Why Are the Premier & Mayor Silent On Plan to Cut Down 37 Trees on the Halifax Common?

Rally Against Cutting 37 Mature Trees for the QEII Hospital Expansion
Corner of Robie Street and Bell Road
Friday, November 3rd, 12:00 to 1:00PM

FHC has sent a second letter to Premier Houston and Mayor Savage about their plans to cut 37 trees along Robie, Bell Road and Summer: 2023 FHC 2nd letter Mayor, Premier re tree cutting

We wrote again to ask why we aren’t hearing back from our July letter:2023 FHC Mayor, Premier re tree cutting

Cutting down 37 mature, historic trees along Robie, Bell Road and Summer St is not acceptable in 2023.

We are living with the effect of climate change – Fiona, floods, fires. Nova Scotians want faster better healthcare but it isn’t a case of hospitals or trees; better planning can give us both. Set the building back to protect the trees. They can never be replaced.

Help protect the trees.
Write premier@novascotia.ca, mayor@halifax.ca & waye.mason@halifax.ca. Tell them to…

- Protect the 37 trees on Robie, Bell Rd & Summer by having the hospital building set back from the sidewalk so the tree rootballs are not harmed;
- Follow good urban planning principles and engage in meaningful public consultation.
- Be collaborative in working to keeping a healthy environment for a healthy population and climate.

Please sign, then circulate our petition: https://chng.it/qFyKkmqXbT

Consider becoming a FHC member: https://halifaxcommon.ca/about/membership/
Donate to support the work of Friends of Halifax Common by sending an e-transfer to banking (at) halifaxcommon.ca

FHC Writes to Ms. Maggie MacDonald, HRM Executive Director Parks & Recreation

FHC has sent a letter to HRM’s Executive Director of Parks & Recreation Ms Maggie MacDonald to offer observations for her use in writing a staff report for the HRM Standing Committee on Community Planning and Economic Development with respect to the Wanderers Grounds, particularly in the context of the proposal Mr. Derek Martin made regarding a long-term lease.

As the matter of the public funding stadiums is as yet untested in Halifax we recommend the Journal of Economic Surveys’ February 2022 article, The Impact of Professional Sports Franchises and Venues on Local Economies: A Comprehensive Survey. This recent analysis of 130 studies on the economic impact of publicly financed sports venue…

“…confirms the decades-old consensus of very limited economic impacts of professional sports teams and stadiums.Even with added non-pecuniary social benefits from quality-of-life externalities and civic pride, welfare improvements from hosting teams tend to fall well short of covering public outlays. Thus, the large subsidies commonly devoted to constructing professional sports venues are not justified as worthwhile public investments.”
(https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4022547)

The FHC letter include comments on public engagement; setting, design, turf; 2017 HRM staff report; future expansion; the Common as green space; health and environment; the 2023 FHC submission #5 Feb 2023 CPED on Master Plan; and, a letter of objection from Friends of the Public Gardens (Letter_HRM_WanderersGrounds)

Derek Martin/SEA’s ask for $40 million of public money for his permanent stadium to further privatize the Wanderers Grounds for thirty years came at the same week that HRM Council debated designating two North Common baseball diamonds as tent sites for the homeless.

Here’s the letter:2023 FHC Wanderers Stadium, Ms. Macdonald

Todd Veinotte & FHC’s Howard Epstein re HRM’s Proposed $40m Stadium Build

Listen to Todd Veinotte’s interview with Howard Epstein about SEA/Derek Martin’s pitch for HRM to spend $40 million on a permanent stadium for his private use and profit for thirty years.

Watch Derek Martin/SEA pitch to HRM Community Planning and Economic Development standing committee along with presentations by Howard Epstein starts at 13:03, David Bentley and Vince Calderhead here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgeXi9Okh1w

The Wanderers Grounds was fully used by amateur players prior ot HRM’s deal for a ‘temporary pop-up stadium’ – HRM’s 2017 staff report stated that if it was successful was to go elsewhere, no park space would be lost.

