Africville Memorial Project
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sector
Brownfield
Sub Sector
Site assessments and remedial action plans
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Population
439,819
Project timeline
2008 - 2011
Municipality
Halifax Regional Municipality, NS
Project number
9049
Status
Fully Disbursed
Program type
GMF
Grant amount$12,510
Project value$25,020
Description
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is undertaking a Phase III Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and Site Risk Assessment for the Africville Memorial Project site. The Phase III ESA is a more rigorous examination of site conditions than examinations under two previous ESAs, which verified the presence of hydrocarbon and polyaromatic hydrocarbon contaminants. The Phase III ESA will determine the extent of the contamination, identify remediation requirements, provide a remediation action plan, and quantify the costs. Activities to address the contamination will allow the planned construction of a memorial to Africville, one of the oldest African-Canadian settlements, to proceed along with an interpretive and genealogy. Because the site is located on the shores of the Bedford Basin, any measures identified to remove contaminants will result in improved soil and water quality. HRM is also recommending a green approach for constructing the memorial, a replica of the former Seaview Baptist Church. At the design phase, consideration will be given to incorporating green building techniques. Any redevelopment work will employ as many sustainable energy and water conservation options as possible, consistent with HRM’s commitment to a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2012.
Applicant
Halifax Regional Municipality, NS