very suburban city. That is where the vast majority of growth and development has been, and will be. But at some point, those communities won't be fit for aging Boomers.

I had to chuckle a little as it seems they are presenting the aging process like it's a new thing and one only to be experience by "baby boomers".

Regardless, I think most of the article could have been condensed into a statement that more senior-friendly housing will be required in the future for the aging "boomer" population.

Seniors' housing is nothing new, and it doesn't have to exist in the downtown. It is every bit as functional in the suburbs as anywhere else, as the burbs typically contain shopping and other facilities to service their small communities, in some cases moreso than downtown.

Although it seems to be a less popular building style now, there are still one-level bungalos available that are better for people with mobility issues. Also, seniors who are tired of the lawn mowing and snow shoveling will often hire companies to do that for them. It used to be that you could hire neighborhood kids to do that as well, though there seems to be a much smaller number of them willing to do that kind of work these days.

There are lots of apartment buildings and condos available in the suburbs that are very popular with seniors, and in Halifax it looks like there will be more available soon in the downtown area - though I imagine the higher rent/purchase price would likely prevent seniors from being able to live there. Not to mention the noise level - I recall a former colleague who lived in Bishop's Landing for awhile complaining of not being able to sleep at night due to the noise level of late-night revelers - he was not a senior though.

That said, seniors' facilities have undergone vast improvements in the facilities themselves, and the care provided. The new Shannex facility downtown is a good example of this.

On the plus side for the younger crowd, the aging population vacating their homes will likely drive the market down to make suburban house-living more affordable for young families and others who choose this lifestyle.

Interesting article, but seems to be slanted a little to provide the hype that seems to be the goal of many media firms these days.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by curnhalio

They'll continue to drive as long as they can pass an eye test and get their adult children to mow their lawns. I don't mean that to sound snarky, but that is my opinion.

...(unless of course, your parents made you do it at their suburban home they stubbornly hang on to )

LOL... you sound like you are speaking from personal experience!

[curnhalio]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

LOL... you sound like you are speaking from personal experience!

Not necessarily. I just suspect that would be the average boomers response to mobility issues in regard to their choice of housing.

Condos have been using "no exterior maintenance" as a selling point for years to entice seniors to purchase. There probably hasn't ever been such a large section of the population about to turn 65+ at once prior to this historically. Nobody in the media seems to know how to handle that, other than to churn out stories based on the theme of "Hey, you're not young anymore. EVERYTHING you did when you were younger is now coming back to bite you, you know where."

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by curnhalio

Not necessarily. I just suspect that would be the average boomers response to mobility issues in regard to their choice of housing.

Condos have been using "no exterior maintenance" as a selling point for years to entice seniors to purchase. There probably hasn't ever been such a large section of the population about to turn 65+ at once prior to this historically. Nobody in the media seems to know how to handle that, other than to churn out stories based on the theme of "Hey, you're not young anymore. EVERYTHING you did when you were younger is now coming back to bite you, you know where."

Sorry, your writing seemed to indicate an underlying passionate response. Was just trying to be humourous, not snarky.

Can't speak from personal experience, but most seniors in my neighborhood either maintain their properties themselves or hire a small company to do it for them. In fact one of my neighbors in his sixties regularly goes to his kids' houses to mow the lawn for them...

None of my friends with aging parents are expected to do that for their parents, and typically as you mentioned, once it gets to the point that it's a problem they have already moved into an apartment/condo/seniors' residence.

The last part of your statement applies to all generations, by the way. While personally born just after the "boomer" generation, so not really sure which pigeonhole I would be shoved into by the media, I find the media likes to crap all over the "boomers" as though they are to blame for everything in the world that the X'ers and Y'ers and whatever'ers don't like. Fact is, no generation in US/Canadian society ever seems to like what the previous generation has done and tends to rebel strongly against everything, basically. This is typically not as evident in other societies, except those that have tended to be "americanized" over the last couple of generations, from personal observations.

Remember - we are all aging and we all will have challenges... and all our kids will hate everything we've ever done...

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Although it seems to be a less popular building style now, there are still one-level bungalos available that are better for people with mobility issues.

