General Updates and News

[Dmajackson]

City staff want projects ranked

By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE Staff Reporter
Sun. Apr 5 - 11:08 AM
Municipal staffers want Halifax regional council to set metro’s project priorities so the municipality can tap into federal and provincial funding for capital works, according to a staff report.

The report, to be discussed Tuesday at council’s committee of the whole session, says ranking the capital projects will boost city hall’s chances of getting the government money needed to bankroll infrastructure.

The top 20 projects include expanding Metro Transit’s conventional bus system and its Access-A-Bus program for the disabled, upgrading venues for the 2011 Canada Winter Games, implementing a bikeways master plan and redeveloping the Cogswell interchange in downtown Halifax.

Ranking projects "will allow (Halifax Regional Municipality) to communicate priorities with other levels of government, to help ensure that there are no missed funding opportunities," says the report, prepared by Peter Duncan, the city’s infrastructure planning manager.

The report says politicians "may choose not to endorse the infrastructure list and wait until details of funding programs" from Ottawa are released. But this course of action isn’t recommended.

It says few details of how the federal package will be administered are known at this point. Nova Scotia’s share of two federal programs announced recently is to be $145 million.

"All major infrastructure programs announced by the federal government in recent years either support or favour ‘green’ projects such as transit, water, waste water and community energy," it says. "It is reasonable to expect this trend to continue."

Other priority items are public transit security, a new conventional ferry, a fast-ferry commuter service between Bedford and downtown, expanding metro’s compost facility and launching energy-efficient projects, the staff report says.

[Dmajackson]

Murphy’s puts $1.6m into remake


Wed. Apr 8 - 4:46 AM
The owners of Murphy’s on the Water are making a $1.6 million investment in the future of tourism on the Halifax waterfront.

That’s the amount Jeff Farwell, general manager of the family-run restaurant and gift shop, said the company is spending to remake the historic Cable Wharf building just down from Halifax ferry terminal.

"It’s a risk for us, no question," he said in an interview Tuesday. "We don’t know how the tourism season is going to be this summer, but we can’t stop because the economy is hitting a bit of a hole in the road. We have to fight for our 250 employees. We don’t want to lose them."

The expansion includes a larger restaurant with bigger windows and more focus on seafood, a $75,000 touch tank where visitors can net their own lobsters, an artisans demonstration area, more local crafts in the gift shop and a year-round ticket outlet that will operate in conjunction with other local businesses.

"This is the culmination of 10 years of planning and discussions," he said. "The building needed a facelift and by proceeding we saw this as an opportunity to raise the bar for tourism in Halifax."

The effort is also the first push to make the waterfront a year round attraction.

"We’re talking to the Waterfront Development Corporation, a couple of the other restaurants and the hotels about the need to bring people to the water year-round," he said. "It might mean adding a winter festival down here, but we believe we can cater to local residents in the winter in the same way we meet the needs of tourist in the summer."

[Spitfire75]

Waverley Road to get upgrades


Wed. Apr 8 - 5:36 AM Waverley Road residents in Halifax Regional Municipality are going to see a section of the street rebuilt between next week and the end of May, according to a recent release.

Halifax Water installed new sewer and water mains along the street in 2008 and the project’s next phase is the reconstruction of the street from the Irving gas station to Mic Mac Drive.

This work includes concrete curbs on both sides and a new concrete sidewalk on the west side of the road, the release says.

Work on the project is to start April 13.

"During this work there will be times when access to (local properties) will be affected," the release says.

[Spitfire75]

Roadways will light up with LED

By AMY SMITH Provincial Reporter
Wed. Apr 8 - 6:25 AMLED street lights will soon brighten the roadways of a number of Nova Scotia municipalities.

A pilot project will use the energy-efficient, light-emitting-diode lights rather than the standard versions in several parts of the province, a source told The Chronicle Herald on Tuesday.

Premier Rodney MacDonald and Environment Minister David Morse will be in Amherst today to make a funding announcement of "environmental technology," a government release said.

