General Updates and News

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by JET

"Arts people shouldn't meddle.." Wow, one dimensional people, they must be the ones that I see on the rear windows of vehicles. I guess if I like the arts, or heritage that's the lot that I can choose from, I have no say in anthing else? Thanks for letting me know.

I didn't create the dichotomy... Read what I wrote again. What do you mean by rear view of vehicles?

I'm pro arts, heritage, and height. I'm a definitely in a minority. The amount of conversations I've had with people from the various camps that won't even budge a bit on their positions creates the divide that you don't believe exists.

I don't blindly buy into any groupthink because some people think they know whats best for all of us because they are "experts" and we are all stupid. i.e. HT folks, etc. The authority of many of these people is laughable.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by beyeas

My 2 and a half year old son also has very strong opinions, and these often do not align with current "dogma" on raising children (e.g., being allowed to run while holding sharp objects), although he is certainly entitled to his opinion.

As such, he too throws temper tantrums and makes ludicrous statements when he finds that simply having an opinion on something doesn't mean that said opinion is better informed than the experts who say that, yes, he does actually need to eat his vegetables.

That pretty much sums up my take on this entire depressing and rather tiring thread.

These are solid points. That being said, the experts in this case aren't talking about something like nutrition which is widely agreed upon and scientifically proven. Or the danger of running with sharp objects.

For example, with the HT... their resources should be used to SAVE heritage, not to fight every development. I wish they would go to Europe and see how the two coexist. If these "experts" were advocating how to save heritage all the time it would make alot more sense.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Anyway, this discussion should get back on track.

What is the deal with this "Boss" development from UG? Is it the first of the 3 buildings proposed?

[OldDartmouthMark]

In other news, is this article in the Herald. Does it sound like the owners of the Maritime Centre could be looking abroad for new tenants?

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/12...ner-hosts-investor-day-event-in-new-york

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

In other news, is this article in the Herald. Does it sound like the owners of the Maritime Centre could be looking abroad for new tenants?

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/12...ner-hosts-investor-day-event-in-new-york

I think they mean equity investors.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

I think they mean equity investors.

That makes more sense, especially when you read their company overview and realize that commercial real estate appears to be more of a sideline than their main business. Was just pondering the possibilities for that property and wondering if the company's exposure at this event could somehow lead to a broader spectrum of potential new tenants for the Maritime Centre.

About Fortis

Fortis is a leader in the North American electric and gas utility business, with total assets of more than $26 billion and fiscal 2014 revenue of $5.4 billion. Its regulated utilities account for approximately 93% of total assets and serve more than 3 million customers across Canada and in the United States and the Caribbean. Fortis owns non‑regulated hydroelectric generation assets in Canada, Belize and Upstate New York. The Corporation's non-utility investment is comprised of hotels and commercial real estate in Canada. For more information, visit www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

https://www.fortisinc.com/News/Pages/For...Investor-Day-in-New-York-on-April-1.aspx

[Jonovision]

This is the new small building going up on Gottingen.

[Colin May]

And in other news, the about to retire HRM Finance Director Greg Keefe told Cttee of the Whole on Tuesday that Deed Transfer Tax in 2014/15 was down $4 million which followed a prior year decline of $3 million.
Building permit revenue also declined significantly. His presentation is available here :
http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/150331cow5.pdf
The proposed tax increase is of little consequence; the retention of existing fire stations and the proposed increase in stations will have little impact this year. The cumulative impact will be seen in future years as new staff are hired and new stations constructed.
The document seems to hint at the projects HRM will put forward for approval under any federal infrastructure programme.

[Dmajackson]

I'm going to miss this vantage point over the next couple of years


Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I'm going to miss this vantage point over the next couple of years

https://41.media.tumblr.com/e6eb7c6b9c968cf2c6a5bfaf6ef21a7d/tumblr_nm5eb4nszs1tvjdq8o1_1280.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

It is too bad that the MacDonald Bridge will be closed to pedestrians for a couple of years but hopefully you will be able to find a good vantage point to get construction pictures of the bridge work. That will be a major project.

The new Irving ship building shed must look very impressive from the bridge.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

This is the new small building going up on Gottingen.

It's almost as ugly as the one to the right of it.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Empire

It's almost as ugly as the one to the right of it.

Yeah, what are they doing? Building a barn up there?

[worldlyhaligonian]

How did they get away with that? It looks terrible.

They better not cover up the original brick at ground level!

[ILoveHalifax]

When I was a kid we'd find some scrap plywood and build a fort in the woods.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Here's a pretty sweet one of Halifax too, just for context.



http://www.governinggood.ca/about/


In my opinion, Halifax has the benefit on an ocean front and large bridges so it is unfair to compare.

Now that Aliant is moving to a new location from the gray building far left, the entire top floor should be picked up by NS tourism. The whole floor could be an observation space. Windows could open with a screen barrier. A restaurant would be a great addition and interpretive space would be a great promotion. If funds allowed, roof top observation could be incorporated. The fee for access to the observation floor would go a long way in covering lease charges.

Also posted: The Great Canadian Skyline thread for CMAs 1 million and under

[pblaauw]

Any truth to the rumour/fact/legend that CSIS occupies the top floor? No chance of it being an observation deck if that's the case.

[Aya_Akai]

Originally Posted by pblaauw

Any truth to the rumour/fact/legend that CSIS occupies the top floor? No chance of it being an observation deck if that's the case.

Several years back, I went in and pestered building management to get up on the roof to take some photos and can verify that CSIS does in fact have offices on the top floor. At least they did at the time on the eastern "wing" of the building (side closest to the harbour) .. the roof has some surveillance equipment on it on that side as well, facing the harbour/Halterm and I wasn't allowed to go up on that side for that reason and had to stay on the "wing" closest to Barrington St.

[worldlyhaligonian]

That skyline pic has already changed alot:

- NS Power
- TD Centre
- Waterside Centre
- Citadel Hotel Complex (three buildings)
- Trillium

And it will be even more different in a year or so (NC, Roy, Maple... and hopefully the Alexander).

Ironic that our skyline is used to sell the city for tourism, yet it is so damn hard for towers to get built until recently. Downtown will be reborn once there are more people living there and less in suburban apartments!

[pblaauw]

Originally Posted by HaliStreaks

Several years back, I went in and pestered building management to get up on the roof to take some photos and can verify that CSIS does in fact have offices on the top floor. At least they did at the time on the eastern "wing" of the building (side closest to the harbour) .. the roof has some surveillance equipment on it on that side as well, facing the harbour/Halterm and I wasn't allowed to go up on that side for that reason and had to stay on the "wing" closest to Barrington St.

I've noticed a few new, uh, things on the roof in the last year or so.
Thanks for the confirmation.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

How did they get away with that? It looks terrible.

I would reserve judgement. There have been a few small projects that have looked like this and then turned out to be quite nice in the end. The Glubes townhouses are one example.