[Dmajackson]

Here are some renderings/diagrams of the plan (all photos copied from the PDF here; Bedford Waterfront Design Study (http://www.halifax.ca/visionhrm/BedfordWaterfront/documents/BedfordWaterfrontDesignStudy.pdf)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1278/4709326911_fff5b337bb_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4710325190_2c296ea231_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4710388994_ddedb30c3d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4709748705_8c67ab2942_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4710389406_eca5348a88_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4709749185_13002e4154_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4710389548_55f58f539a_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4710389620_1d01610a70_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4709749391_42a6f6a08d_b.jpg

Existing condition;
Red = Southgate Village
Black = 827 Bedford Highway
Purple = 864 Bedford Highway
Green = Dockside

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4710389808_ce7ff1850c_b.jpg

Ferry Terminal:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4709748787_ff10955e00_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4709748847_396a88f502_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4709748929_e9ff694bee_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4709749005_7c465f882d_b.jpg

Building Floor Counts:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4710389666_0285af1ffe_b.jpg

[bluenoser]

Wow, that's ambitious alright! It looks like it would be very cool, although a small part of me wishes it could be done at an even more central spot, like somewhere along the Dartmouth waterfront... Anyway, I do really like Bedford and I still hope this goes ahead one way or another!

[fenwick16]

It looks great - much better than having it all parkland.

[Jstaleness]

It looks like a wider spread Harbour Isle style Project. I like this one better. Needs more Highrises! Nine 12 storey building's helps though.

[halifaxboyns]

I retract my previous opinion on parkland - although I think there will be more grass/park surfaces then what appears. I'm sure there will be less hard surfaces than it appears - either way, very ambitious and looks awesome.

[fenwick16]

This is truly awe-inspiring. The man-made island and marina looks great. With global warming Bedford could become the Florida of the North. Hard to believe that it is being proposed for Bedford.

[Canadian_Bacon]

Wow, and this is proposed for Bedford. It looks like something from Miami or Los Angeles. This looks like a great development for Bedford. I have no issues with it at all.

I hope to see it go ahead.

[David1gray]

wow.....thats all i have to say.

[hfxtradesman]

Looks like they took the pages from Granville Island Van. Looks very gooooooood!

[someone123]

This is exactly the kind of town centre that the southern part of Bedford needs. It is a very pretty area and would be great if it had some more pedestrian-oriented parts. Shore Drive is one of the nicest suburban areas I've seen anywhere in Canada and is cheap compared to nice parts of Vancouver or Toronto.

They could go a bit farther with the Moirs Village part, maybe with another parking structure and some more condos. They could also add some kind of improved bus access (special exits and busways from the Bedford Hwy through the new development to the ferry terminal).

[joeyedm]

this is a great project. once this is built out and the chinatown site. this end of the basin will have an inpressive skyline.

from a layman's perspective, there seems to be an over abundance of above ground parking.

[-Harlington-]

if they are actually going through with this, it will be amazing and one of the best things to happen to bedford since the chickenburger, aha. i hope this is not going to sit on the shelf for years and actually get built.
this visioning process seems to be working and is finally giving the basin some attention.
excellent proposal !
:tup:

[beyeas]

I have a question...

Is someone (and by someone I mean a developer) actually proposing these particular structures, or is this simply a vision/concept drawn up, ala the sketches we see in the HRMbD documents? I guess I am wondering about the gap between someone laying out a concept as a planning goal, versus someone proposing something that they actually have the ability to follow through on.
I am hoping that this is actually something concrete (ala the long term plans for Kings Wharf) rather than something etherial (ala HRMbD). Not trying to rain on the parade here, but just wanted to ask this before we get too excited about this "proposal".

[-Harlington-]

:previous:

Thats also what i was wondering because they kept calling it a proposal but didn't name any developers or anything and on the HRM website its called a ''vision''
i would definitely like to see this followed through with though.

[Jonovision]

This is not a developer. It is the city doing a visioning exercise. However, where so much of it is empty land right now I could definitely see a developer coming in and doing something similar to Kings Wharf.

I think it looks great. I agree that there appears to be too much surface parking.

[beyeas]

This is not a developer. It is the city doing a visioning exercise. However, where so much of it is empty land right now I could definitely see a developer coming in and doing something similar to Kings Wharf.