The province’s ecoNova Scotia for Clean Air and Climate Change fund and Conserve Nova Scotia are supporting LED Roadway Lighting Ltd.’s initiative.
It was described as an "innovative development that will reduce energy use, harmful air emissions, and costs to municipalities," the release added.
The announcement will be held at C-Vision Ltd.

Chuck Cartmill, president of C-Vision and LED Roadway Lighting, would not comment in advance of today’s announcement.

In February the company received a $1-million loan from the provincial Industrial Expansion Fund to allow the firm to double its research and development staff to 20 people.

At the time, Ken Cartmill, human resources manager for C-Vision, said the company would like to replace street lights in Nova Scotia but had yet to develop a pilot project.

"That’s something we are working on," he said.

The company has also received more than $5 million in federal funding for the development of LED roadway lights.

The premier and Senator Fred Dickson are also scheduled to make an announcement at Amherst town hall this morning under the Building Canada Fund’s community component.

Mr. MacDonald and Senator Dickson are slated to make another announcement concerning the fund in Springhill this afternoon at the Dr. Carson and Marion Murray Community Centre.

[Barrington south]

that $75,000 touch tank sounds cool....I'd like to get me hands on one of those 3 pounders!!.....

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

Murphy’s puts $1.6m into remake


Wed. Apr 8 - 4:46 AM
The owners of Murphy’s on the Water are making a $1.6 million investment in the future of tourism on the Halifax waterfront.

That’s the amount Jeff Farwell, general manager of the family-run restaurant and gift shop, said the company is spending to remake the historic Cable Wharf building just down from Halifax ferry terminal.

That's a lot of money for a place that sells vast amounts of HighLiner fish triangles and Valley Farms french fries to unsuspecting tourists.

I despise this place. It has the worst food I have ever experienced and really gives the Halifax waterfront a black eye. They are the very definition of a tourist trap.

[Dmajackson]

New library planned for old Dartmouth movie theatre
By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Thu. Apr 9 - 5:36 AM

Woodlawn residents are about to get a spacious new library.

Renovations are expected to get underway next month at 650 Portland St., the current site of Empire Theatres.

"We’re really pleased with the space. It’s very nice," said Halifax Public Libraries CEO Judith Hare.

One of the benefits of moving into the cinema building is that the library will get a 100-seat theatre, she said. "We’re scrunched into a very small space now."

The branch, located at the Woodlawn Staples Plaza, opened in 1975. According to library statistics, its 4,000 square feet of floor space makes it the smallest urban outlet of Halifax’s public library system while handling the fifth-largest circulation. Last year, it loaned about 400,000 items.

The Woodlawn branch serves 26,301 HRM residents, according to 2006 census numbers.

Construction should be complete by September and the new location should open by November if everything goes as scheduled, Ms. Hare said. But the plan, which includes a 20-year lease, still needs the final approval of council, Ms. Hare said.

Councillors Andrew Younger (East Dartmouth-The Lakes) and Bill Karsten (Portland-East Woodlawn) issued a release supporting the new location. "The new location provides exciting opportunities for growth of the library, and a unique adaptation of an existing commercial space which will prove a benefit to the library user," he said.

The site will include parking, self-checkout machines, areas for children, teens and adults, as well as study areas, computers and a large program room.

What is unclear is when Empire Theatres will close.

Dean Leland, Empire’s vice-president of media and studio relations, said they are in informal discussions with landlord Arcturus Realty Corp.

"We haven’t come to any arrangements. . . . What you may have heard from Woodlawn Library may be a bit premature."

[hfx_chris]

Yeah, this was announced at the meeting the other night, I forgot to post it here. Great news if you ask me. I know the folks who use Woodlawn on a regular basis will like it, but most importantly are the staff, the working conditions at the current library are poor from a staff-comfort level.
Rumor also is, that the library technical services division currently located on Glendale Avenue is planning to move to the new Woodlawn location as well.

[Keith P.]

The hegemony of Judith Hare continues... possibly no building is safe from her expansionary aspirations.

