If you have a vision for Halifax, Corinne MacLellan is all ears.
The Dear Halifax project, described by MacLellan as a “virtual levee,” is designed as a platform for residents to share their ideas about what makes Halifax a great city.
People are encouraged to add their wishes for the city in 2013 and beyond. Submissions can be written thoughts, photos, videos or even songs.
“We want constructive solutions about the future, we want inspiring discussions and ideas,” MacLellan said.
In less than three weeks, more than 1,400 people (at press time) have ‘liked’ the project’s Facebook page, with residents and well known faces sharing their comments and suggestions.
“We did not expect it would grow in this way. We thought it would be a great vehicle to inspire conversation, but I’d by lying if I said I knew it would take off like this,” MacLellan said.
“It exploded... We lit a match and we are on fire.”
MacLellan, along with Haligonians Mike Dembeck and Miles Connely, are behind the project. The trio worked together on a Nova Scotia tourism campaign last year and were amazed by the enthusiasm with which Nova Scotians embraced their province.
“This is obviously a defining time for Halifax. We have a lot of exciting things happening. We’re in a period of transition,” MacLellan said. “We’re out of an election, we have new leadership, and we thought it was a great time to take the temperature of Haligonians and ask what is their vision of a perfect Halifax.”
Comments rolling in focus on everything from transit, water quality and how great it would be to have heated sidewalks to development.
By development, MacLellan said people aren’t referring to buildings. Instead, they’re discussing things like green space and sustainable living.
“The amazing thing is how creative people are,” she said. “(Recently) there was a discussion about street cars. What an interesting streetscape that would make if the iconic street cars came back.”
The ‘Dear Halifax’ project page will remain open for the calendar year, and MacLellan expects they’ll create a recap video at this time next year.
To participate, search ‘Dear Halifax’ under ‘pages’ on Facebook.
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
