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Jimby
Jan 16, 2008, 3:16 AM
I was visiting some friends who have a quirky house on Spiller Road that used to be a store.
I don't really notice the traffic outside when I'm sitting in their kitchen, but the voices of people walking by on the sidewalk a couple of feet away from where I'm sitting inside startle me. Sometimes I look out the window just as a passerby looks in at me.
After taking a few pictures on Spiller Road, I was going to go home, but there was a problem with a train crossing barrier on 11 St SE and traffic was backed up so I drove up the hill and parked and walked on the hill in the bitterly cold wind.


Paul's has new owners, the old owners moved to Airdrie. I'm not sure about Paul's downtown.
My neighbourhood 7-11 has gas pumps, this one has crack.
The Alex community laundromat has closed down, DG fled to Thailand for the winter, everything is for sale or for free, and a liquor store is moving in to the space.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0260.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0262.jpg

Ramsay school. The Spiller Road playground zone has speed bumps which means it is a 24 hour playground zone. Does Elbow Park know that Ramsay has something "better"?
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0263.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0264.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0265.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0266.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0267.jpg

Going up Scotsman's Hill. Notice the skyline reflection in the glass?
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0268.jpg

Toronto has the Bridle Path but we have the Bison Path which I think is the coolest little street in Calgary.
Bev Sandalack says it is the second best street in Calgary after Garden Crescent and followed by intersecting Maggie Street in the 3rd place.
http://bookofeverything.com/docs/CalgaryBOE_UrbanGeography.pdf

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0269.jpg

new McMansion on top of the hill

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0270.jpg


http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0271.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0280.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0279.jpg

I knew someone who had a sweet deal on a rental house on the hill for about 10 years. The rent was next to nothing and the only thing was she had to move to the basement for Stampede when the owners were there for their annual visit from California.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0278.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0275.jpg

this house is perched on the edge of the hill and looks right at arriva.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0292.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0289.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0283.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0282.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0294.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0297.jpg

I know it is a cheesy effect, but what the hell
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0307.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0314.jpg

There is a lot more to see in Ramsay, so maybe I'll go back on a warmer day.

Deepstar
Jan 16, 2008, 4:33 AM
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0294.jpg




Nice shot Living. Arriva's looking great, I'm picturing Arriva 44 in that shot, in about 16 months.

Surrealplaces
Jan 16, 2008, 6:56 AM
Cool pictures Living!

Jimby
Jan 16, 2008, 12:09 PM
Nice shot Living. Arriva's looking great, I'm picturing Arriva 44 in that shot, in about 16 months.


Arriva 44 may block the view of the Calgary Tower from parts of the hill, oh well!
Thanks Deepstar and Surreal for your kind comments! :)

Innersoul1
Jan 16, 2008, 3:59 PM
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0270.jpg

First let me say, brilliant pictures! My boss moved to Ramsay last spring. He has a 1912 house that we renovated and it is FANTASTIC! It will be coming available for rent in the early summer if anyone is interested. I love the Ramasay area, it has a lot of potential and it will be amazing to see what the next ten years will bring!

I was talking to the guys at the home show who are building this house. The foam foundation stuff is brilliant and the efficiency that comes from thsi type of construction is very impressive. I must say that I am not impressed with the way this one turned out. But I am interested to see how it will look once finished.

Great pics once again!

freeweed
Jan 16, 2008, 7:55 PM
Bev Sandalack says it is the second best street in Calgary after Garden Crescent and followed by intersecting Maggie Street in the 3rd place.
http://bookofeverything.com/docs/CalgaryBOE_UrbanGeography.pdf



I know I'm a nitpick, but that PDF says that the Bow originates at Lake Louise. Not even close - its initial source is Bow Lake (which is fed from the Bow Glacier).

Also, Nose Hill Park is not the highest point within city limits. The ridge/hill gets even higher as one travels west from the park.

I'll stop picking these nits now. :P

Jimby
Jan 16, 2008, 11:30 PM
Thanks Innersoul! That is interesting about the foam construction and I'm curious to see how the house will turn out when it is done.
Thanks Freeweed. I didn't want to include the link to the pdf, but because it is a pdf file, I can't copy only the relevant section with just Sandalack's list, I had to include the whole thing. I don't know who the author was and how to contact them to correct their info.

Here is a pic of a new-old building in Ramsay that I have posted before in the Calgary Construction thread that astonished me that it didn't generate a single comment. It may not be a good photo, but it is certainly a unique building for Calgary. I thought I should add it to the Ramsay pile of pics.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2085/2159264977_6ef5cabee6_b.jpg

Boris2k7
Jan 17, 2008, 12:19 AM
Ah, I remember passing by that thing. Not exactly to my taste, but that's Ramsay for you.

