The former visitor information centre on the Halifax waterfront still sits vacant, two years after the province sought a new tenant.
Located next to ‘The Wave’ and near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, it’s an important part of the city’s waterfront.
“We’d love to see something happen with that building, it’s prime real estate,” says Paul MacKinnon, CEO of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. “It’d be exciting to see that building full with something in the near future. But we haven’t heard what the province’s plans are for that.”
MacKinnon says, ideally, a centre would return because “it’s a great location, it’s the most visited site in Nova Scotia.”
But he admits through technology and downtown ambassadors, people can likely find information they need elsewhere.
Build Nova Scotia, the Crown corporation that owns the building, sought a new tenant in a proposal two years ago to “revitalize this building into a new waterfront destination that showcases unique Nova Scotian products and/or experiences.”
The tender said the building is capable of year-round business and could “engage with the millions of people that visit it every year.” It had a minimum five-year lease, with chance for renewal.
Monique Robichaud, a Halifax resident for about 12 years, says it’s a space she frequently passes by, but doesn’t necessarily notice.
“I’d like to see something that would attract more foot traffic and something that would be more of a tourist attraction,” Robichaud says.
Liam O’Shea was out for a run on the waterfront Tuesday and said a space to cool off on a hot summer day would be ideal.
“Sometimes it gets pretty hot, and it’s nice to have a place to relax, sit down, cool off,” he says. “Just a nice spot to hang out without too much pressure to spend any money on a hot day in August.”
MacKinnon says the Downtown Halifax Business Commission has been pushing for a new harbour and waterfront plan, working with the province and city “to really determine what are the best uses for the buildings that are there, the vacant buildings.”
Laura White, the councillor for Halifax South Downtown, says the opportunities are endless.
“It’s a great spot, it’s our showcase waterfront – and lots of people live down there now, too,” she says. “Anything that could be used by the community would be appreciated.”
“Our mayor was talking yesterday about water transit,” she says, suggesting that space could help with either new ferries or water taxis.
“That could make a good space for it.”
Build Nova Scotia’s CEO wasn’t available for an interview Tuesday, but in a statement said there is no update on the property and there is no open tender for it.
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