General Updates and News

[JET]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

There were a few more arches in the city as well:

http://novascotia.ca/archives/virtual/EastCoastPort/archives.asp?ID=1032

Irving Oil arch visible in this one:
http://novascotia.ca/archives/virtual/EastCoastPort/archives.asp?ID=384

This one's still there:
http://novascotia.ca/archives/virtual/Halifax/archives.asp?ID=74

This one shows two triumphal arches, one on Barrington and one at the entrance to the Grand Parade:
http://novascotia.ca/archives/virtual/Notman/archives.asp?ID=835

A Farewell Arch:
http://gencat1.eloquent-systems.com/webcat/systems/halifax/resource/6000_1038_5006285_1.jpg

In the Welsford/parker monument photo, is that a cupola on the top of the Law Court at the right of the picture?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Ziobrop

What? arn't you against the library for being too extravagant, but now bemoaning the loss of this for the "Cheap" Taxpayer funded Museum? also your bemoaning the loss of something 30 years ago? isnt Summit place much better?

Keith, Are you feeling ok? your starting to sound like the HTNS

The library is in an entirely different class of waste. They had an unlimited budget, and exceeded it simply to prove that they could.

Also, this is up the street from Summit Place.

The design of the MMA is a good example of how not to construct a public building. It manages to be unimpressive yet dysfunctional all at once. I said "preserve the arch feature", not save the entire building. The arch idea could have been incorporated into some aspect of the museum project. Instead the architect gave us 1970s diagonal wooden siding.

[Jonovision]

Originally Posted by JET

In the Welsford/parker monument photo, is that a cupola on the top of the Law Court at the right of the picture?

Yes, the city used to be full of them. It makes me sad about how many pieces of architecture like this we have lost.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

... the epitome of low-bid NS government architecture...

Interesting, you've revealed some depth (or revealed my assumed prejudices). I would have assumed you would be in favour of lowest common denominator when it came to public buildings.

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

The library is in an entirely different class of waste. They had an unlimited budget, and exceeded it simply to prove that they could.

"Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, recognizes that libraries are important public spaces and learning centres," said Minister Baird. "We are proud of these investments, which are on top of the $14 million we committed for Halifax and Cape Breton just last month."
Canada is setting aside up to one-third of total eligible costs, to a maximum federal contribution of $18.3 million. Nova Scotia will provide $13 million and the HRM will contribute $23.7 million toward the project, which has a total estimated cost of $55 million. "

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/2009/20091019halifax-eng.html

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by JET

I expect that it is a lot less than $4 million; and I expect that they could find a lot of folks stepping forward to help renovate.:

"Claims that the necessary upgrades would cost the city $4 million are unsubstantiated and dramatically out of step with a 2010 assessment that put the maximum costs of repairs at $733,000. Since Halifax acquired the building for one dollar in 1988 to preserve it as a significant heritage landmark, investment is long overdue for a building that so enriches HRM."

HRM staff report on the sorry state of the Khyber Building here:

http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/150324cai02.pdf

I actually was thinking about this the other day with all the buildings having problems with the snow loads and their roofs collapsing in on them. Was sort of hoping for the same here. Would solve a lot of problems.

It certainly looks like $4 million and given it is a HRM project the end number might be closer to double that. Face it, the place is a total dump and not suitable for the intended use either. I would prefer they buy a number of industrial-size snowblower machines and other snow equipment for the streets instead.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

HRM staff report on the sorry state of the Khyber Building here:

http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/150324cai02.pdf

I actually was thinking about this the other day with all the buildings having problems with the snow loads and their roofs collapsing in on them. Was sort of hoping for the same here. Would solve a lot of problems.

It certainly looks like $4 million and given it is a HRM project the end number might be closer to double that. Face it, the place is a total dump and not suitable for the intended use either. I would prefer they buy a number of industrial-size snowblower machines and other snow equipment for the streets instead.

4 million (or 8 million for that matter) is totally reasonable. There's a very long list of similar and greater civic expenditures on historic buildings, in many cities, big and small.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

4 million (or 8 million for that matter) is totally reasonable. There's a very long list of similar and greater civic expenditures on historic buildings, in many cities, big and small.

Not for this use. Give it to KAS and let them find the money to fix it.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Not for this use. Give it to KAS and let them find the money to fix it.

To keep playing devil's advocate (though I believe what I'm saying) ESPECIALLY for this use, in such a central location. Especially if the Arts Society makes an effort to create a building that better engages the city around it--like re-opening a bar or cafe, ensuring the building is a venue for more performances and events, and acts as more of a community hub.

