K’JIPUKTUK (HALIFAX), Nova Scotia (March 23, 2016) – Halifax Regional Council voted yesterday to sell the Khyber Building to a community group through its community hearing process. The 1588 Barrington Building Preservation Society and Friends of the Khyber (FoK) congratulate Council’s unanimous decision to keep this unique piece of Halifax’s cultural history in community hands.
“It was affirming to see all councillors on board with the Khyber Building being sold to the community through a public process,” said Robin Metcalfe, President of the 1588 Barrington Building Preservation Society. “We look forward to submitting an updated version of our proposal for a revitalized Khyber Building during the community hearing process”.
The 1588 Barrington Building Preservation Society has spent the last year developing a viable plan to revitalize the Khyber Building. The plan is publicly available on a website launched last night: http://1588society.ca/about-us/. Society will now have the ability to formally submit its proposal through the community hearing process.
“We’re excited to share our plan for the Khyber Building, one that will boast a mix of gallery, exhibit, community, not-for-profit and retail space,” said Emily Davidson, FoK representative. “The revitalized space plan is all about accessibility and inclusiveness. It adds an elevator, gender-neutral washrooms, a flexible performance space, and a fourth floor while maintaining the external and internal heritage quality that defines the Khyber Building.”
The 1588 Barrington Building Preservation Society includes representatives from Friends of the Khyber, the Khyber Arts Society, and respected and knowledgeable arts partners including Neptune Theatre. The 1588 Society worked with architects, engineers and real estate specialists to develop its plan.
“We hope that the end result of this process will see the Khyber preserved as a viable and interdisciplinary arts facility and incubator,” said Amy Melmock, Neptune Theatre General Manager. “It is also our hope that the process will happen in a timely way that minimizes the time this unique heritage building sits vacant on Barrington Street.”
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The 1588 Barrington Preservation Society is a not-for-profit society dedicated to activating the Khyber Building as a publicly accessible, inclusive, and sustainable arts, community, and cultural space.
Friends of the Khyber is a collection of individuals who organize to champion and defend the rich history and significance of 1588 Barrington Street. Friends of the Khyber includes members of the Queer and Trans community, artists, musicians, activists, business owners, not-for profit organizations, historians, and the public at large. For more information visit: http://friendsofthekhyber.org/
Contact:
Emily Davidson, Friends of the Khyber, 902 422 1405
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