For more information, please visit: friendsofthekhyber.org

Petition to the Halifax Regional Municipality Council regarding 1588 Barrington Street

WHEREAS a July 29 report from city staff to the Halifax Regional Council recommended that 1588 Barrington Street be declared surplus to be sold; and

WHEREAS the Khyber Arts Society has been the anchor tenant at 1588 Barrington Street since 1995 and from that location has made a signifanict cultural impact locally and nationally; and

WHEREAS the Halifax Regional Council previously voted in favour of 1588 Barrington Street being a cultural incubator (Halifax Regional Council minutes of 31 July 2007, 23 September 2008 and 10 August 2010); and

WHEREAS 1588 Barrington Street is of unique historical importance to the LGBTQ community in Halifax and continues to play an integral role for that community; and

WHEREAS deferred maintenance by the HRM as the building owner resulted in the considerable need for repair and accessibility-related renovations; therefore

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, call on Halifax Regional Council to take the the following action:

• Reject the city staff recommendation to dispose of 1588 Barrington Street.
• Commit to renovating 1588 Barrington Street including, but not limited to, making all floors of the building wheelchair accessible by elevator and constructing wheelchair accessible, gender-neutral, single-stall washrooms.
• Consult with the Khyber Arts Society during renovations and reinstate the Khyber Arts Society as a key tenant when the renovations are complete.
• Follow through with the previous Halifax Regional Council commitment for 1588 Barrington Street to be a cultural incubator by seeking out tenants related to arts, culture and the queer history of the building, in consultation with community stakeholders and organizations representing artists and the LGBTQ community.

For more information, please visit: friendsofthekhyber.org