HRM Issues RFP for Downtown Development

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Release:
(January 27, 2011) The first of the three HRM-owned lots available for
sale in the Spring Garden Rd. area is on the market. This site, located
in one of downtown’s most appealing and vibrant mixed-use areas,
represents a unique development opportunity.

Releasing this property for development is a critical component of
Regional Council’s approved funding plan for the Central Library. The
sale of the sites is also a pilot for HRM’s innovative new Opportunity
Sites Task Force. A part of Council’s “Capital Ideas”, the
initiative’s purpose is to develop vacant publicly-owned downtown
lands in order to create a more attractive, vibrant city and increased
economic activity downtown.

The three Spring Garden area development opportunities have been
branded the “Sister Sites” in reference to three daughters of the
Schmidt family who lived in the adjacent Schmidtville neighborhood 140
years ago. The site referred to as “Mary Ann” at Queen and Clyde
streets is the first of the properties to be offered for development.
Release of “Margaretta” at Clyde Street and Dresden Row, and
“Rosina” on the Queen Street site of the old Infirmary hospital
will follow over the next few years.

The Municipality is seeking, through a bid process, proponents that are
prepared to purchase and undertake the timely development of the
property in accordance with the design-focused policies and vision of
the HRMbyDesign Downtown Halifax plan.