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Downtown ‘beach experience’

Raised beach proposed for Halifax waterfront development site

NICOLE MUNRO

HALIFAX — Do you live in Halifax Regional Municipality and don’t have a way to get to the beach?

Well, the beach may be coming to a waterfront near you.

A man-made beach is the plan, according to a recently released 37-page report on the Cunard public space on Lower Water Street, situated between Bishop’s Landing and the Nova Scotia Power building, where a mixed-use development is to be completed in early 2024.

Over 13 months, Develop Nova Scotia chatted with people at pop-up events along the waterfront, community events, roundtable discussions and did an online survey to hear what the public wanted to be included along the Halifax waterfront.

Among requests for a splash pad, accessible docks, fishing opportunities and showers, people also said they would like for there to be a beach downtown.

“Many people desire a ‘beach experience,’ but Halifax’s closest beaches are too far away and inaccessible by transit,” the report by Develop Nova Scotia reads.

“An opportunity to interact with the harbour would provide a new and unique experience on the waterfront while connecting people to the marine environment.”

The beach would be raised, bordered by sea walls and nestled in a corner across the boardwalk from Bishop’s Landing, according to concept plans.

In separate areas, there would be sand designated as a play area and a splash pad for people looking to cool down without taking a dip into the harbour.

PUBLIC WASHROOMS?

Other must-haves for those polled were public washrooms, seating, picnic areas and shaded areas.

“Convenient public washrooms are a deliberate gesture of welcome and inclusion, allowing all people to remain in a public space longer,” the report reads, adding facilities are essential for some with disabilities or medical conditions.

However, there doesn’t appear to be any public washrooms included in the concept plans.

There is a shaded area with seating, as well as a drinking fountain and showers.

Other features within the Cunard public space include binoculars, a reverse periscope, rain garden and hammocks. A proposed Acadian monument site is also included in the concept plans.

In the future phases of the plan, changes will also be coming to the spot between the Cunard development and the Nova Scotia Power building, which will see a street extension, as well as the extended boardwalk section in front of Bishop’s Landing.

ART INSTALLATION STAYS

But don’t worry, the drunken lamp posts aren’t going anywhere. The art installation by NSCAD alums Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg are included within the designs that have designated the zone as a “quiet area.”

In the future phases of the plan, changes will also be coming to the spot between the Cunard development and the Nova Scotia Power building, which will see a street extension, as well as the extended boardwalk section in front of Bishop’s Landing.

So, when will people be able to see the construction of these concept plans get underway? Develop Nova Scotia is accepting proposals from contractors to finalize the detailed design until 2 p.m. on Sept. 1.

And things are still subject to change.

“Spatial and budgetary constraints may prevent the actual development of some or all of these features and activities on the Cunard site and/or wider Halifax waterfront,” the report reads.

The winning contractor’s 90 per cent design submission is due in January 2023.

Construction is to be completed in March 2024.

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2022-08-10T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-10T07:00:00.0000000Z

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