The fourth version of the 500-stall, 8-storey parking garage planned for the north side of the NS Museum of Natural History is flipped in orientation requiring a larger easement from HRM and chewing up more of the Halifax Common.
Rick Howe interviews FHC’s Peggy Cameron about the group’s letter to Premier McNeil asking that he cancel the plans for parking garages on the Halifax Common. There are other, better solutions.
Outgoing Premier McNeil
December 17, 2020
Dear Premier McNeil,
As you leave your role as Premier, we write to ask that you reconsider the decision to build a $30 million dollar, 8-storey, 500-stall parking garage on one of the last remaining public open green spaces on the Halifax Common. Approximately 20% of the Common is used as parking, almost all for provincial health care facilities.
The 1000-stall parking garage planned for the former CBC building site will certainly provide enough parking for years – build it first and the parkade on the Museum of Natural History grounds becomes unnecessary. The decision for the Museum property parking garage taken by Minister Lloyd Hines, requires careful second sober thought.
Construction work for a controversial parking garage by the NS Museum of Natural History exposed an ancient pipe where Freshwater Brook flows. Rick Howe interviews Peggy Cameron who sees this as a perfect opportunity for a re-think on the controversial $30 million, 8-storey, 500-stall parking garage planned for one of the few public, open green spaces left on the Halifax Common.
Cyclist sees “Restore Freshwater Brook” as a better new reality.
A pedestrian walks past Restore Freshwater Brook signs that dot the lawn off Summer Street and Bell Road on Tuesday afternoon. The group Friends of the Halifax Common want portions of the underground brook daylighted or exposed again. – ERIC WYNNE/CHRONICLE HERALD
The brook, initially called a river, ran from what is now near the corner of St. Albans Street and Clifton Street in north-end Halifax, across the peninsula, through the Halifax Public Gardens, Victoria Park, past Fenwick towers and the Sobeys parking lot on Queen Street to the confluence of Barrington and Inglis streets. Continue reading
This new report “Buildings for the Climate Crisis – A Halifax Case Study” by Peggy Cameron, MES reveals the high levels of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) released up-front by high rise construction, developments, and demolitions. By comparing these to more climate-friendly in-fill buildings (carbon-neutral or carbon-positive) it offers scenarios that are better matched for what society and Earth need at this time.
For the report a Canadian interdisciplinary climate change strategy consultancy Mantle Developments, conducted preliminary estimates of global warming gases associated with:
— two Halifax based proposals;
— the associated demolition of 12-14 historic houses;
— the replacement of the demolished floor area, equivalent to a 12-storey building and,
— a 9-storey in-fill option modeled by the citizen’s group Development Options Halifax.
The report details impacts of the present developments and associated demolitions on the climate crisis and links this to the affordable housing crisis.
This report proposes options in the path forward including policy recommendations for what needs to change if we are planning for an inclusive society and for environmental remediation. With the release of this report the author aims to encourage all parties to seize this important and timely opportunity to re-think accepted practices of the building, construction, and demolition industry.
Globally, green houses gasses (GHG’s) from the materials and products used to build buildings is 11% as embodied or upfront carbon and approximately 29% as operational carbon from heating, lighting and cooling MORE>
From now until October 17 you as a citizen of HRM can vote to elect a Mayor and Council. Confronted with the climate crisis, COVID crisis, housing crisis, transportation crisis and social equity crisis we know we need a different kind of government; one that represents and governs for the common good— one that will help keep us from the tipping point. To aid you in your choice FHC sent a 6-question survey to the electoral candidates. Thematically the questions relate to measuring the candidates’ level of support for:
There are 3 candidates for Mayor in HRM’s Oct 17 Election. Incumbent Mayor Mike Savage did not respond to the FHC survey. Below are the survey questions and replies from Max Taylor and Matt Whitman. Max seems to be a better friend of the Common. See details below
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Of HRM Electoral Candidates for Councillor, District 1, Stephen Kamperman and Arthur Wamback replied. Cathy Deagle Gammon and Incumbent Steve Streatch did not reply. See Kamperman and Wambacks answers below: Continue reading
Of four candidates in District 2 only incumbent David Hendsbee replied. David Boyd wrote to say that he supports the FHC 100%, surveys from Nicole Johnson and Tim Milligan were not returned.
See details below:
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Of candidates running for District 3 Clinton Desveaux, Lloyd Jackson and Becky Kent replied. Vishal Bhardwaj and George Mbamalu did not respond. See details below: Continue reading
Of Candidates running for District 4, Ryan Burris, Darryl Johnson, Jamie MacNeil, Chris Mont and John Stewart responded. The following candidates did not send answers: Marisa DeMarco, Kevin Foran, Jerome Lagmay, Tania Meloni, Trish Purdy, Jessica Quillan and Caroline Williston. See details below:
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District 7 Candidates Jen Powley and incumbent Waye Mason submitted survey responses. Richard Arundel-Evans and Craig Roy did not return surveys. See details below: