Architecture

Fast & Curious: Short Takes on Random Things

Fast & Curious: Short Takes on Random Things

October 22, 2021 at 10:30 am

Home Matters So, this happened: .@HomeMattersCB asks @TimHoustonNS if he supports a container pier for CBRM. Premier says he’s willing to see a business case. #nspoli — michael gorman (@MichaelTGorman) October 21, 2021 “@HomeMattersCB” is Sydney-Membertou MLA Derek Mombourquette and I groaned out loud when I read this. Mombourquette’s ownRead More

Bad for Business?

Bad for Business?

October 20, 2021 at 12:06 pm

This morning, I am going to take on some of the hot takes I’ve seen on CBRM council’s recent waterfront development decision. As you probably know by now, during last Tuesday’s meeting, council, rather than entertaining a new proposal from Martin Chernin’s Harbour Royale Development Ltd (HRDL), opted to issueRead More

CBRM Council: Walkway in the Sky

CBRM Council: Walkway in the Sky

October 13, 2021 at 11:47 am

CBRM councilors last night approved an easement to enable the construction of a pedway across the Esplanade connecting an NSCC Marconi building to be located on Charlotte Street to the rest of the new waterfront campus. The pedway will be 33 feet above the street and planner Karen Neville saysRead More

What NS Could Learn from Vienna’s ‘Red Housing’

What NS Could Learn from Vienna’s ‘Red Housing’

June 23, 2021 at 12:16 pm

When it comes to social (or “public” or “subsidized”) housing, Vienna really seems to have its act together. I am tempted to present this information as though I’ve long been an admirer of the social housing of Vienna, but the truth is, I hadn’t realized it was a claim toRead More

Fast & Curious: Short Takes on Random Things

Fast & Curious: Short Takes on Random Things

June 11, 2021 at 12:32 pm

Where fishermen shop A spectator reminded me that while I devoted a lot of ink to port matters in this week’s edition, I didn’t discuss plans to expand the retail space around the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion — a plan first mentioned during the Port’s February AGM. “Fisherman’s Cove” isRead More

Minister Mombourquette on Centre 200, Library

Minister Mombourquette on Centre 200, Library

May 26, 2021 at 12:23 pm

I have a suspicious mind — it pretty much goes with the territory, when you’re a journalist — so when I heard about this “court facility” expansion proposed for Centre 200, my immediate thought was that somewhere in the background was a plan to bring professional basketball back to CapeRead More

Fort Worth Library Public Access computers, 2009. (Photo by

Patrons of Public Infrastructure

May 26, 2021 at 12:21 pm

I am absolutely furious that the CBRM council has once again decided a new library is not important enough, despite the present structure being aged and decrepit and inadequate to the community’s needs. The Public Library system is a vital, democratizing tool, providing access to services and information to allRead More

Fast & Curious: Short Takes on Random Things

Fast & Curious: Short Takes on Random Things

May 21, 2021 at 11:30 am

Bait and Switch? How, exactly, did we go from discussing a new Central Library to discussing a sports facility attached to Centre 200? I ask on behalf of the general CBRM public because obviously there are a few people who know exactly how this happened — they’ve been maneuvering toRead More

Wednesday Short Takes

Wednesday Short Takes

April 21, 2021 at 12:38 pm

Hail to the chief Robert Walsh, erstwhile acting chief of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service (CBRPS) has been named chief. I’m filing that under “O” for “Of course.” On the plus side, if they ever launch a Family Feud: Municipal Edition, we’re ready.   Something’s brewing We’re getting ourRead More

NSCC Marconi Waterfront Campus sketch

Land Acquisition Process for Marconi ‘Still Underway’

March 24, 2021 at 11:54 am

The provincial government department responsible for moving the NSCC Maroni Campus to the Sydney waterfront says the process of acquiring land for the project is “still underway,” which is why it would answer only part of the question I asked it this week. The Department of Labour and Advanced EducationRead More