Winnipeg | RBC Convention Centre | Expansion | Completed

[vid]

Thunder Bay did a parking study a couple years ago and found that, at best, 40% of the parking spots in the downtown areas were actually used. And Thunder Bay's downtowns have a lot less parking as a percentage of space than downtown Winnipeg. It's starting to change as downtown gets more developed, but we're still probably not more than 60%. Major events fill spaces up quickly, but they mostly happen outside of office hours, so almost all of the parking spaces are available.

The main issue is that people expect to be able to park within sight of their destination. This is why people will park far away from the front door at Walmart, but are often hesitant to park around the corner or a block over from the store they're going to, even if it's a shorter walk.

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Maybe that is the rules, but obviously not what is followed. Vancouver's Turn (Trump Vancouver) has been listed as UC since they re-started excavation last year. It only reached grade a few weeks ago. I can cite dozens of other precedents, including Heritage Landing, Centre Pointe, and Glass House.

It isn't very well enforced, I agree.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by vid

Thunder Bay did a parking study a couple years ago and found that, at best, 40% of the parking spots in the downtown areas were actually used. And Thunder Bay's downtowns have a lot less parking as a percentage of space than downtown Winnipeg. It's starting to change as downtown gets more developed, but we're still probably not more than 60%. Major events fill spaces up quickly, but they mostly happen outside of office hours, so almost all of the parking spaces are available.

The main issue is that people expect to be able to park within sight of their destination. This is why people will park far away from the front door at Walmart, but are often hesitant to park around the corner or a block over from the store they're going to, even if it's a shorter walk.

Honestly, there is a definite parking crunch during the weekday, daytime already within three blocks of Portage and Main. On street parking is difficult and even bordering on impossible to obtain while most private lots have some slack but a slight tweak will push them to capacity, ie a lot closing part of a floor for maintenance.

There are similar issues already in the Convention Center area and things have only gotten worse with the arrival of Hydro two blocks north. Losing the SoPo spaces during construction will put on an even further crunch.

As for saying alternatives like rapid transit or even normal transit are viable, that is just not true. Sadly, small changes to our transit system, like extended a route into a new residential area, can take five or more years. For more proof look at the issue with getting a single rapid transit run completed from downtown to the U of M.

Downtown is already losing offices to the suburbs due to the lack of available and cheap parking and unless the city puts stops in place to encourage offices to be downtown this will start to be a new trend.

[chrisallard5454]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Honestly, there is a definite parking crunch during the weekday, daytime already within three blocks of Portage and Main. On street parking is difficult and even bordering on impossible to obtain while most private lots have some slack but a slight tweak will push them to capacity, ie a lot closing part of a floor for maintenance.

There are similar issues already in the Convention Center area and things have only gotten worse with the arrival of Hydro two blocks north. Losing the SoPo spaces during construction will put on an even further crunch.

As for saying alternatives like rapid transit or even normal transit are viable, that is just not true. Sadly, small changes to our transit system, like extended a route into a new residential area, can take five or more years. For more proof look at the issue with getting a single rapid transit run completed from downtown to the U of M.

Downtown is already losing offices to the suburbs due to the lack of available and cheap parking and unless the city puts stops in place to encourage offices to be downtown this will start to be a new trend.

I don't buy your argument sir. These all just seem like excuses and laziness to me. First off for the majority of people, they can do what many have to do and walk for 5-10 minutes to get to their destination. I have never seen every parkade and lot within the SoPo area full, unless there is some sort of special event. And even then it is restricted to certain areas.

Don't buy it.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Honestly, there is a definite parking crunch during the weekday, daytime already within three blocks of Portage and Main. On street parking is difficult and even bordering on impossible to obtain while most private lots have some slack but a slight tweak will push them to capacity, ie a lot closing part of a floor for maintenance.

The parkade on Lombard that they tore down a heritage building for looks downright deserted whenever I look on workdays.

If on street parking is difficult that tells me that on street parking should cost more.

[vid]

Within three blocks, it might be difficult, but go a bit further. I live on a street just outside down here, maybe a 10 minute walk from most of the places workers are going, and out of our street's over 1,000 parking spaces, almost none are ever used.

People simply won't park more than a block or two away from where they're going; three blocks would be extreme. Parking spaces that aren't near anything won't be used, even if parking lots nearby are at capacity. Parking downtown overflows onto sidestreets and lawns long before it overflows onto my street, which has actual parking.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by esquire

Here are a few shots I snapped this afternoon of the very, very early stages of the expansion project at the RBC Convention Centre.

First, the general site overview. You can see that they are getting ready to start site prep:



Here's a close up of the Stuart Olson Dominion site office and the only construction equipment on site so far:

Photos by Esquire

Just wanted to add these great shots of the size and scope of the
new proposed convention centre and the massive parking lot that will soon
be a thing of the past, to the Convention Centre thread.
Thx for adding them Esquire..

[Cyro]

$180 million Winnipeg Convention Centre expansion and renovation underway
Construction has started.
The new facility will include multi-purpose divisible space, additional underground parking and main floor public assembly space.

The third floor will feature new exhibit space that will connect to the existing building and create over 135,000 sq. ft. of contiguous, pillarless trade and consumer show space.

http://www.joconl.com/article/id5604...peg%20manitoba

[Chadillaccc]

You should post that in the Canada section! Very exciting! It will be one of the nicest convention centres in the country, up there with the new one in Vancouver!

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by rypinion

The parkade on Lombard that they tore down a heritage building for looks downright deserted whenever I look on workdays.

If on street parking is difficult that tells me that on street parking should cost more.

On street parking should cost more, because the demand is greater (regardless of the cost of construction).

The WRHA parkade and Bedford parkade on King are also pretty quiet ...

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

You should post that in the Canada section! Very exciting! It will be one of the nicest convention centres in the country, up there with the new one in Vancouver!

Great idea Chad, very true..

[Cyro]

Taken From Winnipeg Constuction Thread- VIII
Update/Site Prep:Wpg,Convention Centre:



Posted: Yesterday, 5:18 PM
JamieDavid Exchange

Convention Centre Expansion

Photo by:JamieDavid Exchange

[GORDBO]

Looks like the time has come to change status from proposed to u c.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by rypinion

The parkade on Lombard that they tore down a heritage building for looks downright deserted whenever I look on workdays.

If on street parking is difficult that tells me that on street parking should cost more.

Exactly this. On street parking doesn't cost enough. I ride the bus to work, I see the same car parked on Main street every single morning. On street parking should not be an option for workers downtown but it currently is.

[chrisallard5454]

That site is farther along than that picture shows. Foundation is well underway. They are clipping right along with this project.

[DancingDuck]

Maybe the fastest moving project on the city, action all over the site

[Widget]

I'm Glad to hear that.....what is the proposed completion date for this project?

[Authentic_City]

Perhaps it's time to change the name of this thread from PROPOSED to Under Construction?

[bomberjet]

Question, maybe TV can answer.

Will the white, metal exterior that exists on the current building be changed as well? Seems to be in fairly good shape from the renovation a while back. I know the whole building will be undergoing renovations, not just the addition.

The exterior in the renderings seems to look very similar.

[1ajs]

does not count till the foundation is done

[Authentic_City]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

does not count till the foundation is done

Gotcha! Thanks.