note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

4. The Commission has acquired the Fort Needham property containising about eight and a half acres, the Blackader property to the north containing over three acres, and is proceeding to expropriate the large vacant lot south of Fort Needham, and the six blocks on Gottingten Street north of Fort Needham extending to Duffus Street and eastwardly on this frontage practically to Albert Street. On the west side of Gottingen Street it is expropriating all the blocks lying between North Creighton Street and Gottingen Street and extending from East Young Street to Cabot Street. The owners in the expropriated territory have so far as possible been personally interviewed and it is felt that comparatively few within these areas will be unduly disturbed. Due compensation will of course be made for the land, the market value of which had been well established and has been further tested by a number of purchases on behalf of the Commission. If the house owners within this district desire to rebuild they will be promptly interviewed and their individual wishes be met so far as is consistent with the Commission's general plan of development.

For Public Buildings.

5. Albert Street will be reached from Campbell Road by an easy gradient either through the military property (negotiations as to which are proceeding) or from a point on Campbell Road at the northeast corner of the military property. Albert Street will be widened so as to become a leading thoroughfare, and at or about Richmond Street will by an easy grade ascend across Acadia Street to Gottingen Street. There will also be a diagonal street running from Campbell Roaod following an easy gradient and passing upon or near the Richmond School property and thence across Acadia Square and reaching Gottingen Street at the northern base of Fort Needham. Pending the exact location of these streets, on which engineers have been working for some weeks, permits for the restoration of buildings on the few sites likely to be affected will not be issued. At the point where these two streets converge reservations will be made for public buildings such as schools and churches, and the centralized development at this point will be worthy of the best art of the Commission's engineers and architects.
6. The Fort Needham property will it is hoped in a large part be devoted to park purposes, though considerable land facing new streets which following natural contours will encircle its base will be made available for building purposes. The city no doubt will place in the hands of the Commission the lands known at Mulgrave Park, Acadia Square and other public property devoted to streets and parks. The Commission's work in this respect is city work, and no differences are anticipated and even so they must prove easy of adjustment. The opportunity of development the Fort Needham and surrounding property is unique. The Commission trusts that this eminence will be retained on behalf of the public of Halifax as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the disaster and to the courage, fortitude and patience of the sufferers who survived.

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HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
ARCHIBALD MACMECHAN, F.R.S.C.
DIRECTOR
HALIFAX, N.S.

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PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF NOVA SCOTIA
HALIFAX

MG 1 vol 2124 number 109a