Transportation Standing Committee plants a seed of optimism

SPRING GARDEN ROAD PILOT

Transportation Standing Committee plants a seed of optimism

By now, you’ve probably read that the Spring Garden Road pedestrian-only pilot has been delayed by a year. But there is a seed of optimism in the bad news planted by HRM’s Transportation Standing Committee on Thursday of last week.

In September, city staff said the plan to make Spring Garden awesome would need lights or gates to stop drivers from being “a-holes.” Councillor Shawn Cleary labelled all drivers with that moniker during the meeting, but I am also painfully aware I am sometimes that a-hole. Normally when I’m late.

Staff didn’t recommend gates at last week’s meeting, and explained (abridged) that lights are too expensive for a pilot project. Councillors pushed back saying (abridged) that a successful pilot should be able to roll into the real deal if that’s the goal.

This is confusing because it seems city staff were asked to do a pilot with gates back in September, and debatably did, but instead seems to have assumed: “Pilot = proof of concept” versus “pilot = really do it for a limited time.” Last week, council told staff that next year’s pilot project has to have lights (and/or other physical barrier stuff). That’s the seed of optimism: Once those lights are in, are they ever coming out? Not likely.

This will likely be a contentious fight, and one that could still go either way. Businesses are struggling. Even though changing the street will be a net positive all around. And even though serious business publications like Bloomberg are reporting on studies that promote no-car streets as good for business. Change is scary, especially in hard or lean times. But Spring Garden could be amazing in two years’ time—if we’re brave enough to try something new.

Need to know

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny and a high of 5C. A 30% chance of showers in the evening and a low of 2C.

💰The minimum wage in Nova Scotia is officially $14.50/hour.

🎣 Sportfishing season has officially begun. Before heading out to your favourite lake or river make sure you know the legal bag limit, other regulations and methods to help maintain fish populations.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS

Stay connected to the music at the 2023 ECMAs!

The East Coast Music Awards are back in 2023, and celebrating a monumental 35th anniversary! This year, ECMA is introducing TD Connected Concerts, a festival showcase series bringing you the best and brightest in East Coast music. You can catch dozens of Atlantic Canada’s finest artists, all within just minutes of each other at venues across Halifax and Dartmouth.

The Weekend Warrior wristband gives you access to all TD Connected Concerts from May 4-6, letting you jump from show to show and giving you the most music at the lowest price.

Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this opportunity; for more information or to buy tickets, head to ECMA.com.

On The Coast

In other news

🩺 The doctor working at the Cumberland Regional Health Centre the night Allison Holthoff lost her life in the emergency room, has shared his story of the events that occurred on Dec. 31 2022.

🏢 A new north end condo development is going up on Gottingen this May. The Navy Lane Condos are being praised for understanding the “north end niche.”

🚲 Halifax’s bicycle mayor, Jillian Banfield, has stepped down and spoke to CBC about her experience being an advocate for a more bike-friendly city.

🚰 Halifax Water’s application to incorporate a District Energy System at the Cogswell development area has been approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

🏊 The Big Swim is happening July 22 & 23! Registration is open and all donations will go towards helping low-income families send their children to camp.

📜 Truro’s Jason Ehler searches for his missing son almost every day since his disappearance back in 2020. While searching, he came across a letter in a bottle written by an 11-year-old almost 40 years ago. Read the bittersweet story here.

🏀 East Coast Music Association is holding a charity all-star basketball game featuring Jody Upshaw, Maje, Willie Stratton and more on May 3 at Saint Mary’s University Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness. The event will raise money for Hope Bloom's organization Hot Cocoa Boys.

👋 Vaughan’s General Store has reopened at its new 2576 Agricola Street location. Head on in to check out their new spring and summer offerings!

🏬 Zellers in Micmac Mall has an official open date: Apr. 4.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES 2023

16 sport competitions

All open to the public: basketball, lacrosse, softball, soccer and more! The 2023 North American Indigenous Games are bringing 16 sport competitions to Kjipuktuk from July 15-23. All competitions are open to the public, so join the crowd and watch Indigenous athletes from across Turtle Island compete to bring home the gold.

Learn more at NAIG2023.com.

MARCH 30 UPDATE

Weekly COVID deaths, cases, data in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 numbers are down for the first time in three weeks. Check out the updated stats at The Coast.

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