London Construction - Development News Thread#1

[MolsonExport]

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/logos/20070501-cinep.jpg

Feb 06, 2008 07:00 ET
Cineplex Entertainment Announces New Cineplex Odeon Theatre in London, Ontario
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 6, 2008) - Cineplex Entertainment (TSX:CGX.UN) is pleased to announce the development of a new eight-screen Cineplex Odeon theatre to open in London, Ontario. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2008 with a targeted opening in late fall. Located near the intersection of Wonderland Road South and Viscount Road at the Westmount Shopping Centre, the theatre will occupy approximately 31,000 square feet of space and will offer a first class entertainment experience, replacing the existing six-screen cinema currently located in the mall.

"We are delighted to be announcing this new project located at Westmount Shopping Centre in London," said Pat Marshall, Vice President Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. "As part of the modernization of the Westmount shopping centre, this new theatre will offer area residents and shoppers the best entertainment options available. With more than 1,300 luxury high back seats, the complex will feature the latest in digital film presentation and digital sound technologies."

"We are looking forward to working with Cineplex Entertainment on this project," said Michael Dobrijevic, Senior Vice President, Development & Leasing, Bentall Retail LP. "We believe that London deserves a new state-of-the-art theatre and this dynamic entertainment complex will become a true destination for residents and visitors to this area and will also be an integral feature to the revitalization of Westmount Mall."

The new theatre will feature all stadium seating, wall-to-wall, giant, curved screens; large, luxurious seats with ample legroom; Digital DLP projection systems and Dolby Digital Surround Sound. The spacious lobby will feature a Family Entertainment Centre that can be accessed without a movie ticket. The refreshment selection is very broad and will include all the standard movie fare including popcorn, soft drinks and a variety of other offerings sure to satisfy everyone's appetite.

About Cineplex Entertainment LP:

Cineplex Entertainment LP owns leases or has a joint-venture interest in 131 theatres with 1,327 screens serving approximately 60 million guests annually. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Cineplex Entertainment LP is the largest motion picture exhibitor in Canada operating the following brands: Cineplex Odeon, Galaxy, Famous Players, Coliseum, Colossus, SilverCity, Cinema City and Scotiabank Theatres. The units of Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund, which owns approximately 75.7% of Cineplex Entertainment LP, are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol CGX.UN). For more information, visit www.cineplex.com

[ldoto]

:previous:


HA! you Beat me to it, MolsonExport! What are you doing posting something from the lfpress!!!!!:D

[ldoto]

The Arts Project has given artists a well-used outlet and the downtown some pizzazz, but its future is uncertain without a strong business plan.


It was once hailed as a downtown saviour, along with the John Labatt Centre and London Central Library.

Now, the Arts Project is the one that needs to be saved.

Faced with a growing deficit and little financial aid, the Dundas Street non-profit gallery and performing arts centre is sinking.

The Arts Project, also known as TAP, went public with its financial distress last month, appealing for a $50,000 lifeline from the city. It got $10,000, contingent upon raising some sponsorship money.

The London Downtown Business Association kicked in another $10,000.
"It was a definite cry for help," says Franck Arroyas, TAP board chairperson. "The struggle continues."


The Arts Project is an inviting place. The worn hardwood floors and plaster dust are indications this place is used.

"I really admire what they do," says former staff member Connie Galera as she browses the art. "They help young aspiring artists and professional artists."

Also in the gallery is Oswaldo DeLeon Kantule, curator of the current show, Colores de Latin America. Its bold Latin colours are striking against the dreary winter day.

He worries about the Arts Project's future. "I called Sandra (De Salvo, the interim manager) and said, 'What can I do?' This is the only place some people have to exhibit."

The Arts Project is an escape from shop windows ads, boarded-up store fronts and bleak reality of homelessness on Dundas Street. It celebrates our city and comments on the issues of the day.

But if it wishes to survive, it must get more business-like.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation gave TAP a two-year $100,000 operating grant in 2000 when it moved to this location and another $130,000 in 2002. The funds were supposed to give the centre time to become self-sufficient.
"From there we struggled along," Arroyas recalls.

Despite more than 30,000 visitors annually and bookings set a year in advance, revenue does not keep pace with expenditures.

TAP receives between $13,000 and $15,000 yearly from the city, but Arroyas says most of it is used to pay property taxes.

It also receives revenue from groups using the facility, but not enough, Controller Gord Hume suggests -- $75 per week for its lower gallery space, $250 for the main floor, $575 for the theatre.

A $33,000 bill for roof repairs this year added up to big trouble for the Arts Project.