Nice set of pics BTW. Arriva is so badass.

entheosfog
Jan 17, 2008, 5:00 AM
Thanks Innersoul! That is interesting about the foam construction and I'm curious to see how the house will turn out when it is done.
Thanks Freeweed. I didn't want to include the link to the pdf, but because it is a pdf file, I can't copy only the relevant section with just Sandalack's list, I had to include the whole thing. I don't know who the author was and how to contact them to correct their info.

Here is a pic of a new-old building in Ramsay that I have posted before in the Calgary Construction thread that astonished me that it didn't generate a single comment. It may not be a good photo, but it is certainly a unique building for Calgary. I thought I should add it to the Ramsay pile of pics.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2085/2159264977_6ef5cabee6_b.jpg

I think I may have made a late comment on that building in your thread...or was it on yer flickr??
Anyway, it's definitely one of the most original buildings in the city. I like!!

entheosfog
Jan 17, 2008, 5:01 AM
I wonder what the price of gas was when this sign last posted a price...

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/lumin8_bucket/DSC_0264.jpg

Kilgore Trout
Jan 18, 2008, 12:09 AM
Ramsay is one of the coolest parts of Calgary. In fact, that whole area feels like a small town stranded in the midst of a much bigger city.

e909
Jan 18, 2008, 12:13 AM
Thanks! This brings back so many memories for me, I went to grade 4 at Ramsay Elementary... That was my favourite school ever.

Policy Wonk
Jan 18, 2008, 1:22 AM
Has anything been done with the old warehouses south of the catholic school?

Jimby
Jan 18, 2008, 1:43 PM
Where's the Catholic school? Sorry I don't know it.

Bigtime
Jan 18, 2008, 3:03 PM
Nice set of pics BTW. Arriva is so badass.

Does that make me badass by association then? :cool:

One of the reasons we bought in arriva was the proximity to Ramsay and Inglewood. A quick walk and we are in a fantastic up and coming area! I can't wait to see it develop more and more over the years! :tup:

PS: Saskatoon is freakin' cold today! Brrrrrrr

Ruckus
Jan 18, 2008, 4:14 PM
PS: Saskatoon is freakin' cold today! Brrrrrrr

Patiently waiting for Alberta's warm westerly winds, until then, sunshine will have to suffice :)

Bigtime
Jan 18, 2008, 4:23 PM
Patiently waiting for Alberta's warm westerly winds, until then, sunshine will have to suffice :)

I'll give you that, at least the sun is shining here today.

Rob D
Jan 18, 2008, 8:37 PM
Patiently waiting for Alberta's warm westerly winds, until then, sunshine will have to suffice :)
Presently
-7 Calgary (wind chill -11)
-19 Saskatoon (wind chill -28)
Yeah, too cold for me. Love the summer temps. in Saskatoon though.

Ramsayfarian
Jan 18, 2008, 11:25 PM
Nice Ramsay thread. I'm living in Revelstoke for the winter, but I've lived in the hood for about 11 years now. I wouldn't live any where else in Calgary.

As it was mentioned, the McMansion is constructed out of ICF blocks and will be almost a net zero home when it's completed. The builder has designed his own ICF forms that out perform all other ICF blocks. He's also building a duplex in Ramsay which is also close to a net zero home. He claims that his heating bill for the last three months is only $63.

Rumour on the street is Torode's planning a 40 story tower for Ramsay Crossing.

KrisYYC
Jan 19, 2008, 12:12 AM
Pardon my ignorance, but what are ICF blocks? Some kind of composite that's extremely insulating?

Corndogger
Jan 19, 2008, 12:31 AM
Pardon my ignorance, but what are ICF blocks? Some kind of composite that's extremely insulating?

There insultated concrete forms. Have a look at http://www.foxblocks.com/ for some info.

MichaelS
Jan 19, 2008, 3:14 AM
Rumour on the street is Torode's planning a 40 story tower for Ramsay Crossing.

Is Ramsay Crossing the same as Ramsay Exchange?

Boris2k7
Jan 19, 2008, 4:01 AM
Is Ramsay Crossing the same as Ramsay Exchange?

Ramsay Crossing is the intersection on 25th where the Water Centre sits. It pretty much marks the southwest corner of the Ramsay Exchange site (except that it is the extra Stampede land that is actually touching it).

Ramsayfarian
Jan 19, 2008, 5:34 AM
Is Ramsay Crossing the same as Ramsay Exchange?

My bad. I meant the Exchange but my fingers typed Crossing. There was a meeting Thursday night between the community and Torode's people.

MrBigStuff
Jan 19, 2008, 10:03 PM
When that sign was built, it makes me think back when gas was $0.29/Imp Gallon, 1959ish?

MrBigStuff
Jan 19, 2008, 10:04 PM
40 Storey tower in Ramsay? Bring it on!!!

