Mobility
Public Spaces
Downtown Dartmouth
Environment
Planning
Arts
Engagement
Inclusion
Mobility
Over the last four years, we’ve made it easier to get around. New sidewalks, crosswalk improvements, new active transportation trails, and transit priority lanes. I’m particularly proud to have played a direct role in making the 15 minute service on the Alderney Ferry permanent and in the redesign of Prince Albert Road and Chadwick Street.
- Changed the underlying basis for HRM’s decision-making to prioritize alternatives to car travel through the Integrated Mobility Plan
- 15 minute service on the Alderney ferry
- Transit lanes on Gottingen to make the trip by bus to and from Dartmouth that much quicker
- Major redesign of Prince Albert Road
- New sidewalks on Sinclair, Clyde, Chadwick, and Portland (across from Penhorn)
- Agreement between HRM and the Province on the approach for fixing the dangerous Lancaster/Woodland intersection
- Phase 1 of the Penhorn Lake multi-use trail
- New multi-use trail from Woodside Ferry to Mount Hope
- First fully protected bike lanes in HRM (South Park and Hollis Streets)
- Commitment from the Province and Federal government to build the Minimum Grid of connected active transportation routes in Halifax and Dartmouth
- Commitment to get most of the trucks out of Downtown Halifax via a rail shuttle
- Replacement of the wooden steps that connect Fairbanks Street to Geary Street
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Public Spaces
Public space is where community life happens and we made some significant improvements in District 5. The major renovations to the Sportsplex and Alderney Pedway were particularly significant. I’m also very pleased to have prompted badly needed reinvestment in Northbrook Park and Penhorn Lake.
- Sportsplex renovation
- Alerney Pedway renovation
- Major new park plan for Northbrook Park (phased implementation)
- New washroom at Penhorn Lake
- New playgrounds at Northbrook Park, Brownlow Park, Dartmouth Common, and Bicentennial School
- New geese at Sullivan’s Pond to ensure we always have a flock
- Basketball net and repaved surface lot for the community rink at the Findlay Community Centre
- A palm tree at Sullivan’s Pond
- New cherry trees on Park Avenue
- Rebuild of the Woodside Ferry Terminal (construction ongoing)
- Spring flower bulbs added to Silvers Hill, Birch Cove, and Starr Parks
- Supported Downtown Dartmouth’s Sullivan’s Pond concert series
- Status of Boulevard gardening clarified and draft guidelines adopted
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Downtown Dartmouth
Downtown Dartmouth is the centre of our community and its ongoing renaissance has been lovely to see. We’ve set the conditions for continued success with a clear plan to guide redevelopment that also identifies the heritage we need to preserve. Downtown Dartmouth can grow without losing what is unique about the place. I have been pleased with the series of small projects on Portland Street over the last two years to improve the pedestrian experience.
- Completion of the Downtown Dartmouth Plan Review (incorporated into the Centre Plan)
- Introduction of day docking at Alderney Wharf through partnership with Develop NS
- Start of repairs to Portland Street’s decorative brickwork
- Streets trees added to Portland Street
- More flexible sidewalk patio design standards to provide business with more options
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Environment
One of the biggest changes in District 5 over the last four years was daylighting the Sawmill River. This project has enormous community support and I’m very pleased that we were able to overcome HRM’s initial reluctance. Looking forward to celebrating Phase 2 in the next four years. Unfortunately, water quality in Lake Banook has been declining at an alarming rate. The lake didn’t get into its current state overnight and it won’t be a quick fix to restore it. I’m pleased to have led the charge on HRM’s response with the Pollution Control Study and the resulting actions that will take place over the next several years
- Sawmill River Phase 1 completed and planning for Phase 2 well underway
- Identification of key wilderness areas for preservation in the Green Network Plan
- Expanded Solar City program
- Initiated process to consider a bin program for recycling and garbage disposal
- Council agreement for a pilot project in Little Albro Lake to try and address the Yellow Floating Heart infestation
- Pollution study of Lake Banook and Lake Mic Mac
- Acquired new park land in Blue Mountain Birch Cove
- Adoption of HRM’s ambitious Climate Change Plan
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Planning
Managing growth will always be challenging. The adoption of the first phase of the Centre Plan last year has modernized our hopelessly outdated planning rules and has brought clarity about where future growth will go and what form it will take. Importantly, the Centre Plan has set the stage for HRM to take meaningful action on affordable housing through the new housing fund
- Completed Phase 1 of the Centre Plan, bringing certainty about how we will grow and where
- Stage set for the launch of HRM’s housing fund, which will assist non-profits in creating affordable housing
- Cogswell redevelopment plan adopted by Council
- Revised King’s Wharf plan
- Protecting our history with new registered heritage properties in Dartmouth including the old Post Office (pending)
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Arts
The arts are part of how we understand ourselves, each other, and our society. They’re an important part of our community. We’ve made strides over the last four years to improve the visibility of public art in our community, including new works, and new programs. HRM has also provided increased funding for arts organizations.
- Art Cart project at the Craig Gallery
- Mural project at the North Woodside Community Centre
- Major new public art piece at the Sportsplex
- Sullivan Pond Palm Tree’s winter shelter
- Support for arts programming through increased municipal funding
- Grants for art spaces including the Bus Stop Theatre and Cultural Link
- Championed a review and update of the Public Arts Policy
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Engagement
I have been particularly proud of the decisions that we’ve truly made together. Since being elected, District 5 residents have had a direct say in how district capital funds are spent through participatory budgeting. Together, we awarded over $150,000 to Dartmouth non-profit groups. I’m also very proud of the efforts I have put in here on my website and in my e-newsletter to explain what’s going on in Dartmouth and at City Hall. My approach has always been that, although we might disagree from time to time, why I made a decision or why something is happening should never be a mystery
- Participation in neighbourhood associations including Southdale, North Woodside, and Harbourview
- Worked with community groups on joint projects including the Dartmouth Splashpad, Penhorn Lake recreation trail, Touch Tank Hut, and the Cancer Survivors Garden (under construction)
- Participatory budgeting brought to District 5 giving residents a direct say in how our funds are spent
- Regular e-newsletter and Council blogs
- Posted my daily schedule to social media
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Inclusion
A successful society is one that includes everyone, regardless of economics, race, religion, or language. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness, but that hasn’t always been recognized. We’ve made great strides over the last four years to make sure transit is available to everyone, improved accessibility to recreation, and made significant strides to try and address historic wrongs.
- Pilot program increasing the age that kids ride free on transit from 5 to 12
- Partnership with the Province to provide bus passes to everyone receiving income assistance
- Expansion of HRM’s low-income transit program
- Accessible beach at Big Albro and accessible swing on the Common
- Work on reconciliation with our Mi’kmaq community through the Cornwallis Task Force and its resulting report
- Commemoration of the Black Nova Scotia community that once existed at the end of Crichton Avenue (“the Avenue”)