General Updates and News

[teddifax]

Why don't they arrange a summer time restaurant/bar out there, or something to better utilize the space and draw people there? It doesn't really have anything to want people to go there, even with the dressing up of the site.

[HalifaxRetales]

Originally Posted by teddifax

Why don't they arrange a summer time restaurant/bar out there, or something to better utilize the space and draw people there? It doesn't really have anything to want people to go there, even with the dressing up of the site.

They had the last 2 summers and it wasn't well used

[Jreeb]

Originally Posted by HalifaxRetales

They had the last 2 summers and it wasn't well used

Hopefully, once the Cogswell Interchange makes progress this wharf will find a purpose and become more connected with the city.

[teddifax]

On Haligonia.ca, an aerial picture showing Purdy's Wharf at night was posted, also showing the parkade. It looks like it may have been designed to have more stories added in the future. I was wondering if this was possible and that maybe the addition could be office or residential. The photographer is Matt Hayes. I don't know how to post pictures here. Is there something written up on how to do this? I used to have something on it but lost it on another computer.

[Franco401]

I can't find the image you described but what part do you mean?

Edit: wow, sorry about the image

[RoshanMcG]

Originally Posted by teddifax

On Haligonia.ca, an aerial picture showing Purdy's Wharf at night was posted, also showing the parkade. It looks like it may have been designed to have more stories added in the future. I was wondering if this was possible and that maybe the addition could be office or residential. The photographer is Matt Hayes. I don't know how to post pictures here. Is there something written up on how to do this? I used to have something on it but lost it on another computer.

Was it this picture? (From the Canada forum)

Originally Posted by Hali87

Source

[RoshanMcG]

Council discusses future of old Halifax Memorial Library

by Anjuli Patil

The future of the former Halifax Memorial Library became a little clearer Tuesday after regional council voted 13-3 for a report to look into redeveloping the site in conjunction with the province and Dalhousie University.

"This is a really unique piece of land in the middle of the city, it's got green space around it," said Mayor Mike Savage. "People have been looking at the building and driving around it for a long time and wondering what's going to go on."

According to a declassified report from Halifax's CAO, the redeveloped building would include a public atrium, education space, HRM premises as well as commercial and retail space.

The staff recommendation, outlined in a report that became public Tuesday, said the proposal should include an analysis of both a public-private partnership and an option for HRM to design and own the project.

The library building, located at Grafton Street and Spring Garden Road, closed Aug. 20, 2014 to make way for the Halifax Central Library.

During the council meeting Tuesday, Jacques Dubé made a presentation on redeveloping the former library.

In the presentation, he said the land where the library sits had to be turned over to the province when the library ceased operation.

Dubé said the province is interested in removing restrictions to using land only being used for a library — but there were 10 conditions attached.

Some of those conditions include the province being consulted in the future and the province not being required to bear any costs related to future changes in the use of the site.

Coun. Russell Walker wasn't impressed.

"My first reaction was, take it back — you do it then," said Walker. "I am disappointed that the province didn't want it, but boy they're sure controlling it."

The report says Dalhousie, the municipality and the province have been talking about sharing the space for the university's architecture school, HRM municipal space and a commercial area available for lease.

Dubé recommended staff work on a feasibility report to be discussed in 2019. The report would look into whether there should be a public-private agreement or if the municipality should redevelop the space on its own.

Source

[teddifax]

Originally Posted by RoshanMcG

Was it this picture? (From the Canada forum)

Yes, it is, thank you for posting, it is an excellent one.

[teddifax]

I really like the new proposal for the old Library and hope it gets approved. I just heard on the CTV late news that the alternative is demolition.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by teddifax

I really like the new proposal for the old Library and hope it gets approved. I just heard on the CTV late news that the alternative is demolition.

I like it too.

I heard the alternative was to demolish it and turn it into park land. While free public space is always a nice thing in a city, in this case it doesn't seem like good use of the land. The proposal posted above, still retains the public space that exists in front of the building, but uses the remaining part of the lot very well, I think. An attractive proposal IMHO.