Jimby
Feb 13, 2008, 5:15 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2263249560_a8aa7b999d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2263243574_ecb20d3d79_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2262456211_e96546099b_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2263286088_111e405081_b.jpg

Zilla
Feb 13, 2008, 5:46 PM
February 21, 2008
Information session to be held at the Ramsay Community Association (1136 8 Street SE from 6:30pm-8:30pm) to examine the Ramsay Exchange Outline Plan & Land Use Re-designation Application currently under review by The City of Calgary. Representatives from The City, Ramsay Community Association, Torode and their consultants will be available to answer any questions.

Innersoul1
Feb 13, 2008, 6:23 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2263249560_a8aa7b999d_b.jpg


That house is pretty cool! It doesn't really do it for me but the deck on the flat top roof is pretty damn AMAZING! Must make for pretty spectacular fireworks viewing as it is only a block away from Scottsman hill

Ramsayfarian
Feb 13, 2008, 10:42 PM
That house is pretty cool! It doesn't really do it for me but the deck on the flat top roof is pretty damn AMAZING! Must make for pretty spectacular fireworks viewing as it is only a block away from Scottsman hill


Great photos LFTC. If I had known you were going to be in Ramsay, I would have had you check on my place as it appears you were in my alley.

That house is cool, but the up keep on that wooden siding would be a bitch. I guess when one is that rich, they don't worry about things like that. A lot of us in the hood are wondering how that guy even got approval for that place. Not that we're complaining. We just want to know which palms got greased and with what.

Innersoul1
Feb 13, 2008, 10:53 PM
Great photos LFTC. If I had known you were going to be in Ramsay, I would have had you check on my place as it appears you were in my alley.

That house is cool, but the up keep on that wooden siding would be a bitch. I guess when one is that rich, they don't worry about things like that. A lot of us in the hood are wondering how that guy even got approval for that place. Not that we're complaining. We just want to know which palms got greased and with what.

Looks a bit too much like a luxury houseboat that ran aground.:sly:

Ramsayfarian
Feb 13, 2008, 10:54 PM
Looks a bit too much like a luxury houseboat that ran aground.:sly:

LOL.. that's not the first time I've heard that.

Innersoul1
Feb 13, 2008, 11:21 PM
A big waste of a prime R2 lot if you ask me!

Ramsayfarian
Feb 21, 2008, 6:53 PM
I wish I was in town for this.


COMMUNITY TOWN HALL
RAMSAY EXCHANGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
(Torode Commercial Ltd)
City of Calgary Land Use, Outline, & Area Redevelopment
Plan Amendment Process
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
6:30 PM—8:30 PM
UPPER HALL, RAMSAY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
1136, 8TH STREET S.E.
This is an opportunity for the residents of Ramsay to ask questions
about the application & the City approval process.
Representatives from the City of Calgary Planning and Transportation
Departments, the applicant, and the Ramsay Community Association
will be available to answer questions.
This session is being hosted by the Ramsay Community Association.

Wooster
Feb 21, 2008, 6:57 PM
Can't wait for this project. It looks really well planned and thought out. One of the best prepared and presented master plans I've personally seen. I heard the plan was met with approval from the community at the first open house. Is this true?

Ramsayfarian
Feb 21, 2008, 7:11 PM
Can't wait for this project. It looks really well planned and thought out. One of the best prepared and presented master plans I've personally seen. I heard the plan was met with approval from the community at the first open house. Is this true?

Not really. From talks with my neighbours, more folks seem to be against it than for it. I'll get flamed for my views here but I'd rather have that property stay as industrial, even though my property value will probably increase substantially.

I thought the first open house was interesting, but not very informative. While there were a lot of drawings, it was all just proposals and nothing really solid. The person I spoke to couldn't tell me how many towers, or where they'd be located.

Torode had a board set up where people could write their comments on post-it-notes. I noticed that many of the favourable, yet lame comments were written by the same person. Marketing shenanigans?

They did have good cookies though.

Wooster
Feb 21, 2008, 7:19 PM
What is the basis of the oppositition? The usual traffic and density stuff?

I think this development will do much to improve the area and actually create a gathering place for Ramsay, much like Bridges is doing for Bridgeland. The initial concept looked fantastic, and they seem to have considered interfaces with existing low-density residential (with townhouses facing the neighbourhood) and so on.

Ramsayfarian
Feb 21, 2008, 7:32 PM
What is the basis of the oppositition? The usual traffic and density stuff?

I think this development will do much to improve the area and actually create a gathering place for Ramsay, much like Bridges is doing for Bridgeland. The initial concept looked fantastic, and they seem to have considered interfaces with existing low-density residential (with townhouses facing the neighbourhood) and so on.


