Dartmouth Cove aims to be new Granville Island

City planners hope to change Nova Scotia's Dartmouth Cove into an East Coast version of Vancouver's famous market area Granville Island.

Granville Island's allure is its combination of residential and commercial properties with a splendid waterfront location.

Dartmouth Cove, located between Alderney Drive, Portland and Maitland streets, has the location, but is populated by vacant lots and industrial sites.

Eric Burchill, vice-president of planning for the Crown corporation Waterfront Development, said they are hosting workshops this week to seek public input.

"We are seeing a lot of increased interest in the area, both to live and to work. I think that's great for both downtown Dartmouth and for the region as a whole. It's very exciting," he said.

King's Wharf adds to growth

Tim Olive, head of the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission, said he was excited by the Granville Island comparison.

"I think that's fabulousit's a real destination shopping place. If we can create that here in downtown Dartmouth... Wow!" he said.

Olive said getting public reaction during the planning stages bodes well for the redevelopment project down the road. "We're going to the public and saying what do you want, and what don't you want."

It could also tap into the influx of new residents that will be created by the nearby King's Wharf project. That is expected to bring thousands of residents and workers to Dartmouth and will be fully open around 2015.

The meetings are being held at the Super 8 Hotel at 65 King Street at:

• Tuesday4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Drop-in Viewing & Consultation
• Wednesday 1 p.m.- 6 p.m. Drop-in Viewing; 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Drop-in Viewing & Consultation
• Thursday 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Drop-in Viewing & Consultation; 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Public Meeting