What do you imagine for Bloomfield? Whatever it is, it’s time to put pen to paper (if you haven’t already) and draft up an “expression of interest” in the revamping Bloomfield Centre.
Housing Nova Scotia’s deadline for “expressions” is coming up this Friday, Aug. 1. The application process is meant to assess who might want to move into the developing Bloomfield space, and then use that information in the design of the finished location. Non-profits, social enterprises and individual artists/artist groups are encouraged to apply.
The school-turned-community centre is being developed by Housing NS into a planned mixed-use development which will include housing, community, retail and commercial space.
Detailed instructions for submitting an “expression,” along with other pertinent info, can be read here, but it’s nothing too complicated. A three-to-five page statement of intent which addresses your vision, cultural authenticity and the growing economic potential in the north end, maybe throw in a resume...
Keep in mind, like a lot of great art, this is all very conceptual. “The information is meant to help inform the development of business plans and won’t legally bind the respondents,” the REI muses.
So go friggin’ nuts. Have some fun with those expressions of interest. Off-leash roller dog derby arena? Steampunk awareness cafe? Cryptozoological taxidermy academy? Bloomfield can be the oneiric community development of our collective dreams!
There’s no excuse not to throw some ideas at the wall, as the application bar is set pretty low. Imagine Bloomfield’s board member Ron Skibbens advises in an email that submitting a basic response with a note saying “details will follow” is better than nothing at all.
So excuse me while I finish my hasty sketches of shadow puppet spin cycle theatre.