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

[RangerNS]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I find the short section of what looks like lightbulbs strung over the end of Argyle St looks really tacky, like what someone might rig up for their deck in the summer. It sure as heck isn't the kind of plaza lighting you see in other cities.

It makes no sense that it is only 1/3 of the street.

[Phalanx]

I believe someone mentioned earlier in the thread that this was just a proof of concept and that it would be expanded to the full street if everything worked out okay.

[ScovaNotian]

I find the poles to be the most disappointing thing about the lights. It'd be much nicer if they could be strung to the buildings on both sides.

[Jonovision]

I couldn't manage a good picture of it last night but some more lighting has been added. The circular roofline on the Norther portion of the office tower now has a white LED strip around it.

[Jonovision]

20180214_163220 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[mleblanc]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

20180214_163220 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

Saw that last night. Looks great, really breaks up the huge mass that is that main office building.

[Jonovision]

And last night they were testing the strip on the other half of the office building.

20180216_070903 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[Jonovision]

20180221_122943 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[OldDartmouthMark]

I was downtown Saturday evening and made two observations while strolling along Argyle:

(1) The new layout seems to be working very well - there were a lot of people out and it just seemed like such a vibrant area - moreso than before the changes IMHO. It felt so much less cluttered without lines of cars parked on either side. There was a steady stream of traffic flowing along the street but no traffic jams, and actually seemed less congested than previously observed, before the changes. The wider sidewalks lend themselves well to the number of people out and about, and IMHO this will really shine through as businesses get their patios set up in the spring, making the area that much more lively.

(2) It was a windy. blustery day Saturday, but I noticed a huge increase in the wind when walking by the Nova Centre. I've observed this other times this winter as well, but thought it may have been a result of the specific weather at the time. The wind went from jostling the hair around in other locations to wanting to peel the skin off my face and flash freeze it at the same time when next to NC. I don't want to use the words "wind tunnel", but...

[Keith P.]

Back in the '90s I used to walk to work along Grafton and the wind, which in the winter was invariably out of the north, was directly into you as you headed towards the Metro Centre and SS. That was with zero buildings of any height. At other times of the year it was far less bothersome. I suspect you experienced the same effect.

I find your observations about Argyle's reconfiguration interesting as the urbanist net-cops were complaining on Twitter on Saturday about cars parked on both sides of Argyle, in what they claimed were "sidewalks" - which, without anything to indicate as such, strike me as foolish as the "unmarked crosswalks" people complain drivers also do not respect.

[OldDartmouthMark]

I would be inclined to agree with you except, walking from Blowers along Argyle (and back later on), the winds picked up as I crossed Sackville St. and calmed down around Lot Six at the Carleton. Nowhere else (including Barrington) were they as bad. Not drawing any conclusions, as there was nothing scientific about my observations, just putting it out there.

Was there about 6pm and again about 10pm, definitely no cars at the earlier time, didn't notice any on the return trip, but wasn't specifically counting cars either, as the main purpose was a night of entertainment, not reporting to SS forum, and as I said, the feel there was very good - active and vibrant - especially in light of it being a cool, windy evening.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Back in the '90s I used to walk to work along Grafton and the wind, which in the winter was invariably out of the north, was directly into you as you headed towards the Metro Centre and SS. That was with zero buildings of any height. At other times of the year it was far less bothersome. I suspect you experienced the same effect.

I find your observations about Argyle's reconfiguration interesting as the urbanist net-cops were complaining on Twitter on Saturday about cars parked on both sides of Argyle, in what they claimed were "sidewalks" - which, without anything to indicate as such, strike me as foolish as the "unmarked crosswalks" people complain drivers also do not respect.

Keith, what is your point about 'unmarked crosswalks'? The motor vehicle act is quite clear about unmarked crosswalks and the requirement to yield to pedestrians.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by JET

Keith, what is your point about 'unmarked crosswalks'? The motor vehicle act is quite clear about unmarked crosswalks and the requirement to yield to pedestrians.

Yes, and that is a foolish and dangerous clause in the MVA. All crosswalks should be marked. Otherwise the pedestrian better hope that they and the oncoming driver have the same perception.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Yes, and that is a foolish and dangerous clause in the MVA. All crosswalks should be marked. Otherwise the pedestrian better hope that they and the oncoming driver have the same perception.

I would be fine with a marked crosswalk at every corner, and have the lime green signs rather than the black/white ones that don't stand out.

[IanWatson]

I'll add to Mark's comments and say that I walked Argyle this weekend, and noticed that--despite Keith's apocalyptic prophesies--the new road surface held up remarkably well to the wear and tear of winter. No dings from snow plows, no heave, everything is in great shape. To be fair, it wasn't the harshest winter, but it at least bodes well for the future.

[Keith P.]

Don't go popping those champagne corks just yet.

Material choices aside, I am seeing complaints on a regular basis from urbanists on social media about the vague design of Argyle resulting in cars parking to patronize businesses and trucks making deliveries to businesses, both of which they think are in violation of various aspects of the design. It seems clear that HRM Council cares not one whit for the needs of businesses as evidenced both by this and the recent decision to eliminate much parking on South Park St. An urban core whose city does things to discourage them from doing business succesfully will soon be a wasteland.

[OldDartmouthMark]

I don't think you should put so much weight on people's comments on social media. IIRC, there was never a plan to prevent delivery vehicles from doing their job as it's a necessity for business to be able to operate.

Additionally, from what I've observed, this area is quickly becoming the opposite of a wasteland, so clearly the real answer is somewhere in the middle of the extremes (as usual).

[q12]

Halifax Nova Center by Rodney Hickey, on Flickr

[Jstaleness]

^^^ Nice angle and very nice shot.

[eastcoastal]

The glowing sidewalks are weird. In person, I feel the building lighting at night is very strange and feels incongruous.