Expression of Interest for Old Infirmary Site
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Expression of Interest for Old Infirmary Site
The province is looking for creative plans to develop a prime piece of downtown Halifax real estate.
Advertisements for expressions of interest for the development of the Old Halifax Infirmary site are being placed in newspapers beginning today, Aug. 27.
"We expect that we'll receive many responses to this expression of interest, as this is a high profile site in a valuable commercial area of Halifax," said Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell. "The development of this site has the potential to greatly benefit the community."
The expression of interest document asks respondents to prepare a vision for the site, including: predominant uses, urban design, and the proposed relationship to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy.
"We want to see creative approaches and a quality development plan for the Old Infirmary site," said Mr. Russell. "Achieving the best use of the site is important to the people of Halifax and to the province."
The Old Halifax Infirmary is in poor condition and cannot be renovated. Interested parties will be asked to incorporate demolition and cleanup costs and plans into their development strategies.
The hospital was closed by the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, which conveyed the land to the Department of Transportation and Public works in 1998. The Department of Transportation and Public Works manages the site and will oversee the submission of expressions of interest.
The site is approximately 3.5 acres and has frontage on Queen Street, Spring Garden Road and Morris Street. It includes a parking lot now being used by Dalhousie University.
A portion of the site, known as Gerard Hall, is being leased to Dalhousie University and is not included as a component of the Expression of Interest. Any new development will need to include 111 parking spaces for the university.
The province is advertising nationally and locally for this expression of interest. Interested parties are being asked to make submissions by Oct. 23.
Details of the Expression of Interest are available at:
www.gov.ns.ca/tran/tour/ptns/scanfile/60119082.pdf .