Traffic, density and xenophobia. It will completely change the area. Not sure if it's for the better or not. I kind of like how Ramsay is a little rough around the edges.

Stephen Ave
Feb 21, 2008, 7:39 PM
Traffic, density and xenophobia. It will completely change the area. Not sure if it's for the better or not. I kind of like how Ramsay is a little rough around the edges.

That's what I would expect to be the main reason for opposition. Most people opposing it just don't want to see Ramsay change. I'm of mixed opinion, on one hand this would really change Ramsay into a nice trendy little neighborhood/urban village - on the other hand, this changes Ramsay forever, and many like it the way it is, a bit rough around the edges, with a good mix from a socio-economic point of view.

For those of us who don't live in Ramsay, this project is fantastic.

Wooster
Feb 21, 2008, 7:42 PM
Traffic, density and xenophobia. It will completely change the area. Not sure if it's for the better or not. I kind of like how Ramsay is a little rough around the edges.

I can definitely appreciate that. I remember a while back when some people initated KISS - the Keep Inglewood Slightly Seedy movement. No question it will change the complexion of Ramsay - or at least its southern portion, but I think that enough of the established area of the community will maintain its somewhat ramshackle feel that it won't feel sanitized.

On the other hand, whenever I return to Calgary, Ramsay Exchange will definitely be an attractive choice - there or the big Anthem project in Erlton (halfway between Ramsay Exchange and Mission!).

Ramsayfarian
Feb 21, 2008, 8:58 PM
KISS - the Keep Inglewood Slightly Seedy movement.

That's brilliant.

Zilla
Feb 27, 2008, 3:49 AM
Traffic, density and xenophobia. It will completely change the area. Not sure if it's for the better or not. I kind of like how Ramsay is a little rough around the edges.

The most likely alternative to this project is Stampede expansion; they would like the territory for more of their back-of-house operations methinks.

Ramsayfarian
Feb 27, 2008, 7:11 AM
The most likely alternative to this project is Stampede expansion; they would like the territory for more of their back-of-house operations methinks.


As much as I dislike the Stampede, they're the lessor of the two evils. The Stampede Board (TSB) actually owns a sliver of land across from the Water Works building.

Not that long ago there were talks of the TSB moving some of their operation to across Spiller. They were either going to close access to Spiller from 25th ave or tunnel under it. I'm not sure what happened with this.

DizzyEdge
Feb 27, 2008, 5:37 PM
Traffic, density and xenophobia. It will completely change the area. Not sure if it's for the better or not. I kind of like how Ramsay is a little rough around the edges.

People need to ask themselves if they would rather see change via huge redevelopment in former industrial site, or change vis random teardowns and higher density throughout the established blocks..which is probably the two choices they'll end up with in the end.

Ramsayfarian
Feb 29, 2008, 2:15 AM
People need to ask themselves if they would rather see change via huge redevelopment in former industrial site, or change vis random teardowns and higher density throughout the established blocks..which is probably the two choices they'll end up with in the end.

Not sure why there's only 2 choices.

Personally I'd rather see it remain an industrial site, but due to increase land values that's not going to happen. BTW, it's not a former industrial site, FDS and Plains are still operating.

DizzyEdge
Feb 29, 2008, 8:39 PM
Not sure why there's only 2 choices.

Personally I'd rather see it remain an industrial site, but due to increase land values that's not going to happen. BTW, it's not a former industrial site, FDS and Plains are still operating.

I guess what I mean is innercity neighbourhoods are always going to feel pressure to densify as per councils aims etc etc. To me it would be easy to release a lot of that pressure by putting high density on a former industrial site (hell they could probably increase the population by 25% just on one site) and then use it to ward off additional pressure by pointing to it and saying "See all we've done to increase density!" .. basically it seems an easy to to direct and encapsulate the increase rather than have it happen helter skelter. For me personally I have some love for the time-capsulesque feel of Ramsay, but I know that once Vic park is fully redeveloped scotsmans's hill won't do much to help it resist that spread, and so using the industrial sites as the release valve for that seems better than uncontrolled development in the established areas.

Ramsayfarian
Apr 4, 2009, 7:20 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2263249560_a8aa7b999d_b.jpg

[

I've got an amusing story regarding this house.

There used to be an fugly 2 story behemoth that was directly behind this place right on Scotttsman hill. The owner of the Ramsay house, bought the behemoth for 1.3 million and promptly tore it down. Giving the Houseboat an unobstructed view.

Year and a half or so later, the owner of the Ramsay house files plans to build a garage on this property as well as some pretty major renos to the main house. Houseboat guy blows a gasket and fights the plans, he even went around the neighbourhood and tried to get folks to sign a petition.

He lost and the plans got approved. Last fall the Ramsay house guy, hires a landscaper that I know, and asks them to plant the biggest trees they can find along the back of his property. Good-bye view.