Seek Issue 002 by Bruce Mans

SEEK

the PLANNING AND DESIGN CENTRE newsletter Volume 1

Issue 2

It is time for the Halifax region to start a Planning and Design Centre. Each of us is touched by the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skyline, streetscapes and the landscape of civic and solitary places. The type, quality and intensity of development; the balance between cars and transit; the environment, the economics, the physical infrastructure and the social network not only affect our individual lives, but also reflect our collective values. In a great city these fields are not seen as separate nor are they viewed as the domains of experts. The region is rich with opportunities and we all share a sense of responsibility to be informed, involved and engaged in shaping our community. The future does not just happen, it is not predicted or projected or incrementally negotiated, or a simple extension of the past. We can have a hand in shaping it. Planning is about establishing a vision, setting a direction and taking informed strategic action. It is not restrictive or mysterious. It cannot be imposed nor can it be seen as the exclusive realm of professionals. It needs to be a process and an approach that is open and inclusive and part of everyday life. Similarly, design quality as it is reflected in every proposal, development and policy cannot be seen as a luxury, expensive or optional. We have to expect and demand creativity, quality and excellence. Engagement in planning and design needs to be more than momentary. It goes beyond having a voice in the preparation of a plan or the right to be heard in response to a development proposal. It needs to be ongoing and easily accessible and must become part of the culture of this community. The way to get the best development, to act on our collective aspirations, the way to understand that development is not good or de facto bad, that quality does not mean expensive or exclusive, that the past history and trends are not constraints, but can serve as a spring board is to make planning and design an integral part of everyday life in Halifax. The Planning and Design Centre is a store-front operation that makes planning and design visible and open to discussion. It is a collaborative enterprise, common ground and a think tank that brings together the public, the business community, the development industry and different levels of government for a tangible purpose. The goal is to make the region a better place to live, grow up, do business and visit. This goal is accomplished through providing information, discussion and innovation. The Planning and Design Centre is currently in its development phase; the Centre is working to secure space, resources and funding.

July 2007

| Dartmouth Crossing | Dartmouth Crossing is a large-scale business/ commercial park project being constructed adjacent to Burnside Industrial Park. The 511 acre shopping centre will be home to twenty large/mid size stores, forty shops, fifteen boutiques, twenty restaurants, two hotels and 100,000 square feet of office space. In an attempt to create a “1920s inspired Main Street,” two strips of smaller retail spaces have been built. Streetscapes are to incorporate public washrooms, transit stops, street furniture, outdoor plantings and approximately six kilometres of sidewalks. North American Development Group purchased the privately owned land from Country View Ltd. in August 2004. The land is zoned industrial/ commercial and Dartmouth Crossing has proceeded as an “As of Right” development. The first stores opened in January 2007 and 85% of stores are expected to be open by the end of this summer. Collaboration with community groups has resulted in initiatives ranging from relocating osprey nests, remediation of waterways on the site and a trail connection to neighbouring Shubie Park. Walking paths to and along Grassy Brook, which flows through the site, will help meet the development’s 5% minimum park dedication. Dartmouth Crossing is also the first retail centre in HRM to use natural gas to heat the buildings. BLOOMFIELD CENTRE

FACTOIDS

3.76 acres 90,000 square feet of indoor floor area

60,000 square feet of lease-able floor area

million estimated market value (based on a clean vacant site & C2 zoning)

TIMEFRAME: Aug. 2004 – Oct. 2007 BUDGET: $270 million PROJECT TEAM: North American Development Group, EDM Ltd. FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.dartmouthcrossing.com

| Seaport | The Seaport, also known as the Seawall, is a 20 acre mixed-use redevelopment project at the southern end of the Halifax waterfront. The aim of the project is to revitalize underutilized port structures from Pier 19 to Pier 23, along with the adjacent Immigration Annex and surrounding lands, to create a vibrant cultural and visitors’ district. The Seaport redevelopment has been many years in the making. When Pier 21, the storied “gateway to Canada,” closed its doors in 1971, sea cargo storage shifted from warehouses to container yards leaving the pier “sheds” empty. Gradually over the past two decades

the interior spaces of these buildings, which feature high ceilings and large floor areas, have seen an increase in adaptive reuse. The Pier 21 National Historic Site opened as a museum in 1999 and adjoining buildings have hosted banquets, special events and an increasing number of cruise ship passengers. The Halifax Port Authority (HPA), which owns and administers the Seaport lands, recognized the potential of the district and launched the redevelopment in 2005. A 10year plan for the area includes provisions for reusing the existing buildings and eventually new construction on vacant lands. A key focus of the redevelopment is the incorporation of creative and cultural industries. In 2006 HRM negotiated a development agreement with HPA to allow for non-port related land uses. This laid the groundwork for NSCAD University’s new port campus in Shed 21, the Cunard Centre in Pier 23, the Garrison Brewery and various arts and cultural associations. The Halifax Farmers’ Market has announced it will move to the Seaport development in 2008. TIMEFRAME: 2005–2015 PROJECT TEAM: Halifax Port Authority FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.halifaxseaport.ca

| Educational Institutions | Dalhousie University Life Sciences Research Institute

