Work is taking place over the coming weeks to deconstruct and remediate a former warehouse building at 18 Canal Street on the Dartmouth Waterfront.  This work will help ensure the safety of the property and public access to the waterfront trail is expected to remain in place during the project.

Below are some questions and answers for reference, or you can reach our team at info@buildns.ca.

Q. Why is Build Nova Scotia demolishing the building at 18 Canal Street?

The building is a former warehouse owned by Build Nova Scotia. It’s in a state of disrepair and no longer utilized.

For safety, the building will be demolished and the site remediated. Jamesway Environmental Services is the contractor that will be on site.

Q. Where is this located?

The property is located between Canal Street and Skokomul Street. Here is a general overview.

Q. How long is the work expected to last and what does it involve? What are the general anticipated hours of work?  What is expected to take place?

Work is expected to last until the end of March 2026. Some early works are underway (i.e. fencing, interior deconstruction). Once the demolition permit is received from HRM, work will move to demolition of the building structure, and environmental remediation.

Work on this project is anticipated to take place Monday to Friday and in accordance with HRM construction related by-laws. For reference, permitted hours are generally: Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and no allowed construction noise on Sundays or statutory holidays. Work outside these hours requires a special noise exemption.

Q. Will public access to the Dartmouth Waterfront Trail be impacted during the work?

Access is not expected to be affected.

If a temporary detour is required for safety, for example, Build Nova Scotia will work with the contractors to ensure signage and/or directions is in place for example to outline how to safely access the trail. We will also provide updates on our social media accounts where possible.

Q. What kind of remediation needs to take place?

The property is located on previous marine industrial lands which contain sub-surface contaminants. A known occurrence of lubrication oil is present in subsurface soil beneath one section of the warehouse. This impacted soil will be removed and disposed of at a Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSECC) approved disposal facility. Sampling will be conducted to confirm that the impacted soil has been successfully removed.

There is also evidence of long-term water intrusion/moisture, and the presence of lead paint.

Materials will be removed and disposed of at an NSECC approved disposal facility.  The site will be backfilled with clean fill before work is complete.

Q. Can you provide any update on plans to develop that land?

There are no set plans currently. This site preparation work is being completed to ensure safety and to maintain flexibility for potential future development scenarios.

Q. Is this work connected to the potential Dartmouth Cove infilling request by Atlantic Road Construction & Paving (ARCP)?

No. This work is related to safety and site remediation.

Q. Are there are other Build Nova Scotia owned properties expected to be demolished?

Currently there are no plans.

Q. What about HRM work in the area related to daylighting activity around Sawmill Lake and Shubenacadie Canal?

This initiative is part of a broader downtown Dartmouth redevelopment, focusing on environmental improvements, flood mitigation, and connecting the area to the Shubenacadie Canal system.

Q. What is happening with the provincially owned WDC-1 property nearby?

The WDC-1 Property Development Opportunity (PDO) went to market in 2022. Since then, the market has changed, financing has changed and the best use of the property needs to be re-examined.

After three years of negotiations with proponents, the original project objectives no longer align with current housing strategies and market realities.
Proponents have been notified that the PDO is cancelled. Build Nova Scotia will review next steps. No decisions have been made.

Q. Is there any community planning underway for the broader Dartmouth Waterfront area?

Yes, HRM is leading the Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization Project –  a planning and public consultation process that will result in a conceptual development plan for  the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront. Learn more here.