2009 03 16
February 5, 2009, Halifax, NS – The Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) officially announced today its support of a new convention centre in Downtown Halifax. DHBC is urging the Province and the Municipality to make this their top infrastructure priority in the immediate future, in light of this week’s announcement that Rank Inc. was given the green light to proceed with more detailed plans to build a new convention facility on the former Halifax Herald land.
“The DHBC Board of Management fully supports the development of a new convention centre in Downtown Halifax, HRM’s core business district,” said Paul MacKinnon, Executive Director of DHBC. “A new convention centre would benefit the city and the province in the short-term as an economic stimulus as well as in the long-term, as a significant revenue generator.”
Development plans are not finalized, and the next step is to have Rank Inc. come forward with a more detailed proposal. DHBC looks forward to having input into that process. However, in terms of priority, DHBC feels that pressure needs to stay on the partners involved to ensure that the project moves forward in an efficient and timely fashion.
“The business community has often cited an expanded convention centre as their top priority,” said MacKinnon. “Mayor Kelly and Premier MacDonald have each publicly stated that this project is their number one infrastructure priority for Halifax. With such broad agreement, it is essential that we keep the momentum moving forward. Obviously this project will boost Downtown, but its benefit will be felt province-wide.”
Joe Ramia, of Rank Inc., has developed several apartment, condo and office buildings in HRM, both within and outside of the Downtown core. His company owns the Village at Bayers Road, which his firm transformed from a declining mall into a successful office and service centre.
For more information and interview requests, please contact:
Ivy Ho, Director of Communications and Marketing
Downtown Halifax Business Commission
Tel: (902) 428-5433
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)