News Release

 

Bloomfield redevelopment project awarded to
Nova Scotia Housing Development Corporation

 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 (Halifax, NS) – Regional Council today approved an agreement for the purchase, sale and redevelopment of the Bloomfield site in north end Halifax to the Nova Scotia Housing Development Corporation.

“We are pleased to be taking the next step in redeveloping the Bloomfield site and beginning implementation of the master plan process that has been underway over the past decade,” said Mayor Savage. “Community stakeholders, particularly Imagine Bloomfield, will continue to play an important role in this project by working with the Province to ensure that the end result is a high quality, well designed development with provisions for affordable housing, community and cultural uses.”

The request for proposal (RFP) to redevelop the Bloomfield site issued in June 2012 outlined requirements to provide a vibrant mix of community, cultural, residential and commercial spaces along with a proposed management approach for the 3.28 acre site. These requirements are consistent with the principles of accessibility, community building, inclusiveness and engagement, described in the Bloomfield Master Plan, a significant multi-year public consultation process undertaken to create a long term vision for the site.

Eight responses to the initial Request for Qualifications were received with four proponents qualifying for the RFP stage. Final RFP submissions were evaluated by a team of HRM staff, with the Nova Scotia Housing Development Corporation scoring the highest based on a list of criteria and objectives, while obtaining the highest possible value for the land. HRM has identified the urban core as a priority for increased planning and investment with the goal of building a healthy, vibrant and sustainable region. The Regional Plan and HRMbyDesign Centre Plan encourage residential densification in the Regional Centre as a key means of achieving this goal.

The sale of the land - at a price to be disclosed following the completion of the sale - is contingent upon several conditions including a commitment by the proponent to develop a minimum of 478 residential units including 140 in Phase 1 of the project. The proponent is projecting a four-phase multi-year development schedule, beginning with a community consultation process prior to the restoration and redevelopment involving of the two historic buildings. This is expected to establish access to community and cultural space in the early phases of the project.

For more information on the Bloomfield site and master plan visit www.halifax.ca/RealPropertyPlanning/BCMP/index.html.

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Contact:

Donna McCready
Mayor’s Office
490-2353