FHC to HRM Community Planning & Economic Develoment Standing Committee

The Wanderers Grounds was fully used by amateur players like this QEHS football team (2015) before HRM paid hundreds of thousands for field upgrades, lights and on-going utility/maintenance for a professional private for-profit soccer team takeover.

Dear HRM CPED Committee Members:

Re- Wanderers Grounds – FHC Comments

FHC’s FOIPOP information received Sept 11and attached below shows that the Wanderers Grounds was used almost exclusively by Derek Martin/SEA activities with virtually nothing for amateur players. This is similar to two previous FOIPOPs. Martin/SEA private-for-profit stadium is consistently shutting out amateur players year after year.
ARG-23.24-00118 – Response Letter 00118 – Responsive Record (In Full)

HRM’s 2017 staff report wrote:
◦ The Wanderers Grounds was fully used to its full capacity (75% due to poor field conditions) by amateur players—football, touch football, rugby, frisbee, soccer, lacrosse- kids to adults, all genders and all amateur players.
◦ A professional soccer team if successful would need to find another location to continue.
◦ No park space was to be lost if this trial ‘pop-up’ stadium was successful
◦ The Wanderers Grounds would be part of the Halifax Common Master Plan consultation but HRM staff steadfastly refused to include the Wanderers Grounds/Wanderers Block in any and all public consultation/engagement
◦ Martin/SEA temporary ‘pop-up stadium’ was to be removed at the end of each season but HRM changed the contract to let his stadium and stuff stay so it was never removed.

Economics:
 In preparation for the private club’s venture
• HRM used ~$800,000 – $1million of public tax dollars to pay to upgrade the Field, for lights, scoreboard etc. HRM continues to pay on-going utilities.
• The initial field fee was $1200/game, subsequently $1400, $2400 and now $2600.
• The land is Halifax Common land given ‘to and for the use of the inhabitants of the town of Halifax as Common, forever.’
• The value of the land is irreplaceable (St Pat’s was sold a few years ago for $37m), essentially Martin/SEA is looking for a land donation to a private company, off loading the capital cost of land acquisition to the public.
• Bill Black’s comments on a 2011 Stadium study are relevant; money spent would be spent in any case and generate just as much economic activity and tax revenue, not because there is a stadium. https://newstartns.ca/2011/11/29/stadium-studies-phase-2/

HRM’s Centre Plan will increase the population of the Halifax Peninsula by thousands but it isn’t adding new green or play space.

Less than 20% of the Halifax Common remains as public open space. Covid showed us how important access to public parks and green space is for our health and well-being.

On behalf of Friends of the Halifax Common, I respectfully request that you do not extend the private-for-profit use of the Wanderers Field, historically used and now needed more than ever for amateur players and public good.

Thank you,
Howard Epstein
Director, Friends of Halifax Common

Todd Veinotte- Interview re Ron Pink’s letter to HRM on Privatization of Wanderers Grounds

In 2018 just before the start of public consultation for the Halifax Common Master Plan HRM signed a contract with a private, professional, for-profit soccer club for a temporary “pop-up” stadium on the Wanderers Grounds. According to the 2017 HRM staff report, prior to this agreement amateur players of all ages and gender fully used the field for football, touch football, rugby, lacrosse, frisbee and soccer— an estimated 325 hours. (Even more had the field been maintained.) The report also states that if the club was successful they would have to move elsewhere-no park space would be lost. Public tax dollars paid for initial ~$1million dollars in field improvements, and since then for on-going maintenance and utilities. There has been little to no public access. And no public consultation. With thousands more residents moving to the Peninsula we need public open green space more than ever.

The Wanderers Grounds was fully used by amateur players like this QEHS football team (2015) before HRM paid hundreds of thousands for field upgrades, lights, scoreboard and on-going utility/maintenance for a professional private for-profit soccer team takeover of the public-land.

Newly Renovated Robie Street House Demolished & What about those trees?

Historic, newly renovated four-unit building at 2110 Robie Street- demolished.

Mid-town Halifax housing takes another hit this morning as an “Investor” knocks down 2110 Robie to save on maintenance and taxes and to profit from poor planning.

At least four units are destroyed in a recently renovated, pristine and irreplaceable building next to the North Common. (see pictures below) This is one of 450 demolition permits HRM has issued since January 2020.

Please sign the petition to Petition to Stop Demolitions – shorturl.at/dlxET
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FHC to Mayor/Premier: Stop Plan to Cut Mature Historic Trees on Common

re: QEII Hospital Build and cutting down Halifax Common Trees

FHC has just learned that the province intends to cut down as many as 40 mature historic trees on the Halifax Common as part of the QEII hospital build.

This 2020 aerial view shows a massive expansion of the Halifax Infirmary (The 8-storey parking garage recently built on NS Museum property on Summer St. has oddly been omitted.) Like the recent construction of a parking garage on the Common, tree cutting should not play a part in the Common future. Public money, public land— where’s the public consultation?

To learn more about the Friends of Halifax Common position read our July 14/23 letter to Premier Houston and Mayor Savage: 2023 FHC Mayor, Premier re: Tree Cutting

If you concur please send your message to premier@novascotia.ca & mayor@halifax.ca

Tell them to:

- Protect the trees on the Halifax Common and stop plans to cut them.
- Follow good urban planning principles and engage in meaningful public consultation.
- Be collaborative in working to keeping a healthy environment for a healthy population.

Please consider becoming a FHC member: https://halifaxcommon.ca/about/membership/

Donate to support the work of Friends of Halifax Common by sending an e-transfer to banking (at) halifaxcommon.ca

Wanderers Grounds: Ron Pink Letter to HRM Mayor Savage

FHC recently retained Halifax lawyer Ron Pink with respect to concerns about the Halifax Regional Municipality’s (HRM) use of the Wanderers Grounds. HRM is operating in violation of the HRM Charter, the 1994 Halifax Common Plan and the Plan’s intent to maintain public access to all Common land. The letter, FHC 2023 07 10 Letter to Mayor Savage from Ronald Pink is intended to give HRM an opportunity to cease and desist all acts on non-compliance.

FHC has many posts, letters and interviews about our concerns for the Wanderers Grounds here: https://halifaxcommon.ca/?s=wanderers+grounds

Please consider becoming a FHC member: https://halifaxcommon.ca/about/membership/

Or donate by e-transfer to banking (at) halifaxcommon.ca

FHC & Todd Veinotte-Councillor Misinformed on Wanderers

Reminder: Its time for our Mayor and Council to protect the Halifax Common, not to let more of it slip out of public use and control. The temporary “pop-up” stadium on the Wanderers Grounds is turning into yet another example of privatization of the public’s Common. Before the private, for-profit Wanderers Club took over the space amateur players of all ages and gender fully used the field for football, touch football, rugby, lacrosse, frisbee and soccer. Now the field improvements, maintenance and utilities are still paid for by public tax dollars but there is little to no public benefit or access. Even if Sports Atlantic doesn’t get the $20 million its been asking for they’ve been closing off availability to land worth millions. With thousands more residents moving to the Peninsula we need public open green space more than ever. Here’s an July 2022 interview to fill in some of the information missing from the discussion!

Jane’s Walk – May 5, 6, & 7 K’jipuktuk / Halifax-Dartmouth

Jane Jacobs championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building. “I think it’s wicked in a way, to be a victim.” Jane Jacobs (1916-2006)

The celebration of legendary urban activist Jane Jacobs with the JANE’S WALK Festival has grown to a global event. From the full schedule FHC has selected four walks (two on Saturday and two on Sunday) to keep you on or near the Halifax Common. Dress for the weather and bring a snack and water.

