Halifax council finally deciding on contentious condo tower
Project proposed almost six years ago
By AMY PUGSLEY FRASER City Hall Reporter
Tue. May 13 - 7:58 AM
After almost six years, a downtown Halifax tower and condominium project proposed for the Brewery Market area will come before regional council tonight.
The $30-million, 21-storey condominium project, called the Alexander and proposed for the south side of Halkirk’s brewery property, is on the agenda for the meeting at city hall.
In the past three weeks, the proposed development, including the renovation of Keith Hall, the 1860s-era mansion built for beer baron Alexander Keith, has received differing opinions from three bodies that advise council on planning issues.
Those opinions include a vote of confidence from city planning staff, a noncommittal vote from the downtown district planning advisory committee and a veto from the city’s heritage advisory committee.
A member of the heritage advisory committee said he was surprised that the committee turned it down because "everyone had mostly good things to say" about the proposal.
"I think everybody generally liked the plan, but most people have a problem with the tower, the height of the tower," Mark Pothier said in a recent interview.
The development would add value to the area, Mr. Pothier said.
"I felt the tower was already behind the Maritime Centre."
An owner of Greenwood Lane said he was disappointed that the proposal received a bad review from council’s heritage advisory committee.
"It’s interesting that this project was endorsed by (the) heritage advisory committee the last time we went to them, and the tower is now lower and it’s a much more improved design in our opinion," Bill Greenwood said recently.
The company has spent a lot of time developing its plans for the Alexander, with the support of municipal planning staff, Mr. Greenwood said.
The first application for the development was made in the spring of 2002, he said.
"We’ve been at it for some time," he said.
Part of the application calls for the restoration of Keith Hall, which he calls "a gem."
"It’s a spectacular property and we want to bring it back to its original grandeur. But for us to do that, we need in the millions of dollars to restore that building. So we need the Alexander project to support that initiative."
Councillors will debate the merits of the three reports and decide what course to chart.
If they decide to go ahead, a public hearing will be set before any decision is made.
(
apugsley@herald.ca)