[Keith P.]

I don't know if this has been discussed here before; feel free to move it if so. Anyway, this appeared on the govt website today:

---

Agreement Signed for Bedford Waterfront Development
Waterfront Development Corporation
March 11, 2008 11:39 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Waterfront Development Corporation Limited (WDCL) and Provident Developments Inc. have signed an agreement for a new, mixed-use development on the Bedford Waterfront.

The project includes building two commercial-residential buildings surrounded by public spaces, including a boardwalk extension, plazas and landscaping.

"This agreement will ensure high-quality public space for residents and their guests to enjoy," said Bill Campbell, vice-president of the Waterfront Development Corporation. "There will be an active and dynamic use of this property through its residential and commercial use, as well as an economic benefit to the province."

The agreement transfers ownership of the land, located next to Provident's office building on the Bedford Waterfront, from the corporation to Provident.

The Provident-built five- and six-storey buildings will have 78 condo units and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

Condo pre-sales will begin this month.

"As residents of Bedford, we are pleased that this agreement is signed, and we can move forward with development," said John Greenough, president, Provident Development Inc. "These buildings will enhance the vibrancy of the Bedford waterfront through increased commercial activity, and use of the public space around the property."

WDCL has been working on projects on the Bedford waterfront since 1999. These projects include construction of the South Jetty and public boat ramp, and a 600-metre extension of a public walkway from Convoy Quay around to Mill Cove.

WDCL champions the provincially owned land along the Halifax Harbour and the Lunenburg waterfront to ensure best and mixed-use of the land.

The proposed Bedford waterfront design ensures public access to the site is preserved and the design will integrate with current and future uses.

For nearly 20 years, Provident Development has pursued excellence in real estate development. With roots in historic restorations, Provident has established a tradition of excellence in projects ranging from single-family homes to luxury waterfront condominiums, to prime Class A commercial space and entire planned communities.

[someone123]

Nice to hear, although this has been going on forever. I believe at one point Provident took some kind of legal action against the WDC?

It's unfortunate that things haven't proceeded more quickly because there's plenty of demand for new construction in Bedford.

[Dmajackson]

It's hard to even imagine what these buildings would look like after only seeing a very ugly infilling project for years now. Hopefully the condos will sell fast anything would look better then whats there now.

Does anyone know if this is for the north jetty area around the current building or for some of the south jetty area?

[someone123]

I think the original proposal was to build a few new buildings next to the existing green and red office building. They looked similar in the rendering I saw, but maybe that has changed.

[Dmajackson]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2326102830_6952f6d077_o.jpg

Sorry 'bout the horrible pic but somewhere's to the left of the building i'm assuming? If i remember correctly that's currently a gravel parking lot for the wharves there.

[someone123]

Yep, somewhere around there.

[Dmajackson]

Condos planned for Bedford waterfront
Development to include two buildings, 78 units, 20,000 square feet of commercial space
By OUR STAFF
Thu. Mar 20 - 11:58 AM

A new mixed use condo and commercial project will soon go to market on the Bedford waterfront.

The Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd. (WDCL) and Provident Developments Inc. of Bedford, said recently that they have signed an agreement for the project.

The project includes building two commercial-residential buildings surrounded by public spaces, including a boardwalk extension, plazas and landscaping.

Provident plans to pre-sell condos before construction begins. The 78 units will range in price from $300,000 to $700,000 and range in size from 1,400 square feet to 2,100 square feet.

The pre-sale was expected to begin this week.

The Provident-built five- and six-storey buildings will also include 20,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

"This agreement will ensure high-quality public space for residents and their guests to enjoy," Bill Campbell, vice-president of the Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd., said in a release.

"There will be an active and dynamic use of this property through its residential and commercial use, as well as an economic benefit to the province.""

The project will be located next to Provident’s office building on the Bedford Waterfront.

John Greenough, president, Provident Development Inc. said, "These buildings will enhance the vibrancy of the Bedford waterfront through increased commercial activity, and use of the public space around the property."

In the newspaper they had a nice picture of the site but it wasnt on the online edition so if i find time i'll post the picture up here. btw this was in the Bedford/Sackville Weekly News.

[sdm]

Sometime ago Mayor Kelly made some comments about needed change to Bedford. I wonder if he had somethign to do with this being finalized....

