Archives /// Dartmouth

The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series. HALIFAX - This is a continuation of last week's post about waterfront redevelopment. Similar to the plans presented last week, this post focuses on a plan commissioned for the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission during the early 1970s. Dubbed Harbour Plaza, this 1971 urban redevelopment plan reimagines the Dartmouth waterfront and ferry terminal. In contrast to the plans for Halifax revealed at the same time, this plan presents the redesign of the ferry terminal as a strategic urban project meant to reactivate the surrounding area. While this proposal never materialized, it shares some similar features to the new ferry terminal and Alderney Landing complex.

HALIFAX - Life in a post-amalgamation world. This seemingly perpetual challenge lingered in the realm of subtext during Wednesday night's public meeting on Halifax Regional Municipality's Governance and District Boundary Review. Poised for completion by Dec 2010, the Review aims to assess and improve our municipal governance structure, looking primarily at the number of electoral districts; their size and boundaries; and the size, number, and scope of power of Community Councils. What this really means: how many councillors should make up Regional Council, what population of HRMers each councillor should represent, and how the geographic structure of their governing authority might shift. Chaired by Mayor Peter Kelly, Wednesday's meeting— the fifth of seven meetings taking place across Community Councils through mid-March — gave HRM residents and representatives of the business community the opportunity to voice their opinions, musings, and concerns about the current governance structure and make a case for change.

[caption id="attachment_3769" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="From left to right: Steve Bedard (Co-Chair, HCC), Laura Smith (Workplace Health Promotion Planner, CDHA), Jeffery Horne (Supervisor Maintenance and Operations, CDHA), Emma Felts (Editor, Spacing Atlantic) and John Mason (Supervisor Maintenance and Operations, CDHA)."][/caption] HALIFAX - In early January, Spacing Atlantic teamed up with the Halifax Cycling Coalition and launched a poll of the best and worst bike parking spots in Halifax and Dartmouth. After over a month of voting, we're ready to announce the winners of the Best and Worst of Bike Parking in the HRM for 2009! Winner of Best Bike Parking: The Dickson Centre Entrance at the Victoria General Hospital This spot really blew all other nominees out of the water. With its high capacity, sheltered parking area, multiple bike rack designs and the security of the commissionaires office nearby, the Dickson Centre Entrance at the Victoria General Hospital site was the clear winner with 69% of votes.

HALIFAX - Leading up to the 2012 election, The Governance & Boundary Review Committee of Council is undertaking a review of the polling districts and boundaries, hoping to address key questions around how Council can work better for HRM citizens. The first of the public meetings took place last night, with six more to follow across the different HRM districts through March 10th. Discussion topics include the size of electoral districts, the role of district councillors, and the decision-making power and size of Community Councils and ...

Squat rows of abandoned apartments circle an empty children's playground, buried by snow. These buildings have seen better days. Their dull brown, yellow, grey and dishwater green paint is fading. Most windows are shattered or boarded up, while metal fencing and a dozen 'No Trespassing' signs surround them. If you look into the horizon, you can see candy cane striped smoke stacks belching smoke and the outline of the A. Murray MacKay Bridge. Shannon Park, a dilapidated former military barracks, is one of the first things people ...

HRM - Metro Transit's new 5-year transit operations plan  was recently "approved in principle" at an HRM regional council meeting on February 9th. The 187-page report [PDF] suggests a number of upgrades, route changes, terminal changes, price changes and additions to their service. But what does it mean for the downtown? First presented to council in October 2009, the plan is designed to "take transit to the next level," according to HRM documents. While some councillors voiced concern at the February 9 council meeting, the plan still passed. North end Councillor Jerry Blumenthal was the only one to vote against the plan. He was worried about the cost of the plan. However, this plan is just a collection of recommendations; the specific ideas put forth will need to be approved by council during the budgeting process. Councillor Jim Smith was critical of the emphasis on expanding service to rural areas like Fall River, Enfield and Musquodoboit Harbour. He's worried the plan would support urban sprawl, however he did vote to move it along. The fear of urban sprawl is no reason to not provide public transit to communities that are part of HRM and pay HRM taxes (I think we've been through this with the tax reform issue). The report shows growth in all but a few routes, in some cases up to 361 per cent. And that growth could be even higher — a study done by city staffers shows respondents would generally like to use transit more, if only the service was better.

HRM - Recently we shared what makes a great bike rack with you. This week we are hoping to raise awareness and change in regards to properly facilitating bike parking in Halifax and Dartmouth. Out of the numerous parking spots in the HRM, the Halifax Cycling Coalition has determined the three best and three worst spots using a bike parking evaluation tool developed by Citizens for Safe Cycling — a not-for-profit based in Ottawa. We want you to vote on your favorite/most hated! Best Parking Nominees The Dickson Center Entrance, Victoria General Site Some positive attributes to this site include: a variety of rack configurations; the parking area is completely covered by an outcropping of the Dickson Center; and on top of being regularly patrolled by security staff, there is a security station not 15 meters away from the site. [caption id="attachment_2322" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Bike parking outside of the Dickson Building, VG site"][/caption]

What makes a for good bike parking? Join the Halifax Cycling Coalition as we explain what to look for when locking your bike, and how end-point infrastructure is looking in Halifax today.