[Dmajackson]

A slightly better article about the Woodlawn expansion.

Movies out, books in
Woodlawn Library moving to Empire Theatre site on Portland Street
Halifax News Net
By Joanne Oostveen – The Weekly News

The Woodlawn Public Library will more than triple its size when it opens in its new location this fall.
“Halifax Public Libraries is very happy to announce the new Woodlawn Library will open in November 2009 where Empire Theatres is currently located at 650 Portland St.,” said Judith Hare, CEO of Halifax Public Libraries.
Hare made the announcement at the current Woodlawn Library in the Woodlawn Staples Plaza this past Monday night to a group of about 85 people from the community. She said she was sorry that it had taken so long to inform the public of this exciting news, but added she was sure the Empire Theatre building was the very best they could have possibly done for the Woodlawn community.
The new 17,700-square-foot space will include a large program room, a 100-seat theatre, seating and study areas, a 600-square-foot space for collection management, two self check out machines, indoor and outdoor book returns, a computer area, a larger materials collection, defined areas for children, teens and adults, free public parking and pedestrian and bus access.
The Woodlawn Library first opened in 1975 and was no longer meeting the needs of a community that has a population of more than 26,000 people, said Hare.
“It definitely justified the existence of a larger building,” she said.
In last year’s budget, HRM council agreed to move ahead with the Woodlawn Library expansion. East Dartmouth - The Lakes Coun. Andrew Younger said the Woodlawn library has the fifth highest circulation numbers of all branches in the system, but is the smallest urban branch at 4,000 square feet.
“In 2008 there were almost 160,000 registered users who borrowed 400,000 items there,” said Younger. “This is in addition to those who attended programs, used the branch for community meetings or simply came in to use the computers.”
He added that the branch is so busy that in September they averaged a loan rate of 500 movies a day and more than 100 babies and toddlers attend day programming each week.
Both Penhorn Mall and Woodlawn Mall were looked at and then discarded as possible new sites. Hare said they could only get about 11,000 square feet of space at the Woodlawn Mall and Penhorn Mall could not make any decision about housing a library there for at least a year.
“So when we heard that the theatre was becoming available it simply blew our minds,” said Hare. “We scored all the sites and the Empire Theatre came out on top as the best possible site. Who knew a theatre could be a natural for a library?”
Senior Janet Stacey has lived in the Woodlawn area for more than 30 years. She said she is happy to see the library moving to a bigger and better location.
“This branch was going to close in 1997 and I rallied behind them then to stay open,” she said. “This is very exciting news.”
Hugh Millward is president of the Portland Estates and Hills Residents Association. He said it was a pleasant surprise to find out the new location of the library.
“I didn’t know the Empire Theatre was even a possibility,” he said. “But this works out perfectly for our community, especially since the completion of the trails nearby. People will now be able to walk to the library.”
Younger said the annual costs to lease the building will be similar to the combined cost of what was being paid at Woodlawn and at the Sackville Technical Library site.
“So taxpayers won’t be faced with increased rental bills as a result,” he said.
Council approval is still required before the 20-year lease of the theatre building is finalized, but Hare said she is hoping that will be done soon.
Construction will start in May and finish in September. And while the move is taking place in October there will be little down time between one library closing and the new one opening in November.
“There was some talk about us keeping the popcorn machines, but we won’t be doing that,” said Hare.

========================================================================================================================

'I’m very serious about protecting the commons’
Public meeting held to discuss future of downtown Dartmouth’s limited green space
Halifax News Net
By Jon Tattrie – The Weekly News