Hume and others have suggested ways to generate revenue and shake things up:

- Increasing rental fees and pricing structure.
- Taking a cut of art sales.
- Showing corporations how TAP benefits the downtown and how companies can benefit from associating with TAP.
- New blood on the board.
- Having companies pay for use of their name on TAP.

[MolsonExport]

:previous:


HA! you Beat me to it, MolsonExport! What are you doing posting something from the lfpress!!!!!:D

I dunno. But I used to live across from the Westmount Mall, before moving to Hyde Park, so I guess I am still somewhat interested in the place. Seems such a shame that a decent mall has fallen so low.

[QuantumLeap]

Development on Beaverbrook (South) to Proceed
A demolition permit for property between Riverside and Oxford will likely be approved tomorrow at Planning Committee. This will continue the process leading towards construction of two five-floor apartment buildings on Beaverbrook. These buildings have many innovative design features including reduced setbacks, on-street parking and grade-level townhouses.

[ldoto]

:previous:
good news!!!!!

[QuantumLeap]

Apparently, the site I mentioned above was bought by Old Oak, which may mean that the nice buildings proposed by Mr. David Cody and designed by TRM architects may give way to more concrete boxes in seas of parking.

[ldoto]

:previous: Yes you are right!!!:cool:
http://www.trmarchitect.com/proj-c+r.html

[ldoto]

News Release:cheers:
2008-02-12


Dominion Automobile Association Announces Major Expansion in London

60th Anniversary Celebrations Underway with 60 new employees to be added in the next 60 days.

(London, Ontario, February 12, 2008)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/News%20Paper%20Photos/Ldn20080211SB_Dominion5.jpg

Dominion Automobile Association Limited (DAA) announced today a major expansion of its business operations in London. In the upcoming 60 days, DAA will add 60 employees to meet its continual growth demands. DAA is one of Canada's largest auto clubs serving more than 3 million drivers from across the country.

With the addition of several new national accounts and contracts, DAA is adding the employees in a number of business areas as part of the new expansion. DAA's head office located in London, has experienced exceptional growth over the recent years. Founded in 1948 by Londoner Robert Trollope, DAA has grown extensively culminating with its merger with one of the largest auto clubs in the United States, Drive America, last fall. This merger provides members of both companies with seamless service wherever they drive in Canada and the United States.

Dominion Automobile Association is excited with its latest expansion and is making significant investments in new resources in its London facilities and training centre. This latest growth will support the many automobile manufacturers and financial institutions across North America that DAA provides service to.

"We are pleased to announce such a significant expansion to our business in London" said company CEO and President Michael Meagher. "London has got a great workforce. We have won our business competing against firms from across North America, and it is our people who have made the difference." DAA Vice-President Jackie McTaggart added, "DAA has proven over the years that the firm really knows how to treat both customers and employees well. DAA's current employees have been with the firm an average of 9 years while the average tenure of our members is 18 years."

DAA provides service through its North American network of more than 8,000 automotive service firms ensuring quick response 24 hours per day. London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best was delighted with the confirmation of the expansion plans. "Dominion Automobile Association has been a long-standing name brand in London and is a very successful company recognized across the country. London is known as a great city for success and growth of business and the expansion of DAA is another strong example of success here. With London as the head office of DAA, we are excited that they are continuing to expand across North America and raising the profile of the city."

DAA will be adding the 60 new positions in a number of areas to support the continued growth of the company including customer service representatives, IT specialists and implementation managers. "DAA is a wonderful London success story," said Peter White, President of the London Economic Development Corporation. "Their commitment to the city and continued expansion of a business founded in London and so well known across Canada is great for our business community. The growth of the DAA over the past few years has been exceptional and the list of Canadian corporations they support shows the strength of their service offerings. We are looking forward to the next 60 years with DAA in London."

DAA has begun filling positions with the first 40 interviews just completed. For those interested in the company, more information DAA and the new positions, as well as the on-line application form, can be found at their website at www.daa.ca. This is the first announcement of what will be a banner anniversary celebration for Dominion Automobile Association.

DAA Background;

DAA is a national company servicing over 3 million clients with representatives in every province across Canada.
DAA and Drive America merged in the fall of 2007 to create a seamless service offering for drivers across North America.
DAA provides support to numerous automotive manufacturers and financial institutions under their respective name-brands.
DAA is located in London, Ontario in the downtown core area.
DAA's customer service centre operates from a high-tech centre offering support services 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Employment Background;

DAA has a strong employee job history with average 15 year tenure of full-time staff and 9 year tenure of total staff (full and part time).
DAA offers both full and part-time opportunities
Contact DAA at www.daa.ca - careers, or jobs@daa.ca.
Media Contact;

President and CEO Michael Meagher
Phone: 519-646-2480
Email: mmeagher@daa.ca

[ldoto]

:previous:
There has been alot of new expansion building downtown for new office space like.

