Downtown Halifax, Where the Maritimes Meet the World

The Urban Thinker

Musings of a Downtown Halifax urban thinker

Blog commentary from the DHBC Executive Director, Paul MacKinnon, on what makes a vibrant business district, the issues that affect Downtown Halifax and what’s happening in the heart of the city.

The City That Can

2010 07 15 |

Remember when we were the little city that could? Those of us with longer memories might remember when we were a boomtown during the Second World War. Some might remember when we conducted ill-advised, but bold urban renewal projects in the 1960s. Some might remember when we were the urban lifeblood in the 1970s, with theatres and high-end shops on Barrington Street. Some, like me, only came to Halifaxin the 1990s, but we, too, recall with fondness when Halifaxwas a place of promise and hope and a little bit of a swagger.

Proposed Parking Meter Rate Increase

2010 04 14 |

On Tuesday, April 13, HRM Council had on their agenda to consider raising the rates for parking meters by $0.50/hour in Halifax and Dartmouth. Below is the letter that the Downtown Halifax Business Commission sent to them. The decision was deferred in order to get more feedback from the affected business communities. It is scheduled to go back before Council for a decision April 20.

The Problem with Parking

2010 03 02 |

Here are three scenarios…

The Death of Barrington Street?

2010 02 02 |

Barrington Street. The traditional main street of the city of Halifax; the finest collection of commercial heritage buildings in English Canada; Spring Garden Road’s less-travelled sister, sits in disarray and uncertainty. Since its heyday in the 1950s and ‘60s, there has been collective and specific efforts to bring back Barrington.

Where is our money going?

2010 01 12 |

Tax reform seems destined to come to a sticky end. It represents one of the most obviously divisive things to come before HRM Council since amalgamation, because it cuts right to the heart of how this municipality is funded.

Why is HRM Council approving developments that undermine HRM by Design?

2009 12 01 |

This article, co-authored by Bernie Smith and Paul MacKinnon, first appeared in the “Afterthought” section, in the November edition of Halifax Magazine.

An Open Letter to Mayor Kelly and HRM Councillors

2009 11 12 |

I attended the October 27 and November 10 Committee of the Whole sessions and listened with great interest to the debate that occurred regarding the proposed HRM Metro Transit plan. I understand that the adoption of the plan is not subject to an open house, and in the interests of streamlined decision-making by Metro Transit, having a strategic plan is very important. However, as Council demonstrated, Metro Transit is not just any HRM department, and public transit is a very important topic for debate.

Choices

2009 10 19 |

CHOICES This week, I step aside and present a guest blog from Al Graham. Al is a former partner of Pork Pie Hat advertising, DHBC Board member and fixture on Argyle Street’s cafe scene. Unfortunately, Al has moved to London, ON, but his heart is obviously still on Argyle…

Finding something you didn’t go looking for… the joy of used bookstores

2009 10 05 |

Last week, I made a day long tour of Downtown Halifax’s used bookstores. A friend of mine came from out of town and we spent hours perusing dusty stacks of books. Such an activity might sound like Dante’s third level of hell to some, but we found it most agreeable.

A new convention centre in the heart of the city can be the catalyst

2009 09 29 |

High density residential; high quality public infrastructure; historic restoration along Barrington Street; pedestrian-focused; environmentally sustainable – these are the pictures of our revitalized Downtown. In the time of an economic downturn, though, we need a catalyst. The development of a new convention centre in the heart of our hub city can be that catalyst.