{"id":2875,"date":"2010-01-26T14:00:55","date_gmt":"2010-01-26T18:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spacingatlantic.ca\/?p=2875"},"modified":"2010-01-26T13:54:34","modified_gmt":"2010-01-26T17:54:34","slug":"the-right-to-the-common","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/atlantic\/2010\/01\/26\/the-right-to-the-common\/","title":{"rendered":"The Right to the Common"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

HALIFAX –<\/strong> Last Wednesday January 20th, HRM staff presented the plan \u201cImprovements to the North Common\u201d\u00a0[PDF<\/a>] to a full house, where there were more people in attendance than there were chairs. The presentation of the plan lasted an hour, and although only 30 minutes was set aside for input from the public, the question period ended up continuing for over an hour and a half, until only a handful of people were left in the room.<\/p>\n

In this new century, we are facing a different kind of threat to public space\u2014 not one of disuse, but of patterns of design and management that exclude some people and reduce\u00a0social and cultural diversity. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0Rethinking Urban Parks: Public Space & Cultural Diversity<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There was clear support for certain aspects of the plan that fostered walkability, safety and passive enjoyment of the park, which include wider pathways<\/a>, a redesigned fountain<\/a>, diverse seating and an increase in trees<\/a> in the park. The debate that ensued was not centered around the fact that the City is proposing improvements to the Common – that point was well-received and echoed by those in attendance. The more controversial elements of the proposed plan were those that cater to the facilitation of concerts: the removal of a baseball diamond in the southeast corner, a ‘special events plaza<\/a>‘, and a permanent power supply housed in a new building proposed for development.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Peter Bigelow, the general manager of HRM parks and recreation services, started off the presentation with a warning: this consultation was not the place to debate the controversial mega-concerts on the Common. Huh? How can anyone critique a design proposal without taking into consideration the intended uses of the public space in question? Due to the fact that this was the first opportunity for the public to give their input on the matter, opposition to the mega-concerts ended up dominating the discussion. Despite that this plan is only in its public consultation phase, Bigelow admitted that\u00a0there are already bookings in place<\/a> for the ‘special events plaza’ for this summer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Last summer Mayor Peter Kelly (and part-time concert promoter) was quoted in the Chronicle Herald saying that\u00a0there had been no decision made<\/a> on whether or not the Common was going to be established as a permanent concert venue. \u00a0 It was made evident on Wednesday that this had been decided by municipal council in between then and now. \u00a0There was a palpable feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction in the room; heads shaking, eyes rolling left and right and people heading for the door.<\/p>\n

The policies outlined in the 1994 Common plan [PDF<\/a>] state:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The city will continue to promote a diversity of activities in the Halifax Common which will include health care, education, sports, recreation, gardens and cultural activities.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. The city will maintain the public nature of the Halifax Common, as envisioned in the original terms of the grant.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. The city will facilitate public involvement in the future planning and design of the Halifax Common.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Jennifer Watts, peninsular councillor, requested a cost-benefit analysis from last summer’s concerts in December 2009 which has yet to be produced. Although HRM staff constantly refer to the ‘benefits to downtown’ when promoting the concerts, there is no evidence available to prove this. The plan presented by HRM staff last week, along with the scheduled phasing of the plan’s implementation over a 5 year period, caters to the facilitation of these controversial concerts. The breakdown of the budget shows that 70% of this year’s expenses will be geared towards infrastructure for the concerts.<\/p>\n

    The Common is not an appropriate venue for for-profit mega-concerts. The set-up, the concerts themselves and the take-down obstruct accessibility to our common land for weeks on end. The Common, which was intended to be used for ‘the public good’ and ‘common use of the inhabitants of peninsular Halifax’, is being hijacked to serve private interests to the chagrin of neighbours, community groups, dog-walkers, sports associations and local business owners.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    A common sentiment shared amongst many who voiced their concerns last week was that this plan lacked genuine dialogue with the community. \u00a0Some suggested that the money used to subsidize these concerts (to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars) could alternately be used to support and promote the talents within our local vibrant arts and cultural community.<\/p>\n

    Peggy Cameron, from the Friends of the Halifax Common<\/a>, suggested finding more permanent ways to draw people into the city and to help make the city more livable by supporting those who are making their living here. \u00a0Peter Bigelow argued that the ‘special events plaza’ – hardened turf in the southeast corner – could be used for other purposes, and that the power supply could potentially be used for community events, not solely concerts.<\/p>\n

    Review the 1994 Common Plan. Take a look at the proposed Improvements to the North Common. Get familiar with its history<\/a>. Take a minute to imagine the best-case scenario: what do you see? Community gardens? Daylighting the Freshwater Brook? A permanent skating facility? An off-leash area for dog walkers? \u00a0Pathways that follow the desire lines?<\/p>\n

    If you were unable to attend last week’s meeting, you are encouraged to send your input via email to clerks@halifax.ca – and address it to the mayor and members of council. We must take responsibility for our common land and make sure our voices are heard.<\/p>\n

    photos by <\/em>Katie McKay<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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