I think it looks great. I agree that there appears to be too much surface parking.

Yeah that is what I figured.
It is certainly an interesting plan, and although it has flaws is probably an interesting vision... but there are very few parts of that that are within the city's purview to build, so it is hard to get too excited, since plans written that require other people to step up to the plate with money are kind of only worth the paper they are written on. Having said that... it may stimulate a developer to latch on to this, which is a good thing and I am sure is part of the point of the exercise. Regardless, while site plan is sort of under the visioning exercises control, the look/design of those buildings will not be anything like the drawing since that will be up to the developer.

[fenwick16]

Yeah that is what I figured.
It is certainly an interesting plan, and although it has flaws is probably an interesting vision... but there are very few parts of that that are within the city's purview to build, so it is hard to get too excited, since plans written that require other people to step up to the plate with money are kind of only worth the paper they are written on. Having said that... it may stimulate a developer to latch on to this, which is a good thing and I am sure is part of the point of the exercise. Regardless, while site plan is sort of under the visioning exercises control, the look/design of those buildings will not be anything like the drawing since that will be up to the developer.

I was under the impression that some of the residential was associated with developments around Wright's Cove - United Gulf and three other developers (I might be completely wrong, if I am then maybe someone could let me know).

[Dmajackson]

There is a yes/no answer to the developer question.

HRM undertook the planning exercise but the two major landowners (United Gulf and Crombie/Sobeys) sat on the committee and are pushing the idea through so they can develop the land sometime in the future. Any land east of the railroad is owned by WDCL so they can call for proposals at anytime and help finance the project to push it through.

[Jonovision]

Also, if the WDCL takes on the task of servicing the land and then creating all of the public space, I bet the developers would come in pretty quickly. Good quality public space can be a huge incentive for development.

[Dmajackson]

Also, if the WDCL takes on the task of servicing the land and then creating all of the public space, I bet the developers would come in pretty quickly. Good quality public space can be a huge incentive for development.

The ferry terminal/library building is in the first phase and already has a road connection to it so when its built it should quickly attract some more developers to the area.

[beyeas]

The ferry terminal/library building is in the first phase and already has a road connection to it so when its built it should quickly attract some more developers to the area.

Cool... quite happy to be wrong in this case!

[fenwick16]

I was under the impression that some of the residential was associated with developments around Wright's Cove - United Gulf and three other developers (I might be completely wrong, if I am then maybe someone could let me know).

Shows how much I know about Bedford (almost nothing). Wright's Cove is near Burnside.

However there are some projects taking place around the circumference of the Bedford Waterfront conceptual proposal. I got these from Dmajackon's development map - http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&t=h&msid=112449274347342063981.0004608f8a79d94911e3e&ll=44.645239,-63.576207&spn=0.021892,0.038109&z=15 Move the map over to the Bedford area near Moirs Lake.

Dockside - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=147403

827 Bedford - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168578

Southgate - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=172249

Also, I remember in the news a couple of months ago about a project of two towers each 6 sroreys that were being combined into one 12 storey condo tower (I think in the Bedford area near a China restaurant - is that close to the Waterfront Proposal?).

Since there is quite a bit of development taking place so close to this conceptual proposal, it might not take too long to become a reality. If the Waterfront concept goes forward then maybe a lot of people in the HRM will start to notice Bedford.

Note: The CN tracks going into Halifax pass right though. If Bedford continues to grow then rail transit to downtown Halifax will start to make more and more sense.

[Dmajackson]

However there are some projects taking place around the circumference of the Bedford Waterfront conceptual proposal. I got these from Dmajackon's development map - http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&t=h&msid=112449274347342063981.0004608f8a79d94911e3e&ll=44.645239,-63.576207&spn=0.021892,0.038109&z=15 Move the map over to the Bedford area near Moirs Lake.

Dockside - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=147403

827 Bedford - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168578

Southgate - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=172249

Yep there's also THe Wyatt (864 Bfd Hwy) under construction in the area too. Here's an aerial photo I included in the first post showing the locations of those projects;

Red = Southgate Village
Green = Dockside
Purple = The Wyatt (864 Bfd Hwy)
Black = 827 Bfd Hwy

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4710389808_ce7ff1850c_b.jpg

Also, I remember in the news a couple of months ago about a project of two towers each 6 sroreys that were being combined into one 12 storey condo tower (I think in the Bedford area near a China restaurant - is that close to the Waterfront Proposal?).