London-based credit union has bought a five-storey office building at 217 York St. from Z Group for $9 million.Libro Financial has purchased the former post office at 217 York St. for $9 million and will consolidate its head-office operations there from two other downtown locations. :cool:




Today a major expansion of its business operations in London
Downtown London from their new office on the fourth floor at 195 Dufferin Ave.In the upcoming 60 days, DAA will add 60 employees to meet its continual growth demands. DAA is one of Canada's largest auto clubs serving more than 3 million drivers from across the country.:cool:

[QuantumLeap]

Ldoto, sorry, you had the wrong TRM architects. Here is their page. www.atrm.on.ca

Check out for newcomers, and those who missed it, their concept for Ivest (now Farhi's) Richmond block facing Victoria Park.

http://www.atrm.on.ca/residential_06b.html

[ldoto]

:previous: Wow that is a very modern in design it looks like it sould be from L.A or dwell.com (http://dwell.com) This is my style:cool:

[ldoto]

Wed, February 13, 2008

London’s industrial market remains healthy despite a climbing vacancy rate, says one London brokerage firm. The rate, which measures the amount of space available in industrial plants, climbed two full percentage points in the final quarter of 2007, to 7.3 per cent, compared to 5.3 per cent at the end of 2006, states a report released Tuesday by C.B. Richard Ellis.

“This is a snapshot of the city’s economy and I think it looks pretty healthy,” said senior vice-president Peter Whatmore.

The rise is not a result of industrial plants closing, but an indication more space has come on the market through new construction — a positive sign for the manufacturing sector, he said.

“There is a lot of construction activity and that is good news. There has been a tremendous upsurge in industrial,” said Whatmore. “Plant closings have not really come into play, that will happen this year.”




Two looming plant closures, Siemens and Vytec, will add more than 400,000 square feet to the market in 2008 states the report.

New construction includes: — Two buildings by O.R.E. Development Corp. at Highway 401 and Highbury Avenue, valued at more than $25 million.

— ING Real Estate Canada is building a $5-million facility at Highway 401, near Wellington Road.

— CEVA Logistics Canada, formerly TNT Logistics, is moving from its Highbury Avenue site to a 265,000-square-foot building on eight hectares (20 acres) of land in the Skyway Industrial Park, an investment of more than $10 million

— CS Automotive Tubing Inc. is building a new 54,000-square-foot plant at 2400 Innovation Drive.

Steve Glickman, director of business retention for the London Economic Development Corp. agreed the vacancy rate rise is also positive because it means leasing companies believe they can attract business to London. “It is the fact inventory levels are increasing that is causing this. We have more offerings here and we have industries using their own network and resources to attract companies to London,” said Glickman.

The forecast for this year also has the industrial sector remaining stable, he added.

“Our forecast is it will remain healthy subject to the adjustments that are happening in the automotive sector,” said Whatmore.

The report also states retail vacancies are down because more store spaces have been rented in the city, he said.

The vacancy rate for the last quarter of 2007 is 7.9 per cent, compared to 8.7 per cent for the last quarter of 2006. There were gains across the city including downtown, which saw a more than two per cent drop in store vacancies from 14.5 per cent to 12.2 per cent.

The downtown figures has also been helped by Galleria coming off the list as retail space because it is now considered office use. Of the approximately 600,000 square feet at Galleria, about 300,000 is office, the balance is other uses, including retail, a GoodLife Fitness club, schools and other services and agencies. Only about 10 per cent of its total space, about 60,000 square feet, is vacant, said Whatmore. “I am very upbeat,” he said of the core. “It is a long road to recovery and we are making strides.” Last month the city reported a record was set for industrial development in 2007 with building permits worth $68.7-million issued for construction in the manufacturing sector. The industrial sector in 2007 saw 16 permits issued for new buildings, 17 for additions and 55 to existing businesses for alterations. In 2006 the city issued $67 million in industrial permits.

[flar]

RE: groceries downtown
I'm a little late to the conversation, but when I lived in downtown London I picked up lots of stuff at the market, but my grocery shopping was done at the ValuMart in Wortley Village. It was a crappy walk in the winter. I remember them threatening to close it, I hope it's still in business.

[SlickFranky]

:previous:
I shop at that ValuMart all time (2 blocks from home), so you'll be glad to hear it's definitely still open...and consistently busy. I would love to see something like that set up shop downtown. I'm thinking NW corner of King and Clarence. That parking lot is totally unnecessary. In a perfect world that lot would also have a residential tower, and a well kept walkway connecting King and Dundas...but I'm not holding my breath.

