Cogswell Interchange

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by caveat.doctor

Going to make a big difference at street level here!

This is/will be a view that hasn’t been available to anybody since the 1960s!

[q12]

Here's a comparison from over a year ago to today:

[caveat.doctor]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Both involve rerouting of some urban roadways though ours is minuscule by comparison. Otherwise there is no comparison in terms of scope. I suggest you review some of the excellent episodes of the Big Dig documentaries from WGBH on YouTube. It was an eye-opener for me.

As was true in Boston's case, the jury will be out on whether or not it was an improvement (theirs proved to be one) until it is completed.

Perhaps we’re talking past each other, but as said, perhaps the closest thing we have to it, and it can be compared, Halifax’s being smaller by every measure. Those indeed are excellent documentaries - living in Boston for a period during the Dig, there was so much going on below the surface captured there that one doesn’t appreciate even seeing it in person.

Originally Posted by Wannabe Economist

The jury is definitely not still out on whether or not it was/will be an improvement. The interchange operated at half its potential traffic capacity and should never have been built at all. This was a massive dead space right at the heart of the Peninsula that will be transformed into a high-density mixed-use neighbourhood, the same as the rest of Downtown.

100%. Pretty much universally the case for any highway removal in any city centre, anywhere. Some examples of opportunities not yet fully realised (Parc/Pins in Montreal for one is a work in progress) but definitely incremental improvements in the resulting space. Even where there is some ensuing periodic vehicle congestion, the land has more value with other potential uses.

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

This is/will be a view that hasn’t been available to anybody since the 1960s!

Gritty to pretty!

Originally Posted by q12

Here's a comparison from over a year ago to today:

Hopefully some plaques/markers of this evolution will be part of the design, so the lessons learned here for transportation and urban planning (like at the Big Dig) are captured and remembered by future residents.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Wannabe Economist

The jury is definitely not still out on whether or not it was/will be an improvement. The interchange operated at half its potential traffic capacity and should never have been built at all.

Of course that is only because the roads connecting to it were never built. It was rather odd sequencing by the city at the time though I suppose there may have been some logic if one believes that they were proceeding in good faith on the concept of completing Harbour Drive. One cannot possibly argue that it was not needed at the time given the subsequent 5 decades of traffic congestion there.

As for whether the new configuration will be an improvement, that depends on how one measures "improvement". I agree that it will show better land use, but until I see otherwise I remain unconvinced that vehicles and buses will get through easily it at peak times. The other civic "placemaking" projects are likely not going to be winners. Many opportunities missed.

[JET]

Originally Posted by q12

Here's a comparison from over a year ago to today:

Much better view of the parking garages!🙂

[someone123]

Originally Posted by JET

Much better view of the parking garages!������

I wonder if it's too late now or if any thought went into the idea of realigning Upper Water Street a bit to allow for new buildings with a better presence along what now could be an attractive street.

It's not perfect but I like aspects of the Purdy's complex and the small park there will be a bit nicer now.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by JET

Much better view of the parking garages!🙂

Perhaps it might be time to give them a more decorative treatment, such as the new Infirmary parkade, to help them blend into their surroundings a little better and be less of an eyesore at the pedestrian level.

https://halifaxbloggers.ca/noticedin...ars-stands-up/

[Empire]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Perhaps it might be time to give them a more decorative treatment, such as the new Infirmary parkade, to help them blend into their surroundings a little better and be less of an eyesore at the pedestrian level.

https://halifaxbloggers.ca/noticedin...ars-stands-up/

Or demolish part or all of the casino parkade and create a Performing Arts / concert venue.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Empire

Or demolish part or all of the casino parkade and create a Performing Arts / concert venue.

Sure, if they determine that it's no longer needed, but TBH I'd rather they just demolish the casino in its entirety and create a complex that houses both an aquarium open to the public, and a performing arts / concert venue. Do it right, rather than just try to fit one in next to another substandard 1980s-era casino (which really just creates more social problems than anything else, FWIW).

[Keith P.]

The parkade is probably more profitable than the Casino at this point.

Aquariums are now considered inhumane and hence any proposed new ones have been cancelled by those who make that their business.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

The parkade is probably more profitable than the Casino at this point.

Aquariums are now considered inhumane and hence any proposed new ones have been cancelled by those who make that their business.

Really? When I went to the one in Monterey a few years back, they were doing a lot of work to help species through research, public awareness, etc. I hadn’t realized that this is now a “bad” thing…

[HarbingerDe]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Really? When I went to the one in Monterey a few years back, they were doing a lot of work to help species through research, public awareness, etc. I hadn’t realized that this is now a “bad” thing…

It's not. Keith is conflating his presumably limited experience of aquariums with the modern popular conception of SeaWorld and similar institutions.

It is now generally frowned on by the public to keep intelligent ocean mammals with complex social structures in indefinite captivity, but that's not what an aquarium is. They're institutions of ocean research that usually do quite a bit of good for local wildlife.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by HarbingerDe

They're institutions of ocean research that usually do quite a bit of good for local wildlife.