Wish Waterfront Development would hurry up on the Queenslanding proposal so that Halifax could share in some new digs............

[Dmajackson]

I was pondering about Mill Cove and the waterfront so i started browsing the web and found this pic:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2399138035_07012da7c2_o.jpg

It's from Providents website. They own the building next door and are the ones developing the property. Of course i dont know if this image is up-to-date or accurate of the thing on sale now. Personally i think they're pretty cool looking. The existing building is beautiful and a couple more might look even better.

[Dmajackson]

The official name for this project is the Dockside:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2424986625_1ba8aeaa2f_o.jpg
(http://www.network-realty.ca/johnhavill/dockside/dockside.html) 78 condominiums with pre-construction price range from $380'000 up to $700'000!

[someone123]

They look pretty good. Hopefully there's room for a lot more development if and when the ferry route is created. Given the amount of growth in Bedford I think the potential is there for the Mill Cove area to be overhauled.

[Dmajackson]

I went for a bike ride today and got some shots of this lot (all are my photos)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/2425438297_ba620ae92a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2425434927_7c1d69c57f.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2425442069_a9ddbb5612.jpg
These are just a couple of the many i took.

[Dmajackson]

They look pretty good. Hopefully there's room for a lot more development if and when the ferry route is created. Given the amount of growth in Bedford I think the potential is there for the Mill Cove area to be overhauled.

There's plenty of room for growth on the Waterfront. In most spots theres space for a building between the road and harbourwalk. I imagine they'll slowly construct around the Cove down to the South Jetty. The plan for south of the Jetty is being finalized. It was one of the Community Vision plans.

I don't this was mentioned earlier but the construction will extend the finished harbourwalk to the bend in the cove. 2km+ of the harbourwalk is now brick. The trail around the cove is currently gravel.

[Dmajackson]

-Lawtons Professional Centre will be open in a couple of weeks,
-Some new stores have appeared in Mill Cove,
-infilling for the ferry terminal is ongoing,
-and the 5 storey building at the DOCKSIDE HAS BEGUN CONSTRUCTION! :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2805974997_e2a0bf4b06_b.jpg
Photo Credit: Me

May I suggest thread title to be changed to "Dockside | ?m | 5&6 floors | U/C"

[Dmajackson]

After careful observation of the construction, and where exactly on the lot this is I've dtermined the structure pictured above is not the building. It's probably the sales centre and/or construction trailer. This means the building will soon follow though :D

I feel like I'm talking to myself on this thread....:rolleyes:

[hfx_chris]

What's a 'bedford'?

Joking ;)

[Dmajackson]

It's where they put all the NIMBY's and local complaininers ;)

Just don't give us the HT. They'll believe Sunnyside Mall is historic...:rolleyes:

[reddog794]

They're not that loose in stays, probably the Chicken Burger, though. ;)

[Dmajackson]

Thank god we have Mickey McDonald around...The chickenburger was actually slated for redevelopment but he bought it out and fixed it up :)

I say we make Mickey the head of the HT. Then they would have some sense.

[hfx_chris]

I must be the only one who doesn't find the Chickenburger particularly wonderful...
Hell, last time I was there, the freaking jukebox played the wrong song, so I ended up listening to The Monster Mash :(

[Dmajackson]

Lol...Yah i haven't been in the restaurant for years if ever (i get my ice cream on their outside counter). The Chickenburger has a certain charm about it though. Maybe its the neon lights after dark...Its also great as a landmark. I always use the Chickenburger as a landmark when telling people how to get to my house.

[Dmajackson]

To get back on topic the sales centre has been completed.

A part of this project was the extension of the Harbourwalk to the South Jetty. I believe the last time i drove by this area there was some new gravel and it was flattened which suggests to me that they are starting the harbourwalk section first so it will be completed by next summer. It's kind of like Salter Street where they have to do the public part before the private part.

I've checked the sales on this and over 60% of the units are sold which means they might be able to start soon (if not already). :)

[Dmajackson]

The harbourwalk upgrades associated with the Dockside poject has begun. A backhoe has begun flattening out ground.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2972776798_1314af497f_b.jpg
Credit: Me

In the background of the picture is the site of the Southgate Village lot.

