General Updates and News

[Empire]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

Chronicle Herald article from today about incorporating art and general esthetics into the Armdale and future roundabouts:

Report: Halifax roundabout should be thing of beauty



I would have thought the inner circle would be the most obvious and safe place to put something in terms of not blocking the view of other vehicles? Oh well.

I think there should be a monument in the green space of the roundabout that reflects the connection Halifax has with the ocean and both world wars.

Something like the War Memorial in Ottawa or a tribute to the Titanic should go in the wasted green space at the roundabout.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Perfect - I didn't have time to search for it.

I was thinking about the comment someone made earlier about Councillor Watts and density. Something tells me that if you could show that density could be done in a way that makes an area better and improved, I wonder if she'd be more inclined to support it?

For example: IF someone were to do a whole bunch of 15 to 20 storey mixed use buildings along Agricola? If it was done well, with street improvements and turned the area into a vibrant really awesome place to live - would that change her thinking?

For me; I know that sometimes I find some ideas hard to grasp on paper and can't really vision it even in drawings - but if I saw an example of something for real, I understand it better? Just a thought...

Make no mistake about it...................Watts is a Pacey apprentice! Watts wants green space, bikeways, sustainable housing, affordable housing, heritage protection, view protection etc. etc. and no realistic way to deliver it. You will never see Watts approve of any building over 10 storeys.

[someone123]

The traffic circle could be a place to showcase artwork that reflects any one or all of "four distinct communities" of Halifax Regional Municipality converging there

So they're going to put some bullet holes in the fake lighthouses weirdly positioned around the outside...?

[Empire]

When HRM planners say it isn't safe or it isn't feasible to put anything in the centre of our famous roundabout I REALLY belive them!


ROME: Piazza dei Re Roma

Note the clearly marked crosswalk leading to a usable greenspace in the centre of the roundabout. Halifax has no marked crosswalks.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...u7sHdGwkHnQa1MchfoH_6A&cbp=12,91.38,,0,0

ROME: Piazza Della Repubblica
http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=piazz...H_kXzmrIxN6q4MMlL_nMg&cbp=12,190.63,,0,0

PARIS: Arc de Triomphe

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=arc+d...xCtOWEZG2f4VqMlMkgafA&cbp=12,102.78,,0,0

[spaustin]

Empire: All your examples have shown is what beautiful spaces roundabouts can be if there is the will to make it happen. Safety can be managed through design. We could wall the centre so that pedestrians aren't tempted to cross traffic to get to it, we could put in underground tunnels (like at the Arc de Triomphe) or we could redesign to slow traffic so that pedestrians have some good crosswalks to use. It's never going to be 100% safe, but nothing in life is. Putting art out on the edge, seems to me, fairly pointless. Even if we end up not doing anything with Armdale because of safety concerns, I hope HRM will at least consider using the centre space in smaller more neighbourhood type roundabouts.


Just for fun, check out this "sculputure" from the centre of a major roundabout in Cardiff, UK.
http://flickriver.com/photos/richardandgill/159272903/
http://www.photoeverywhere.co.uk/britain/cardiff/slides/magic_roundabout_cardiff_jpg_orig.htm
Something simple from Shanghai that might work well at Armdale as the landscapping isn't too high to block sightlines and it's pretty, but not the kind of thing that would tempt pedestrian out to the middle if HRM wanted to keep them out of the centre. Note also the low wall that further discourages pedestrians from wandering out there without being ugly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martell/4825553936/in/pool-roundaboutart
Another one with a bit of road humour, the traffic light tree from Canary Wharf in London.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/squirmelia/2451382877/
Here's something simple that still allows visibility and doesn't tempt pedestrians. Again, checkout the use of materials to discourage anyone who might think to wander out there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20923094@N04/3657388063/in/pool-roundaboutart
Even something as small as a tree with the right materials can be beautiful as in this roundabout outside of Perth.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martybugs/2052823536/in/pool-roundaboutart

Why is Halifax always the place that can't when the rest of the world seems to have it figured out?

[someone123]

Originally Posted by spaustin

Why is Halifax always the place that can't when the rest of the world seems to have it figured out?

