The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth is headed to city hall with a proposed $22-million redevelopment at South Park and Sackville streets, president and CEO Bette Watson-Borg said Friday.
It’s headed there even though an advisory committee rejected the plan last week.
“The proposal represents the culmination of about four years of community consultations,” Watson-Borg said of the redevelopment the YMCA is pursuing for downtown Halifax in partnership with CBC/Radio Canada.
“We believe this is an opportunity to bring a much-needed health and wellness centre to the community.”
The CBC property, located at the intersection, will be rolled into the redevelopment of the site if required height restriction amendments to the municipal planning strategy win approval at city hall.
Watson-Borg said the economics of the undertaking require raising the height restriction to 46 metres from the current 23 metres. Relaxing the height restriction would allow the proponents to build a residential complex that would be about 15 storeys high on one portion of the property.
“The taller portion (of the complex) is setback significantly from the street,” said Watson-Borg.
A design review committee, acting as an advisory board to Halifax regional council, rejected a proposal to amend the city’s municipal plan to allow taller buildings in the area.
Concerns were raised at that session about keeping area development in context with the both the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and the Halifax Public Gardens.
However, the committee’s decision is non-binding and regional council can still approve the requested change to the building height restriction regulation.
“We understand council can approve a development in this context if it is in the best interests of the community and we believe this is such a situation,” said Watson-Borg.
“We want to bring a full-service health and fitness facility to the community and by adding additional development to the site, we can keep access costs reasonable at the new Y facility,” she said.
Richard Harvey, a senior planner with the city, said a report on the design committee’s rejection of proposed changes to height restrictions at South Park and Sackville streets will likely be forwarded to city hall within weeks.
He said council will schedule a formal public hearing before voting on amendments to height restrictions at South Park and Sackville streets, if council decides to follow that route.
The YMCA, which Watson-Borg said has about 2,000 members at its South Park facility, wants to build a 70,000-square-foot complex with an aquatic complex, indoor running track, childcare, outdoor garden and gym and fitness area.
There is also 5,700 square feet of retail and office space along South Park Street, 300 parking spaces and a passageway between South Park and Annandale streets.
Another 330,000 square feet of residential space would generate an estimated $9 million and $10 million from a developer, which Watson-Borg said would help the non-profit organization cover the cost of the health and wellness centre.
CBC/Radio Canada has announced plans to relocate from the intersection to the CBC building on Bell Road that is getting a multimillion-dollar makeover.
(bpower@herald.ca)
]]>http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/34318-ymca-seeks-city-hall-ok-turfed-plan
]]>A multimillion-dollar makeover of the CBC building on Bell Road in Halifax will add a gleaming new presence to the streetscape and open up a massive new production area for public viewing.
“When people are in town we want to be a destination that doesn’t require a special invitation,” Andrew Cochran, the broadcaster’s managing director for the Maritimes, said Friday in an interview.
One portal into the renovated and enlarged complex will be a window bordered in red that will light up when a live broadcast is underway, sending an invitation to people at street level that they are welcome to view the action. Increased public access will also be provided in the main foyer.
The innovative design of the CBC building — by WHW Architects Inc. in Halifax — will get its first public viewing today at 75th anniversary celebrations for the public broadcaster at the Bell Road site.
“All Halifax operations will be under one roof for the first time,” said Cochran.
He said the challenge for architects was to provide some sort of nod to the past — including the landmark CBC Radio building at Sackville and South Park streets — and to reflect the evolving role of the broadcaster moving into the future.
There are some white motifs featured in the gleaming exterior of the new structure, as a nod to the CBC Radio building that will be vacated when the renovated and enlarged structure on Bell Road is ready for occupancy early in the summer of 2014.
A tender call for a builder is expected to go out late in December and staff in the Bell Road building will be relocated to the CBC Radio building when renovations begin next summer.
All radio, television and online operations will be consolidated into one large production space, which will actually occupy the space where the parking lot is currently located.
This will put about 170 staff in one central location, but this number does not include assorted freelance broadcasters and independent producers who will be using the facility.
“The availability of parking will be affected and we’re going to be working on that with staff,” said Cochran.
The completed project will enlarge the current 57,000-square-foot building to about 90,000 square feet. CBC has not released a cost estimate on the overhaul of its Halifax broadcast centre. CBC is reducing its environmental footprint at Bell Road with natural light to supplement room lighting, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems and LED lighting systems.
The CBC Radio building — noted for its art deco-like styling — will likely come down as part of a redevelopment of that portion of South Park Street that includes the existing YMCA building site.