[Keith P.]

I cannot believe anyone thinks this is an attractive proposal.

Even uglier is the fact that according to the article HRM would be on the hook for the entire development cost of $30 million, and that there are no assurances of any revenue stream. The suggestion made that the planning & development offices of the HRM bureaucracy be consolidated here is even more absurd - those are offices that require considerable public access, and you would be putting them in one of the most inaccessible areas of the downtown for anyone needing to drive in to obtain a permit or meet with planners.

It is time to bite the bullet, raze the old library building, and let the space revert to a park.

[Franco401]

2 block away from multiple parking garages? That seems like decent access to me. I will admit that this seems like they're scrambling for a decent use for the library. The Cogswell lands would be a better location IMO, but that's years away. Personally I might rather see development on that land than just parkland, but keeping the existing building is by far the better option.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Franco401

2 block away from multiple parking garages? That seems like decent access to me. I will admit that this seems like they're scrambling for a decent use for the library. The Cogswell lands would be a better location IMO, but that's years away. Personally I might rather see development on that land than just parkland, but keeping the existing building is by far the better option.

You clearly have spent little time recently trying to get around downtown or trying to park. It is nightmarish thanks to HRM's war on the private vehicle.

The existing building is very close to being unhabitable and beyond saving due to neglect. We need to move on.

[MonctonRad]

I've always been fond of this building, it's unique oblique orientation on it's lot, and the triangular square in front. The statue of Churchill is iconic, and the pathway in front of the building is an essential shortcut between SGR and the downtown.

I think the essence of this building should be preserved at nearly any cost, and I like the render that has been provided.

I fully support this proposal.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

You clearly have spent little time recently trying to get around downtown or trying to park.

Downtown is not difficult to get around and I never have an issue finding a place to park. Maybe you need to do a little more research?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Downtown is not difficult to get around and I never have an issue finding a place to park. Maybe you need to do a little more research?

I have. My conclusion is evidence-based!

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I have. My conclusion is evidence-based!

I'm not doubting that, Keith.

In which locations are you having the most difficulties, and what time of day?

[Querce]

I mean, according to the Spring Garden Business Association, there's 1512 parking spaces in the area, +on street parking

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Querce

I mean, according to the Spring Garden Business Association, there's 1512 parking spaces in the area, +on street parking

Yes, and that's not even counting MetroPark, the Nova Centre, The Prince George, Scotia Square, etc., that are also in the vicinity.

That's why I was wondering if Keith has completely researched the parking situation downtown. I have never gone there and not found a place to park - I don't even bother trying to find a street spot, though, not worth the aggravation and potential damage to the vehicle (DAMHIK).

For that matter, if we get better transit, (i.e. effective rail/link transit) I probably wouldn't even bother to take the car anymore.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Yes, and that's not even counting MetroPark, the Nova Centre, The Prince George, Scotia Square, etc., that are also in the vicinity.

That's why I was wondering if Keith has completely researched the parking situation downtown. I have never gone there and not found a place to park - I don't even bother trying to find a street spot, though, not worth the aggravation and potential damage to the vehicle (DAMHIK).

For that matter, if we get better transit, (i.e. effective rail/link transit) I probably wouldn't even bother to take the car anymore.

If you are seeking a building permit you are not taking the bus. That's first.

Second, parkades like Scotia Square and MetroPark are not exactly in the vicinity. They are on the penisula and that's about it. There is also ample parking at the HSC if you are casting that broad of a net I suppose.

In any event the item that I saw on the TV news last night cast this in a new and curious light. Turns out this isn't a Dalhousie proposal after all, which explains why they have not committed to anything on the revenue side. It is a Frank Palermo "scheme" (his words I believe) dreamed up by him and his students in the school of architecture. So basically a class project. He sent it to HRM and to his surprise they bit. Seems quite remarkable that this would suddenly become a viable use for the property when all other ideas in the past were rejected.

Given the origins of this and the lack of any financial analysis at all, my position is only even stronger. Tear the thing down.