Chinatown Restuarant is in the Birch Cove area of Mainland Halifax near Rockingham so it's about 5km or so to the south of the Bedford plans. HRM also conducted a study for the lands between these two areas and for now just want to connect them via an extension of the Bedford Harbourwalk. Though it does also state if waterlots are bought out waterfront development could connect the two eventually.

Note: The CN tracks going into Halifax pass right though. If Bedford continues to grow then rail transit to downtown Halifax will start to make more and more sense.

The location of the ferry terminal was not only influenced by proximity of the Bedford Highway but also the train tracks. There's land reserved for a future train stop, if it becomes feasible, right across the street from the ferry terminal which when including the small bus drop-off in the ferry terminal parking lot will make a three-system transit terminal (potentially the first in HRM).

[fenwick16]

I didn't notice the construction map before, Dmajackson - nice work. Interesting about the train terminal.

Considering all the time that you spend related to construction projects - are you considering making a career out of it (examples - engineering, architecture, urban planning ...)?

[terrynorthend]

The vista driving west across the Mackay is going to be spectacular with all the development growing around the Basin. I remember that nighttime drive when I was young; I loved the way the lights in Fairview streamed off in parallel lines, but then to the north around the Basin it was just blackness. Even now it is filling in with lights and activity, I can't wait until all these projects get rolling!

[fenwick16]

The vista driving west across the Mackay is going to be spectacular with all the development growing around the Basin. I remember that nighttime drive when I was young; I loved the way the lights in Fairview streamed off in parallel lines, but then to the north around the Basin it was just blackness. Even now it is filling in with lights and activity, I can't wait until all these projects get rolling!

Good point, Bedford will become very noticeable from the MacKay bridge. The Bayview condo tower will make a big difference and then there is the 12 storey one in Birch Cove (although these aren't in Bedford).

[Dmajackson]

The vista driving west across the Mackay is going to be spectacular with all the development growing around the Basin. I remember that nighttime drive when I was young; I loved the way the lights in Fairview streamed off in parallel lines, but then to the north around the Basin it was just blackness. Even now it is filling in with lights and activity, I can't wait until all these projects get rolling!

I still love that view at night. The view of Fairview lights off of Massachusetts Avenue is gorgeous as well.

The only darks are really remaining are near MSVU (tree coverage) and Magazine Hill I think.

[Dmajackson]

I didn't notice the construction map before, Dmajackson - nice work. Interesting about the train terminal.

Considering all the time that you spend related to construction projects - are you considering making a career out of it (examples - engineering, architecture, urban planning ...)?

Yah Tim (Outhit) is a supporter of some form of rail transit being introduced along the corridor so it didn't surprise me they saved space for it just in case.

I'm starting courses in September for land-use planning but I might get another degree after that for urban planning (Dal rejected me this year). I already have a plan for a piece of nice cottage land on the north shore and as soon I have enough money in a few years to consider buying it I'm going to start pressuring the (in-fighting) family that owns it to sell.

[fenwick16]

It is good that have you have some term goals. The Annapolis Valley is a scenic part of Nova Scotia (I lived there for many years when I was young). There is a great view from the north mountain overlooking Bridgetown.

[Jonovision]

Man’s video captures vanishing shoreline

Infilling on Bedford waterfront will pave way for 16-hectare development


By CLARE MELLOR

Staff Reporter

Mark Currie hopes images he has captured of a small piece of nat ural shoreline and a reef in Bed ford Basin tell the story.

“As you know, images are worth a thousand words," he said Wednesday.

The area near small Crosby Island in Bedford Basin is teem ing with life and home to nesting sandpipers, mud crabs, fish and jellyfish.

But the area where he takes his 11-year-old son beachcomb ing is likely to soon vanish due to infilling operations on the Bed ford waterfront, said Currie, a longtime Bedford resident.

With the help of a friend, Currie has created a video of the area and posted it on You Tube.

“Thirty years from now, I can look at my son and say at least I said something."

