Halifax council approves streetscaping, upgrade plans

Halifax regional council has given its approval for two streetscaping plans on parts of Argyle Street and Spring Garden Road worth a total of $17 million.

"All of these streetscapings are desperately needed," saidWaye Mason, Councillor for District 7 Halifax South Downtown.

"Sidewalk and paving havebeen held off for basically 10years waiting for streetscaping."

The municipality first tried to cost share $50 million worth of streetscapingprojects with the provincial and federalgovernments, but they were ruledineligible. Halifax now plans to cover most of the costs itself and has set aside$16.7 million.

Where to expect changes

The upgrades for the Argyle District will take place on the blocks betweenBlowers Street and Prince Street,as well asGrafton Street between Prince andCarmichael Streets. The total cost is $6.8 million, but planners expectabout $200,000from the Nova Centre development.

The work involves removing the curbs, installing decorative pavers and wideningthe sidewalks to encourage a pedestrian-friendly zone.

"Cars will be able to still go down the street but they really are kindof guests," said Paul MacKinnon, executive director of the Downtown HalifaxBusiness Commission."It'll be easily closeable for events on weekends orin evenings."

The proposal also features decorative lighting, street furniture,planters, public art and possibly canopies. Outside patios could alsobecome permanent.

Some streetscaping work will be done in the fall andthen completed next spring.

New trees, street lighting

Once the improvements are in place, Halifaxwill have to spend $400,000 for specialized equipment forsnow removal and garbage pickup in the area.

Municipal officials say the equipment could used in other areas of the city, but the expense has been included in the Argyle Street project.

The upgrades along Spring Garden Road between Queen Street andSouth Park Street are estimated at $11 million.They involve putting the power and communication lines underground,decorative streetlightingand new trees.

'A long ways away'

The Spring Garden Roadplanis based on a reportcompletedin 2009 andenvisions an attractivecorridor between the newly-built Central Library and the Public Gardens.

But while some traffic light improvements and street repaving is planned this year,most of the work on the Spring Garden projectwill take place after Argyle Streetis finished. Halifax planners are worried aboutthe Argyle project work going over budget and reducing the amount of funds available.

• Readthis week's report to Halifax regional council

"We've been told we're looking at 2020. That's a long ways away,"said Juanita Spencer, the executive director of the Spring Garden Road Business Commission. "We'd really like to see things happen a little faster."

The Spring Garden Road Business Commission also hopes otherlow-cost changes can be made this year, such asthe removal ofbus stops between Queen Streetand South Park Streetsand limiting daytime loading activity.