It does seem like the "little city that couldn't". It feels sometimes like people just sit around all day thinking up reasons why things can't be done. No rail. No highrises! No public art in roundabouts. No streetscaping for Spring Garden -- somebody might lose their parking spot.

As I've said many times before, I believe it's Halifax's least appealing characteristic by far. It's the one really depressing thing I wouldn't want to deal with if I moved back.

Alternative pedestrian routes around the Armdale Rotary would be genuinely useful. There's also an opportunity for an interesting redesign around the North Park/Cogswell area.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by spaustin

Empire: All your examples have shown is what beautiful spaces roundabouts can be if there is the will to make it happen. Safety can be managed through design. We could wall the centre so that pedestrians aren't tempted to cross traffic to get to it, we could put in underground tunnels (like at the Arc de Triomphe) or we could redesign to slow traffic so that pedestrians have some good crosswalks to use. It's never going to be 100% safe, but nothing in life is. Putting art out on the edge, seems to me, fairly pointless. Even if we end up not doing anything with Armdale because of safety concerns, I hope HRM will at least consider using the centre space in smaller more neighbourhood type roundabouts.


Just for fun, check out this "sculputure" from the centre of a major roundabout in Cardiff, UK.
http://flickriver.com/photos/richardandgill/159272903/
http://www.photoeverywhere.co.uk/britain/cardiff/slides/magic_roundabout_cardiff_jpg_orig.htm
Something simple from Shanghai that might work well at Armdale as the landscapping isn't too high to block sightlines and it's pretty, but not the kind of thing that would tempt pedestrian out to the middle if HRM wanted to keep them out of the centre. Note also the low wall that further discourages pedestrians from wandering out there without being ugly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martell/4825553936/in/pool-roundaboutart
Another one with a bit of road humour, the traffic light tree from Canary Wharf in London.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/squirmelia/2451382877/
Here's something simple that still allows visibility and doesn't tempt pedestrians. Again, checkout the use of materials to discourage anyone who might think to wander out there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20923094@N04/3657388063/in/pool-roundaboutart
Even something as small as a tree with the right materials can be beautiful as in this roundabout outside of Perth.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martybugs/2052823536/in/pool-roundaboutart

Why is Halifax always the place that can't when the rest of the world seems to have it figured out?

What is really annoying is that HRM/planning is always trying to whitewash the public by giving lame duck stupid reasons why things can't be done.

Either they do this on puropse, they don't know any better, haven't done any research or have never been anywhere. There is no excuse for this shoody leadership.

Bernie Smith was dead wrong to turn down Spring Garden Rd. improvements because it would disrupt businesses and deliveries etc.

Don't forget about the view of the arm while speeding down Joseph Howe Dr. being blocked by a sculpture.

[Keith P.]

I seem to recall Coun. Mosher going on at length at a council meeting a while ago that NOTHING should be in the center of the roundabout as it would impede the view of the NW Arm. Seems to me if you are driving you shouldn't be looking at scenic views but instead concentrating on the task at hand. But what do I know?

I think a giant dandelion - preferably in bronze, maybe 18-20 feet high - would be ideal for the center of the roundabout. The leaves could span from curb to curb, while the center spike would be magnificent (but let's hope it's not TOO TALL!!!!). After all, it is now HRM's municipal weed plant.

[kph06]

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but allnovascotia reported that a block of houses on Barrington, Green and Kent are for sale as one group. The owners have amassed the block over a number of years. There were around 8 total properties, which included the entire Barrington street front except for the mac store. The properties go up Green and Kent, ending at the square brick buildings.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by kph06

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but allnovascotia reported that a block of houses on Barrington, Green and Kent are for sale as one group. The owners have amassed the block over a number of years. There were around 8 total properties, which included the entire Barrington street front except for the mac store. The properties go up Green and Kent, ending at the square brick buildings.

What a great location for a multi! Even though the viewplanes would probably cap it around 10 stories; still great location. Across the street (or down the street) from groceries and close to downtown! That's probably what they were planning to do...build multi.

[someone123]

It is a great spot.

