Queen's Marque developer gathers public space design ideas

There were plenty of ideas shared for the public space portion of the Queen's Marque development.

The $200 million condo, commercial and hotel project will transform the Halifax waterfront over the next three yearsand the Waterfront Development Corporation gatheredfeedback on how 75,000 square feet of the public space should be used.

People were encouraged towrite suggestionson sticky notes. Phil O'Hara, one of about 100 people who showed up at the meeting with ideas, saidsee-through floors, statues that reveal themselves at low tide, anda performance space shaped like a whale that could also be used as a splash pad, would be interesting additions.

"When there weren't performances,there could beblowholes to blow water out that children could stand on," suggested O'Hara.

Design in the works

The project's design has already gone through several stages of approval, and includes Maritime inspired ramps, stairs leading towards the harbour, and anart installation.

Scott McCrea,the CEO of Armour Developments, said the final design isn't set in stone yet.

"We're moving through the HRM by design process and through that process we get suggestions for changes. We are making some changes and those will be highlighted when we do our final formal submission whichis expected very soon," saidMcCrea.

The development will see a significant portion of the waterfront transformed. The parking lot next to the Museum of the Atlantic will soon be the site of a massive construction project.

Theprojectwillblockfoottrafficalongthewaterfrontboardwalkduringconstruction.AspokesmanwiththeWaterfront
DevelopmentCorporation said they're working on a plan for pedestrians.