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HALIFAX - The CBC and YMCA buildings occupy a prominent corner in Halifax - a stone’s throw from the bustling Spring Garden Road, the Citadel and Public Gardens. In recent years, its neighbours have undergone extensive changes, including the addition of the Martello atop Park Lane Mall and the construction of the Paramount Apartments, directly across from the Public Gardens. And while much of the block has “grown-up”, the CBC building and the adjacent YMCA have sat comfortably, tucked away between civic landmarks, new residential towers and a busy retail strip. But now, the CBC and YMCA are ready and willing to work together to exploit the potential of the strategic place that they hold in the city.
For more click link above
]]>A proposal for a major expansion of the Halifax YMCA was met with both accolades and criticism during a public information session at city hall Thursday evening.
Some feared the proposed $22-million structure, which would require the city to amend its height restrictions, would be another Fenwick Place tower, an eyesore that would be out of character with the neighbourhood.
“I’m firmly opposed to putting another Fenwick on the corner,” said Joseph Skerry, who lives nearby in Martello Tower.
Skerry said he realizes some sort of development will go ahead at the YMCA/CBC site at the corner of South Park and Sackville streets, but he is “violently opposed” to the proposed 46-metre-tall structure because of its height. (Current rules restrict buildings to 23 metres in that area around Citadel Hill.)
“It would be asinine for anyone to think that site would not be developed,” Skerry told the crowd of about 70, adding that he thinks the nearby Trillium complex is “an abomination.”
“I think we commit a crime allowing (the YMCA expansion) to take place on that corner.”
Others said the proposed complex would be a “friend” to the nearby Public Gardens and Citadel Hill. It would include a vast atrium allowing people inside to have views of Citadel Hill. Visitors could also see the Public Gardens and adjoining local streetscapes, supporters said.
The glass, art deco-inspired front, with two towers stepped back and a covered glass laneway along Annandale Street in between, would include 330,000 square feet of residential units and possibly even a boutique hotel.
Representatives from Michael Napier Architecture, the Halifax firm in charge of the complex’s design, said they had come up with a respectful proposal that would be a “comfortable” fit in the neighbourhood.
The higher parts of the structure, which would be residential areas, would be stepped back from Sackville and South Park streets so as not to interrupt the view from Citadel Hill, they said.
Kenzie MacDonald, who lives with his family in the area, called the proposed expansion “a tremendous asset” to the area.
“There are very few options for the public for recreation south of Citadel (Hill),” he said.
Jim MacFadzean, who lives in the city’s south end and said he is a member of Friends of the Public Gardens, addressed concerns about viewplanes from Citadel Hill toward Spring Garden Road and southward.
“I don’t believe that many people go up Citadel Hill to gaze on South Park and Sackville streets,” he said.
MacFadzean said the development would not be “perfect for everybody” but would greatly enhance life in the area.
Throughout the session, several proponents called the proposal “critical” to downtown Halifax.
Jennifer Powely of the Ecology Action Centre wondered why the city is considering changing its height restriction after just completing the HRM by Design initiative.
“Why are we looking at changing that?” she asked.
Michael Napier said his firm’s design complies with city bylaws except for the height restriction, and even then only a portion would be in violation.
Napier’s company has been involved in a downtown YMCA project in Vancouver and in several mixed urban complexes in Europe.
A Halifax YMCA representative said the expansion is badly needed as the existing infrastructure can’t handle the community’s needs.
Richard Harvey, a senior planner with Halifax Regional Municipality, said people need to consider two key points: the kind of impact a higher structure would have on Citadel Hill and its surroundings, and whether the public benefit from the proposed complex would support amending the height restrictions.
Harvey said his department welcomes all input and historical data so it can provide a well-rounded report to regional council. Once that report, with its recommendations, is before councillors, they will decide whether to send it on to public hearings, he said.
( ehoare@herald.ca)
]]>The prospect of Halifax undergoing a makeover after more than two decades without any major construction is injecting some excitement back into the downtown area.
The linchpin for the whole thing, of course, is the proposed Nova Centre, which will include a convention centre, hotel, and office and retail space.
Work on the $500-million Argyle Street project is expected to begin early in the new year, but it isn’t the only downtown construction project planned for 2011.
Just down Grafton Street from the Nova Centre, which is being developed by Rank Inc., the company has another project on the go in conjunction with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax.
The archdiocese signed a letter of intent last year with Rank to develop church-owned lands adjacent to Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Grafton Street.
The plan for the residential building still hasn’t been revealed, but it is expected to involve the church parking lot, a courtyard behind the basilica and the building that now houses the diocese administration offices at 1521 Grafton St.
The church hopes development of the lands will create an income stream that could be used to help defray the cost of maintaining the cathedral and the historic glebe house.
Spring Garden Road has often been referred to as an upscale part of downtown, but that is debatable. With the amount of construction proposed for the area now, there is a chance the street will start to live up to its tony reputation.
