News Release
Halifax Regional Municipality seeks ideas to make downtown even better
Public engagement events planned for Halifax, Dartmouth February 8
Thursday, January 16, 2014 (Halifax N.S.) -- Mayor Mike Savage and Regional Council invite residents to learn more and share their ideas on the best ways to create and sustain more vibrant and enjoyable downtown areas in Halifax and Dartmouth.
On February 8, Halifax Regional Municipality will host Downtown...I’m In public engagement events in Halifax and Dartmouth to stimulate and capture ideas to shape the downtown into places where people want to spend even more time. The events will build on the good work already being done by the Strategic Urban Partnership, Business Improvement Commissions, The Greater Halifax Partnership and others.
“Vibrant cities around the world create conditions that attract and keep people in their downtown areas,” says Mayor Savage. “So from now through to our events on February 8th, we are gathering ideas to help make Halifax and Dartmouth downtown areas even better.”
Each event will feature one of two speakers:
Charles Montgomery , downtown champion and award-winning author of The Happy City, whose insights and past experiments with public programs highlight ways residents can change their relationships with each other, and with their city, to improve lives and generate success.
Mark Brand, one of Vancouver’s most recognized entrepreneurs, opened a string of successful restaurants and other ventures, culminating with his largest project to date, the re-opening and reinvention of the circa 1957 Save on Meats. He also runs a not-for profit foundation that focuses on food security in Vancouver’s Eastside.
Following each speaker, residents will have an opportunity to take part in facilitated discussions focused on identifying ways to make the downtown a better place to live, work and play. Members of the public are also encouraged to visit special information and idea-sharing booths at each venue that will be co-hosted by a unique blend of experts from the community, business, associations, non-governmental organizations, and HRM staff, to listen and share ideas with the public and each other.
Downtown...I'm In Events:
Where:
Halifax: Mezzanine level Pete’s Frootique, City Centre Atlantic, 1535 Dresden Row, parking entrance off of Birmingham. (Charles Montgomery speaker)
Dartmouth: Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market. (Mark Brand speaker)
When: Both events start at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 8, and will run until approximately 3 p.m.
To assist people in getting to and from the events, Metro Transit is providing free harbour ferry service between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Those who cannot attend in person can visit www.DowntownImIn.ca for information, to submit ideas, and to watch a video from Mayor Savage, Councillor McCluskey and Councillor Mason. Comments can also be e-mailed to: downtownimin@halifax.ca or mailed to Downtown...I’m In, PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS B3J 3A5. HRM residents can also share their ideas on Twitter using the hashtag #DowntownImIn.
“This is a great opportunity for us all to have a say in shaping our collective future and help make our downtown areas even better. I call on everyone who lives, works, plays or otherwise spends time in our downtown areas to visit DowntownImIn.ca or come see us on February 8th and share their ideas,” says Mayor Savage.
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Media Contact:
Shaune MacKinlay
Mayor Savage’s Office
490-6531
Janet Bryson
HRM Communications
490-5057
