Shakespeare by the Sea building In June, a miscreant set fire to the Shakespeare by the Sea building in Point Pleasant Park, making it unusable. The building was constructed as a park canteen in 1969, sat empty for many years, and then was occupied by SBTS in 1994 for office, storage, and for theatre space...
Halifax’s deck collapse: See what other properties are owned by landlord Darin Sweet
A deck collapse last month in Halifax’s south end at 921 Brussels Street sent six people to the hospital. In the aftermath of the horrific incident, Paul Pettipas, the CEO of the Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association, told the Chronicle Herald that “in my opinion there was no maintenance done on this deck and the landlord’s responsible.” That comment...
Garbage policy, sidewalk cafes, bike lane: Council recap, September 23, 2014 meeting
Yesterday’s meeting of Halifax council involved a lot of wide-ranging conversation and debate, which often raises the ire of people who think that the less discussion the better. But I think we all benefit from longer discussion of issues. But unfortunately it’s late in the day, so I’ll make this a quick and short recap...
Sidewalk cafes, landfill issues, and Earth Hour: Halifax council preview, September 23, 2014 meeting
The big issues tomorrow: Sidewalk cafes Staff has written a report recommending the implementation of a sidewalk cafe bylaw and an accompanying administrative order outlining fees. In the past, sidewalk cafes were sloppily regulated, caught between a hazy “policy” and three bylaws regulating other things, but not sidewalk cafes directly. For the most part, staff’s...
It’s More Than Buses: a great starting point
The It’s More Than Buses group has released its proposal for revamping Halifax bus routes and scheduling. At the heart of the proposal are high-frequency routes that connect at transfer points. The buses would run along these routes so often—at least every 15 minutes, with some at 10 minutes—that it reduces the need for time-consuming...
Mismanagement, waste, graft, and corruption: How’s the city doing?
Today, Halifax city Auditor General Larry Munroe released his report, A Performance Review of HRM’s Equipment Fuel Program, to council’s Audit and Finance Committee. Mid-point in Munroe’s presentation to the committee, the report was posted on the city’s website. You can read it here. I was at the committee meeting, along with all the other municipal reporters...
开伯尔is saved, craven politicians, chimineaing while drunk: Council recap, September 9, 2014 meeting
The Khyber is saved Without warning, this summer city staff put The Khyber on the list of surplus properties, which is a relatively new process meant to identify and sell off properties the city no longer needs or are deemed to expensive to keep. The staff report gave little in the way of details. The...
开伯尔, Halifax Water, and active transportation: Halifax council preview, September 9, 2014 meeting
After a long summer break, Halifax council returns tomorrow, with the following major issues on plate: Khyber to be sold? There’s still no staff report specifically responding to all the comments about the proposal to sell off the Khyber. The initial staff report from July simply lists the Khyber along with scores of other more...
Halifax council comes back to work: Four big issues this fall
After taking most of the summer off, Halifax council meets next Tuesday. This fall council will see an unusual number of heavy issues coming before it. Here’s a quick look at four of the most important issues. Washmill Underpass Auditor general Larry Munroe had expected his report on the Washmill Underpass fiasco to come out in...
Halifax’s first protected bike lane could roll out this fall
by Hilary Beaumont Halifax could see its first protected bike lane this fall, if a new pilot project gets council’s approval. Like those in Montreal and Vancouver, the proposed lane would separate bikes from traffic with a physical barrier. Initiated by Dalhousie University, the protected lane would run along the north and south sides of...