Not a long walk up Spring Garden from the basilica, past the existing central library, people should see construction of the $55-million, 109,000-square-foot library begin early in the new year.
The distinctive architectural design to be built at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street is expected to be completed by early 2014.
The library’s book collection is expected to be 50 per cent larger than the one at the existing library. The new library will be set back from the street to provide space for public art and meeting space, which will play into the theme of having the library serve as a community centre.
Just across the street from the new library, developer Danny Chedrawe, president of Westwood Developments Ltd., has completed the final part of a land assembly for the block that fronts on Spring Garden Road between Brunswick and Queen streets.
It has been reported that he expects to redevelop that block over the next three or four years, with a boutique hotel on the Spring Garden side and retail space fronting on Doyle Street in the back.
Just up the street, however, Chedrawe has more immediate plans for another property he has assembled. He expects to start construction in February on a 25,000-square-foot glass structure at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Birmingham Street. TD Canada Trust will be the primary tenant, taking three floors in the four-storey building.
In other construction news, work on the WM Fares Group’s $41-million, 19-storey Trillium condominium building at the corner of Brenton Place and South Park Street is nearing completion, adding another dimension to that part of town.
The area’s facelift won’t end there.
The CBC building at the corner of Sackville and South streets has been sold and is expected to be redeveloped in association with the YMCA next door.
And once the new library is completed, the site of the former library on Spring Garden is expected to be sold for redevelopment. There is also a strong interest in developing the properties that are now used as parking lots behind the Spring Garden Road shops and running along Clyde Street.
Let’s not forget the former Halifax Infirmary property on Queen Street will also be developed and there will be plenty of development in the Barrington Street area, too.
]]>Since the Public Open House, which was hosted by the YMCA in May 2010, YMCA volunteers and staff have been working diligently to integrate feedback from the many ongoing stakeholder consultations hosted into updated design concepts and pro formas. Our goal continues to be to bring a new YMCA Centre of Community to Pennisular Halifax in order that many more generations fo citizwns, all ages, anilities, social and economic background can experience personal growth in spirit, mind and body.
Our principles of axxess for all, outstanding urban design, green construction and financial sustainability, both capital and operationally, have guided our course to date. These principles are inherent in this application.
Concurrently, The YMCA has “relaunched” the project web site that includes the latest architectural renderings. The design concepts can be viewed at www.newhalifaxymca.ca. We hope you will take some time to visit the site. We hope you can share this news with friends, coworkers, professional and personal networks.
We look forward to staying in touch with you as the application proceeds through the HRM planning processes and we move this legacy project from concept to reality.
Thank you for your interest and support as our community builds a new YMCA Centre of Community to serve for the next fifty years.
For more information contact:
Bette Watson-Borg
President and Chief Executive Officer
YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth
902-423-4261
bette_watson-borg@ymca.ca
A preview of what the YMCA and CBC/Radio Canada have in mind for one of Halifax’s most prominent intersections will be provided at a two-day open house, beginning today.
“We hope to submit a development application to HRM before summer, so this is our pre-application viewing for the general public,” Bette Watson-Borg, YMCA president and CEO, said in an interview Tuesday.
A redevelopment of the YMCA and CBC/Radio Canada site, at the convergence of South Park and Sackville streets and Bell Road, has been in the works for a couple of years.
The YMCA plans to open an estimated $22-million recreation and fitness centre at its location opposite the Public Gardens.
CBC/Radio Canada indicated recently options for its broadcast centre beside the South Park YMCA remain under review.
Watson-Borg said the YMCA and CBC are working together on the redevelopment and will bring in a third partner to handle the overall development after it receives clearance from the city.
“It is important for people to understand that the $22 million figure that is being talked about is just for the YMCA portion of a much larger development,” she said.
This is the first time the general public has had an opportunity to view plans for the new South Park YMCA and consider architectural renditions of that the project and what it will look like at street level.
“At this point we’re still working on a basic envelope and this is what we will bring to the municipality for approval,” she said.
The open house sessions, which run from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day at the South Park YMCA, are intended to obtain public input.
People can fill out comment cards and this input will be incorporated into the planning process, said Watson-Borg.
Officials with the CBC were unavailable for comment Tuesday, so it remains unclear if the public broadcaster will continue to operate at the location after the redevelopment.
YMCA officials have been keen to talk about their plans to use profits from the redevelopment to finance a portion of a new complex, which will include a rooftop atrium, major aquatics complex and about 375 underground parking spots.
A fundraising campaign is also planned to help cover the capital costs of a new South Park YMCA.
]]>“The new Robert Lee YMCA offers .... services and programs to strengthen the lives of families, children, youth, adults and seniors. This fully accessible building also breaks down all types of barriers to community—physical, financial or otherwise.”
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