The Value of Investing in Canadian Downtowns - International ...

Key Patterns of Investment:
1. Central Library project
An exciting new investment in the downtown is the Halifax Central Library, which will replace the current Spring
Garden Road Memorial Library and serve as a central resource centre for residents. Funding for this project has
been provided across all three levels of government, with the Government of Canada providing up to $18.3 million
(from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund), the Government of Nova Scotia providing
$13 million and HRM contributing $23.7 million toward the project, which has a total estimated cost of $55 million. 10
The library is approximately 100,000-square-feet and the facility will include a larger book collection, additional
meeting and study rooms, a 250-seat cultural and performance space, and areas for computers and emerging
technologies. The building will reflect a modern design vision; it will be LEED Gold certified and will integrate two new
public plazas. 11
‘This [the new Central Library] is the first step,
and it is a symbol that the public sector
is investing in the Downtown again.’
46
Library Under Construction
http://www.mbchamber.mb.ca/2010/12/another-8-million-raised-for-canadian-museum-for-human-rights/
The City strategically released a large city-owned parking lot beside the library for new mixed use development.
Once this entire development is complete, it will set a new standard for design in downtown Halifax and deliver a
vibrant new mixed use community with a combination of both public and private spaces. The additional public space
will be welcomed by the many visitors to Spring Garden Road, one of Halifax’s most popular ‘high streets.'
2. Heritage Incentives – Barrington Street Historic District
Downtown Halifax possesses a rich collection of heritage buildings. However, a general lack of investment in these
edifices over the past few decades has left them in a variety of conditions and some have reached a relatively
serious state of decline. The HRMbyDesign process aimed to reverse this trend and established new incentives to
address this challenge.
Previously HRM did provide heritage incentives, yet the HRMbyDesign planning process revealed that the citywide
program would not be large enough to support the extensive restoration work needed downtown – particularly
concerning the revitalization of Barrington Street. It was estimated that in this heritage district, approximately one half
of the buildings were in need of improvement. 12 Consequently HRM has created new incentives specifically for
Barrington Street Heritage District and has made several million dollars available for in grants and tax credits over
five years. This program has been very well utilized and since 2009, there have been 12 restoration projects
approved through the Barrington Heritage District grants and incentives program and it is anticipated that this fund
will be exhausted before the five years is up. Details on the first 10 approved restoration projects are provided below:
10
Infrastructure Canada (2011). Government Project Breaks Ground on Halifax Central Library Project. Retrieved from:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/2011/20111107halifax-eng.html. Accessed 2012 January 16.
11
EllisDon (2011). Summary. Retrieved from: http://ascribehq.com/ellisdon/portfolio/5826. Accessed 2012 January 16.
12
Regional Municipality of Halifax (2009). Barrington Street heritage Conservation District Revitalization Plan. Retrieved from
http://halifax.ca/capitaldistrict/documents/BarringtonPlan.pdf. Accessed 2012 January 16.