[MolsonExport]

Is there not a ValuMart on Oxford, just a bit west of Richmond?

[flar]

^^yes, but I lived on King so it was a shorter walk to Wortley

Good to hear it's still going. Both of those ValuMarts are tiny grocery stores surviving in an era of monster formats.

[QuantumLeap]

Molson, thanks for changing your picture!
Also, the Valu-Marts at Oxford and Wortley are alright (I live roughly equidistant), especially if you have a bus pass. But many parts of the core are not as well served (eg East of Wellington). The market and Valu-Mart are both overpriced, and the VM offers a pretty lousy selection.

[ldoto]

Update!!!
Thu, February 14, 2008


Just a few weeks after Locust Mount was toppled comes word another historically significant building might be saved.
At least part of it.:tup: :tup:



An architect's report says the front of the old theatre warrants preservation and restoration.


A city-hired architect has concluded the front of downtown's Capitol Theatre is in good shape, laying the groundwork for using tax dollars to subsidize its restoration.

"It's pretty amazing," Controller Bud Polhill said yesterday. "There may be a premium to pay but there will be a great benefit, too."

Built in 1920 and originally known as the Allen, the Capitol has been, in recent years, a poster child for the struggle to preserve heritage in London.

Theatre owner Shmuel Farhi demolished its rear and warned he'd complete the job, leaving a gap on a key but struggling stretch of Dundas Street, unless the city worked with him to preserve it.

After months of talks, the city struck a tentative deal: if Farhi preserved the heritage facade, the city would lease 5,000 square feet of office space for 10 years.



But the deal had a caveat -- an architect would first need to check if the facade, long-covered up, was in decent enough shape to save.

An unveiling in December found the facade to be in good condition.

"This facade warrants preservation and restoration, and it is feasible and realistic from a structural point of view," architect Allan Avis wrote to city officials.

"This is going to be a real gem for London on Dundas," Controller Gord Hume said after board of control recommended staff try to finalize a lease deal with Farhi.

So far the terms discussed have been reasonable, the city's finance chief, Vic Cote, told board of control.

But while the restoration of the Capitol's limestone facade seems feasible, the adjacent building, also owned by Farhi, is more problematic, Avis concluded.

The Bowles building, built around 1928 and used as a restaurant and later by a jeweller, has more than 400 terra-cotta tiles and as many as half of them are damaged.

Repairing the tiles may leave a patchwork effect and replacing them may damage adjacent tiles, Avis wrote.

The deal with Farhi for office space was pursued without seeking competitive bids -- council decided it was essential to try to save the theatre.

Staff has estimated a 10-year lease would cost between $1.15 million and $1.6 million.

Farhi also won a competition to house 20,000 square feet of civic offices downtown in the second and third floors of the Citi Financial building at the southwest corner of Queens Avenue and Clarence Street. :notacrook:

[QuantumLeap]

Great to see about the Capitol. Together with the Bowles, they really look striking. I hope they will save the Bowles facade. I also hope that the 5000 sq ft that they are leasing are streetfront-style services, rather than just plain office space.
Also, word on the UWO website today is that a new extension to the UCC worth $21 million will start construction soon.

[ldoto]

:previous: UWO Update!!!:cheers:

Western's affiliated colleges receive high marks in survey

Fri, February 15, 2008


Huron University College places first in three categories in a Maclean's magazine annual survey of Canada's universities.

Huron topped the list for having a supportive campus environment and led two categories involving student satisfaction, based on a survey of senior-year students.

It also garnered high marks for its academic challenge level, student-faculty interaction and enriching educational experience.

The University of Western Ontario's other two affiliate colleges -- Brescia and King's -- also received high marks.

Brescia placed second in three categories: student satisfaction, supportive campus environment and active and collaborative learning.





King's came in second for another student satisfaction category.

It's the first year Maclean's has included university affiliate colleges in its student issue, which hits newsstands Feb. 18. The issue should not be confused with the magazine's fall annual university rankings issue.

UWO itself received second-place nods in two categories involving student satisfaction, but placed middle of the pack in most other categories.

Huron principal Ramona Lumpkin said she's "delighted" with the results.

"We feel we've been invisible in the past. We do have a strong sense of what we're doing with our students, but it's always gratifying to get that external recognition."

The results came from the National Survey of Student Engagement, which looked at 41 Canadian universities. Only the University of Manitoba didn't participate.

Lumpkin attributed Huron's success partly to the smaller class sizes at the college.

"Typically over 50 per cent of our students go on to graduate or professional schools," she said.

