Hi again - this is the email that I sent to Dalhousie officials on May 31 - still no response. Today we witnessed the destruction of a gorgeous Victorian home on Coburg Road (private "developer") which is right across from Howe Hall on the Dal campus, corner of Walnut Street.  If you know Halifax, you'd recognize this gorgeous side by side property. Not a thing was salvaged from the demolition - windows, mouldings, glass doors, all being smashed and the scent of this dust and destruction is drifting through my windows as I write this. How can this be allowed in the days of a housing and climate crisis? Praying 1245 Edward won't be next. Here's what I wrote to Dal:

Hello Shiloh (with apologies if I’m mistakenly assuming that "Dalhousie Community Relations" has a different person at the end of the email address):

Dave and I discussed a response to your latest email, and he has encouraged me to write the following, on behalf of both himself (representing the Hobrecker family) and the Halifax University Neighbourhood Association.

IMPORTANCE/CONDITION OF THE HOUSE/PROPERTY
1245 Edward Street was constructed in 1897, and is a heritage property. Our research has found out much more about the importance of the home to the history of the city. Because of its unique architecture, construction, beauty, age and history, the house must be preserved. You will have seen a media release from the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia condemning Dal’s move to demolish the home and the impassioned comments made by the almost 6,000 individuals who have signed the petition (including your alumni, professors and donors). It is essential that you immediately halt any plans for demolition.

Regarding the condition of the home, when our neighbour died and her family concluded the sale of the house with the university, 1245 Edward was very much being lived in. After Mrs. Sapp was taken to hospital, Dalhousie students were still living there. The photos of the interior, with the beautiful staircase, hardwood floors, original mouldings, fireplaces, etc. that you referred to as having been taken "long ago" were in fact taken (by me) on July 29, 2021, one day before the university took possession of the house. I toured it from top to bottom that day. There was no water damage in the bedrooms. The damage to the home occurred in the months that Dal has owned it, we believe due to neglect. Can you confirm that the house was properly heated and regularly inspected during the winter months? It it was not, the damage that occurred (possibly a burst pipe in the attic level) should be repaired immediately. The family who sold you the property would be mortified to see this damage, which was not present at the time of sale. It is dishonest to make claims that the ceiling damage was there for a long time when it was only there since Dal took possession and we ask that you please acknowledge this.

The community is doubtful of the university’s claims as to the condition of the house. Mould can be remediated. Heritage experts in the city would like to do their own inspection of the home and assess the condition.  Are you willing to let them in to make an inspection?

Neighbours did not see anyone regularly entering the house to check on it, shovelling snow, oil trucks delivering oil, etc. We do appreciate that this summer the grass is being cut. Last summer there was so little attention that we had to call City Bylaw Services as you know.

RE-USE OF THE HOME IN YOUR PLANS
Dalhousie has consistently said that the university has “no plans” for 1245 Edward Street. If that is true, it’s a further reason to not demolish this historic home - of course we remain opposed to this devastation, but what is your rush? And even if it’s not true, we ask that you reconsider how the home could be used in a redevelopment of the property. We understand that you have requested a demolition permit for 1253 Edward Street (Glengary apartments), we’ve seen surveyors measuring the entire length of both properties. and your own staff confirmed that the future of the two properties is to be a parking lot (which Councillor Mason has pointed out is illegal). Applying for demolition permits and engaging surveyors does constitute some kind of planning, even if you are not forthcoming about it. A reminder that we have been asking you and others at Dalhousie for almost a year about your plans for this property, which we have the right to do. Your plans impact our homes and neighbourhood greatly.

I’ve spoken with Prof. Diogo Burnay of the School of Architecture, and asked that he and his faculty and students consider how a readaptive use could occur that could benefit student needs or the broader community. Please rescind the demolition permit for 1245 Edward Street, as there is no good reason to remove this historic and very useable home from the available housing in Halifax. At a time of both a housing and a climate crisis, it is essential that we make good use of our available housing stock, especially a beautiful and historic home such as this. 

REFUSAL TO MEET WITH NEIGHBOURS
Neighbours do not understand the university’s refusal to meet with us, listen to our concerns and share information. This secretive, non-collaborative approach stands in stark contrast to the stated goals of your strategic plan. We’ve asked for senior officials to meet with us and we don’t want to wait until a larger campus planning process begins for you. Neighbours have had many concerns for many years, and no-one is listening. Will senior officials commit to meeting with us in the near future?

To summarize, the signatories to the petition, the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, your Dalhousie neighbours as represented by the Halifax University Neighbourhood Association, the Hobrecker family and others are asking that the university:

1) Stop the demolition of 1245 Edward Street immediately
2) Allow qualified heritage experts to inspect the house and make a report
3) Meet with your neighbours in the near future.

I look forward to your response, which I will share.

Thank you - Peggy