The last time PLANifax made a video on the Centre Plan, we discussed the new buildings that are coming up the city. This time, we’re talking about the old buildings—the Victorian, Georgian, pre-World War architecture that we’ve grown to love in Halifax as part of its heritage. Because when you just focus on the buildings, […]
Development
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax faces $119-million lawsuit over Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes
[Image-1] Just when you thought the battle over Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes was over… The Annapolis Group gave notice on Tuesday that it will soon begin legal proceedings against the Halifax Regional Municipality, claiming that HRM has “effectively expropriated” its property and in return is seeking $119 million in damages. The lawsuit comes from city council’s […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Silent nights (and days) at Shannon Park
[Image-1] They’re not exactly fields of dreams. They are more like unused playing fields of tall grass and untidy turf. The outdoor sports area at Shannon Park in Dartmouth is owned by Canada Lands Company, the federal Crown corporation overseeing the redevelopment of the surplus military property. It’s not totally unusable, but future versions of […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The Halifax development roundtable
[Image-2] Halifax’s building boom has been loud enough this year to deserve sending two Christmas trees to Boston. From Queen’s Marque to King’s Wharf, and Young Avenue to Homes Not Hondas, there’s been no shortage of properties being torn down and bold designs being brought forward in 2016. Which is why The Coast gathered three […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
All-you-can-build buffet in the urban core
[Image-1] Think of it as a really, really, really expensive Christmas craft fair. On Wednesday proposals for 18 developments in the urban centre will be presented en masse to the public at two planning information meetings (held from 12-2pm and 6-8pm) in the Atlantica hotel. It’s a way for HRM’s planning department to tie off loose […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Community council votes down North and Oxford development
[Image-1] At its first meeting since adding three new members, HRM’s Halifax and West Community Council swiftly and unanimously voted against a much-criticized development at the corner of North Street and Oxford. “I do feel that this development at this moment…does not match the area,” said Halifax Peninsula North councillor Lindell Smith. Mythos Development Ltd […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax’s development horoscope
[Image-1] In numerology, 2016 is a “nine year,” so named because its four digits add up to nine. And that’s the death year, says Holly Poole, practicing astrologist in Lower Sackville. It’s when old ways come to an end, projects are completed and new beginnings can be anticipated. So Poole wasn’t surprised to see five new […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
So is the Nova Centre cursed, or what?
[Image-1] In its architectural renderings, the Nova Centre exists on a perpetually cloudy day. Billowing, white masses of clouds hang in the glass windows, as if reflecting the heavens into the city. The depiction of the convention centre’s interior along its Grafton Street promenade is filled with carnival-esque buskers and stock image patrons strolling by as […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Design advisory committee scratches the surface of HRM’s Centre Plan
[Image-1] Halifax’s Centre Plan just got its initial dose of feedback from the municipality’s Community Design Advisory Committee, and it’s a mix of excitement, as well as a few concerns. The idea behind the much-anticipated Centre Plan is to create a “blueprint” of sorts, updating planning policies and outlining growth ideas in HRM’s urban core. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Candidates come prepared for a fight at Halifax South Downtown debate
[Image-1] An incumbent city councillor, his predecessor and a political rookie duked it out over the past, present and future of Halifax South Downtown at an all-candidates meeting Wednesday night. More than 50 people flooded the room at Spencer House, some watching the proceedings with one foot outside as they straddled the doorway. Emotions in […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Development problems dominate Peninsula North candidates forum
[Image-1] The municipality needs to do a better job protecting north end communities from poor planning choices. That was the central message from the candidates for District 8 during a forum held Tuesday night at Dalhousie University. Around 60 people attended the presentation from six of the seven candidates for Halifax Peninsula North. Irvine Carvery, […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
15 questions with District 9 candidate Shawn Cleary
[Image-1] The Coast sent all 53 candidates running in HRM’s municipal election the same 15-question survey in order to help their residents and our readers know a little more about who’s running for council. Here’s what Shawn Cleary from Halifax West Armdale sent back. ——— Why should residents of your district vote for you? Fresh ideas, […]