The Waterfront Development Corp. is infilling the shoreline of Bedford Basin to create 16 hec tares of land that will eventually be home to a new commercial and residential development, a public building such as a library, and a boardwalk.

The development, unveiled at a public meeting in June, could take more than 20 years to build. It will run along the Bedford Highway from the Clearwater Seafoods property to the Bouti lier boatyard on Shore Drive.

Currie said he expressed his concern to Waterfront Devel opment officials about the nat ural area at the June meeting.

“I knew the habitat area exist ed. . . . What they had stated for the record was that the only original shoreline left was the little southern edge of Crosby Island," he said.

“They basically didn’t acknowledge that there was more shoreline there."

That’s when Currie decided to capture it on video.

“I figured if they are not going to acknowledge it at the public session then I’ll take it upon myself to acknowledge it public ly."

On Wednesday, Eric Burchill said the Waterfront Development Corp. is looking into the issue.

“This is new information to us. . . . It will take us a little time to look into it and see if there is anything further that needs to be done," said Burchill, director of planning and development with the corporation.

Infilling, which is roughly 60 per cent complete, has been going on for almost a decade now, he said.

“It had an environmental impact assessment conducted prior to operations commencing, and we have always followed all the required federal and pro vincial regulatory requirements.

. . . There was no issue that I am aware of with regard to nesting habitat."

While there are plans to infill the area in question at some point, Burchill said infilling is currently going on in deeper water away from Crosby Island.

“There will be no operations that will be impacting it current ly."

Bedford Coun. Tim Outhit said he has heard some concerns from residents about the pro posed development, but none about the infilling encroaching on habitat.

“Residents sometimes say to me, ‘How long is this going to go on?’ and this sort of thing, but nobody has contacted me to say stop the infilling," he said Wednesday.

(cmellor@herald.ca)

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[fenwick16]

I can't say that I have too much sympathy. Although I appreciate wildlife, just because wildlife decides to build their habitats within a urban setting should we all move elsewhere? Is there any land where people can live where there isn't some wildlife? There needs to be land for the human species also (some of us could even be considered to be wildlife).

I guess what strikes me is that the person that made this video wants others to give up their plans, but is he willing to convert his own home into parkland? His own home was at one time a habitat for wildlife. Did he make a video showing how his own home has impacted wildlife?

[bluenoser]

I agree: humans need space to live and this is a city, after all. This development would have a dense population and lots of public transit, theoretically replacing many hectares of housing and countless amounts of car emissions, yet this guy wants to veto it for a jellyfish. I'm pretty confident the birds would find another place to nest.

Wasn't this area already altered from it's natural state with infilling a while ago? It sure looks that way from the aerial shots.

[phrenic]

I can't say that I have too much sympathy. Although I appreciate wildlife, just because wildlife decides to build their habitats within a urban setting should we all move elsewhere?

Umm, pretty sure 'wildlife' was there before it ever was an urban area.

I guess what strikes me is that the person that made this video wants others to give up their plans, but is he willing to convert his own home into parkland? His own home was at one time a habitat for wildlife. Did he make a video showing how his own home has impacted wildlife?

Not at all the point and a ridiculous way to throw it back at him. He's basically saying that there is more shoreline and wildlife there than the developer and/or Department of Environment have acknowledged - which appears to be absolutely true.

It's a shame this is being lost, but overall the development is for the greater good. However maybe there is a need for better environmental impact studies when it comes to infill projects.

[fenwick16]

Umm, pretty sure 'wildlife' was there before it ever was an urban area.

Why doesn't he give his home to the aboriginals who were here before he was? They would say that they own his property?

[Jonovision]

I agree with Phrenic. This is more about highlighting that the proper environmental impact assessments were not carried out by the developer or the planning department. I don't think it is the case here, but yes sometimes species wilderness protection is more important than a new shiny building. I think these are great looking plans, but had it been known and incorporated that these habitats were here some truly amazing things could have been done.

[fenwick16]

I agree with Phrenic. This is more about highlighting that the proper environmental impact assessments were not carried out by the developer or the planning department. I don't think it is the case here, but yes sometimes species wilderness protection is more important than a new shiny building. I think these are great looking plans, but had it been known and incorporated that these habitats were here some truly amazing things could have been done.

