General Updates and News - Page 503

atbw · #**10041** Posted **Jan 11, 2021, 10:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Thanks! I was just wondering how the function of those urban dealerships and shops compare to what is currently normal here.

Definitely the convenience of being able to walk back from the shop when dropping your car off cannot be understated. Further outside the city I’ve seen gas station + tire shop operations on a lot with a little surface parking, but on the whole there’s very, very few surface lots there.

Dmajackson · #**10042** Posted **Jan 19, 2021, 4:37 AM**

Maritime Centre Addition at Barrington and Salter

Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

teddifax · #**10043** Posted **Jan 20, 2021, 4:08 AM**

I suppose for a while this corner entrance will become the main entrance for Maritime Centre, while they reconfigure the front step former entrance. What a difference this will make. Those old concrete stairs were such wasted space and maybe this will help alleviate the wind tunnel that exists now.

Citizen_Bane · #**10044** Posted **Jan 20, 2021, 6:28 PM**

We're being presented with what I would suggest is a pretty rare opportunity to experience first hand a 'before and after' situation in terms of building form. As one who has tackled the windy sidewalks abutting the Maritime Centre in the past, I'm looking forward to a future windy day when I can walk this area again and feel the benefit of a podium rather than a straight up tower.

Keith P. · #**10045** Posted **Jan 20, 2021, 7:04 PM**

Well, we will have to wait and see. Given that the ground floors do not line up well with street level, it will be a challenge to make this welcoming.

Dmajackson · #**10046** Posted **Jan 21, 2021, 4:47 AM**

I noticed foundations are going in for the new First Baptist Church on Lancaster Drive in North Dartmouth. The front half of the site along Highway 118 is zone HR - High Order Residential. Plans from the rezoning request say this will be two mid-rise buildings with about 120 units total.

Case 21552 Application Package (Site plan on page 14).

someone123 · #**10047** Posted **Jan 23, 2021, 4:15 AM**

Source (YouTube video)

Dmajackson · #**10048** Posted **Jan 25, 2021, 5:47 PM**

Construction permit has been issued at 72 Primrose Street for a 4-storey / 43-unit residential building. This is from Case #21727. Ameya Properties Ltd is the developer. I can't find any renderings or site plans.

Jonovision · #**10049** Posted **Jan 26, 2021, 8:09 PM**

It looks like the upgrades for Spring Garden Road are finally kicking off this spring.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/it-s-goi...3QskobiAJWam5w

Keith P. · #**10050** Posted **Jan 26, 2021, 8:18 PM**

Another part of the mostly-deserted downtown to be placed on the critical list thanks to HRM initiatives. I'm glad I have no reason to visit there these days, but feel badly for the businesses already struggling to survive. But tone-deaf HRM cannot be stopped, it seems.

mleblanc · #**10051** Posted **Jan 26, 2021, 8:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Another part of the mostly-deserted downtown to be placed on the critical list thanks to HRM initiatives. I'm glad I have no reason to visit there these days, but feel badly for the businesses already struggling to survive. But tone-deaf HRM cannot be stopped, it seems.

Lol, you said the same thing about Argyle St I'm sure and look how that turned out. Downtown is doing fine. I'm glad they are finally starting this.

Haliguy · #**10052** Posted **Jan 26, 2021, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Another part of the mostly-deserted downtown to be placed on the critical list thanks to HRM initiatives. I'm glad I have no reason to visit there these days, but feel badly for the businesses already struggling to survive. But tone-deaf HRM cannot be stopped, it seems.

It's deserted?

someone123 · #**10053** Posted **Jan 26, 2021, 10:06 PM**

Might actually be good timing for SGR with the mysterious Mills redevelopment.

Keith P. · #**10054** Posted **Jan 27, 2021, 1:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haliguy

It's deserted?

It's pretty dead every time I've been there the last several months. The businesses quoted in the news story cited would tend to support my view.

atbw · #**10055** Posted **Jan 27, 2021, 4:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

It's pretty dead every time I've been there the last several months. The businesses quoted in the news story cited would tend to support my view.

Wouldn't have anything to do with the global pandemic, would it?

Barrington has some empty storefronts for sure but those seem relegated to some of the almost-complete and just-finished builds. It'll be tough but I think they're smart to do it while businesses have been working moreso in an online world and there's a big push to support local.

Drybrain · #**10056** Posted **Jan 27, 2021, 4:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atbw

Wouldn't have anything to do with the global pandemic, would it?

.

I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I took a long walk all over downtown yesterday for the first time in more than a month, and while it wasn't buzzing with energy, it was far from dead. Barrington and Argyle were quiet, pedestrian-wise, but SGR and environs was solidly busy, and the restaurants and cafes I went into had decent lunchtime crowds. An acquaintance of mine who runs a cafe on Barrington said business had definitely slowed with the reduction in the office crowd, but he's doing fine.

And I recall just a few months ago, in September and November, downtown was absolutely buzzing. What's happening now is a combination of winter + once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

someone123 · #**10057** Posted **Jan 27, 2021, 5:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drybrain

And I recall just a few months ago, in September and November, downtown was absolutely buzzing. What's happening now is a combination of winter + once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

I am sure you all have a much better handle on it than I do but I am not convinced the city has really seen the benefits of the recent construction yet. Sometimes an area is less vibrant when there are a lot of construction sites; even though the construction can be exciting it is not usually good for retail businesses nearby while it's happening. It might be surprising how much more vibrant the area gets in a couple years when more buildings are complete, have had a while to fill with businesses, and there isn't a pandemic. Spring Garden Road in particular might feel quite different when it's essentially built out and the street improvements are done.

Good Baklava · #**10058** Posted **Jan 27, 2021, 5:25 PM**

With “Sophie’s Place” torn down I don’t think there could be a better time for a bit of streetscaping. The impact now will be reduced compared to when those storefronts were operating.

Good Baklava · #**10059** Posted **Jan 27, 2021, 5:45 PM**

The new self storage development on Kempt had a fire today.

Drybrain · #**10060** Posted **Jan 27, 2021, 7:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

I am sure you all have a much better handle on it than I do but I am not convinced the city has really seen the benefits of the recent construction yet. Sometimes an area is less vibrant when there are a lot of construction sites; even though the construction can be exciting it is not usually good for retail businesses nearby while it's happening. It might be surprising how much more vibrant the area gets in a couple years when more buildings are complete, have had a while to fill with businesses, and there isn't a pandemic. Spring Garden Road in particular might feel quite different when it's essentially built out and the street improvements are done.

Yes, and I think that in the six years I’ve lived in the city, it’s become noticeably busier every year, by degrees.