Nova Scotia

Shannon Park site plan to be unveiled at Wednesday meeting

The preferred concept plan for the redevelopment of the Shannon Park site in Dartmouth will be unveiled at a meeting Wednesday night.

Plan is a hybrid of three options presented in November and takes public feedback into account

Orange tarps are used to contain asbestos as each building is cleaned before demolition. (Robert Short/CBC)

The preferred concept plan for the redevelopment of the Shannon Park site in Dartmouth will be unveiled at a meeting Wednesday night.

The Canada Lands Company, which is in charge of the project, presented three different options in November. The latest design will be a hybrid based on public feedback.

Each of the three plans had a main residential neighbourhood, a mixed-use zone where there could be higher towers and a commercial sector that could include small office buildings.

Shannon Park has been off limits to the public since military families were moved out. (Robert Short/CBC)

"It does build on what we heard," said Chris Millier, the director of real estate with Canada Lands.

He pointed to things such as waterfront access and a pedestrian bike network as examples of what will be included in the concept.

However, this design may change before an application is sent to city planning staff.

The public will have until July to submit their comments.

Many windows in the buildings are broken. (Robert Short/CBC)

Officials with the Shannon Park project also want to take part in the municipality's consultation process on new 
planning rules under the centre plan, an area that includes peninsular Halifax and part of Dartmouth.

"I think there's an opportunity to plug into that, to be informed by what the community is saying to HRM," said Millier.

Meanwhile, the careful removal of hazardous materials inside the 32 former military housing complexes is underway.

The buildings have been sealed and internal demolition for each one could take four to six weeks before they are taken down. Removing the buildings on the site is expected to take until January.

Broken glass litters the base of every building. (Robert Short/CBC)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pam Berman

Reporter

Pam Berman is CBC Nova Scotia's municipal affairs reporter. She's been a journalist for almost 35 years and has covered Halifax regional council since 1997. That includes four municipal elections, 19 budgets and countless meetings. Story ideas can be sent to pam.berman@cbc.ca