There are various species located everywhere that people build. The question is, what is the solution to disturbing wildlife? For example - 1) minimize the amount of land developed by building only highrises, therefore no single dwelling homes or lowrises, 2) put a stop to population growth (this will be required at some time, and is being done already), 3) stop development in the HRM and ensure that all new "shiny buildings" are built in Toronto and Montreal (not a bad idea but what if they decide to stop sending transfer payments?).

The problem that I have with this discussion is that it sounds very pompous; saying that wildlife should be saved at the expense of development doesn't sound reasonable within an urban setting. These arguments just sound very hypocritical without any stated solutions (for example the 3 that I stated above). People also need a place to live, and I personally like "shiny buildings". These "shiny buildings" are the habitat of the human species just like wildlife has their own building developments (beavers build dams, ants build anthills ...). Why should the human species feel guilty for its existence?

The person that made the video could have easily gone just about anywhere within the thousands of miles of Nova Scotia coastline and made the same video. Most of the Nova Scotia coastline is undisturbed and would have very similar habitats. So why did he chose that location? This is why I consider his video to be pompous and hypocritical (I assume he owns a home and drives a car).

[Jonovision]

There are various species located everywhere that people build. The question is, what is the solution to disturbing wildlife? For example - 1) minimize the amount of land developed by building only highrises, therefore no single dwelling homes or lowrises, 2) put a stop to population growth (this will be required at some time, and is being done already), 3) stop development in the HRM and ensure that all new "shiny buildings" are built in Toronto and Montreal (not a bad idea but what if they decide to stop sending transfer payments?).

The problem that I have with this discussion is that it sounds very pompous; saying that wildlife should be saved at the expense of development doesn't sound reasonable within an urban setting. These arguments just sound very hypocritical without any stated solutions (for example the 3 that I stated above). People also need a place to live, and I personally like "shiny buildings". These "shiny buildings" are the habitat of the human species just like wildlife has their own building developments (beavers build dams, ants build anthills ...). Why should the human species feel guilty for its existence?

The person that made the video could have easily gone just about anywhere within the thousands of miles of Nova Scotia coastline and made the same video. Most of the Nova Scotia coastline is undisturbed and would have very similar habitats. So why did he chose that location? This is why I consider his video to be pompous and hypocritical (I assume he owns a home and drives a car).

I find your statements to be quite pompous to be equally pompous. So that is a moot point. What I was referring to was development where both the human and the natural setting are taken into account.

Take a look at what is happening in Toronto.
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They are incorporating nature and high density development together. Making for what will probably be one of the most fantastic urban areas in the country.

All I'm trying to say is that there was a fault in the planning here and not all factors were taken into consideration. I do think this is a great development, but I do not think it is the best we can do.

[halifaxboyns]

One solution may be a re-design of the project; dedicating this area as a natural wetland to be undisturbed and then adding more infill to another location.

Having seen some environmental assessments, I have some sympathy for this wildlife because frankly; some of the EA's are pretty pathetic.

That being said - as the dominant species on the planet, we too need places to live. It's all a matter of balance. One of the things people forget with many places full of concrete (which typically infill development like this is) is how to deal with storm runoff and natural environments. One complaint about this plan I read about is the lack of a major park - why not keep this as a natural area and encorporate it with some walkways?

[fenwick16]

Interesting video. Look at the video with the elevated Gardiner Expressway in the background. Downtown Toronto is cut off from the waterfront by highways and industrial buildings. They are talking about having walkways and green spaces by the waterfront with thousands of residential units. Essentially what they are talking about for the Toronto waterfront is what the HRM already has.

I remember reading in a Toronto newspaper a few years ago about a Toronto mayor who went to Halifax and returned to Toronto wondering how Halifax, a city of 500,000 (he exaggerated the population), could have a better waterfront than Toronto. The HRM already has a great waterfront, it doesn't need to be exaggerated by a promotional video. Look at this image below, is it really that much worst than what they are talking about for the Toronto waterfront (it is probably better since it is on a large ocean instead of a large lake)? Take the people who made the Toronto waterfront promotional video and get them to make a promotional video about the Bedford Waterfront proposal and I am sure that it would sound like one of the wonders of the world.