Just about the only thing they are building out here in Kings County is senior-styled bungalos. There's a standard design that is a semi-detached (i.e. two unit) dwelling with each dwelling unit somewhere around 900 square feet in floor area. The units are one storey and typically located on small lots with a bit of room to garden but no huge lawn to mow. They almost always have a snout garage. They are going up everywhere here. They make a ton of sense for seniors, but it makes me worry a little bit for the future because I'm not sure who's going to live in them when the boomers all die.

EDIT: Here's an example of the building style, though in this case the lawns and driveways are still fairly large: http://goo.gl/maps/HU1kf

2nd EDIT: And here's an extreme example where there are almost no lawns. This development is a rental development, and I believe grounds maintenance is handled by the landlord. The internal paved network is a private driveway so there's no street view, but the buildings are basically the same as my first example except the garages are flipped to the outside walls: http://goo.gl/maps/HMSe5

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

Just about the only thing they are building out here in Kings County is senior-styled bungalos. There's a standard design that is a semi-detached (i.e. two unit) dwelling with each dwelling unit somewhere around 900 square feet in floor area. The units are one storey and typically located on small lots with a bit of room to garden but no huge lawn to mow. They almost always have a snout garage. They are going up everywhere here. It makes me worry a little bit for the future because I'm not sure who's going to live in them when the boomers all die.

EDIT: Here's an example of the building style, though in this case the lawns and driveways are still fairly large: http://goo.gl/maps/HU1kf

Well, that's interesting. I guess there is a trend for people to retire to rural towns, and they are anticipating the market. In the city (suburbs) it seems all that is going up are $500K+ large two-storey houses, even though I'm not sure who will fill them all. That or townhouses, typically 2 or 3 levels.

I wouldn't worry about who will fill those homes if the aged population declines in these areas - I'm sure that they would be very attractive to first home buyers in the area if there is work for them nearby.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I had to chuckle a little as it seems they are presenting the aging process like it's a new thing and one only to be experience by "baby boomers".

Regardless, I think most of the article could have been condensed into a statement that more senior-friendly housing will be required in the future for the aging "boomer" population.

Seniors' housing is nothing new, and it doesn't have to exist in the downtown. It is every bit as functional in the suburbs as anywhere else, as the burbs typically contain shopping and other facilities to service their small communities, in some cases moreso than downtown.

Yes, it isn't rocket science, but a key point in the article is the infrastructure you're talking about-- apartments in the suburbs-- are just not as common as these single unit family homes, to accommodate the population. I think that's probably right. The ratio of such homes to apartments around Halifax, I would suggest, is quite high.

But it's not just a housing problem. It's also a services problem. I'm not sure what suburban communities around Halifax you mean, but none that I know of are walkable, especially not "moreso than downtown". By walkable, I don't mean there's a sidewalk that takes you places, but that for most daily errands you need a car, and even then, it's a 5-10minute drive. A 45minute walk to a strip mall for a senior with a physical condition is actually 2hours in hell.

You also can't have a hospital and health clinic located in every suburban community. It's just not economically feasible, especially in Nova Scotia. We're already stretched thin with too many health authorities in the province, and already stretched thin with existing health services in HRM.

I don't know. It's don't think it's a simply challenge. Boomers are, after all, the the most self-centered generation this earth has ever seen, so I'm sure they will, as they've done through out the 20th Century, harness all funds and socia/political/economic resources toward meeting their needs.

On the plus side for the younger crowd, the aging population vacating their homes will likely drive the market down to make suburban house-living more affordable for young families and others who choose this lifestyle.

Interesting article, but seems to be slanted a little to provide the hype that seems to be the goal of many media firms these days.

You could easily be right. But it was Boomers who preferred the suburbs; it will be the next generation's preferences to drive the next. It seems, studies show Millennials prefer the city over suburban life: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2014/06/27/millennials-america-suburbs

So, this may also be the future:

Townsend: Ontario’s phantom town
http://spacing.ca/toronto/2009/06/16/townsend-ontarios-phantom-town/

"American suburbs turning into ghost towns: How homeowners are ditching out of town areas to live in big cities"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...ditching-town-areas-live-big-cities.html

"Ghost Town: The Abandoned Suburb of California City"
http://magazine.good.is/articles/ghost-town-the-abandoned-suburb-of-california-city

"An Eerie Look at Ireland's Suburban Ghost Towns"
http://curbed.com/archives/2014/05/27/an-eerie-look-at-irelands-suburban-ghost-towns.php

"A View of the Suburban Ghost Towns Surrounding Charlotte"
http://streetsblog.net/2012/08/24/a-view-of-the-suburban-ghost-towns-surrounding-charlotte/

The Suburban Paris Ghost Town
http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/07/01/the-suburban-paris-ghost-town/

"Recession Turns Malls Into Ghost Towns"
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB124294047987244803

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

Yes, it isn't rocket science, but a key point in the article is the infrastructure you're talking about-- apartments in the suburbs-- are just not as common as these single unit family homes, to accommodate the population. I think that's probably right. The ratio of such homes to apartments around Halifax, I would suggest, is quite high.