[Dmajackson]

Possibly some bad news with this:

While the boardwalk extension is ongoing all sales information and any other information available from the developer has been pulled from their website and the MLS no longer has condominiums listed from this project. Seeing that they wouldn't have sold all the units this is starting to imply the project has been abandoned.

While I keep my hopes up on this and Southgate Village the disappearing information and lack of activity is telling me they are no longer in consideration. :(

[worldlyhaligonian]

But in a old post you had written that they had 60% sales. Maybe the project is moving forward?

[worldlyhaligonian]

http://network-realty.ca/index.php?option=com_hotproperty&task=viewtype&id=5&sort=name&order=asc&Itemid=22&limit=10&limitstart=10

Its still listed here.

[Dmajackson]

Huh. Thanks "worldlyhaligonian". :)

I had looked it up on the Canadian MLS but they didn't have it listed. I didn't even think of Network Realty.

http://network-realty.ca/components/com_hotproperty/img/std/14_south%20elevation2.jpg
Source (http://network-realty.ca/index.php?option=com_hotproperty&task=view&id=14&Itemid=22)

So they now have 50 of 78 units sold so 65% (Building A = 68%, Building B = 62%)

[worldlyhaligonian]

It could just be old and not updated. Lets hope this development happens, it will give alot of character to Bedford's waterfront.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I e-mailed the developer to see what the real deal is.

Thank you for your inquiry about the Dockside development on the Bedford
Waterfront. Yes, it is planned for development. For further information
regarding the development, please contact Larry Allen at 430-7197 or John
Havill at 830-4570.

Regards,

Sheri Syms

[Dmajackson]

Thanks again "Worldly Haligonian" :)

With 65% sold I guess they would start in the Spring assuming a few more units are bought which will happen. Waterfront units in Bedford go like crazy.

Its nice to know I'm not the only person on this forum who likes this development :D

[Dmajackson]

They've updated the list of units sold so its looking a lot better now;

Building A (5 stories) - 21/28 Sold ~ 75%

Building B (6 stories) - 31/50 Sold ~ 62%

www.docksidebedford.com

[worldlyhaligonian]

This will definitely start by spring given those numbers.

[Dmajackson]

Well this interesting. The website now has a crap load of more units up for sale. The good news though is they are now listing some as "Sold" instead of "Reserved" which is a step in the right direction. heres an updated list;

Building A:

- 16/28 Available
- 9/28 Sold (32%)
- 3/28 Reserved

Building B:

- 28/50 Available
- 9/50 Sold (18%)
- 13/50 Reserved

[Dmajackson]

Alrighty now this is getting strange. The availability list now instead of showing the units as "sold" the units are instead getting deleted off the list. So if this is on purpose the status is something like this;

Building A:

Sold: 12/28 (43%)
Available: 16/28 (57%)

Building B:

Sold: 22/50 (44%)
Available: 28/50 (56%)

http://network-realty.ca/components/com_hotproperty/img/std/14_400600%20Waterfront%20Drive(David%20Hilchey-ella).jpg
Source: www.docksidebedford.com (http://network-realty.ca/index.php?option=com_hotproperty&task=view&id=14&Itemid=9)

[Dmajackson]

Thank-you "Someone123" for fixing the title of the thread. :)

I have been keeping tabs on the sales of the units and there haven't been an updates for a month now. As soon as there is an update I will have it posted here.

[Dmajackson]

I'm starting to think I'm the only one interested in this... ;)

No updates really this week. I have seen a bunch of signs up around town though for an open house today at the sales centre.

[Barrington south]

I think it's a nice little project DJ...nothing to write home about...but good for Bedford, none the less

[Dmajackson]

I think it's a nice little project DJ...nothing to write home about...but good for Bedford, none the less

True it isn't very special. Its just its the only somewhat active project in Bedford so its a slight downer to see no support really for it.

But hopefully with this, the new bike lane (proposed) on the Bedford Highway, the Waterfront Phase II (ferry terminal), Bedford South and Southgate Village the area will become an unique area within HRM.

Just as a side note I've always emailed Outhit with all of my suggestions and concerns and today I received an email (one of many over the past year) back from him.

It said the new bicycle lane (Southgate - Meadowbrook) will include widening the Moirs Mill bridge to accomendate 4 lanes of traffic, 2 bicycle lanes and 2 sidewalks. Also in the plans is a curb and sidewalk from Lawton's Drugs to Convoy Run.