However, I agree, the HRM has some interesting underwater habitats. So now that the harbour has been cleaned up, maybe something interesting could be done - how about a glass tunnel extending into the harbour to see the natural habitat? Halifax has some sunken ships that only deep-water scuba drivers get to see. Is there a way to have a tunnel going deep down into the harbour so that many other people will get to see it (far-fetched but I think that it would be a great attraction, especially if it could extend down 200 feet near the deepest part of the harbour)? Maybe it could be done with underwater cameras projected onto a large screen, if it can't be done physically with tunnels. The live camera feed could be fed to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

(source: http://www.halifax.ca/visionhrm/BedfordWaterfront/documents/BedfordWaterfrontDesignStudy.pdf )
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4710389620_1d01610a70_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4709749185_13002e4154_b.jpg

[planarchy]

Take the people who made the Toronto waterfront promotional video and get them to make a promotional video about the Bedford Waterfront proposal and I am sure that it would sound like one of the wonders of the world.

Not likely. You are comparing a plan designed by Halifax-based Ekistics who is probably better at designing golf courses than urban waterfronts with an awarding winning design by Rotterdam-based West 8 - easily one of the top landscape architecture and urbanism design and research firms in the world. The two plans are worlds apart. The Bedford waterfront design is overly artificial and seems to be completely disconnected with both the physical territory as well as with any sort of notion of housing demand and economic factors.

[fenwick16]

Not likely. You are comparing a plan designed by Halifax-based Ekistics who is probably better at designing golf courses than urban waterfronts with an awarding winning design by Rotterdam-based West 8 - easily one of the top landscape architecture and urbanism design and research firms in the world. The two plans are worlds apart. The Bedford waterfront design is overly artificial and seems to be completely disconnected with both the physical territory as well as with any sort of notion of housing demand and economic factors.

The Toronto proposal is going to have an elevated Expressway running through it. I will place my bets on the Ekistics Bedford proposal.

Lets check back in 10 years time when they are both nearing completion.

[planarchy]

The Toronto proposal is going to have an elevated Expressway running through it. I will place my bets on the Ekistics Bedford proposal.

Lets check back in 10 years time when they are both nearing completion.

I doubt Bedford will look much different in 10 years. Do you really think we will any of this in Bedford anytime soon? :shrug:

[halifaxboyns]

Not likely. You are comparing a plan designed by Halifax-based Ekistics who is probably better at designing golf courses than urban waterfronts with an awarding winning design by Rotterdam-based West 8 - easily one of the top landscape architecture and urbanism design and research firms in the world. The two plans are worlds apart. The Bedford waterfront design is overly artificial and seems to be completely disconnected with both the physical territory as well as with any sort of notion of housing demand and economic factors.

My difficulty with this plan is the articifialness of it too - there doesn't seem to be a lot of major parks (although I may be misinterpreting the scale from the drawings). It seems to me that this plan brings the waterfront to the condo/land owners and not to the people so much. When I think about the waterfront downtown, the one spot that I think about the most is the one lone green spot on the Halifax side at the waterfront - by the ferry terminal. While I enjoy the boardwalk, there aren't enough parks.

Now, while this plan has an ambious park around the Cove (which I like) the actual portion that is at waters edge doesn't have enough green at all. It seems very artificial for the portion ('the island') against the basin. While there is a nice park near one of the Marinas and the plaza off the middle point of the island is okay - there should be more of a park there. While I'm willing to be flexible with my views; I would still like to see more park space along the waterfront - so you don't just sit on the boardwalk, but you can sit in a nice grassy area and reflect or kids can play or your could picnic and watch the water.

[fenwick16]

This could easily be solved by combining two low rise condos into one midrise condo. Instead of 2 six story condos, have one 12 story condo and then additional green space. The problem is that the Bedford residents will then complain about the buildings being too high.

A big problem is that people state that there should be more density to prevent sprawl, more green space and lower buildings. These can't all be accomplished. I am sure in the Toronto proposal you will see 30 storey condo buildings (or higher). So it is easier to accomplish the goal of more green space in Toronto area proposals since they can build higher. It is the same in Calgary, people accept taller buildings.

