Build Nova Scotia reviewing provincially owned Halifax waterfront properties

The Crown corporation responsible for several high-profile projects underway in Nova Scotia has quietly launched a review of the province's holdings along the Halifax waterfront.

The provincial government owns or controls a major portion of the waterfront.

David Benoit, the president and CEO of Build Nova Scotia, acknowledged the existence of the internal review on Wednesday in response to questions at a meeting of the Nova Scotia Legislature's public accounts committee.

Liberal MLA Braedon Clark wanted to know why the provincial government withdrew from negotiations with a company that wanted to use the former visitor information centre, located next to the Wave, and the old Nova Scotian Crystal plant on the Halifax waterfront.

Benoit said he was unaware of talks regarding the former Nova Scotian Crystal plant because that issue predated him, but he said discussions about the former tourism information site ended because of a review Build Nova Scotia had recently begun.

"It's all part of that. What does the waterfront look like? How do we develop the waterfront and continue to move it forward?" Benoit told the all-party committee.

"It'll be part of that plan and when we have that finalized, we'll be able to know what we're going to do with those two specific sites along with all the rest [of] the assets and all the property that's down there."

Access-to-info request

According to documents obtained by the Liberal caucus under the province's access-to-information law, just months ago Build Nova Scotia seemed to be on the verge of negotiating a deal for a new occupant for the visitor information centre.

A briefing note attached to an email dated Dec. 12, 2023, suggested the prospective tenant would "support collaborative projects that ensure multi-sector benefits." The note also said the Crown corporation had recommenced the minister authorize it to enter into negotiations with "the preferred proponent."

The province redacted the proponent's name as well as details of the proposal. Tourism Nova Scotia moved out of the building a year ago and it has been vacant since then.

Nova Scotian Crystal closed its doors in February 2021. 

Speaking to reporters following the committee meeting on Wednesday, Benoit was at a loss to explain why Build Nova Scotia's 2024-25 business plan made no mention of the review. 

"I'll have to check that because I thought there was some reference to it," said Benoit.

He summed up the work of his team as a "look at the strategic potential of our waterfront and making sure it's still in accordance with the way that the province wants to move forward in its growth," and called the area "an incredible jewel." 

"It is about the strategic potential of our waterfront and making sure that we get the most out of it for the public good," he said.

Timing is right, minister says

Beverley Ware, marketing and communications director with Build Nova Scotia, said the plan was a revision of one that was started in 2021, before the Crown corporation was established, but it was never "formalized and approved."

Minister of Public Works Kim Masland, who oversees Build Nova Scotia, called the review "sound, smart management" of the waterfront.

"I think it's smart to take a step back and look and make a plan of the entire harbour," Masland told reporters following a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

She said the timing was right, given that the planned fast ferry from Bedford will need a place to land and the existing ferry terminal isn't suited to handle it.

"We're going to have to look [at] another spot for our ferries to come in," Masland said. "We have five other ferries coming in from Mill Cove.

"The traffic that's going to be on that waterfront is going to be huge."