Staff have paused a heritage demolition application for the Halifax Forum due to projected costs, sending the oft-debated property to regional council for debate once again. The municipality was set to host a public information session on the Forum’s demolition application on Oct. 1, but they cancelled it on Friday after staff suspended the application. “This decision was informed by an updated project cost,” the municipality’s website reads. “While the revised estimate is still subject to third-party validation, projected costs have increased beyond the funding currently approved by Regional Council. “As a result, the updated cost information and potential next steps will be brought back to Regional Council for further consideration and direction regarding go-forward options.” Brynn Budden, public affairs advisor with the municipality, said staff received an updated cost estimate that incorporated “extensive value engineering work.” According to the website, the design phase for the revitalization of the 99-year-old Forum is expected to be completed by 2027. Pending council approval, construction could begin by the end of that year. The redevelopment of the Forum was originally approved in 2014 with an estimated cost of $38 million. The project, which at one time was set to be done by 2019, has ballooned to $126 million. Last March, Mayor Andy Fillmore brought forward a motion to defer the project for one year so council could consider other options. The motion received an eight-to-eight tie vote, which meant it was defeated. With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Melanie Price and Callum Smith For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