The first issue of SEEK mistakenly reported that the Life Sciences Centre was to be replaced. The Life Sciences Research Institute is a current initiative and will result in the creation of over 70,000 square feet of modern lab space. Future home to the Brain Repair Centre, the Institute aims to foster medical research and act as a stimulator for Nova Scotia’s biotechnology sector. The Institute will be located on the site of the old Grace Maternity Hospital on the corner of Summer and College Streets. BUDGET: $34 million PROJECT TEAM: Dalhousie University, Capital Health, IWK Health Centre, WHW Architects Inc. FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.brainrepair.ca/infra_lsri.php

St. Mary’s University Science Building Renewal Project

In March 2005 Saint Mary’s University began a three-year Building Renewal Project in

AERIAL PHOTOS/ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS: WWW.DARTMOUTHCROSSING.COM; WHW ARCHITECTS (DAL LIFE SCIENCES); HARIRI PONTARINI

order to meet the needs of students, staff and faculty in the Department of Science. The expansion aims to modernize the existing 71,500 square foot building, as well as create 22,500 square feet of new teaching and research space, including new and expanded laboratories for study and research in biology, chemistry, environmental science, forensic science and geology. TIMEFRAME: Mar. 2005 – Sept. 2008 BUDGET: $25.2 million PROJECT TEAM: St. Mary’s University, Davison Seamone Rickard Adams Architects FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.smu.ca/administration/facman/sci.html

Nova Scotia Community College

The Nova Scotia Community College will open its new waterfront campus in Dartmouth this September. The five-storey building will accommodate more than 1,800 students enrolled in a variety of programs. The building has been under construction since August 2004 and is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified as an energy efficient and environmentally responsible building. The new campus includes a “living gallery,” which houses new laboratories, classrooms, radio and television studios, small group study spaces and a new library. A second building will be constructed on the site by 2009. TIMEFRAME: Aug.2004–Sept.2007 (Phase 1) BUDGET: $49.8 million PROJECT TEAM: NSCC, Barrie & Langille Architects Ltd, in association with Moriyama & Teshima Architects and William Nycum & Associates Ltd.

Citadel High School

In September 1,200 Halifax students will move into a new high school at the base of Citadel Hill. Citadel High sits on the site of the former Bell Road NSCC Campus and replaces St. Patrick’s and Queen Elizabeth High Schools. In addition to classroom and laboratory space, the building features an 8400 square foot gymnasium, meeting rooms, cafeteria, and the shell of an 800seat auditorium with orchestra pit and stage. Community fundraising will help to finish the auditorium. TIMEFRAME: Spring 2005 – Sept. 2007 BUDGET: $24.5 million PROJECT TEAM: NS Department of Education; Fowler Bauld & Mitchell Architects FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.fbm.ns.ca

I (TEXPARK)

| Bloomfield Centre | The Bloomfield Centre sits on a 3.76 acre site located on the corner of Robie Street and Almon Street. A variety of organizations including not-for-profits, food banks, artists, senior groups, sports teams, and cultural societies operate under its roof. The continued operation of this unique collection of activities is in question due to the condition of the buildings and questions regarding how the Centre fits into the HRM recreation program and service delivery mandate. The Centre is comprised of three former City of Halifax school buildings: the Fielding, Main and Commons buildings. Built circa 1919, the Commons building replaced the original Bloomfield School, which was destroyed in the Halifax explosion. In 2004 HRM initiated the Bloomfield Review Project and met with tenants to discuss the future of the Centre. Tenants of the Commons building were locked out in 2005 due to toxic mould contamination. The Commons building remains closed while the Main and Fielding buildings continue to operate despite a 90% vacancy rate for the latter.

DARTMOUTH CROSSING

FACTOIDS

511 acres redevelopment replaces

quarries, 1 asphalt plant 1 construction & demolition dump

2 brooks 4

on-site retaining ponds

200 acres of retail

million tons of earth moved (200,000 loads)

HRM has released the second of the three phase Review Project, which suggests the Bloomfield Centre does not fit with HRM’s Indoor Recreation Facilities Master Plan. HRM’s Cultural Plan, however, may support the development of multi-use centres such as the Bloomfied Centre. Phase three of the Review Project will begin in September 2007.

57,000

During the same time period, citizens concerned with the future of the Centre formed the Imagine Bloomfield Society. This group has worked to engage community members in design workshops and discussions regarding the future of the Bloomfield Centre. The Society’s goal is “to ensure community vision is the basis for the future of Bloomfield.”