Marty England, a UWO senior policy adviser, said the figures are "extremely useful," not for their rankings, but for internal use by departments to decide where improvement is needed.

[ldoto]

Diamond to get federal help to build jet :D

Sat, February 16, 2008



It appears Diamond Aircraft will finally get the federal help it wants to build a new five-seat jet at its London plant.

Federal Industry Minister Jim Prentice has called a rare Saturday news conference today at the Diamond factory.

Prentice is to announce federal investment for research and development related to the new aircraft, known as the D-Jet, his department said in a release.

Just how much Ottawa will be ponying up, isn't clear.

Diamond has said production of the D-Jet would double the size of its plant near London airport, creating 500 new aerospace jobs in the city.





The D-Jet would put London in elite economic company, said Gerry Macartney, general manager of the London Chamber of Commerce. "It puts us on the world stage. There are very few communities in North American that produce jet aircraft." He added the D-Jet would help to diversify the city's economy.

Prentice's department wouldn't comment yesterday, and Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Joe Preston -- the city's only federal government backbencher -- wasn't available.

Diamond has already tested prototypes of the jet, expected to sell for $1.4 million US.

As of last fall, Diamond had more 300 orders for the jet.

Diamond is based in Austria but does more than $100 million in sales a year from aircraft manufactured in London.

Prentice's announcement, 10 days before the minority Conservative government brings down its third budget, comes amid growing political cries for Ottawa to help Ontario manufacturers, hard-hit by the soaring Canadian dollar and the weakening U.S. economy.

The D-Jet development program, testing and bringing the plane to market, is expected to cost more than $100 million.

Diamond hasn't said how much it wants from Ottawa but Industry Canada will fund up to 30 per cent of a research and development project.

Diamond received a $10-million commitment from the Ontario government in 2006 to develop technology for the jet.

Last March, the province added another $1 million to train workers.

Since then, Diamond officials say they've been waiting for a federal commitment before making a final decision on where to build the aircraft.

Diamond President Peter Maurer wasn't available for comment yesterday, but has said while Diamond wants to build the D-Jet in London, it has been courted by Montreal's economic development office and cities in the United States.

The London plant manufactures DA-42 twin-engine, four-seater aircraft; DA-40, single-engine, four-seater aircraft and DA-20, two-seater aircraft.

London International Airport Steve Baker president declined comment but said he looks forward to today's announcement.

"We have been working on this for many years and this will be positive announcement," he said.

After more than a year of waiting, Macartney said the federal announcement will be cause for relief and celebration.

"It's been a long-time coming but patience pays," he said.

[ldoto]

:previous:
This is right off there web site!!!!:tup:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/News%20Paper%20Photos/d_jet.jpg:cool:


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/News%20Paper%20Photos/d_jet_cockpit.jpg:cool:

February. 16/08

Diamond Aircraft receives Government of Canada Investment
Diamond announces that D-JET manufacture will occur at London Ontario facility

Diamond Aircraft received a $19.6 million strategic, repayable investment from the Government of Canada for research and development (R&D) of its D-JET, personal light jet.The company announced it will manufacture the innovative, new all-composite, five-seat aircraft at its facility in London, Ontario, where the D-JET R&D program is based.

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry for the Government of Canada, announced the investment during a briefing today at Diamond Aircraft’s London facility.

The Canadian government’s investment project will be funded from the new Strategic Aerospace Defence Initiative (SADI). SADI supports strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development (R&D) projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security (A&D) industries. SADI is managed by the Industrial Technologies Office, a special operating agency of Industry Canada with a mandate to advance leading-edge R&D by Canadian aerospace and defence industries.

“This investment will play a vital role in enabling our company to complete the final development, flight testing and certification of the D-JET, and to complete our transition to production,” said Peter Maurer, president of Diamond Aircraft Industries. “There is already tremendous demand for this new aircraft and we are excited about the opportunity to grow our already proven, world-class team and operation here in southwestern Ontario to deliver D-JET to our customers worldwide.”

The Diamond D-JET is poised to be the most attainable personal light jet – offering a very comfortable and stylish design; affordable single-engine, fuel efficient operation; and the safety and reliability of the latest glass panel avionics, engine and aeronautical technology. The $95.2 million D-JET R&D program began in 2003.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/News%20Paper%20Photos/da42_ts-2.jpg:yes:

Diamond’s London operation today produces its DA20 two-seat aircraft, DA40 family of 4-seat piston aircraft, and the DA42 light twin turbo-diesel aircraft. Diamond employs 580 people in Canada and has pioneered the development and manufacture of aircraft using carbon fiber and related composite materials that are stronger, lighter and more durable than metals.

