July 13, 2007
Weekly News (Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, NS)
Friday, July 13, 2007, p.4
Don't believe everything you hear. That should be the rule of thumb when you live in a small community like Dartmouth.
A stall in a recent downtown business development has become the hot topic of idle conversation.
Disregard any rumours you may have heard that the multi-million dollar development, King's Wharf, is not happening. According to developer Francis Fares, although temporarily delayed, the project is still full steam ahead.
In 2006, Fares, owner of Atlantis Realty, purchased the Dartmouth Marine Slips land from Irving Oil Ltd. Currently, the site is zoned as "marine light industrial."
In order to approach Halifax Regional Council and ask for the land to be rezoned as a residential site, Fares has had to deal with several developing issues.
There have been two public information sessions. Most residents, with the exception of one small group in the downtown core area, are in favour of the multi-million dollar residential and commercial complex.
Senior planner Margot Young of Environmental Design and Management Ltd (EDM) was hired by Fares to ensure the complex is developed with a socially conscious approach.
"Mr. Fares is taking the necessary steps to move forward with his development," she said. "He is working closely with all levels of government and is keeping the community that the development will serve, and affect, in the forefront of the planning."
Young explained that, as with many developments, there were several items of concern.
"In order to deal with the issues correctly and responsibly, it takes time," she said. "Unfortunately, when there are delays, it gets blown out of proportion and misrepresented by the media, then we have people saying things aren't happening."
Trevor Parsons of Innovative Real Estate on Portland Street is in favour of the development at the Marine Slips and is fed up with the delays that developers in HRM often encounter.
"If the city had any vision, they would stop making developer(s) jump through federal, provincial and municipal hoops," said Parsons. "Nobody can afford to sit on land while things move through bureaucratic red tape at a snail's pace. What this city needs is some vision."
Parsons is generally frustrated with the amount of time it takes landowners to get approval to build on sites in the municipality.
"It's ridiculous," he said. "I had a client who had to wait five months to obtain a bi-right subdivision permit, which was just so he could build on one lot. Imagine how long it's going to take the developer who bought the Marine Slips."
The Plan
King's Wharf will be a multi-phased mix-use waterfront development in Dartmouth Cove on the Halifax Harbour. It will be the first thing people travelling in cruise ships and frigates see when they enter the Halifax Harbour.
"The spirit behind the whole project is to build a beautiful waterfront community where people can live and work," said Fares. While the configuration of the development has changed slightly to develop the land economically and to everyone's satisfaction, Fares's vision for King's Wharf has not changed.
When completed, the development will have 1,200 condominiums, a 200-room hotel and convention centre, 100,000 square feet of mixed retail shopping and 40,000 square feet of commercial space.
The pedestrian-friendly community will also have ample green space, boardwalks and a water taxi that will shuttle from Dartmouth to Halifax.
Over the course of the five-year project, it is expected that more than 625 jobs will be created each year, and over $150 million will be spent on construction.
There are a few people in Dartmouth who are not thrilled about Fares venture. Two of those people are Douglas and Lorna, a retired couple who purchased a condominium at Admiralty Place.
"I settled here after living on Pine Street all my life," said Douglas. "I had no view there; I think surely these buildings are going to ruin our view."
Young said this is one of the areas of concern that Fares has dealt with.
"Originally, there was a request to construct a 150-ft building," said Young. "We (EDM) don't believe that makes good urban form."
So it was back to the drawing board for his team.
"We are going with shorter structures, that will not obstruct views," said Young.
Fares said he is going before council with his development plan on July 18.
"Hopefully, what we are proposing is a winner for everyone," he said. "Ultimately, it is council's decision if we are able to move forward."
If all goes according to plan, Fares hopes to break ground by spring 2008.
Getting Ready for the Future
Tim Olive, executive director of the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission is more than excited about the King's Wharf project.
"Dartmouth can be what Spring Garden Road is to Bayers Lake," he said. "The development is going to give the downtown core such a tremendous boost that we will be seeing a lot of new business opening. We have to have a vision and understand that this development is going to bring back Dartmouth to the way it was in the past."
Olive reminisces about the days when people could shop for anything they wanted in downtown Dartmouth.
"We used to be a destination site, with high- end stores and little boutiques. With the development of King's Wharf, we will get back to those days, but we have a lot of work to do to get ready for this."
In the past year-and-a-half, Portland Street has been resurfaced, sidewalks repaved, buildings torn down and many structures have had a facelift.
"We are in the process of securing the final bit of funding for the Facade Program on Portland Street," said Olive. "We have already upgraded more than 40 facades on the street. That, with the planters, sidewalks, and benches that we put in last year - we are starting to look really good."
Terry Brennan knows firsthand the potential downtown Dartmouth has. As a well-known businessman in Dartmouth for more than 25 years, Brennan is the owner and creator of Founders Corner, a condominium project on Ochterloney Street.
"From day one we knew we wanted to be different and bring back that old-town feeling to Dartmouth," said Brennan. "We are creating a walk-to neighbourhood, which will make for a different type of lifestyle than what we have become accustomed to."
What makes Founders Corner so unique is not just the luxury condominiums it will house (at present 60 per cent have been sold), it's the courtyard that will create a market-type environment.
"There will be a bistro, a gourmet coffee shop, an international magazine store and a market, perhaps a boutique," said Brennan. "It'll be an urban market where you can pick up the things you need and go or sit and relax and have a coffee while reading a good book or magazine."
Brennan says this is exactly what Dartmouth needs, because it will get people back out walking around town, shopping and using all of the amenities.
"It's at that point," he said, "that others will follow."
Melanie Butler, owner of Earth Magick Creations at 101 Portland Street is pleased with the improvements she has seen in the past year.
"Portland Street has come a long way in the past year-and-a-half," she said. "All this change is great for local businesses. And the renovation of Masonic Corner (Founders Corner) will bring in higher-end clientele. We're all going to benefit from this."
When asked her opinion about the newer businesses that have opened and closed their doors within the last two years, Butler said that it was a shame they couldn't have stayed in the downtown core.
Recently, Flirt Boutique and the popular Starr's Dessert Cafe closed their doors for good.
"You have to be willing to stick around and wait for the changes," said Butler.
"I've never had a problem, and I am open year-round. I think if new business owners can just be patient, it will be well worth having a shop in the downtown core, especially if the development of King's Wharf goes through."