I noticed that this had not been posted. I think this is a great development because it fills the gap in terms of infrastructure and the need for residential downtown. The design is also very impressive and I like the connection into the lane behind. The article in the paper had a rendering.
Bending the height rule key to project — YMCA
By PATRICIA BROOKS ARENBURG Staff Reporter
Sat, Apr 16 - 4:54 AM
Raising the city’s height restrictions for part of its proposed South Park Street development is essential to its expansion, says the YMCA of Greater Halifax-Dartmouth.
"We haven’t asked for 10 per cent more knowing that the developer’s game is to get cut back. There are no games being played here," said George Rodger, YMCA project manager.
The charitable organization has asked the city for amendments to allow it to redevelop its South Park Street site along with the CBC Radio building to create an expanded $22-million YMCA facility and two residential towers. A public information session about the project is scheduled for city hall on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The proposal features a 70,000-square-foot YMCA with an aquatic complex, indoor running track, childcare, outdoor garden and gym and fitness area. There is also 5,700 square feet of retail and office space along South Park Street, 300 parking spaces and a passageway between South Park and Annandale streets.
There is another 330,000 square feet for residential units, which the YMCA estimates would generate between $9 million and $10 million from a developer.
But the group needs to raise the roof to 46 metres for the project to go ahead. To do that, it will need city hall to raise the height restrictions at the base of Citadel Hill by double the current 23-metre limit for one corner of the current CBC property.
A staff report to council dated Feb. 14 says the city will need to make amendments to three city planning strategies and the Downtown Halifax Land Use bylaw to meet the request.
"If it were smaller, it won’t be a C2 recreation centre (such as the Dartmouth Sportsplex and the new Canada Games Centre) and it won’t meet the infrastructure deficit being faced by city staff and YMCA staff and private operators. We just won’t meet it with a smaller centre," Rodger said.
Michael Napier, whose firm designed the project, said "we know that some people will be opposed to it . . . but we’re hoping that the merits of this project get at least looked at because I think it would be a very important project for Halifax."
"We want to try and get as many people living and working downtown so we don’t have to do all this commuting and spreading out of services and things. I think we need a balance and hopefully this project will help to balance things out."
The multi-use community project has already sparked criticism from Parks Canada. Their position, outlined in a report, says the "current height restrictions around the Citadel are important and should be retained."
The group has met with Parks Canada, Rodger said, adding that he believes progress is being made. The YMCA has also said the project won’t block the view from Citadel Hill or block the sun from Public Gardens.
Last month, the city voted to allow city staff to formally review the proposed development. But council "has complete discretion to retain or to change its planning policies and its decision is not subject to an appeal," staff wrote.
Rodger said he hopes people will see the YMCA intends to do good. "We’re a really interesting developer because, guess what, we aren’t going to . . . leave here. We’re going to stay on the corner."
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1238708.html
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