[hfx_chris]

True it isn't very special. Its just its the only somewhat active project in Bedford so its a slight downer to see no support really for it.
It's quite possible you may be the only active person on this forum who lives in Bedford...

[someone123]

I went to high school in Bedford, if that counts... :)

[Barrington south]

hey, if we ever had a SSP Halifax summertime BBQ, I think we should have it in Bedford.....:)

[Dmajackson]

It's quite possible you may be the only active person on this forum who lives in Bedford...

True the last I checked I think I was the only one from Bedford and there was only one other from the area (Fall River).

Hmm...there's no Sackvillites on ths forum. I wonder if there skyline scared them away ;)

I went to high school in Bedford, if that counts... :)

Assuming you aren't very old (pre-1970ish graduating year) you went to the same school as me. :)

hey, if we ever had a SSP Halifax summertime BBQ, I think we should have it in Bedford.....:)

Sounds good to me. DeWolfe area would be the best seeing how its the centre of construction here (Dockside, Southgate, Bedford South, ect all nearby). :)

BTW thanks for cheering me up you guys! I just sometimes find it hard to be the only current Bedfordian on the forum. :cheers:

[someone123]

Assuming you aren't very old (pre-1970ish graduating year) you went to the same school as me. :)

C. P. Allen.. I graduated only a few years ago, although the number of years keeps growing and freaking me out more and more...

It was quite a good high school when I went there.

[Dmajackson]

C. P. Allen.. I graduated only a few years ago, although the number of years keeps growing and freaking me out more and more...

It was quite a good high school when I went there.

It still is for me too :)

Its still big, and crowded (at its capacity of 1200 students). I think its ranked #2 in the province. :tup:

I'm probably getting taught by the same teachers as you were. Heck you might of even of graduated with one of my siblings (2007 and 2004).

[Barrington south]

hey, DJ....your still in high school?!!....I always new you where a youthful sort of fellow...but I figured you where about 21....how old are you if you don't mind me asking....are you in grade 12....man, I hated school, I feel for you...I'm 28 for the record...if you have this much passion and enthusiasm for development, imagine with 10 years more experience how much knowledge you will have acquired!!..very impressive...:tup:

[Dmajackson]

hey, DJ....your still in high school?!!....I always new you where a youthful sort of fellow...but I figured you where about 21....how old are you if you don't mind me asking....are you in grade 12....man, I hated school, I feel for you...I'm 28 for the record...if you have this much passion and enthusiasm for development, imagine with 10 years more experience how much knowledge you will have acquired!!..very impressive...:tup:

You're not the only ones whos been tricked by my age before. I'll be talking to someone on the phone or email and when I tell them my age they'll commonly say I sound/talk like a 20-something year old.

actually I'm in Grade 11 (turning 17 next month). Only one and a half years 'til I'm out of Bedford and into the city! I'm thinking of following my family and attending either Dal, NSCC or Mount Allison. So either way I'll be posting in either this section or Moncton's section still! :cheers:

I think I said this in another thread awhile back but I've only been posting for a year now and I didn't have a massive passion for it beforehand. I guess you could say I got addicted very quickly. One thing you might notice in my "list" threads is I'm more for knowing general-overall facts then the tiny details.

[hfx_chris]

Hmm...there's no Sackvillites on ths forum. I wonder if there skyline scared them away ;)

Do I detect a wee bit of Bedford/Sackville rivalry here? :tup:

[Barrington south]

man, Dj, I remember when I was your age, the coolest thing in the world , to me, was when I got my full drivers licence....man what a sense of freedom...I had dreamed about since I was a kid...and when I finally got it I wan so pumped up...man, I'll never forget that first cruise I took with no parent in the car....right down the Bayview extension, all the wall to Lakeshore...man those where the days...May 97' :rolleyes:

[Barrington south]

hey hfx_ chris...what happened to your old pic...your new one is pretty cool, but I liked that old one.......was it David Spade?