More than

PROJECT TEAM (Bloomfield Review Project): HRM Community Recreation, HRM Financial Services, HRM Real Property & Asset Management FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.halifax.ca PROJECT TEAM (Imagine Bloomfield): Imagine Bloomfield Society FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.imaginebloomfield.ca

square metres of asphalt

60,000 feet of pipe

300

permits to date

$270

million private sector investment

$85million in onsite/offsite infrastructure

#56

MetroTransit bus route servicing Dartmouth Crossing

Bedford Watershed Advisory Committee — July 11 & August 8 7:00pm Lebrun Centre, 36 Holand Drive, Bedford

Halifax Regional Council Committee of the Whole — June 26 6:00pm City Hall

Critical Mass Bike Ride — June 29, July 27 & August 31 6:00pm Victoria Park, corner of Spring Garden Road & South Park Street

Ecology Action Centre Built Environment Committee — July 12 & August 9 5:30pm 2705 Fern Lane

Marine Drive, Valley & Canal Community Council — June 27, July 25 & August 29 7:00 pm Location TBA Heritage Advisory Committee — June 27, July 25 & August 22 3:00pm City Hall Ecology Action Centre Coastal Issues Committee — June 28, July 26 & August 30 5:30pm 2705 Fern Lane Planning and Design Centre - Big Ideas: Visions for Halifax — June 28 7:00pm The Music Room, 6181 Lady Hammond Road

Ecology Action Centre Transportation Issues Committee — July 2 5:30pm 2705 Fern Lane Halifax Regional Council Regular Session — July 3, July 31 & August 7 6:00pm City Hall North West Planning Advisory Committee — July 4 & August 1 7:00pm Sackville Library Harbour East Community Council — July 5 & August 2 7:00pm 90 Alderney Drive

Halifax Watershed Advisory Committee — July 18 6:30pm City Hall Western Region Community Council — July 23 & August 27 7:00pm Keshen Goodman Library 330 Lacewood Drive North West Community Council — July 26 & August 23 7:00 pm 90 Alderny Drive Halifax Coalition Against Poverty — Thursdays 7:00pm 2420 Argyle Street

Peninsula Community Council — July 9 7:00pm City Hall

|texpark| On March 21, 2006 United Gulf Developments Limited received approval from HRM Regional Council to proceed with the contentious Texpark project. The project, often referred to as the “Twisted Sisters,” is touted as one that will bring refreshing architecture, new residents and major economic investment to the downtown core. The two 27-story towers will combine glass, copper and stone in a form that will embody a curvaceous, modern aesthetic. The development boasts 70,000 square feet of commercial and residential space, including street-level retail, office and convention space, 250 condo suites and a 260 room hotel. The proposal was the subject of intense debate based on two contrasting visions for HRM’s core. The controversy is primarily a matter of height. Two appeals were launched

to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeals by three heritage organizations. The first appeal attested that HRM did not properly consider wind and shadow studies before approving the project. The second appeal questioned staff and Council’s interpretation of the Municipal Planning Strategy’s (MPS) policies. Justice Suzanne Hood ruled in March 2007 that HRM was within its right to approve the United Gulf proposal and the appeal was denied. Heritage groups proceeded with an appeal of the approval to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. A decision is expected within 30-60 days of final submissions, which were filed on June 4, 2007. BUDGET: $140 - $150 million PROJECT TEAM: Hariri Pontarini Architects, United Gulf Developments Limited FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.unitedgulf.ca

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

Urban Design Task Force — June 27 12:00pm Halifax Ferry Terminal, 2nd floor

Imagine Bloomfield Planning Team Results — June 28 7:00pm Bloomfield Centre 2786 Agricola Street

| What’s happening in HRM? | | development projects |

| How can I get involved? | | upcoming events and meetings |

District 12 Planning Advisory Committee — June 25, July 30 & August 27 7:00pm City Hall

|FYI| PDCENTRE@DAL.CA 902.494.3926 WWW.PDC.CEUNIT.DAL.CA ISBN# 0-07703-0730-2

SEEK

is printed on paper containi

ing 100% post-consumer recycled fibre.

| SUMMER STREET + COLLEGE STREET |

| Dalhousie Life Sciences Research Institute|

| | | |

| Dartmouth Crossing |

| HIGHWAY 118 + WRIGHT AVENUE |

| Citadel High School | | BELL ROAD |

| Bloomfield Centre |

| ALMON STREET + ROBIE STREET |

| St. Mary’s University Scienc

| INGLIS STREET + R

ROBIE STREET |

| PLEASANT STREET + ACADIA STREET|

| Texpark |

| Seaport |

| MARGINAL ROAD |

| GRANVILLE STREET + SACKVILLE STREET |

SEEKthe PLANNING AND DESIGN CENTRE newsletter

ce Building Renewal Project

| Nova Scotia Community College |