NEWS RELEASE

Bloomfield Master Plan Enters New Implementation Phase

(Tuesday, May 18, 2010) - In June, the former Bloomfield School site will take its next step toward its exciting redevelopment when HRM looks for consulting services that will help define how community needs, cultural needs and development interests can be met.

On September 8, 2009 Regional Council adopted the Bloomfield Master Plan for the redevelopment of the site. The Plan establishes broad concepts for the site’s development including urban design, and a combination of economically feasible uses that are supported by the community.

The Master Plan outlines the potential for community partners from the arts and culture sector for the development and operation of community facilities. The Plan also envisions opportunities for partnerships with real estate developers and nonprofit organizations for the redevelopment of the property.

Next month, HRM plans to issue a Request for Proposals for consulting services to research management models for the Bloomfield property and to develop a framework for soliciting, evaluating and selecting development, along with nonprofit and community partners for the Bloomfield project.

The consultants will produce a Request for Expression of Interest process aimed at better understanding arts and culture space needs and priorities, and determining how developers and the arts and culture sector can best work together toward a successfully re-imagined Bloomfield. An accompanying Request for Proposals process will be developed to schedule and coordinate the implementation of the Master Plan and take the proposed development of the site from concept to reality.

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Contact:

Shaune MacKinlay
HRM Public Affairs
490 6531

John Charles
HRM Real Property Planning
490 5771