NEWS RELEASE

Public Encouraged to Attend Bloomfield Centre Master Planning Workshops

(Tuesday, May 20, 2008) - Halifax Regional Municipality is encouraging residents and local business to attend a two-part workshop on May 21 and 24 to discuss the Bloomfield Centre's future use and building form.

"The Bloomfield Centre is a great urban asset that needs attention and reinvestment to become more accessible and beneficial to surrounding neighbourhoods," said Councillor Patrick Murphy, District 11 North End Halifax. "We need to identify the best public uses for the property, and that is why the workshops are vital for both consultants and staff to understand the needs—beyond just HRM services—of the broader community. With Council's approval, I expect a vibrant and economically feasible recommendation will soon be realized."

The workshops will be held in the Bloomfield Centre's Main Building gymnasium (2786 Agricola Street) on Wednesday, May 21 2008, from 6:30 until 9:00 p.m., and on Saturday, May 24 2008, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m., and will focus on future use and building form, respectively.

• Public Workshop #1: Bloomfield Centre Uses
Wednesday, May 21 2008, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Gymnasium, Main Building, Bloomfield Centre, 2786 Agricola Street

• Public Workshop #2: Building Form
Saturday, May 24 2008, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Gymnasium, Main Building, Bloomfield Centre, 2786 Agricola Street

Facilitated by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects with Colliers International, the workshops will focus on citizens working together to determine future uses and building form of the Bloomfield Centre property. The results from the workshops will help formulate a master plan for the Bloomfield Centre, which will be presented to Halifax Regional Council for approval.

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For more information, please contact:

Rudy Vodicka, Halifax Regional Municipality, 490-5582

Councillor Patrick Murphy, District 11, Halifax North End, 490-7031