Halifax Seaport to Begin Next Stage of Transformation

January 7, 2021, Halifax, Nova Scotia – The Halifax Port Authority is preparing the next stage of transformation of the historic Halifax Seaport District.

The Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market will be reimagined as a dynamic outdoor operation during the warmer months and a successful indoor weekend farmers’ market operating within Pavilion 22 during the winter months. The new outdoor weekend market will operate in a dedicated space near the current location and will include an overhead covering and amenities.

The Halifax Seaport Market Building will be renamed “The PIER” at the Seaport, and will be transformed into a living lab for the transportation industry. PIER is short for Port Innovation, Engagement & Research. This will be a collaborative space where we bring partners together to work on problem-solving and explore new technologies in a live environment.

“The PIER” at the Seaport will include permanent leased storefront spaces for retail/eateries, providing those tenants with the best of both worlds – weekday traffic from those working at the living lab, and traditional weekend farmers’ market customers. This will further activate the area and help draw more people to the historic Halifax Seaport District.

This transition will take place during the spring of 2021 starting in mid-March.

For additional information, visit: www.halifaxseaport.com.

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Lane Farguson
Manager, Media Relations & Communications
Halifax Port Authority
Ph. (902) 426-7375
[email protected]

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are you doing and why?

  • By working with Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market weekend vendors and permanent leased tenants, we will build on what is working well, and that is the existing weekend farmers’ market at the Halifax Seaport.
  • We are going to create a dynamic outdoor Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market operation during the warmer months and a successful indoor weekend farmers’ market operating within Pavilion 22 during the winter months.
  • The Halifax Seaport Market Building will be renamed “The PIER” at the Seaport and will be transformed into a living lab for the transportation industry. This will be a collaborative space where we bring partners together to collaborate on problem-solving and explore new technologies in a live environment.
  • “The PIER” at the Seaport will include permanent leased storefront spaces for retail/eateries, providing those tenants with the best of both worlds – weekday traffic from those working at the living lab, and traditional weekend farmers’ market customers
  • This will further activate the area and help draw more people from the community to the historic Halifax Seaport District

What is a living lab for the transportation industry?

  • It will be an innovation centre for local companies connected to shipping and transportation, supply chains and logistics, and maritime policy development to conduct meetings and collaborate among global partners, local companies, and our port city community.

What will happen to the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market?

  • The weekend Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market continues to be very successful and the Halifax Port Authority is committed to building on that success. One of the things we found during COVID is that customers really like the outdoor farmers’ market experience.
  • We are going to create a dynamic outdoor Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market operation during the warmer months and a successful indoor weekend farmers’ market operating within Pavilion 22 during the winter months.

Does this mean there will always be a Farmers’ Market at the Halifax Seaport?

  • When you look at the long history of the Halifax Farmers’ Market, it has operated in several locations in many different forms over its 270-year history, and it will continue its next phase as well.
  • Everyone wants to see the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market flourish. Unfortunately, it is not sustainable as a seven-day per week farmers’ market all year round. With this latest transformation, we will build on the strengths of the weekend farmers’ market.

What will happen to employees/vendors?

  • The Halifax Port Authority is working with all affected parties to help them through this process. This is not change for the sake of change, this is about finding the best way to move forward together.