From the Communications Office
Second Stop Work Order Issued on Halifax Building
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Friday, April 16/99)-- A second Stop Work Order was issued today on an unauthorized fifth storey of an office building under construction at 1551 Market Street in downtown Halifax.
As of right, the developer was issued a building permit for construction of a four-storey office building on the site, adjacent to the Cambridge Suites Hotel on Brunswick Street.
Last December, the developer applied to the Halifax Regional Municipality for a Contract Development Agreement to allow construction of a fifth storey on the building. In the interim, he sought permission to erect a "temporary steel framing" at the proposed fifth level as a temporary weather protection. In addition, the developer confirmed in writing that he would dismantle the temporary frame in the event the Contract Development Agreement was not approved.
In the meantime, the developer chose to proceed with concrete (permanent) construction, up to, and including, the fifth level. As a result, a Stop Work Order was issued on April 9th, but HRM later learned that all construction on the fifth level did not cease.
As a result of the second Stop Work Order being issued today, work has ceased on the fifth level.
The application for a Contract Development Agreement to construct a fifth floor on the building is not expected to come before Regional Council until June.
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Contacts:
John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
490-6531
Ed Thornhill
Regional Coordinator, Inspection Services
490-4480
