Turret Calls Out Factual Errors and Misrepresentations in HRM Staff Report
February 25, 2026 - Turret Arts Space issues a public rebuttal outlining the factual errors and misrepresentations contained within the HRM staff report (17.2 – Property Matter – Declassified Report). This rebuttal corrects the public record, demonstrating that Halifax Regional Council voted to buy-back 1588 Barrington Street from Turret and to subsequently declare the building surplus based on an HRM staff report that lacks veracity.
This matter significantly impacts the reputation of Turret Arts Space and its team of expert consultants, whose redevelopment plans for 1588 Barrington Street were substantially misrepresented in the HRM staff report.
Background: On March 20, 2025, Turret Arts Space requested $1,501,000 in municipal funding toward the redevelopment of 1588 Barrington Street, Halifax, as a multipurpose community arts space via Halifax Regional Municipality's Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) Standing Committees. HRM staff prepared a private and confidential report (17.2 – Property Matter – Declassified Report) responding to this request, which was presented to Halifax Regional Council on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 (agenda item 17.2, in camera). The HRM staff report was declassified on December 17, 2025, in response to public pressure to release the report.
