[Halifax] Battle of the Atlantic Place | -- | -- | Proposed

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by JET

I've always wondered, when respect is due, who determines what respect is due?

For me - (like I said earlier) calling it asinine doesn't help to the discussion. It's like my mother always said "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". I personally feel, you can not like something but have constructive feedback to make it better. But if you simply don't like something and have nothing constructive to contribute, see my mother's favorite saying.

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by xanaxanax

It also sucks that we would lose the playground, wave, ect..

Judging my the photo that RyeJay posted the playground definitely isn't going anywhere, and maybe the Wave isn't? I can't imagine that removing the Wave would be acceptable to the citizens of HRM (though maybe moving it is a possibility?).

[Waye Mason]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

Judging my the photo that RyeJay posted the playground definitely isn't going anywhere, and maybe the Wave isn't? I can't imagine that removing the Wave would be acceptable to the citizens of HRM (though maybe moving it is a possibility?).

Playground stays, wave does not, is what I was told.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

Playground stays, wave does not, is what I was told.

That will actually be an improvement in my opinion only I'm sure, but at least an 'easy' way for HRM to avoid future issues of people falling off of a piece of sculpture (that they have no business being on in the first place) and then threatening HRM (and in the long run, the taxpayers) with legal action.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by xanaxanax

so we have a price jump for this asinine project of being 200 million http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/919...-to-open-2017/

A project that commemorates the sacrifices and contributions of Canadian veterans in one of the most important naval battles in the history of the world... is asinine?

OK.

[Jstaleness]

I wouldn't lose any sleep if we lost that wave. I would if this project isn't built though. This is much more ambitious than I thought it would be. I wouldn't mind my tax dollars helping to fund this at all. Sorry Keith.

[counterfactual]

Screw the wave. If this project gets done, it'll make that are, and the waterfront, about 50x better.

[ILoveHalifax]

I would kind of like to see the wave kept in some fashion. Possibly it could be placed over some foam so that if some child falls they don't get hurt. What if it were put inside a small pool so if kids fell off they would get wet.

[Nouvellecosse]

There's enough empty space near the waterfront that there's no excuse for displacing anything other than parking at this point. But if they're going to move the wave to another location, than that's ok too.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

There's enough empty space near the waterfront that there's no excuse for displacing anything other than parking at this point. But if they're going to move the wave to another location, than that's ok too.

I say they should move The Wave up to Citadel Hill, so the STV crowd can sit atop it, rendering the view planes unnecessary.

[teddifax]

This will become an iconic addition to the Halifax waterfront. My only concern is that the walkway should continue around the water edge of the building, not just on one side and in behind.

[pblaauw]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Well this is the preliminary design - so if there is a lot of public outcry that the wave is going; then it may get put back in the final equation. The wave never did anything for me so I don't care if they remove it or move it somewhere else. But calling it asinine isn't helpful to the discussion.

Or it (BOA Place) could get axed altogether.

[counterfactual]

Unfortunately, the funds aren't secured for it, according to ANS.

But they've hired a serious fundraising outfit to help get it done.

I could see the Feds chipping in for this. Right up their nationalist / war patriot style. If only the Battle of the Atlantic occurred during the War of 1812... this may have been already built two years ago.

[Keith P.]

A $200 million fundraising effort could be put to many better, higher-priority projects - an aquarium, a performing arts venue, even a stadium. This would be far down any list of priorities.

This is another example of decision-makers getting distracted by bright shiny things and loud voices, instead of using public resources in any sort of priority-based manner. Is it any wonder we are drowning in public debt?

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by xanaxanax

so we have a price jump for this asinine project of being 200 million http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/919...-to-open-2017/

Not necessarily a price jump... more like an increase in how much they estimate it to cost. Problem may be that the volunteer board's estimates of how much it might cost didn't reflect the reality of what their ambitions would require. As they engage specialists who know about these sorts of buildings and conservation environments, I would presume that the costs get more realistic. Then, it's up to the Client to either increase what they're willing to pay, or reduce what's planned to be built to suit a smaller budget.

I'm sure the overall scale of the project could be reduced, but then I suppose they make it less appealing to visit and could jeopardize the longer term financial sustainability of a cultural project like this.

[Antigonish]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

Playground stays, wave does not, is what I was told.

Shame. I have vivid memories of sliding down that wave as a kid 20 years ago. Come to think of it that area of town seemed pretty run down back then, the park/playground was dirty and really unkept, graffiti everywhere. It's amazing how revitalized it is now and this project will do wonders to add to that.

[RyeJay]

Friends of the Wave?

Joking aside, Halifax is getting a new national treasure. This is going to boost the city's profile within the country. The timing of Canada's 150th birthday, with the openning of this naval memorial, alongside the "commemoration" of 100 years since the Halifax Explosion means that, in 2017, there will be an association between Canadian patriotism and a remembrance of Halifax.

I'm relieved the downtown in finally filling in so that out-of-province guests can enjoy an urban environment during their visit. Visitors will hopefully have more retail options, too, once the new residential and hotel projects increase consumer demand. Scotia Square and Park Lane still have a long way to go... At this point I'm more optimistic about the downtown's retail potential through new mixed use developments.

I used to like Sackville Street: because of Reflections.
Now I love Sackville Street because of the construction activity, because virtually the entire street is transforming before our eyes. This progress is incredible and I hope this enthusiam translates loud and clear through our media. Wonderful things are happening in Halifax.

Goodbye, wave.

[IanWatson]

Some random thoughts in no particular order:

1) Love the design. Definitely fits with the area, and definitely iconic.

2) Holly. F-ing. Hell. That is expensive. I really can't wrap my head around justifying the cost. For reference, Toronto's new, tricked out aquarium was $130 million. Is this really worth it? I'm not Keith when it comes to spending money on public buildings (I think the new library is money well spent), but this is crossing the line for me.

3) Will this be operationally sustainable? Locals will go once and then after that it will be a nice building on the waterfront. I guess visitors from elsewhere will go, but I can't image they'll make a special trip to Halifax for it so it's just going to be competing for time and dollars with other downdown attractions and activities. Where is the money to run this place coming from?

4) I really hope the organizers consider moving the wave instead of demolishing it. It's a Halifax waterfront staple, and I suspect it will be a PR black eye if it gets removed. "Save the Wave" is pretty catchy.

[Nilan8888]

Sad to see the wave go. But I'm not going to split hairs over the thing.

Does all this activity mean a rejuvination of Downtown? There's been a lot of major projects and investment going on, but I'm not sure if that's translated into new businesses at street level yet. Do we have to wait for more residential towers to be built before the demand increases and the effect is felt?

I can't see how all these modifications could possibly fail in making the downtown a more desirable place to live, to locate your business, and more central all-around. Yet as recently as 2013 you get these news stories of there being less people downtown these days than ever...

[xanaxanax]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

A $200 million fundraising effort could be put to many better, higher-priority projects - an aquarium, a performing arts venue, even a stadium. This would be far down any list of priorities.

This is another example of decision-makers getting distracted by bright shiny things and loud voices, instead of using public resources in any sort of priority-based manner. Is it any wonder we are drowning in public debt?

for 200 million we could have two of those 3 things.