It's too bad that there isn't one in Halifax. The ones around here on the West Coast showcase regional aquatic biomes and there isn't really any "local" aquarium covering Atlantic Canada. It would be very popular on the waterfront.

Apparently even the small aquarium in Lunenburg is gone now.

Another thing we have around here is public waterfront pools (and lots of beaches which are not completely artificial but are somewhat managed). The only one I know of like this in Halifax is the private Waegwoltic pool. The Common pool looks nice but it's a bit of a missed opportunity not to have something in a nicer seaside setting. In general, these sorts of recreational facilities and tourists draws seem underdeveloped in Halifax. It's very nice if you have a car and like quieter natural areas but that doesn't work for everybody.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by HarbingerDe

It's not. Keith is conflating his presumably limited experience of aquariums with the modern popular conception of SeaWorld and similar institutions.

It is now generally frowned on by the public to keep intelligent ocean mammals with complex social structures in indefinite captivity, but that's not what an aquarium is. They're institutions of ocean research that usually do quite a bit of good for local wildlife.

I think this discussion has been had on here before, but basically yes. Marine Land and Sea World making dolphins and whales live in tiny tanks and perform tricks on demand? That's bad. But places like the New England Aquarium or the Monterey Bay Aquarium are not in that company.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by someone123

It's too bad that there isn't one in Halifax. The ones around here on the West Coast showcase regional aquatic biomes and there isn't really any "local" aquarium covering Atlantic Canada. It would be very popular on the waterfront.

Huntsman Marine Science Centre - St. Andrews, NB
https://www.huntsmanmarine.ca/aquarium

Aquarium NB - Shippagan NB
https://www.aquariumnb.ca/en

But, these aquariums are in NB, so, I guess they don't really count.

But, I think a waterfront aquarium in Halifax would be a fantastic idea!

[Empire]

Originally Posted by someone123

It's too bad that there isn't one in Halifax. The ones around here on the West Coast showcase regional aquatic biomes and there isn't really any "local" aquarium covering Atlantic Canada. It would be very popular on the waterfront.

Apparently even the small aquarium in Lunenburg is gone now.

Another thing we have around here is public waterfront pools (and lots of beaches which are not completely artificial but are somewhat managed). The only one I know of like this in Halifax is the private Waegwoltic pool. The Common pool looks nice but it's a bit of a missed opportunity not to have something in a nicer seaside setting. In general, these sorts of recreational facilities and tourists draws seem underdeveloped in Halifax. It's very nice if you have a car and like quieter natural areas but that doesn't work for everybody.

- Demolish the Casino parkade and build an aquarium on the same footprint, The aquarium would be an adjunct of BIO and have a major research component with a waterfront view and access from Cogswell site.
- Demolish /renovate the casino into a major waterfront Performing Arts / Concert Venue.
- Build a new Casino resort at Shannon Park if it was felt to be an asset

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Empire

- Demolish the Casino parkade and build an aquarium on the same footprint, The aquarium would be an adjunct of BIO and have a major research component with a waterfront view and access from Cogswell site.
- Demolish /renovate the casino into a major waterfront Performing Arts / Concert Venue.
- Build a new Casino resort at Shannon Park if it was felt to be an asset

It would make more sense to put the aquarium on the waterfront, IMHO.

[new2halifax]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Sure, if they determine that it's no longer needed, but TBH I'd rather they just demolish the casino in its entirety and create a complex that houses both an aquarium open to the public, and a performing arts / concert venue. Do it right, rather than just try to fit one in next to another substandard 1980s-era casino (which really just creates more social problems than anything else, FWIW).

Relatively new to the city so I have no idea.. I'm always curious about the Casino, how popular it is? Is it used by locals or tourists? I wouldn't mind seeing it gone unless it is a very popular tourist attraction..

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by HarbingerDe

It's not. Keith is conflating his presumably limited experience of aquariums with the modern popular conception of SeaWorld and similar institutions.

It is now generally frowned on by the public to keep intelligent ocean mammals with complex social structures in indefinite captivity, but that's not what an aquarium is. They're institutions of ocean research that usually do quite a bit of good for local wildlife.

As usual, you're off base.

Simply search "aquariums inhumane" and you will get the activist litany of grievances.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Empire

- Demolish the Casino parkade and build an aquarium on the same footprint, The aquarium would be an adjunct of BIO and have a major research component with a waterfront view and access from Cogswell site.
- Demolish /renovate the casino into a major waterfront Performing Arts / Concert Venue.
- Build a new Casino resort at Shannon Park if it was felt to be an asset

Sounds like a plan.

A performing arts centre +/- an aquarium would be a great asset for the harbourfront.

The casino on the other hand is dead space. It doesn't need to be located on prime waterfront land.

If people want to lose their money gambling, and have the associated activities of stale buffets and 1970s lounge acts, they will drive almost anywhere to experience these pleasures. Build it out by the airport.