Nearly 100 people gathered at Hawthorn Elementary School Saturday morning to debate the future of the Dartmouth Commons. People raised concerns about the planned bus terminal, expansion to the Dartmouth Sportsplex and how to use the green spaces for dog walkers and others.
Frances and Tom Howard have lived in the area for more than 30 years. Frances spoke up with her fears the open land was being steadily eroded by exceptions to the no-building rule.
“We’ve so little (green space). Places like Shubie are absolutely inundated and worn out now,” she told The Weekly News. “What we have down here is accessible to all sorts of people. The city is nibble, nibble, nibble. It’s a land grab.”
Howard said the commons were not designed for things like schools, libraries and shopping centres. “It was never allowed, but they sold it anyway.”
Coun. Gloria McCluskey said she’s been working on a commons plan for years. “I’m very serious about protecting the commons,” she said. “I remember Leighton Dillman on his hands and knees, building that commons, getting no compensation for it, doing it for the love of the commons.”
McCluskey said the same passion fires her to protect the green side of the commons, but unlike some at the meeting, she doesn’t object to the bus terminal.
“There was no big consultation meeting, and there probably should have been,” she said of the decision to build the terminal on commons ground. “But if you walk up that street, it’s nothing but garbage. Every year, I get more calls about the garbage on that site. The way it is now, it doesn’t do anything for the neighbourhood.”
Another priority for the Dartmouth Centre councillor is an improved sports field for Dartmouth High. She called the current one “useless.”
“Those kids have been deprived for a long time and they should have a decent sports field. What better use for the common land than for the kids to have a place to play sports?”
Holly Richardson of HRM said the city is formulating a master plan for the Dartmouth Commons district. “This is our first public meeting to get ideas, concerns and some understanding from the public about how they want to see future decisions around the common made.”
Saturday’s meeting was the start of a three-month public consultation ahead of city staff placing a recommendation before regional council at the end of June.
“One of the key things we need to look at is: how do we balance public open space on the common with public facilities on the common?” Richardson said.
She encouraged residents to get involved.
“What we hear today and in the coming weeks are going to shape the work we do. The plan will come back to the public in late May-early June with a draft.”

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by article

Nearly 100 people gathered at Hawthorn Elementary School Saturday morning to debate the future of the Dartmouth Commons. People raised concerns about the planned bus terminal, expansion to the Dartmouth Sportsplex and how to use the green spaces for dog walkers and others.
Frances and Tom Howard have lived in the area for more than 30 years. Frances spoke up with her fears the open land was being steadily eroded by exceptions to the no-building rule.

Oh what the hell.. honestly though, the Sportsplex is already built so bitching about that isn't going to do anything, and the green space behind it is so disgusting I don't even like to look into it, let alone walk through it. The section with the ball fields, and the park itself (Leighton Dillman park) are really the only parts of the Dartmouth Common that should be considered as still part of the common. The rest of it is gone, give it a rest. Some people get way too agitated about this stuff.

Originally Posted by Keith P.

The hegemony of Judith Hare continues... possibly no building is safe from her expansionary aspirations.

You've clearly never set foot in the Woodlawn library before. In fact, I wonder sometimes if you've ever set foot in any library, but I digress.
The expansion of the Woodlawn library is long in the making, before even Judith Hare - this is a desperately needed expansion, the place really is a joke. My high school library had more to it than Woodlawn. The meeting room is small, the area with the computers is crowded, the stacks themselves are too close together to easily navigate two people through and the combined circulation and reference area is piss poor at best from a staff comfort perspective. You really need to lose your anti-library attitude kp, they serve an important role in the community, and this necessary expansion is long overdue.

[Keith P.]

My comments on Hare's hegemony had more to do with the denial by Empire Theaters that they are actually leaving. Hare's strategy is always to get way out in front of reality on any site that she wants (see the SGR and Queen megaproject) and this is no exception. I totally agree that the existing Woodlawn strip mall library is a joke and needs to go. I just find it odd that she would make an announcement before the deal is done.

[Dmajackson]

Second Tim Hortons shuts down

By OUR STAFF
Fri. Apr 10 - 5:14 AM
One of the oldest Tim Hortons shops in Nova Scotia, along with one of the least popular, are fading from the metro retail scene.

The national coffee chain had just boarded up its approximately 20-year-old shop on Ochterloney Street in Dartmouth when a decision was made to close the 5970 Spring Garden Rd. location.

"All staff have been or will soon be relocated to updated and more popular outlets nearby," corporate spokesman David Morelli said Thursday.