I understand your perception that the building has been a clubhouse for a small group of like-minded people, and while I don't totally agree (because I think the work and activity that happens there benefits Haligonians directly and indirectly) I understand that the benefit to the city at large might not be apparent. And, the Society could stand to engage the city more deeply. I want to see the city invest in this property, maybe making a more civically engaging business plan by the KAS as part of the criteria for doing so.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

To keep playing devil's advocate (though I believe what I'm saying) ESPECIALLY for this use, in such a central location. Especially if the Arts Society makes an effort to create a building that better engages the city around it--like re-opening a bar or cafe, ensuring the building is a venue for more performances and events, and acts as more of a community hub.

I understand your perception that the building has been a clubhouse for a small group of like-minded people, and while I don't totally agree (because I think the work and activity that happens there benefits Haligonians directly and indirectly) but I understand that the benefit to the city at large might not be apparent. And, the Society could stand to engage the city more deeply. I want to see the city invest in this property, maybe making a more civically engaging business plan by the KAS as part of the criteria for doing so.

Maybe they can get Joel Plaskett to buy it for them.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Maybe they can get Joel Plaskett to buy it for them.

I'm pretty sure a mid-level Canadian rock musician doesn't have 4 million disposable dollars. (But Plaskett is probably the most obvious example of an artist nurtured by the Khyber whose career benefits this city.)

[ILoveHalifax]

Doz the f__k_n place and use the 4 to 8 millions towards the stadium.

Sell the lot and let somebody build a skyscraper on the site.

[hokus83]

Originally Posted by ILoveHalifax

Doz the f__k_n place and use the 4 to 8 millions towards the stadium.

Sell the lot and let somebody build a skyscraper on the site.

you honestly need to stfu and gfy

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Not for this use. Give it to KAS and let them find the money to fix it.

... not to mention, the municipal government has yet to demonstrate it is capable of protecting and enhancing the heritage structures under its care. They might be better off tendering it for development with VERY stringent requirements in terms of retaining historic features. OR, provide some tax incentives to KAS and, as you suggest, let them deal with it.

[ILoveHalifax]

Originally Posted by hokus83

you honestly need to stfu and gfy

It would be great if soon it looked just like the Roy does today.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by ILoveHalifax

Doz the f__k_n place and use the 4 to 8 millions towards the stadium.

Sell the lot and let somebody build a skyscraper on the site.

Typical lame post intended to elicit negative responses from supporters of heritage preservation.

Why do you want to spread such negativity around? Got cabin fever?

[enjoy*responsibly]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Typical lame post intended to elicit negative responses from supporters of heritage preservation.

Why do you want to spread such negativity around? Got cabin fever?

Not saying it wasn't lame but is saving the old thing worth the 4 million? Honestly

Instead of being a cost it could be a tax paying income for the city in the near future

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by enjoy*responsibly

Not saying it wasn't lame but is saving the old thing worth the 4 million? Honestly

Instead of being a cost it could be a tax paying income for the city in the near future

It sure is. $4 million isn't even that much, as far as repurposing and restoring historic structures goes. I've posted this example many times, since it's the gold standard for this stuff, but Hamilton--definitely a city in worse financial shape than Halifax--spent 30 million to restore this building, which was in far worse shape.

There are many, many, many other examples.

And to boot, Tim Bousquet (not everyone's favourite, I know) unearthed an engineering report prepared for the city in 2013, which indicated that addressing the deferred maintenance on the building will cost about $1.7-$1.8 million--less than half what city staff's extremely vague estimates suggest.

$4 million is totally reasonable. And the real cost may be well below that.

[halifaxboyns]

I would take a slightly different direction; but one with a heritage preservation slant. Keith might like this because it helps kill a few birds with one stone. My understanding is that HRM owns the Khyber and the two buildings to the 'left' of the Khyber (1580 and the old heritage facade site). Now if I'm wrong - well, scale the idea down to just the Khyber site.

If HRM does own all 3 sites, put them up for sale as one package. As a condition of the sale, the existing fascade on the burnt out site must be retained. Same with the two other existing buildings but you can build onto them - build a tower, whatever. If retaining the buildings doesn't work - retain at least the facade as part of a new building.

You aren't going to get a tower on the site since it's within the Barrington Heritage Conservation District, I think you will only get a building the size of the new one that went up next to the Khyber. But if the cost could be spread out over the 3 properties (or 2) then you get to at least retain the facade and a new condo/office building could be built.

[ILoveHalifax]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Typical lame post intended to elicit negative responses from supporters of heritage preservation.

Why do you want to spread such negativity around? Got cabin fever?

DUH ??

This is a skyscraper forum not a heritage forum. Why don't the heritage nuts set up their own forum and stop all the negative posting on the skyscraper forum?