Suburbs in the Toronto area regularly have detached homes on 30 - 40 foot wide lots (in the neighbourhood that I live in far outside Toronto, a 40 foot wide lot was sold as a "wide" lot). Typically lots are 100 feet deep. If you look at Toronto area housing developments you will actually see far less green space than you will see in Halifax area suburbs. So in the Toronto areas when developers can't build high, buildings are crammed together even more so than in the Halifax area.

[Jonovision]

I just wanted to clarify a bit. My point in bringing the Toronto proposal to light was the fact that it looks like it will be able to achieve a very nice balance. Good high density developments that are in fitting with Toronto mixed with a wonderful open waterfront and what could become one of the great urban parks of the world. And the large park is not only for the people who live nearby, but it is reconstructing habitat that used to be there before the industrial watefront was built. It's giving a good balance between urban and nature. Something our bedford proposal totally lacks. The small bit of parkland is entirely for the human benefit and not the wildlife of the bedford basin.

[fenwick16]

I wish that I could agree with Jonovision and Planarchy for the sake of diplomacy. However, this looks like a great development with a marina, an island, a pond (which will become home to various wildlife species such as ducks, fish, etc), a ferry terminal and even a train terminal. Regarding the comment that it looks artificial; I think that this development stands out because it is not the typical low rise brick buildings that would blend in with other neighbouring buildings, but can't we have something a bit different?

On top of everything that I mentioned above, it is on the Bedford Basin with its marine wildlife. What more could anyone hope for? (other than the whole thing being parkland, but the HRM already has lots of parkland, it also needs residential land). I am sure that once this development is completed, there will be a lot more wildlife within a 1 mile radius than there will be within a 1 mile radius of the Toronto proposal.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I don't know about the economics of this plan given other planned communities in inland Beford locations. That being said, it is ambitious and would truly give beford a distinct look from its current state.

The nature arguments are a joke... I know the Bedford Basin more intimately than I would like to know it (been a sailor my whole life and know alot about it through scientists).

Trust me, the eco system will be fine... its been through much worse.

[Dmajackson]

Just a photo showing how much rock has been arriving lately.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4780509236_e134491fa9_b.jpg

[fenwick16]

Maybe they should just fill in the entire Bedford Basin (just leave enough for the Container Terminal). It would certainly alleviate some traffic issues in the HRM and maybe eliminate the need for a third Harbour Bridge. Plus it would create a lot of additional real estate. :justkidding: (I wasn't being completely serious - just filling in the shallow portions is a consideration though)

Since Halifax and Dartmouth seem to be so strongly against development, the new centre of growth could be Bedford/Sackville.:skyscraper:

[worldlyhaligonian]

Maybe they should just fill in the entire Bedford Basin (just leave enough for the Container Terminal). It would certainly alleviate some traffic issues in the HRM and maybe eliminate the need for a third Harbour Bridge. Plus it would create a lot of additional real estate.

Since Halifax and Dartmouth seem to be so strongly against development, the new centre of growth could be Bedford/Sackville.:skyscraper:

:koko:

The Bedford Basin is massive and slowly becoming cleaner... I think its a beautiful natural setting and that the infilling for this bedford project be pretty much the full extent...

Development of any height is pretty much equally hated everywhere in the HRM where there is alot of family homes.

[fenwick16]

:koko:

The Bedford Basin is massive and slowly becoming cleaner... I think its a beautiful natural setting and that the infilling for this bedford project be pretty much the full extent...

Development of any height is pretty much equally hated everywhere in the HRM where there is alot of family homes.

Yes I agree that the Bedford Basin should not be filled in. I was just reacting to the amount of fill in the image posted.

[Dmajackson]

This picture covers a bigger area than it looks;

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4895637421_13ba649bab_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

The Bedford Waterfront Plan is heading to NWPAC tomorrow night as an added item. The document is an interesting read and the plan does look good (there are some changes that sohuld be included but I'd support this). Of note is HRM is applying to the province to establish another group similar to the Design Review Committee for DT Halifax for the plan area.

Bedford Waterfront Design Study (http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/NWPAC/documents/8.1addedBedfordWaterfrontDesignStudy.pdf)

[Dmajackson]

MCHUGH: Opposition to Bedford waterfront work heats up
September 17, 2012 - 4:01am BY ED MCHUGH BUZZ FROM THE 'BURBS

ONE OF THE subjects I teach is marketing and we explore perception versus reality. I offer the viewpoint that perception is reality.