[ldoto]

Sun, February 17, 2008

Production and flight of Diamond Aircraft's D-Jet will create up to 400 jobs locally.


The D-Jet is finally ready to fly in London, creating as many as 400 new jobs.

Federal Industry Minister Jim Prentice said yesterday Diamond Aircraft will receive a $19.6-million loan for development of the five-seater jet.

That means Diamond will go ahead with production of the jet, which has already created about 150 jobs and is expected to add up to 250 more as production ramps up, boosting the company's total London workforce to about 1,000.

"This is the final piece of the puzzle," said Diamond president Peter Maurer, who has waited more than a year for a federal commitment before deciding where to build the jet.

London Deputy Mayor Tom Gosnell, at yesterday's ceremony at the Diamond plant, said the D-Jet's arrival will give the city a boost.


"This brings a lot of jobs and spinoff opportunities and we need diversification," he said.

"Aviation is an important part of the Canadian economy and we need to share in that."

Maurer said the company has more than 300 orders for the private jet.

About 50 will be shipped out before the end of the year, starting in August. Another 125 will be built next year, with production eventually expected to reach 200 a year.

Prentice said the aerospace industry is an important and growing segment of the Canadian economy.

"Even with the softening of demand in the United States, orders are up in aerospace plants. They are bursting at the seams," he said.

Though Diamond always indicated it wanted to build the D-Jet in London, the company was aggressively courted by officials in Montreal, a key Canadian aerospace centre, and by some U.S. cities.

Diamond has already received $11 million from the Ontario government to develop technology and train workers.

The London plant now manufactures the DA-42 twin-engine, four-seater aircraft; DA-40, single-engine, four-seater aircraft; and DA-20, two-seater aircraft.

Maurer said production of those turboprop aircraft will continue. He said the company will try to streamline operations to handle production of the D-Jet, but that reaching full production will require construction of an addition to the Crumlin Road plant.

Based in Austria, Diamond is the world's third-largest producer of light aircraft.

Diamond recently announced a new plant in China will soon begin production. Maurer said that plant will target only the Asian market, with no production diverted from North America.

Maurer said the D-Jet is an innovation, an affordable personal jet at US$1.4 million. Until now, the cheapest small jet cost about US$4.5 million.

Diamond chief executive Christian Dries came up with the concept of a single-engine personal jet in 1993.

"At the time, many people thought this concept was crazy. No one ever thought of a jet as a personal aircraft," said Maurer.

But many of Diamond's competitors, he said, are now working on aircraft similar to the D-Jet.

Maurer said he knows many of the D-Jet customers personally and said most are wealthy entrepreneurs.

He said the D-Jet is also being sold to pilot training schools and new "jet taxi" companies offering quick-hop trips to business executives.

The D-Jet will help to put London on the aerospace map, said Steve Baker, president of London International Airport, next door to Diamond's plant.

"This is really going to be a historic aircraft for London," he said.

"We will be known for this worldwide."

Diamond has attracted spinoff companies to the airport industrial park to make parts and do warranty work, said Baker,.

Several flight schools operating out of the airport train students using Diamond aircraft.


BY THE NUMBERS

4: Number of D-Jet prototypes built and tested.

200: Number of D-Jets that will be produced a year.

400: Number of jobs D-Jet production will create.

580: Diamond employees today

1,000: Approximate future employment, with D-Jet.

300: Outstanding D-Jet orders

$95.2 million: Cost of developing and testing the jet.

US$1.4 million: D-Jet price tag

C$19.6 million: Federal loan for research and development

C$11 million: Ontario loans/grants for research and training

[ldoto]

The renaissance of Galleria London will soon mark a milestone with the addition of a new store -- the first big national retailer to open downtown in years -- and the reopening of the food court.

Women's fashion retailer Suzy Shier will open in early spring beside a new, street-level food court -- swimming against a tide of chain stores that long ago left the core or vacated the mall.

"It's the first national retailer to come back to the downtown in ages," said Lucas Blois of Arcturus Realty, property managers of the mall.

During the last few years, Galleria's empty stores have gradually been converted to office, commercial and education uses.

But the opening of Suzy Shier, a store with 5,200-square feet of space, shows the retail portion of the mall also is rebounding, said Blois.



Suzy Shier has 170 stores across Canada.

Blois said he is confident Galleria can attract more national chains.

However, he said the focus will be on retailers and services to serve the 3,500-4,000 people who will eventually work in Galleria's office-commercial spaces as well as students in the educational institutions.

He said other national retailers in the mall, including Dollarama and Bentley's, are exceeding sales expectations.

