Highlighted below are a few recent decisions by Regional Council that reflect steps being taken by the municipality to make a difference in the Halifax region. For more details regarding all matters deliberated by Council and the direction given to municipal staff, please see the action summaries which are posted to the online meeting agendas within one business day as well as the meeting minutes which are posted online once approved by Regional Council.
Highlights from Sept. 3, 2024
Cogswell District project continues to transform downtown, budget increase
Construction in the Cogswell District continues to transform the downtown area, with the project hitting several key milestones recently:
- On June 17, Barrington Street between Cogswell and Duke Streets closed and a new four-lane connection between Cogswell Street and Detour Road 1/Barrington Street was opened to traffic.
- The Scotia Square Transit Hub has been temporarily relocated to Granville, Barrington and Albemarle streets until December.
- Permanent construction on Cogswell Street is complete.
- Underground infrastructure at the future roundabout site is now fully installed, with curbs, sidewalks, and asphalt scheduled for installation this fall.
- Installation of storm, water, and gas lines is ongoing from Barrington Street to Upper Water Street, and the work at Purdy’s Parkade has been completed.
With 15 months left to complete construction, the $14.3M contingency budget is nearly depleted as result of uncertainties related to unsuitable materials management, increased professional services, extra works performed on behalf of third parties and base program changes. Depletion of the contingency for these additional scope items has meant there are insufficient funds to cover the cost of the interactive fountain/ cooling station and temporary washrooms in Granville Square, which have also increased in cost.
A gross budget increase of $15.5M has been approved to address these unknown site conditions and additional scopes of work. Offsetting this increase is an expected $25.2M in cost recoveries from third party work and utilities cost sharing, resulting in an expected net project budget decrease of $9.7M.
The updated cost of the project is estimated to be $138.1, and construction is expected to be complete in December 2025.
For detailed financial information, read the staff report.
Active Transportation Infrastructure on Burnside Expressway
Regional Council has directed the Chief Administrative Officer to proceed with planning, site investigation, preliminary design and stakeholder engagement for Trunk 7, Magazine Hill. This would include assessing options for how the corridor could be reconfigured to serve municipal needs, including transit priority and active transportation infrastructure.
The provincial government is currently constructing an extension of Highway 107, between Highway 118, near the Burnside Industrial Park and Highway 102 in the Bedford/Sackville area, a long-planned project commonly referred to as the ‘Burnside Expressway.’
Though the Burnside Expressway project is not a municipal project, the municipality recognizes the large impact it has on the regional transportation network. Planning for Trunk 7, Magazine Hill would include assessing options for how the corridor could be reconfigured to serve municipal needs, including transit priority and active transportation infrastructure.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Supporting transit growth and improved accessibility in the region
Regional Council has directed the Chief Administrative Officer to submit an expression of interest to the Canada Public Transit Fund Baseline Funding Stream, which will support the continued growth and improved accessibility for transit across the region.
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada announced the launch of the Canada Public Transit Fund, a new $30 million investment over 10 years to expand public transit and make transit more accessible across the country.
Council has also requested the Chief Administrative Officer to submit an application to the Zero Emission Transit Fund to support the municipality’s own emission reduction objectives.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Previous meeting highlights
Connecting municipal roadways and trails
Regional Council recommends the adoption of the Road Trails By-law to enable the designation and regulation of road trails on municipal roads in parts of the region.
This follows provincial legislation and aims to better protect municipal infrastructure and the safety of road users. Enhanced connectivity with our region’s many interconnected trail systems will provide easy and safe access with established trails and to trail related amenities and services. Road trails and connectors will be selected based on meeting road and safety conditions.
For more information, read the staff report.
Building up our region
The Regional Council has approved changes to improve, clarify and expand the scope of the Affordable Housing Grant Program (AHGP).
Changes to the program include meeting with staff prior to submitting a grant application, adding clarification to submission requirements and enhancing evaluation criteria for applications.
The AHGP is a relatively new municipal program and has disbursed three annual rounds of incentives to eligible affordable housing projects. Through the course of administering the program, Planning and Development staff have received feedback from non-profit housing providers and other stakeholders on suggested approaches to improve the effectiveness and timeliness of the AHGP.
The proposed changes will help staff target eligible projects that most clearly meet Council’s priorities relating to affordable housing.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Downtown Gateway Comprehensive Plan
Regional Council has directed the Chief Administrative Officer to advance the Downtown Gateway comprehensive planning project to advance building opportunities in our growing downtown.
The Downtown Gateway area is approximately 5.87 hectares of underutilized municipally owned lands located within the Halifax’s north end. The municipality is experiencing significant growth, resulting in increased demand for a variety of municipal facilities and services. With a limited supply of publicly owned lands in the downtown core, the Downtown Gateway lands present a significant city building opportunity for new or expanded municipal facilities, housing, parks, and improved streetscapes and public spaces.
A comprehensive planning project will be used to guide the use and development of these lands.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.