Not really even sure how to qualify that, however anecdotally it seems that a lot of suburban construction that I see happening these days in places such as Baker Drive in Dartmouth, Bedford South, Clayton Park, Sackville, etc. are apartments/condos.

But it's not just a housing problem. It's also a services problem. I'm not sure what suburban communities around Halifax you mean, but none that I know of are walkable, especially not "moreso than downtown". By walkable, I don't mean there's a sidewalk that takes you places, but that for most daily errands you need a car, and even then, it's a 5-10minute drive. A 45minute walk to a strip mall for a senior with a physical condition is actually 2hours in hell.

I assume you are referring to elderly people who's condition has deteriorated so much that they are no longer able to drive. In this case they are not walking to the grocery store and lugging home 4 bags of groceries, even if it is within a 5-minute walk radius (which is a very small distance for elderly-pace, especially if they are using a walker) - there are not that many grocery stores in the downtown that would qualify anyway, but regardless this task would typically be facilitated by a taxi or some delivery service - sometimes even younger more-able relatives are kind enough to do this for them.

For seniors with better health/capabilities, they probably still have the same car that was paid for 15 years earlier, and thus are more than able to make the 5 - 10 minute drive to the grocery store located nearby.

FWIW, I'm also interested on how you would classify the suburbs... do you mean anything that isn't downtown Halifax? Does that include downtown Dartmouth? North end Halifax or Dartmouth? Most of those areas are situated similarly to the suburbs, so I'm not sure how to qualify your statements.

You also can't have a hospital and health clinic located in every suburban community. It's just not economically feasible, especially in Nova Scotia. We're already stretched thin with too many health authorities in the province, and already stretched thin with existing health services in HRM.

Typically, even if you live nearby, you wouldn't walk to the hospital unless it were for a routine check, for which there are clinics located all over the place. Even blood collection has been spread all over - the west end, Sackville, numerous private clinics. Again, for the frequency of hospital visits a simple taxi ride will take care of this for those who don't drive.

Boomers are, after all, the the most self-centered generation this earth has ever seen, so I'm sure they will, as they've done through out the 20th Century, harness all funds and socia/political/economic resources toward meeting their needs.

That statement says as much about you as it does about anything else.

However, since you will be forever young and will not ever have to personally deal with the problems associated becoming elderly, whatever work the self-centered boomers are doing to deal with these issues will never benefit you. *sarcasm alert*

You could easily be right. But it was Boomers who preferred the suburbs; it will be the next generation's preferences to drive the next. It seems, studies show Millennials prefer the city over suburban life: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2014/06/27/millennials-america-suburbs

But you are speaking for everyone in your generation. I think you will find many cases where people of your age will have many varied interests and preferences. Regardless, your statement is true - the responsibility of where we go from here is up to the current generation, and will be up to the next generation when you become elderly, and so on... that's the way it works.

So, this may also be the future:

Townsend: Ontario’s phantom town
http://spacing.ca/toronto/2009/06/16/townsend-ontarios-phantom-town/

"American suburbs turning into ghost towns: How homeowners are ditching out of town areas to live in big cities"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...ditching-town-areas-live-big-cities.html

"Ghost Town: The Abandoned Suburb of California City"
http://magazine.good.is/articles/ghost-town-the-abandoned-suburb-of-california-city

"An Eerie Look at Ireland's Suburban Ghost Towns"
http://curbed.com/archives/2014/05/27/an-eerie-look-at-irelands-suburban-ghost-towns.php

"A View of the Suburban Ghost Towns Surrounding Charlotte"
http://streetsblog.net/2012/08/24/a-view-of-the-suburban-ghost-towns-surrounding-charlotte/

The Suburban Paris Ghost Town
http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/07/01/the-suburban-paris-ghost-town/

"Recession Turns Malls Into Ghost Towns"
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB124294047987244803

You may be right - time will tell.