The food court will reopen in renovated space on the first floor of the south side of the mall. Subway and the Golden Wok will be first to open on March 1 and will be followed by two new national fast food chains.

Blois said the food court is finally the right size and in the right space.

It was originally in the basement. About 10 years ago, it was moved to the second floor ago in a futile effort to revive traffic for retailers above street level.

"It did bring people up the second floor but their only interest was the food court." said Blois.

The few retailers left on the second floor will soon be moved to to first floor.

A major renovation on the second floor -- to create a new 110,000-square-foot call centre for CitiCards Canada -- is nearing completion. The first phase, which will accommodate about 600 employees, should be completed in April.

Later this year, all five entrances to the mall will be reconstructed with new glass panels and doors.
:cheers: :cheers:

[MolsonExport]

Wow. A single store. Such hot news in a metro of 470,000.

[GreatTallNorth2]

It's not really big news that Suzy Shier is coming to London. The big news is that downtown is really coming back. The evidence of this is the fact that a national retailer wants to lease 5000 sq. feet of space in Galleria. If they want to open a store, it might mean that more will follow. I could care less about Suzy Shier, but I do care about the overall health of downtown. With more stores, restaurants, cafes, etc. opening, it becomes more attractive to live and work downtown.

I just read in Business London magazine an interview regarding some of London's key players in real estate. They said that the building is not done in downtown London and that there are other projects on the horizon. Lets hope they keep building more towers. Hopefully one developer will hire an architect to design the building instead of us always building boring buildings.

[MolsonExport]

^awwww....London doesn't have enough commie blocks ;)

[ldoto]

:previous:

Well said GreatTallNorth2!!!!!!:tup:

[QuantumLeap]

I agree. One national retailer coming downtown is not that big a deal, except that most retailers are notoriously conservative. But as already pointed out, American Apparel on Richmond is actually the first national retailer downtown in years, so Suzy Shier is following, not leading a trend. People forget though, that revitalization is not going to be done in the Galleria or other malls. A real revitalized downtown is going to see more national and high-quality local retailers on the street (just like it used to be).

[go_leafs_go02]

wow! way to go London!!! great to see the rebounding slowly but surely take place. I like seeing where Galleris is going anyways.

Any idea of where this store will be located? I'm kind of hoping on the second level, to get more foot traffic up there which might help other businesses get more successful sales.

The Library in there was a great idea, and considering that parking is free if you know to go to the library, walk in and stamp your parking pass is great as well.

[MolsonExport]

^the second floor of the Galleria will strictly be for non-commercial uses (Excepting the theatres). Even the foodcourt is being moved to level 1.

[SlickFranky]

Correct...the food court has moved to street level, south side of King. It's still under construction, but is supposed to be open in a couple weeks. I think they said march 1st, but I don't think they'll be done by then.

And I'm in total agreement about the "new" galleria. Viewed as a mall, it's a failure, but viewed as an office building it's pretty great. I don't quite get the Suzy Shier move. They must have gotten an outstanding deal on their lease for them to think this was a good idea. I'd prefer to see them in a Dundas storefront, but this is the next best thing.

While on the subject of galleria...I seem to remember the original plans calling for tower(s) of some kind. Were they to be commercial or residential? Does anyone know at what point that plan was abandoned, and why?

[GreatTallNorth2]

I remember the tower proposal. It was right at the corner of Dundas and Wellington. It was to be an office tower and it was about 27 stories. I know it was taller than OLP and well designed. It will never be built due to the fact that they have restored that building that stands there now. Before Galleria was built, there was a massive proposal to build a project on the Talbot block. It had several office and hotel towers. Two of the office towers were 45 stories each and they were beautiful. This never got built because Galleria went forward and also because of a massive fight to save the Talbot streetscape. I think Tom Gosnell stopped it because he wanted Galleria built.

[QuantumLeap]

Plan targets reclaiming core
Sat, February 23, 2008
More residents, European touches and bold thinking are among core-boosting proposals cited in a report on downtown London. Free Press reporter Patrick Maloney looks at the proposed solutions and problems, listed below, centred on a stretch of Dundas Street.
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By PATRICK MALONEY
The latest report about what to do about London's ailing core is dotted with surprisingly honest critiques of downtown's problems.

Panhandlers and large groups of young people add to a feeling among Londoners of "being harassed" in the core, the report says.

It also refers to a public perception of Dundas Street, rightly or wrongly, as a dangerous spot.

"There is a perception that downtown is not safe. That is a barrier to new businesses moving into the core."

Galleria London's failure as a "shopping mecca" and neglected, empty store fronts along main streetscapes don't help, the report says.