[Dmajackson]

Do I detect a wee bit of Bedford/Sackville rivalry here? :tup:

Being raised a Bedfordian its defenitely rivalry. I have born hatred for Sackville and Lockview ;)

Besides there's no competition we defenitely have a better skyline. We have something thats taller than the trees at least :rolleyes:

man, Dj, I remember when I was your age, the coolest thing in the world , to me, was when I got my full drivers licence....man what a sense of freedom...I had dreamed about since I was a kid...and when I finally got it I wan so pumped up...man, I'll never forget that first cruise I took with no parent in the car....right down the Bayview extension, all the wall to Lakeshore...man those where the days...May 97' :rolleyes:

Yah I got mine back in the Fall. :)

Its my secret to how I get all the random construction photos on the forum. Well that and my bicycle for the Bedford ones :tup:

[hfx_chris]

hey hfx_ chris...what happened to your old pic...your new one is pretty cool, but I liked that old one.......was it David Spade?
No.. I honestly cannot remember what my most previous avatar is. I know I had the late Richard Wright, keyboardist for Pink Floyd. Maybe that's the one you're thinking of. This one is the older Kenwood logo.

Besides there's no competition we defenitely have a better skyline. We have something thats taller than the trees at least :rolleyes:
Yeah, but if you're looking for used cars... :P
Anyway, this whole discussion is moot, because Dartmouth > all.

[Dmajackson]

Yeah, but if you're looking for used cars... :P
Anyway, this whole discussion is moot, because Dartmouth > all.

I'll have to agree with you on that one. :yes:

Dartmouth:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/3099135292_7c66f6e52a.jpg

vs Sackville:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2548412627_1952178817.jpg

vs Bedford:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2131/2437893182_5203f89531.jpg

Credit: All three pictures taken by me :)

[hfx_chris]

That's a great picture of Dartmouth... once Kings Wharf is added, and maybe a couple more taller buildings, would look quite nice! Give Halifax a run for its' money :)

[Dmajackson]

I was randomly browsing HRM's website tonight and I managed to stumble upon a non-substantive ammendment to the development agreement for 200, 400 and 600 Waterfront Drive.

Apparently the agreement was signed back in 1991 when Bedford was a seperate town and the designs had changed slightly since then so even though the Provident Building was constructed the others were not. Now as one can hopefully tell by my posts in this thread the buildings are planned to be constructed and required the ammendments relating to window elevations.

The ammendments were passed back in March by the NWPAC and now the only preventing the buildings from going up is a review of the plan to make sure the buildings are consistant with what was desired back in 1991. If anybody is interested in reading the ammendments or just want a map of where this is heres the link;

Case 01239: Non-substantive Amendment - Bedford Waterfront Development (http://halifax.ca/boardscom/NWPAC/documents/Case01239.pdf)

EDIT: I just checked and the NWCC approved the ammendments a few days later. :)

[Empire]

Hopefully any new development won't be as boring as phase I.

[Dmajackson]

I just got an email from Provident saying Building A is now 50% sold...

[worldlyhaligonian]

Any updates on this one DJ? Do you think they will start construction in the near future?

I have to say this is one of my favorite small developments... it will certainly improve the look of the Bedford waterfront.

[Dmajackson]

Any updates on this one DJ? Do you think they will start construction in the near future?

I have to say this is one of my favorite small developments... it will certainly improve the look of the Bedford waterfront.

Nothing really to say. The last I heard was one of the buildings was half sold and real estate here in Bedford hasn't been going well lately since everything is overpriced and well the cost of one of these condos is the same as a house in Eaglewood with a view of the Harbour.

Its hard to say when construction might start right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see Building 'A' start sometime next spring.

[Dmajackson]

Just received an email update from Provident;

- Building 'A' is now 80% sold (6 units left).

- Building 'B' is 34% sold.

It might be too late in the season to start Building 'A' but I expect construction will start in the Spring at the latest.

[worldlyhaligonian]

That is good news... I saw this site from an airplane on my way back from Ottawa and the development will make a big difference.

[Dmajackson]

Sewage might be hot stuff
Developer eyes thermal energy from Bedford plant
By CHRIS LAMBIE Business Editor
Tue. Jan 26 - 4:54 AM

Halifax is planning to harness heat from a Bedford sewage treatment plant to sell to a nearby housing development.

Provident Development Inc. is planning to break ground on a 16,700-square-metre residential and commercial project this spring, according to a municipal report.