Saturday, May 6th
Nature in the City: Past, Present and Future,
10 -11:30 am
Marshes, a buried brook & More details here!
Led by: Emma Bocking
Meet: North end of Halifax Common at the water fountain, near the Oval

Past, Present and Future – a tour of the Cogswell District,
1 – 2:30 pm
Community, erasure, roads & More details here!
Led by: Christine Hempel & Treno Morton
Meet: Halifax North Memorial Public Library Continue reading →

FHC Response to HRM’s ‘in principle’ Halifax Common Master Plan

We invite you to read these detailed comments on the ‘in principle’ Halifax Common Master Plan (the “Plan”) that FHC recently sent to HRM staff. Collectively it took us thousands of hours. It is comprehensive and worth a look! (There is a short summary below the map.)

Halifax Common with its boundaries between Robie, Cunard, Park and South Streets, as well as land leased to the Horticultural Society for the Public Gardens, area used for cricket grounds, area used for military exercising grounds, and the water-course from the Egg Pond to the Public Garden pond to Freshwater Brook (water features aren’t labelled).

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Honour the Mi’kmaq with the name “Black-duck Pool” —Forget about sponsorship or charging kids money

HRM Mayor and Council approved selling branding/sponsorship for the

Children playing in pool at Central Common. The location has historically been referred to as Black-duck Pond by Mi’kmaw. That name is better than a brand!

new central common swimming pool building. But FHC proposes that instead, HRM call the pool its historic Mi’kmaw name —Black-Duck Pool and commemorate this summer’s North American Indigenous Games. FHC opposed both HRM Parks and Recreation plan to make $100,000 on user fees and plan to charge $100,000 for naming rights for the new Halifax Common pool.
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Thank you for Writing to Protect Former Home & Clinic of Dr. Clement Ligoure—5812-14 North Street

On January 24th HRM Mayor and Council unanimously supported FHC’s 2022 Heritage Designation Application to help protect the former home and clinic of Dr. Clement Ligoure at 5812-14 North Street by giving it heritage designation.

This important building is a legacy to Nova Scotia’s first black doctor, co-founder of Canada’s first all black military battalion and editor of Nova Scotia’s first black newspaper.
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Send Your Comments to Help Make the Halifax Common Plan Better!

HRM is continuing its ‘public consultation’ on the Halifax Common draft plan via an on-line survey or comments until February 28, 2023. Thanks to Mayor Savage and HRM Council supporting HRM’s Community Economic Development standing

The Halifax Common grant in 1763 was for 235 acres ” to and for the use of the inhabitants of the town of Halifax as Common, forever.” This entire area was to be considered for planning purposes in the 1994 Halifax Common Plan.

committee’s excellent recommendation in January 2022 to bring it back to the public for feedback. (view video of committee meeting)

This plan is critical to the future of the Halifax Common. That’s why we want HRM staff to do more than an online survey or emailed comments. That’s no substitute for public presentations and engagement. We are also very concerned that HRM has not consulted with the public about the Wanderers Block and that it is engaging in side deals.

Below are draft notes you can use to help you to write more detailed comments to HRM. Please email commonplan@halifax.ca to ask for actual public presentation(s) of the revised document followed with opportunities for public feedback. And to also ask that there be public consultation on the Wanderers Block.
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Tribute to Alan Ruffman, FHC director, by Howard Epstein

“He did seriously live his values and show people how to make things better. And what better thing can be said about a person?”

The passing of our friend ‘Citizen Ruffman’ was a terrible way to end a terrible year. Linda and Alan have always been a fixture of intelligent, articulate, and progressive local politics. I realize that I have known Alan for almost 50 years. He was around in the early days of the Ecology Action Centre and already involved in keeping a close eye on the doings of our municipal council, which never failed to disappoint him.

Alan was central in the populist agitation to stop the proposed ‘Harbour Drive’, resulting in the saving and later renovation of what is now ‘Historic Properties’, a rare outpost of valuing Halifax heritage.

We have worked together with many others to try to resist the worst of local planning and other decisions: proposals for around the Citadel, for elsewhere in the Downtown, for intrusions on The Common, for the Offshore.

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