[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed

[counterfactual]

Also, are any aspects of this going to be residential?

I think Ramia should consider more residential, if he can. Would be valuable.

[xanaxanax]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

Also, are any aspects of this going to be residential?

I think Ramia should consider more residential, if he can. Would be valuable.

There is no residential. Market street Sackville side has room for a residential tower and I think the Grafton Street positron has room for small residential areas but there is no intention or ever will be, its one of its faults that will to the Grafton Street and Market street being dead zones at night.

[resetcbu1]

Originally Posted by xanaxanax

There is no residential. Market street Sackville side has room for a residential tower and I think the Grafton Street positron has room for small residential areas but there is no intention or ever will be, its one of its faults that will to the Grafton Street and Market street being dead zones at night.

I thought the original plans called for Retail, residential, office and convention?

This area could certainly benefit greatly from some residential.

[xanaxanax]

Originally Posted by resetcbu1

I thought the original plans called for Retail, residential, office and convention?

This area could certainly benefit greatly from some residential.

I think its just a hotel tower, office towers now with the convention part

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by xanaxanax

I think its just a hotel tower, office towers now with the convention part

No, retail is still part of the plan... From the amendment request:

The current proposal results in a consolidation of blocks for development. The convention centre floor areas will extend below and above the current Grafton Street space. The area will have a passageway for pedestrians and vehicles, be open at both ends, have retail uses along it, and spaces for public gatherings. Therefore, it will be in the developer’s interest to have the public use the space. However, it will be viewed and function as private space, much like a corridor or interior areas of a shopping mall.

[xanaxanax]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

No, retail is still part of the plan... From the amendment request:

Obviously. That wasn't being inquired on

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by xanaxanax

Obviously. That wasn't being inquired on

...Except that it was? If you go back and read the post, it was mentioned. Residential was never part of the of the official plan, it was only mentioned as a fallback if the convention centre fell through, or not enough tenants could be found for the office section.

[someone123]

A view plane cuts diagonally across the Nova Centre site so I don't think it's possible to add another tower on the corner of Sackville and Market.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

The Design Review Committee is holding a special meeting on Thursday to discuss the closure of Grafton Street to allow for this development.

Agenda

Just to update the Nova Centre status since DMAjackson posted the information above on March 17th,

1) Staff recommended approval of the amendments to the massing and Grafton Street closure - http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/drc/documents/NovaCentreMarch20web.pdf
2) The Design Review Committee voted 6-1 to recommend accepting the amendments to City Council (source - allnovascotia.com, March 21, 2014)
3) City Council unanimously voted to have a public hearing scheduled for April 29th to hear arguments for and against the changes, that is the Grafton Street closure and design changes (source - allnovascotia.com, April 2, 2014)

[Duff]

One from today. They have reached street level at Argyle on the North corner.

[teddifax]

When is the public meeting on the proposed changes so this can go ahead?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by teddifax

When is the public meeting on the proposed changes so this can go ahead?

April 29th is the date for the public hearing.

[teddifax]

Thanks!

[Duff]

One from yesterday.

[Ziobrop]

Today; from http://fillingtheholehfx.tumblr.com/
Parking Garage Ramps:

[hokus83]

What are the chances of this project being competently scrapped, there seems to be a lot of momentum building up against it and I mean a lot.

[scooby074]

Originally Posted by hokus83

What are the chances of this project being competently scrapped, there seems to be a lot of momentum building up against it and I mean a lot.

I dont think there is any chance of this thing stopping now.


I want the development itself and love the design, but Im still not sold on the Convention Centre aspect of it. There is a ton of competition in this space.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1199994-halifax-convention-centre-prosperity-or-tax-burden

[hokus83]

Originally Posted by scooby074

I dont think there is any chance of this thing stopping now.


I want the development itself and love the design, but Im still not sold on the Convention Centre aspect of it. There is a ton of competition in this space.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1199994-halifax-convention-centre-prosperity-or-tax-burden

I feel the same way but after reading this http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1201575-surette-last-chance-to-rein-in-runaway-white-elephant I'm feeling there is a good chance of this getting scrapped. I want it to go forward just to have something in the space

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by hokus83

What are the chances of this project being competently scrapped, there seems to be a lot of momentum building up against it and I mean a lot.

There is always a chance - but I think unlikely. Most (on council) have accepted that all three levels of government are in; so now it comes down to the planning matters really. The Province has already given an exemption (to a degree) of the planning rules to allow construction to proceed but at the owners risk.

What I suspect might happen (should the project be defeated; which is unlikely) would be something like what happened in Calgary for the Saddledome. When it was proposed; the near by community of Ramsey appealed it and WON. So; the permit was denied and no re-application could occur for 6 months. 6 months to the day; a new application was made and yet again, approved. Yet again appealed; but this time the Province stepped in and used their powers bestowed from the British North America Act to control planning matters and exempted the Saddledome from all zoning regulations in the City. The Planning General Manager at the time (who is a good friend of mine) literally was on a red eye flight up to Edmonton to get a signed copy of the bill to rush back to Calgary to present it at the appeal board. Once he did - the appeal was denied because the board had no jurisdiction.

So if by some bizzare chance the project is defeated; I suspect not too soon after that the Provincial government would pass an order in council to exempt it from Planning Regulations and it move along as required; although I suspect Building permits would still be required.

But since this is a very minimal (if any) chance - I'm not worried.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by hokus83

I feel the same way but after reading this http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1201575-surette-last-chance-to-rein-in-runaway-white-elephant I'm feeling there is a good chance of this getting scrapped. I want it to go forward just to have something in the space

Surette and Epstein are two old extremist lefties and really have a very small constituency. The same old suspects like Allan Robertson are trying to take another kick at the can due to the planning hearings coming up but really I think there is very little chance of anything happening. To me it is very simple:

Has the 1978-vintage WTCC been good for the city? --> The answer is clearly yes.

Is the WTCC obsolete and too small now? --> Also a yes.

Will a new convention center resolve these issues? --> Another yes.

Really, there is no other option but to proceed.