The company "has expressed a strong interest in purchasing thermal energy from the adjacent" sewage treatment plant, said the report, which will be discussed at today’s regional council meeting.

"There’s gold in that there shit," said Coun. Sue Uteck (Northwest Arm-South End), the chairwoman of the municipality’s energy and underground services committee.

A study of the municipality’s sewage treatment plants conducted in 2008 "confirmed a significant opportunity existed for heat recovery," said the staff report.

Last November, Halifax Water commissioned an engineering study to confirm the idea’s technical and financial feasibility.

"That report should be completed by March 2010," the report said. "Initial indications look very positive."

Known as a district energy system, the proposed concept would provide heat and, potentially, some cooling to several struct-ures.

The venture would be a pilot project for the municipality’s planned Green Thermal Utility.

The report recommends checking with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board before going ahead.

"It’s just a question of whether, in fact, there is any (board) regulatory oversight required," Mary Ellen Donovan, the municipal solicitor who prepared the report, said Monday in an interview.

"The general thinking is no, so this is really just a bit of due diligence."

The Bedford facility will extract heat directly from sewage, which can be 12 C or warmer, Carl Yates, the general manager at Halifax Water, said in an interview.

It will involve running either a series of coils or discs directly through the sewage.

"There’s water running through the coils and that gets warmed," Mr. Yates said.

The municipality will use heat pumps to warm that water even more, he said. That water will be pumped in a loop to two nearby Provident buildings, where it will provide heat.

"I could see it providing energy for easily a couple of thousand people," Mr. Yates said of the Bedford sewage plant.

Mill Cove could produce the equivalent of 30 megawatts of energy, he said, noting the Halifax sewage plant has the potential to produce five times that.

"Sewage is energy. There’s a lot of energy that’s certainly coming from the homes. So it’s an opportunity to take that energy and reuse it."

Besides direct revenue for the city, the project could create new local jobs and make businesses more competitive due to reduced and predictable energy costs, the report said.

The municipality is also looking at using the Alderney 5 Energy Project to cool a nearby office building. That underground thermal energy storage system was constructed by drilling 80 holes, each 150 metres deep, and coupling them with a sea-water cooling system. Cold energy is then harvested during the winter months and stored underground.

"There are significant environmental benefits associated with the use of sewage heat recovery and sea-water cooling, namely reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, reduced noise and local air emissions from district energy infrastructure," the report said.

A "rough estimate" of the cost of a heat-recovery system at the Mill Cove treatment plant and a geothermal ocean loop for cooling purposes is $3 million, it said.

"With the district energy supply option, subject to confirmation through ongoing consulting work, the developer would avoid approximately one-third of this cost in capital costs for ‘business-as-usual’ infrastructure. The developer would purchase approximately $200,000 (to) $300,000 of thermal energy per year from the direct energy system, with operating costs in the order of $45,000, or approximately 1.5 per cent of capital costs."

The same document notes that the Alderney 5 Energy Project has had a "district energy contract ‘parked’ but ready to execute with the owner of Queen Square for over a year."

That system is slated to be working by March.

"Queen Square would require approximately $150,000 (per) year in thermal energy," the report said. "The estimated capital costs are approximately $1.5 million for Queen Square. There have been some discussions with the developer for King’s Wharf, but (the Green Thermal Utility) project timing is not well aligned for at least the first phase of that project."

The total $4.5-million cost of the projects "can most likely be offset by at least $2 million" from the province’s EcoTrust program, it said.

"Although subject to confirmation, it appears that the annual revenues would be sufficient to offset the balance of the project’s capital cost."

( clambie@herald.ca )

[Dmajackson]

This project overall is now 60% sold (80% Building A, 45% Building B). :D

[Dmajackson]

No construction as of yet which is very surprising however I found a brochure showing the site plan;

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4670870694_7aec80be40_b.jpg

And since I'm posting I've come up with two reasons why this project might not be underway right now;

1) Earlier this year they proposed to harness heat from the sewage plant next door to help reduce the carbon footprint of the building. Since this requires local, provincial, and federal approval they might be waiting until that is ready before starting construction.

2) Similar to the Waterton Towers the two buildings share a common foundation and parking garage. If one of the buildings does not have enough units sold to be financed its possible the other building is on hold until the entire project can be financed.

