[Halifax] 5515 Cogswell (at Gottingen) | ? m | 10 fl | U/C

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

Interesting Observation Dave as a Buddy of mine has often wondered why far more creative and artistic things do not happen in and around the Citadel. I think part of that lack of Imagination and creativity is the National Capital mindset that the Citadel finds itself subject to.

There's a ton of potential around the Citadel. I think it should be used as a location for public amenities. A new art gallery could go there, for example, with a green roof that doesn't impact views. It could have some kind of permanent amphitheatre.

The public realm around the fort is pretty sad too, like the standard guard rails and the modest wooden steps and asphalt path leading up around the Town Clock that look like they could be in any small town park.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

They're well-organized but are they influential? They're out there rallying against things like widening Robie for BRT lanes, and against the Wanderers stadium, and against bike lanes in the south end, but at the end of the day no one seems to pay them much attention at City Hall, and they seem to lose all their battles these days.

That's my impression as well. On SSP there are often complaints about them, but out in the real world they don't seem to accomplish their goals, other than to get some media attention that fizzles out after a day or two.

[Dmajackson]

Someone cut the date out of the sign. I think this never ending construction site is starting to piss people off.





(Photos by me. See my signature for the link to my blog).

[terrynorthend]

Worry when the second 2 gets covered LOL

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Someone cut the date out of the sign. I think this never ending construction site is starting to piss people off.





(Photos by me. See my signature for the link to my blog).

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

Worry when the second 2 gets covered LOL

That blue sign should make its way to the Sky development on Hollis.

[Dmajackson]

If you were thinking progress on this project wasn't slow enough already ...



Downtown Halifax construction fire sends heavy black smoke billowing (Global News)

I happened to be home for lunch and saw the black smoke from only a few blocks away. It was thicker than I've ever seen and the heavy response by emergency services was impressive to say the least.

[Wannabe Economist]

Luckily this building is concrete which likely helped to ensure the fire didn't spread - looks like it was a very hot blaze. Hopefully this developer hangs up the skates after this project!

[ArchAficionado]

I'm guessing it was a hot work activity that caused this ... while frustrating for the developer, the financial burden for the rework and schedule delay will no doubt fall upon the subcontractor who caused it, be it through insurance or legal action.

Nonetheless, this probably adds a year to an already tremendously slow job. The entire facade on that side of the building will have to be rebuilt, and likely some interior elements also.

[Summerville]

Originally Posted by ArchAficionado

I'm guessing it was a hot work activity that caused this ... while frustrating for the developer, the financial burden for the rework and schedule delay will no doubt fall upon the subcontractor who caused it, be it through insurance or legal action.

Nonetheless, this probably adds a year to an already tremendously slow job. The entire facade on that side of the building will have to be rebuilt, and likely some interior elements also.

This project has taken forever. Same could be said about any project that Banc has had. Compare that to Dexel where projects go up fast.

I've always wondered about the risk of taking your time with a project. I used to wonder about the added cost of the crane over a long period of time, but this fire raises other issues.

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by Summerville

This project has taken forever. Same could be said about any project that Banc has had. Compare that to Dexel where projects go up fast.

I've always wondered about the risk of taking your time with a project. I used to wonder about the added cost of the crane over a long period of time, but this fire raises other issues.

Even just the building sitting exposed to the elements for so long (eg Long Lake). I am no construction expert but assume getting things tight quickly is best? Allowing for concrete to cure properly etc of course.

Not a fire expert either but I wonder if that very thick black smoke relates to construction materials such as rubber and foam.

[OldDartmouthMark]

One might wonder what the extreme heat of the fire did for the tempering of the rebar within the concrete or even the strength of the concrete itself.

Also not a fire expert, but my impression is that thick black smoke like that is usually plastic or other oil-based products. Nasty stuff to breathe as well - I hope that nobody was affected too badly by that.

[ArchAficionado]

Originally Posted by Summerville

This project has taken forever. Same could be said about any project that Banc has had. Compare that to Dexel where projects go up fast.

I've always wondered about the risk of taking your time with a project. I used to wonder about the added cost of the crane over a long period of time, but this fire raises other issues.

It usually speaks to a failure of incentives. I've worked on projects where there are contractually agreed-upon schedule dates, where the general contractor can owe upwards of $10k a DAY to the developer if they turn the job over late.

These sorts of incentives to perform seem to be much better understood by American companies in large cities fwiw. Small timey developers like this are often not running as tight a ship and set the job up with a slow schedule from the outset. That being said, that can often have diminshing financial performance consequences given the carrying costs to pay for lane closures, equipment rental, security staff, etc.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by ArchAficionado

It usually speaks to a failure of incentives. I've worked on projects where there are contractually agreed-upon schedule dates, where the general contractor can owe upwards of $10k a DAY to the developer if they turn the job over late.

These sorts of incentives to perform seem to be much better understood by American companies in large cities fwiw. Small timey developers like this are often not running as tight a ship and set the job up with a slow schedule from the outset. That being said, that can often have diminshing financial performance consequences given the carrying costs to pay for lane closures, equipment rental, security staff, etc.

Perhaps a slow timeline could also be attributed to smaller cash flow available to pay contractors at deadline-forced milestones? One would think that a smaller developer might not have the access to funds that a larger one might, and then progress might be more dependent upon progress at other projects, so a more “relaxed” schedule might work in their favour.

I see stuff like this often characterized as being on the verge of unprofessional, or at least that the developer doesn’t know as much as ones from larger more ‘worldly’ areas, but I wonder if that is actually the case. Of course I am not in the development industry, so take it with a grain of salt.

[Jonovision]

Deleted

[ArchAficionado]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

Well considering they also have The Interchange which has been under construction for over 5 years and they have just started work on St Pats crossing.
And they own Bloomfield, who's construction management plan says they had already started excavation last summer (even though they haven't).
And I believe there are also a number of lawsuits in the works with the Elevation project on Robie.

Yeah it would be one thing if it was just how this job is being run, but it seems like all their developments across the city are similarly struggling for one reason or another.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Deleted post.

[Haligonian88]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Sounds like they have taken on more work than they can handle, then? I would be afraid that this fire might be difficult (or impossible?) to recover from. Which would be a shame as it would put the building in jeopardy and could cause this site to be in limbo for years to come.

5515 Cogswell is being developed by Principal Developments, directors listed as Paul and Renee Metlej. I believe this is the only project they have on the go. They previously built The Bloom, which also took quite some time to complete, I believe.

Banc Group on the other hand definitely has a lot on the go.

[midasmull]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Sounds like they have taken on more work than they can handle, then? I would be afraid that this fire might be difficult (or impossible?) to recover from. Which would be a shame as it would put the building in jeopardy and could cause this site to be in limbo for years to come.

Different developers - someone was talking about Banc who is not involved in this project

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Haligonian88

5515 Cogswell is being developed by Principal Developments, directors listed as Paul and Renee Metlej. I believe this is the only project they have on the go. They previously built The Bloom, which also took quite some time to complete, I believe.

Banc Group on the other hand definitely has a lot on the go.

Originally Posted by midasmull

Different developers - someone was talking about Banc who is not involved in this project

Sorry, I was just basing this on what other posters have said. Forget what I wrote because it obviously does not apply.

My apologies.