The Ochterloney Street location had the distinction of being one of the first 500 opened by Tim Hortons. It was store number 403 until it was closed late last year.

There had been some local speculation that it would be renovated and reopen, however, that is not the case.

Neither shop has enough land to accommodate a drive-thru, said Mr. Morelli.

It seems the fate of the Halifax site was determined after nearby university campuses allowed the chain to open on their premises.

"After a business analysis it was decided to close this location later this spring," said Mr. Morelli.

Tim Hortons has 3,000 stores around the world.

[hfx_chris]

Funny, the ferry terminal locations don't have drive-thrus, but they seem to be doing just fine.
And you know what? The Ochterloney store was doing pretty damn good too.
But then again, I only visited that location during peak times (morning/afternoon coffee breaks anyone?)...

[Dmajackson]

I can see why they would shut-down the SGR one. Its not because of the drive-thru though. There are locations at DAL, further down SGR, and countless more in the hospitals nearby. Add that in with the lower pedestrian counts on the west-end of SGR and its enough to close one location I guess.

The other SGR location doesn't have a drive-thru (and one in Bedford too at least) but it appears to be the busiest in Halifax.

[someone123]

Yeah, for a second I was wondering why they'd close it but I was thinking of the other location. I've never even been inside the Tim Horton's near Robie.

[ScovaNotian]

The sale of Fenwick seems to either have gone through or be close to going through. http://www.halifaxapartmentrentals.c...ls.asp?ID=2215 lists a number of units as available, effective now and June 15.

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by ScovaNotian

The sale of Fenwick seems to either have gone through or be close to going through. http://www.halifaxapartmentrentals.c...ls.asp?ID=2215 lists a number of units as available, effective now and June 15.

Sounds like its gone through. I did hear a few weeks ago that the renovation was supposed to start this summer.

[Dmajackson]

'Unique' mosque planned for Halifax
$6-million project next to Maritime Muslim Academy to be completed in about a year
By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Tue. Apr 14 - 5:45 AM


An artist’s rendition of the new Muslim community centre and mosque planned for St. Mathias Street in Halifax.


Workers John Hennigar and Paul Wooley put a piece of corrugated steel on the dome portion of a new community centre and mosque. The dome, which will be covered with concrete, is expected to be raised into place on Thursday. (Peter Parsons / Staff)





The Chebucto Road area in Halifax is getting a new landmark.

Construction is underway for a new community centre and mosque next to the Maritime Muslim Academy.

"It’s unique in its architecture," said Hadi Salah, the academy’s principal and chairman of the centre’s building committee.

The new centre’s brick facade will blend in with neighbouring buildings, which include the academy and the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts.

However, the structure will also feature windows and domed roofs that will make it instantly identifiable as a mosque.

The $6-million project should be done in 12 to 14 months, Mr. Salah said.

So far, $2 million has been raised and the community is hoping to get government help.

Mr. Salah said he hopes the complex will get some government support because part of the building will be for community use and it is also being designed with the environment in mind.

Local architect Dan Goodspeed designed the project, which will have a geothermal heating system and a grey-water recovery system.

Previously, the Muslim community had used a small bungalow on the property as a prayer hall, but that was torn down to make way for the new mosque.

Until the project is finished, the group is renting space from the conservatory for use as a prayer hall.

The centre’s upper floor will be used as a new prayer hall that will accommodate 800 worshippers.

The family-oriented centre will have a library and a computer lab and will offer youth activities and programming, Mr. Salah said.

The basement level will have a multi-purpose room and a gymnasium. The gym can be used for large-scale events and will have a stage for school performances.

When it is completed, the complex will be open daily from 8 a.m. until midnight.

[sdm]

News in allnovascotia.com

Khyber building getting a face lift starting May 5th, new windows etc. $70,000

Also news out on a development agreement for that lands known as fairview golf course.

5 mutlifamily buildings, varying in height from 8-12 stories, ground level commercial (37,000) and townhouses.

Public meeting set for April 29th