[someone123]

This development has been painfully slow to get off the ground. At this rate it'll take another 300 years or so to finish the Bedford waterfront..

[worldlyhaligonian]

This development has been painfully slow to get off the ground. At this rate it'll take another 300 years or so to finish the Bedford waterfront..

I think sales have been slow but steady... it came to market about the time the recession hit, so that probably has something to do with it. Last time the numbers were up on here, it was pretty close to being almost all sold in one of the buildings.

[hfxtradesman]

Down in the area today, alot of rock being brought in.

[kph06]

They have really accelerated the infill of the Bedford Basin in the past few weeks. I think it is excess from the Bedford South developments and the Washmill Court underpass.

[Dmajackson]

So now they've put a massive pile of dirt next to the sales centre ...

[Hestian]

Noticed this morning that survey stakes have been put on site(new in the last day or two). Looks like they are getting ready to do something.

[Dmajackson]

:previous:

:D:D:D YES!!!! :D:D:D

This proposal is about the same age as me so its good to see it will finally be built.

[Dmajackson]

An update photo for the sake of having an update photo (taken today by me);

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5196215546_b331510430_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

There is a soil sampling machine on site now. :)

- DJ

[Hestian]

Pouring concrete on site today---Also noticed the base of a crane(did not walk close enough to see all whats going on.

[worldlyhaligonian]

How pumped are you DJ?

[Dmajackson]

^Very :D :D :D :D

I'm just stunned I wasn't the first person to notice the construction crews.

[Jstaleness]

Well. That will make 15 cranes when that goes up!

[Dmajackson]

Photos from yesterday. In the first one note the crane for 420 LUB and the recently completed Wyatt building.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5390362451_6d2338c850_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5390364569_603f2f058e_z.jpg

BTW I'll go back around the site today to see if any more crane pieces have arrived (one flatbed isn't enough).

[kph06]

There's about 4 flatbeds there now.

[Dmajackson]

There's about 4 flatbeds there now.

Well I guess you were right about the 6955 crane then. :P

[kph06]

Are both buildings going up or just one for now?

[Dmajackson]

Are both buildings going up or just one for now?

The crane is situated in the gap between the buildings and they share a common parking entrance so I'm guessing both are going to be built.

[DigitalNinja]

Great to hear. It would be awesome if they could extend the boardwalk all the way to the Halifax one... To bad Ceres and the shipyards are in the way... :P

[worldlyhaligonian]

How tall is the building supposed to be at 420 LUB?

[Dmajackson]

How tall is the building supposed to be at 420 LUB?

8 or 9 floors including the two above ground levels of parking.

[Jstaleness]

The crane is going up now. I have a bb shot that I took while driving by. Crane is the one from Bayers Rd. I'll try and get the quick pic up today.

[Jstaleness]

As mentioned earlier.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00310.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00311.jpg

[kph06]

It looks pretty tall coming down Hammonds Plains Road, I assume they have it set quit a bit higher than the roof?

[Dmajackson]

Some from Sunday;

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5417402832_b0f6e1d5d8_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5416792867_d241713332_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

From yesterday;

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5510615197_c17cf81dec_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5511227304_da0cdf5db3_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5510625323_4d1d929cf1_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5511219414_e95a426b22_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

Buyers back for Bedford condos
Developer: Markets now allow for home purchases
By CHRIS LAMBIE Business Editor
Sat, Mar 12 - 4:54 AM

At the height of the recession, developer John Greenough returned deposits to people buying into his $38-million Bedford condominium project.

The head of Provident Developments, which just started construction on the two-building, 78-condo venture called Dockside Waterfront Drive, said Friday that he had already taken deposits on about 75 per cent of the units when the economy fell apart two years ago.

"We had these people who — they were not putting their life savings into it by any means — but they had a substantial amount of money that they were taking out of their savings accounts, and they relied on the stock market and that all fell apart," Greenough said.

"Luckily, we hadn’t started. So we gave them all back their deposits."

There was no point in keeping their money, he said.

"We’d get them back; we were sure of it. And we did get a lot of them back."

The would-be buyers had "lost considerable amounts of money, I was sure, at the time," he said. "Now I think the market’s come back for them and that’s probably why they’re back."

