Nova Scotia

Old Dartmouth City Hall could soon go to King's Wharf developer

A 50-year-old municipal building along the Dartmouth waterfront could soon be in the hands of Fares Development Inc.

90 Alderney Dr. has been a city hall or a school board office for close to 50 years

Halifax Regional Municipality staff say there were multiple offers for the old Dartmouth City Hall property at 90 Alderney Dr. (www.halifax.ca)

A 50-year-old municipal building along the Dartmouth waterfront could soon be in the hands of Fares Development Inc.

Dartmouth's former city hall building, at 90 Alderney Dr., had been used for school board and municipal offices but it was declared surplus in September and put on the market last month.

The three-storey concrete building is located next to parkland, trails and overlooks the Halifax Harbour. It was listed at $2.6 million.

In a report going to regional council next week, Halifax Regional Municipality staff say there were multiple offers for the property. They are recommending that a sale agreement, for an undisclosed sum, be negotiated with the developers behind the King's Wharf project.

That development involves a number of condo buildings and is located nearby in Dartmouth Cove.

According to Francis Fares, the president of Fares Development Inc., a feasibility study is now underway.

"All options are being explored," he said.

Fares would like to keep the existing building but is also considering the construction of a heritage museum next to it.

Halifax regional council wants to use the money from the sale of 90 Alderney to help create a municipal museum.   

Financial details will remain confidential until regional council approves the recommendation and a sale agreement is negotiated.

Fares is excited.

"The property is worth every penny," he said.