Once consumers hold opinions about your product or organization, it is very difficult to change. I will add that the most powerful form of marketing is word of mouth, especially in today’s linked world.

There has been a perception held by many Bedford residents that the Waterfront Development Corp. Ltd. is not communicative or responsive to their needs. Accurate or not, I have heard that view expressed by many in recent years but the volume is increasing

...

Read More: Ed McHugh's column (www.thechronicleherald.ca) (http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/bcw/136652-mchugh-opposition-to-bedford-waterfront-work-heats-up)

Normally I don't post opinion pieces but Ed is right that the movement has been increasing it's efforts. The two extremes seem to be high-density urban style development versus no development with existing fill to become parkland. I seem to sit (as always) in between these extremes. I support protecting the reef but I don't think it should all be parkland. From the existing Waterfront Drive to Crosby "Island" should be developed with high-density uses focusing on public transit. From the high point on Crosby "Island" to the south should be left as is with only infilling where needed for the Bedford Basin Trail. I'd focus the highest density in Mill Cove Plaza provided it has good connections to the waterfront.

[Keith P.]

Part of the problem here is that the NIMBY group protesting the infill leveraged the municipal election campaign to get a lot of attention for their cause and of course both the incumbent and all the candidates pandered to them, since nobody except the developer is in favor of development in these parts. So you have Tim Outhit saying that maybe dumping pyritic slate into salt water isn't all that great a way to get rid of the stuff - even though it has been determined for years that this is the one way to dispose of the stuff - and calling for new studies on the subject. Ridiculous.

[someone123]

I think part of the problem in Bedford is that the waterfront has very few amenities and shows few signs of the kind of progress that matters to people. It's basically some small condos and an enormous pile of construction waste that has been slowly growing for a decade or so. Bedford has grown by leaps and bounds. It's understandable that people look at the waterfront there and wonder what's going on.

If part of the fill had been developed into some nice mixed condos and shops with good public waterfront areas the optics would be a lot better. Looks at the stuff planned for King's Wharf; they're even looking at putting in an artificial beach.

[halifaxboyns]

Looks like this project is officially in an holding pattern.
I'm not surprised about the comments about density though - Bedford isn't well known for it's massive condo buildings. Change like this isn't easy, but everyone is going to need to brace for it.

WDC puts Bedford waterfront project on hold
Chronicle Herald Story (http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/bcw/139120-wdc-puts-bedford-waterfront-project-on-hold)

[halifaxboyns]

Speaking of nimby, when I found this I ended up hurting my head banging it on my desk...
Link (www.savebedfordwaterfront.ca)

[worldlyhaligonian]

What is wrong with these people... this isn't the great barrier reef.

I love the part where it says "is this your vision for the Bedford waterfront"... Yes... In fact I want taller and higher densities.

[Dmajackson]

Future of Mill Cove properties focus of three public sessions
January 25, 2013 - 7:30pm BY BILL POWER BUSINESS REPORTER

More than a quarter-century ago, officials with the former Town of Bedford launched an ambitious landfill project in the Mill Cove area. It was never finished.

Now, everybody in Halifax Regional Municipality is being invited to consider the potential of this prime waterfront location and three other smaller tracts of undeveloped land in the area.

...

Open houses are scheduled to run from 7 to 9 p.m. next Thursday and on Feb. 28 and March 28 at Dockside Condominiums, 210 Waterfront Dr. in Bedford.

...

(bpower@herald.ca)

Read More: thechronicleherald.ca (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/530455-future-of-mill-cove-properties-focus-of-three-public-sessions?utm_source=website&utm_medium=mobi&utm_campaign=full-site)

[worldlyhaligonian]

[I]Future of Mill Cove properties focus of three public sessions
January 25, 2013 - 7:30pm BY BILL POWER BUSINESS REPORTER



(bpower@herald.ca)

Read More: thechronicleherald.ca (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/530455-future-of-mill-cove-properties-focus-of-three-public-sessions?utm_source=website&utm_medium=mobi&utm_campaign=full-site)

I already can see where this is going... :sly: