19 floors, so far away from the downtown, yet still an issue in Halifax.
I believe this city is coming to a boiling point where some rather drastic changes will be taking place in quite a different direction than to what this city has been accustom.
If downtown conservationists and allies of the Citadel want to maintain the historical downtown it may not be possible for much longer -- unless something gives.
Halifax must compromise:
Yes, we need high-rise developments in Halifax, but not in the protected downtown. The low-rise cityscape bordering Citadel Hill can be preserved, which not only protects the Citadel Hill but continues allowing the downtown to be an urban centre while charactising small-town Nova Scotia. Physically, we can maintain the downtown's history and signature skyline.
On the other hand...
Yes, even though the Citadel Hill has been established on the peninsula: it does
not own the entire peninsula. It actually doesn't even own the dowtown, which Citadel allies need to get through their heads. If Citadel allies continue oppressing progress in Halifax than the public will become more resentful and the relevance of the Citadel's identity
with the downtown will suffer.
The North End, far from the cherished downtown, is the compromise HRM needs to make. There is a growing voice of support for high-rise developments in this city. If this city isn't careful and does not permit an outlet for modern, sleek, out of character, high-rise developments then these developments could eventually take seed in the downtown, thereby ruining what downtown conservationists are trying to protect.
Give the North End to the new, the tall, the different.
At the risk of sounding a tad Canuck, let Halifax have its
Upper and
Lower skylines.