Project Design through Construction

Ross' original plan was to build good-quality "hydro-stone" row houses on the plateau to the west of Fort Needham - where the Hydrostone District is today - and higher quality dwellings on the slope east of Fort Needham overlooking the Harbour. Labour movement pressure for immediate housing forced Ross to lay out lots for cheaper frame houses to the west of the Hydrostone District.

Adams added to his layout for the reconstruction district plans for curving streets and diagonal arteries in the largely undeveloped land to the north. A long-term housing market slump and a ruling by the Relief Commission that the area was outside their mandate prevented their implementation. However, eventual 1940's subdivision in the area used some of his concepts. The reconstruction area plans that were implemented included new diagonal boulevards, acquisition of Fort Needham as a public park, large open grass areas in front of and service lanes behind the row houses.

Labour disputes slowed construction of the 326 row houses, which was completed by mid-1921. Contractors under Commission supervision constructed another 180 houses scattered throughout the district. The Commission functioned as an ad-hoc zoning authority until the Halifax Relief Commission Town Planning Scheme produced by Halifax civil engineer Harry Pickings was adopted in November, 1921. This remained in force until 1948 legislation revoked the Commission's planning powers.

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Atlantic Planners Institute

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This document was last modified on March 8, 2000.