Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia

CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY, NOVA SCOTIA Municipality and an engineer, himself, weighs in on the dilemma: “We are six former towns and one city situated right on the ocean. Years ago, we heard ‘The solution to pollution was dilution.’ They simply put a big pipe out into the ocean and off went your problem. Now, federal and provincial regulations require that anything that flows into the ocean and water courses be treated. Since all our towns and cities are quite old and the infrastructure is incredibly dated, there are enormous costs associated with collecting the sewerage and building treatment facilities. Not to mention, the actual treatment that goes on throughout the year.We’re talking upwards of half a bil- lion dollars for the initial infrastructure work, and more than $20 million per year in additional operating costs for treatment.That is certainly a challenge that’s hitting us right now.” There are three industrial parks within the CBRM. One on the south branch of Sydney Harbour sees a lot of marine use. The park in North Sydney has limited activity, and the third park, that’s just been developed by the province, is in its initial marketing stages. So, while industry is not booming there, now, the Municipality is working to market the parks with incentives and good land pricing. A program currently in development involves incremental taxing with a 10-year phase in of taxes, as an incentive for people to develop businesses in the industrial parks. According to Phalen, “That’s something we’re looking to put in place for our downtown cores, as well. All our for- mer towns had a business district or downtown area and most of them have suffered the last few years. The tax incentive is intended to stimulate development in those core areas, along with the business parks. That tax bylaw will, hopefully, be in place by the end of the year.” In the city of Sydney, the Region’s largest down- town is getting much-needed attention, thanks to a partnership between the CBRM and the Nation- al Trust for Canada. They, along with the Sydney Waterfront District Association, are working on a number of downtown redevelopment initiatives. Of particular note: a major facelift planned for Charlotte St.– the main shopping street. An RFP has been issued for engineering firms to come forward with detailed proposals for completely reconstructing the street, relocating wiring under- ground, beautifying the streetscape, and making it more pedestrian friendly. “That will probably get underway in 2020,” says Phalen, “and be phased in over a couple years.We see it as a major invest- ment by the Municipality in changing the face and functionality of our main downtown street.” There is some residential development in the downtown, now, and encouraging more is a key objective of the Municipal planning strategy. Unfortunately, provincial legislation only allows tax incentives for commercial assessments, not residential. But there is a bright light on the horizon that could totally change the downtown