Posted Jul 15, 2009, 4:15 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: B3K Halifax, NS
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I don't normally post column because of their biasm but this seemed to have the right idea and its a good way to clear the dust off this thread. 
Time to get moving on old Herald property
By ROGER TAYLOR Business Columnist
Wed. Jul 15 - 4:46 AM
THE PAUL McCARTNEY concert Saturday provided Halifax with a much-needed injection of energy.
It was felt particularly in the downtown, where the economy there seems to be limping along without much direction.
But there are signs that things may turn around for the downtown business community. For example, on the heels of the McCartney success, there’s the arrival of the tall ships later this week and the Kiss concert on the Halifax Commons on Saturday. Both are expected to draw thousands.
The weather is improving, too.
Tuesday was such a beautiful summer day, I heard people wishing they could go sit out on a patio somewhere downtown. Nice weather is good news for many bar owners who need similar days to insure their patios are full for the rest of the summer.
All this is a short-term fix, however. Longer term, it seems to me that everything is on hold as we wait for work to begin on the proposed convention centre on the former Chronicle Herald property on Argyle Street.
The plan includes a new hotel and office tower, along with retail and residential components. It should take the better part of a couple of years to complete. But even during construction, the activity at such a prominent location downtown is expected to buoy the spirits of the business community.
Most business owners support the construction of the project, estimated at $300 million, and are anxious for work to get going, even though there was some concern that work would start during the profitable summer months, thus putting a damper on people wanting to sit outside and eat a meal.
Those fears of a disrupted summer patio season seem to be fading a bit because the project’s pace seems to have slowed.
But that could change quickly. The developer has already received approval from city hall to proceed and the province is working on its end of the deal. Once the final arrangements are worked out with the province, the hope is that Ottawa will help with financing.
The Harper government shouldn’t have any problems getting involved in a private-public partnership with developer Rank Inc. and its partners as a means of leveraging its investment and providing stimulus for the local economy.
When work does begin, one of the first things that will be done is the demolition of the old Herald building.
Despite speculation that crews may decide to use explosives to tear down the structure, I’ve been told the cost of using explosives to implode the five-storey structure would be too expensive.
The developer has been told that updated demolition techniques should be able to tear down the building in a cost-effective way, even though the building has reinforced floors. The thick concrete floors were necessary to support the heavy typesetting equipment used during the last century.
Some people may mourn the demise of the old Herald building, but it’s an empty shell taking up space in an important part of the city. The sooner work can start on the next phase of the downtown, the better off the city will be.
Considering its importance to the future of the downtown business community, it seems like a good idea to get things moving on the convention centre as quickly as possible.
( [email protected])
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