Proposal replaces Halifax's Cogswell interchange with convention centre

A developer proposes to tear down the concrete Cogswell interchange in downtown Halifax and put up a convention centre and hotel.

The proposal by the Hardman Group is one of six submitted to the province and municipality for a new, larger World Trade and Convention Centre.

The company, which built Scotia Square and the Metro Centre, wants to place a convention centre and Hilton hotel on 6.4 hectares now occupied by the overpasses and roads that make up the Cogswell interchange.

The site is close to downtown hotels and other amenities, so there's "no better location," said Hardman Group executive vice-president Colin Whitcomb.

The existing road network shouldn't pose a big problem, he added.

"It would take about eight months to demolish the interchange and reconnect the new street network for the north and south streets. There's also lots of land to put in a temporary road network and to re-route traffic during construction time," he said.

Whitcomb said the revamped site would include residential and green spaces.

Unlike the Hardman Group, some bidders are keeping their plans for a new convention centre quiet.

Representatives of Bird-Rideau Construction didn't want to reveal too much, but confirmed the Cogswell interchange is not the site they have in mind.

No one at the Halifax Port Authority, which owns land along the waterfront, wanted to comment on its proposal.

The two levels of government asked for expressions of interest in March, noting the main criteria were that the new building be at least 150,000 square feet and be located in downtown Halifax.

The current World Trade and Convention Centre on Argyle Street is no longer big enough to meet the city's needs, Premier Rodney MacDonald said at the time.

Provincial and municipal officials are considering the six proposals. They'll come up with a short list of companies, who will then have to go into greater detail in an official request for proposals.