That tactic appears to have worked in the development where condo prices range from about $300,000 to $700,000.

"Last time I was talking with the agents, we were somewhere between 80 and 84 per cent sold," Greenough said.

The project, comprised of five- and six-storey buildings, is slated to be completed in the spring of 2012.

"We have cranes up and we’re pouring concrete," Greenough said.

And while he was excited last year about the idea of harnessing heat from a Bedford sewage treatment plant to help warm the residential and commercial project, Greenough said he’s decided not to go ahead with the scheme this time around.

He had talked to the city about buying thermal energy harvested from sewage, which can be 12 C or warmer. The concept involves running either a series of coils or discs directly through the sewage to warm water that can be brought up to hotter temperatures using heat pumps.

"We explored that actually quite a bit and it became very, very complicated at the end," Greenough said.

Due to potential problems, he decided to take a pass on the technology this time and go with individual heat pumps.

"I’d like somebody else to be first to show me that it works great," he said.

He’s got plans to erect some public art near the waterfront project. "I always felt that the province never had its share of statues, big bronze statues."

"We’re sort of looking at a number of things like maybe people of the world."

While everything appears to be going along swimmingly now, in 2004, or what Colin MacLean of the Waterfront Development Corp. Ltd. calls "back in the mists of time," Greenough launched a $28-million lawsuit against the provincial Crown corporation that owns huge swaths of prime real estate on the Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford waterfronts. The case never made it to court and Greenough got his wish. His company now owns, rather than leases, the land where Provident is now building.

"They own that land and what we’ve arranged is that the land around it is an easement that they’ve granted to us," MacLean said Friday. "So we’ll take care of the public spaces and amenities."

...

Read more (http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1232670.html)

[Dmajackson]

From today;

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5535714665_eb1cec8040_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5536279964_64105d9a7b_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5536291436_b95902d2ba_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5536284992_ec7f79648d_z.jpg

This one I took just for fun. When I went to edit it on my computer I noticed in the background Horizon I and II are visible so just imagine the impact the third phase will have on the Basin skyline.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5535700345_567a2c2191_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

Didn't even aim to get this photo today. The need for Coca-Cola and some chips conveniently drew me to this well-angled parking spot :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5725142354_fbba678020_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

Plenty of angles of this today (photos by me):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/5862466458_f4c38d37c5_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/5862487878_b81c805414_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5034/5862535156_cfd3c56cd4_z.jpg

[someone123]

Nice to finally see those buildings under construction. They were first proposed maybe 7-8 years ago (back when I still lived in the area).

The pace of waterfront development in Bedford seems much slower than it should be. It's a bad sign when you have prime land sitting unused for a long period while nearby on privately-owned lots there is tons of construction happening. There's a huge amount of demand for new residential in Bedford and it is only going to increase as Clayton Park/Uteck are built out.

Of course there was the ferry debacle as well, and before that there was commuter rail. Actual transit service is still mostly the miserable 80.

One day it would be nice to see an overhaul of Mill Cove and the Sobeys with more residential and maybe structured parking.

[Dmajackson]

Update from today;

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5896036586_9960629238_z.jpg

One upside I didn't realise before I took this photo is Building 'B' will hide the only visible part of the sewage plant.

[Dmajackson]

Some new shots from sometime this week. Both are taken from the 'Shared Sidewalk' on the Bedford Highway.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/5943860566_4a82d779fa_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5943308683_3d91c83961_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

I have absolutely no idea how I still had enough energy to shoot this photo correctly. Especially considering I biked from Highfield - Downtown - South End - West End - Sunnyside (Bedford);

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5975765273_68480695d1_z.jpg

[macgregor]

I have absolutely no idea how I still had enough energy to shoot this photo correctly. Especially considering I biked from Highfield - Downtown - South End - West End - Sunnyside (Bedford);


110% SSP dedication. Thanks for the pics.

[Dmajackson]

Another proof to myself about how far I biked (~30km);

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6060142805_7a5424d4dc_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6060145389_1a3806bb77_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

Just a few photos of this project and the Western Ledges :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6087412685_24bc8262e5_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6087960004_bb78f867b4_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6087416601_951a2e2960_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6087418327_d08cb06b75_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6087966140_f29a06548d_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6087968154_4f2891554d_z.jpg