Could always do what they are doing in some abandoned neighborhoods in Detroit - reclaim the land and use it for farming...

[Drybrain]

This little tidbit was in the Herald today—that Chinese firm that's planning big and so-far unknown tourism enterprises throughout the province has more immediate plans to refurbish the Pacific Building into something relatively fancy. If so it'll be another of the major eyesores on Barrington remediated.

On the other hand, they also announced huge plans to renovate some buildings they purchased in Detroit, and have apparently done nothing so far, nor are they maintaining the buildings.

Interesting, anyway,

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

This little tidbit was in the Herald today—that Chinese firm that's planning big and so-far unknown tourism enterprises throughout the province has more immediate plans to refurbish the Pacific Building into something relatively fancy. If so it'll be another of the major eyesores on Barrington remediated.

On the other hand, they also announced huge plans to renovate some buildings they purchased in Detroit, and have apparently done nothing so far, nor are they maintaining the buildings.

Interesting, anyway,

Detroit is literally dead and bankrupt and perhaps a decade away from proper recovery. If I were them, I'd also hold off developing anything in Detroit at least until the city's bankruptcy proceedings conclude and there's some basis for solid recovery.

As for the Halifax proposal for Pacific Building: this sounds great!

One idea being bandied about is an “Asian-focused business club” on Barrington Street, Stephen Dempsey, vice-president of DDI Canada, said in an interview from his Halifax base Thursday.

Business clubs are among the primary activities of the firm, which describes itself as an “international real estate, high technology and lifestyle-oriented company.”

It recently opened one of the newest business clubs in Shanghai, Dempsey said.

“We’re looking at whether or not an extension, a connection to that might make sense as we look at the focus of trade that might go into the future.”

I hope it goes forward.

I also think it'd be ironic that there'd be an Asian business club based in the heart of the downtown core, while the "Halifax" Chamber of Commerce is out in Burnside.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I assume you are referring to elderly people who's condition has deteriorated so much that they are no longer able to drive. In this case they are not walking to the grocery store and lugging home 4 bags of groceries, even if it is within a 5-minute walk radius (which is a very small distance for elderly-pace, especially if they are using a walker) - there are not that many grocery stores in the downtown that would qualify anyway, but regardless this task would typically be facilitated by a taxi or some delivery service - sometimes even younger more-able relatives are kind enough to do this for them.

For seniors with better health/capabilities, they probably still have the same car that was paid for 15 years earlier, and thus are more than able to make the 5 - 10 minute drive to the grocery store located nearby.

This is getting into some sensitive and complex social/policy issues; that is, automobile licensing and seniors. I think suggesting cars as a primary means (or solution) for transportation for seniors with mobility issues is a problem now, and only going to get worse as Boomers age.

"Next to young male drivers, people aged 70 or older have highest accident rate"
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/for-seniors-losing-driver-s-licence-like-having-arm-cut-off-1.1346585

Government officials know you can't "ban" driving for people of certain age groups, so instead you'll see more of this:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scoti...f-driver-medical-clearance-test-1.999058

And this:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundla...g-licences-for-medical-reasons-1.1319219

I'm not interested in going too far down this route-- it's a bit of a rabbit hole of a debate-- but I cite these stories only to say that I'm deeply skeptical about relying on cars to deal with mobility issues for aging Boomers in the suburbs. That may, literally, turn out to be a policy prescription with a death wish.

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

FWIW, I'm also interested on how you would classify the suburbs... do you mean anything that isn't downtown Halifax? Does that include downtown Dartmouth? North end Halifax or Dartmouth? Most of those areas are situated similarly to the suburbs, so I'm not sure how to qualify your statements.

Suburbs are pretty hard to define precisely. It's almost like obscene material-- you can't define it, but you know it when you see it.

I definitely would not view Halifax or Dartmouth north end as "suburbs". A rough definition might be anything off the peninsula, except Downtown Dartmouth and some surrounding neighbourhoods around downtown Dartmouth (incl north end). Once you arrive at Penhorn mall, you're definitely in the 'burbs.

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

That statement says as much about you as it does about anything else.

I was engaged in a bit of lighthearted generational trolling there, to be sure; so in that spirit, I'll graciously dismiss your ad hominen attack on me as a bit of the same. Truth is, however, there's a case to be made that Boomers are the "most selfish generation":

"The Entitled Generation"
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/opinion/keller-the-entitled-generation.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

"'I am part of the most selfish generation in history and we should be ashamed of our legacy,' says Jeremy Paxman"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...-Boomers-selfish-generation-history.html

"Are baby-boomers really the 'selfish' generation?"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/lette...omers-really-the-selfish-generation.html

"Baby Boomers: Five Reasons They Are Our Worst Generation"
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2013/12/13/baby-boomers-worst-generation/

Do these stories "say more" about the New York Times, Jeremy Paxon, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, and the Philadelphia Magazine, than they do "about anything else" ? To borrow your device, please observe a *sarcasm alert* here.

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

But you are speaking for everyone in your generation. I think you will find many cases where people of your age will have many varied interests and preferences. Regardless, your statement is true - the responsibility of where we go from here is up to the current generation, and will be up to the next generation when you become elderly, and so on... that's the way it works.

You may be right - time will tell.

And you as well. We live on the cusp of interesting times.

[hokus83]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

This little tidbit was in the Herald today—that Chinese firm that's planning big and so-far unknown tourism enterprises throughout the province has more immediate plans to refurbish the Pacific Building into something relatively fancy. If so it'll be another of the major eyesores on Barrington remediated.

On the other hand, they also announced huge plans to renovate some buildings they purchased in Detroit, and have apparently done nothing so far, nor are they maintaining the buildings.

Interesting, anyway,

I would hate to lose Chives to this. I also think a “Asian-focused business club" is really stupid, it would make it a dead zone on the street.

I would be really happy if the property ownership extended to the empty lot behind the building on Granville and Blowers and the plans entailed to expand construction there, would love to see that ugly house at the end of blowers knocked down as well

[JET]

Originally Posted by hokus83

I would hate to lose Chives to this. I also think a “Asian-focused business club" is really stupid, it would make it a dead zone on the street.

I would be really happy if the property ownership extended to the empty lot behind the building on Granville and Blowers and the plans entailed to expand construction there, would love to see that ugly house at the end of blowers knocked down as well

That old house used to have a really good camera shop, Reid Sweet Ltd. Keith probably remembers it. Can we not hang on to a couple of old wooden buildings?

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by JET

That old house used to have a really good camera shop, Reid Sweet Ltd. Keith probably remembers it. Can we not hang on to a couple of old wooden buildings?

Yeah, as downtown's blocks get filled more and more with large block-spanning projects, we need a few of these small, old guys to remain to provide low-cost space for small biz. It looks like a rundown old building, but reno'd it could be fine, and fill a retail niche that new buildings can't.

As far as the "Asian business club," I'm far from sold on it (or Dongdu in general, since I know next to nothing about them), but it can't be bad to have some institutions downtown that make the city more attractive to people from other parts of the world.

Plus the facade of the Pacific is in terrible shape. If someone doesn't fix it, it'll eventually just fall apart. if some Chinese developer wants to do better by our city's heritage than we will, fine with me.

[hokus83]

Originally Posted by JET

That old house used to have a really good camera shop, Reid Sweet Ltd. Keith probably remembers it. Can we not hang on to a couple of old wooden buildings?

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Yeah, as downtown's blocks get filled more and more with large block-spanning projects, we need a few of these small, old guys to remain to provide low-cost space for small biz. It looks like a rundown old building, but reno'd it could be fine, and fill a retail niche that new buildings can't.
.

Whatever, something with that rubble gravel parking lot really needs something done with it, its one of the worst looking spots in the city. Last I checked that house looked like it was clad with vinyl siding,

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by hokus83

Whatever, something with that rubble gravel parking lot really needs something done with it, its one of the worst looking spots in the city.

Definitely second that.

[JET]

Originally Posted by hokus83

Whatever, something with that rubble gravel parking lot really needs something done with it, its one of the worst looking spots in the city. Last I checked that house looked like it was clad with vinyl siding,

Google street view shows wooden shingles, unless it's been vinyl sided since then.

[hokus83]

I feel like I'm going to be underwhelmed with whatever Dongdu does in this area, all their info and presentations for here is silly beyond belief, all this fictional representation makes me think they'll do a lousy job. If they ever seem to start getting serious about their 3 billion MOU with the city and provenance I'd be surprised