There was also a story about the redevelopment of the St. Mary's lot on the corner of Spring Garden and Grafton. If I recall correctly the height limit is 10 storeys. Could be a huge improvement for that area -- imagine how much better it will look passing by the Nova Centre, a new residential building on the corner, and then the new library.

[JET]

Don't know where to put this, so I'll put it her
An interesting historical read
http://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/hnmemorial/redev.pdf

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by kph06

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but allnovascotia reported that a block of houses on Barrington, Green and Kent are for sale as one group. The owners have amassed the block over a number of years. There were around 8 total properties, which included the entire Barrington street front except for the mac store. The properties go up Green and Kent, ending at the square brick buildings.

Remind me to tell my girlfriend, she lives in one of those buildings

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by someone123

It is a great spot.

There was also a story about the redevelopment of the St. Mary's lot on the corner of Spring Garden and Grafton. If I recall correctly the height limit is 10 storeys. Could be a huge improvement for that area -- imagine how much better it will look passing by the Nova Centre, a new residential building on the corner, and then the new library.

HbD post bonus height is 28m. So i'm not sure if that's 10 stories or not? I'd assume that the first storey would probably be commercial. If so; they may have to amend the HbD commercial street map - as the 'main commercial street' map indicates that SGR starts at the library block and extends to the edge of the plan area by the Public Gardens. They could not amend that map; I don't think it matters in the end.

[someone123]

That was in ANS.. I didn't consult the maps directly. However, I would guess that it's roughly correct (i.e. lowrise building permitted in the 4-10 storey range).

They speculated about ground floor commercial. I think retail would be good in that spot. It doesn't make sense for it to be forbidden in that area, though I could see it. To be honest I think the zoning is a little overboard. In particular a lot of the institutional/residential/light commercial distinctions are pointless.

[spaustin]

Originally Posted by kph06

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but allnovascotia reported that a block of houses on Barrington, Green and Kent are for sale as one group. The owners have amassed the block over a number of years. There were around 8 total properties, which included the entire Barrington street front except for the mac store. The properties go up Green and Kent, ending at the square brick buildings.

Wonder if 1130? (Chalet Realty) is included? It's the wooden one that was painted red right next to the Mac Store. It's a great wooden building that has been well kept and it's kind of a unique style, would be a shame to lose it. The rest are unremarkable except for maybe 1114 and I won't miss them. If 1130 is included in the sale, it would be a great candidate for relocation. We don't do enough of that in Halifax. 11th hour offers to the community like what happened at the Trillium and Vic don't really leave enough time for relocation to be realistic. It's understandable though that property owners don't want to let the buildings go until they're ready to demolish because they're collecting rental income from them. The city should really get involved with a mix of incentives and regulations to change that calculation. We could have infilled a lot of our more intact streetscapes on the Peninsula with authentic wooden buildings that happened to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Of course the overhead powerlines would pose a complication, but really, NSP should have had everything buried on the Peninsula long ago!

[spaustin]

Originally Posted by someone123

That was in ANS.. I didn't consult the maps directly. However, I would guess that it's roughly correct (i.e. lowrise building permitted in the 4-10 storey range).

I actually think it's a spot where some more restrictive height limitations make sense. St. Mary's is such an amazing structure. We shouldn't crowd it. Filling in the parking lot makes sense, but the church steeple should be the tallest point. Height on whatever they build next to it on that side will have a greater impact on the view because it's uphill from the church and is the side that you see from the greatest distance (coming down Spring Garden). It's a great spot though for infill. Commercial on the lower level with a few floors of residential above would be best since residential requires less height per floor.

[Jonovision]

It would be cool if they could design a building for that parking lot that highlighted the steeple. Something that would be square at the bottom for 2 or three floors and then lean back along SG so the view of the steeple from along the street was not blocked.

[planarchy]

"25550 sq ft on Kent,Barrington and Green Streets in downtown Halifax have recently been put on market for sale."

via Twitter @DTHFXCondos Image from AllNS

[someone123]

A height limit by St. Mary's would have to be pretty low to make it worthwhile. A building even 70% as tall would probably overwhelm the steeple from a vantage point farther up the hill. This is part of why I find "no taller than x" height limits to be strange.

I would be okay with limiting the corner to something like 6 storeys.