The document from a task force put together by MainStreet London and the London Downtown Business Association chides landlords who have "not reinvested in their properties" and "are bitter over declining property values."

However, some Londoners are also part of the problem. Many refuse to let go of a vision of downtown from 40 years ago, a "halcyon period" in city history.

"The big-box war is over and the suburbs won," the report says.

That kind of tough talk is long overdue -- and crucial to any potential improvements, said London Controller Gord Hume, who led the task force.

The potential, however, is unlimited, added entrepreneur Andrew Francis, a task force member.

"We've really got to think anything is possible, we've got to be willing to try," said Francis, who owns the Alex P. Keaton pub.

"I look at downtown and I see opportunity. These abandoned buildings are basically places for us to start over. It's going to take the whole community to make this happen."

---

PROBLEMS:

Lack of investment:

Many long-term downtown property owners "have not reinvested in their properties" and "are bitter over declining property values."

Fear factor:

Many women have admitted to being afraid of walking down Dundas, even in pairs. "There is a perception downtown is not safe. That is a barrier to new businesses moving into the core . . ."

Richmond and Dundas:

"Simply not a warm, welcoming environment for what many believe to be the city's primary intersection." Crowds there, a key public transit point in the core, add to the feeling of "being harassed" downtown.

Failed initiatives:

Galleria as a shopping mecca was a failure. "The big-box war is over and the suburbs won."

SOLUTIONS:

Narrow sidewalks:

They make even small groups of

loiterers look intimidating. They make physical contact with aggressive panhandlers more common.

Nostalgia:

Some Londoners refuse to let go of memories and "want to remember a downtown from 40 years ago as a halcyon period."

Streets and alleys:

Cleanliness is an issue. There's a public perception Dundas Street in particular is "dark, dirty and dangerous."

More people:

The core needs to double its population, which now sits at about 6,000, to make it a thriving neighbourhood. A grocery store must be opened within the next five years.

A touch of Europe:

Take steps toward turning Dundas Street between Richmond and Wellington into a European-style piazza.

Go wireless

Get wireless Internet throughout downtown so people can go online "from park benches, street corners or sidewalk cafes."

Bold moves:

London Downtown Business Association/MainStreet should make Dundas Street improvements an immediate priority for the next two years. City hall should consider buying an entire city block, fronting or backing Dundas, and redevelop it. Create a new position at city hall to help developers move applications for redevelopment through the red tape. City should consider moving some city departments into downtown buildings. A renewed respect for heritage buildings is needed.

More parking:

The city should provide 300 to 500 new parking spots.

Art, art, art:

Develop a business plan for an "artists' habitat" -- akin to a

successful Edmonton program -- where artists would live, work and display their art. More public art is needed.

Tear down that fence:

Urge the library to remove the fence around its outdoor greenspace beside Galleria.

Walk the beat:

Continued visible police foot patrol presence throughout downtown.

[SlickFranky]

Urge the library to remove the fence around its outdoor greenspace beside Galleria.


Hell yes! I know they wanted to keep loiterers/vagrants out, but that stupid setup keeps everyone out. The least they could do is have some gates put in to give access during the day.

[ldoto]

:previous:

Sat, February 23, 2008

Dundas and Richmond 2030
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/News%20Paper%20Photos/LDN20080221dr_dundas.jpg:D

Drastic changes to Dundas Street, including its partial transformation into a piazza or square free of vehicles, are key to transforming downtown, a report says.

That's the most ambitious idea in a just-prepared report, assembled by two downtown business groups, that also contains unvarnished appraisals of what's wrong with the core -- and how to fix it.

"We're saying make Dundas the most exciting street in London," said Gord Hume, who led the Downtown Task Force and its 11 volunteers. "Reclaim the street for the people."

The timeline includes getting buses off the stretch of Dundas between Wellington and Richmond streets by 2010, eliminating parking spots there by 2013 and banning all daytime traffic by 2018.

Another illustration, shown above, shows a dramatic re-imagining of the troubled Dundas-Richmond intersection for the year 2030.




That possibility comes from the Netherlands. Dubbed 'Woonerfs,' it's a curb-free street used by pedestrians and cars, with textured road styles to signal drivers when they move into car-free zones.

The task force this week gave its report, outlining a vision for the core for the next decade, to the boards of MainStreet London and the downtown business association.

The task force bubbled its ideas down to three main goals for the next decade.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/News%20Paper%20Photos/LDN20070715SRtrees4.jpg

Besides the focus on Dundas Street, the other goals are:

- Double the number of people living in the core: With about 6,000 there now, at least 10,000 is the "magic number" needed for a successful neighbourhood.

- Make downtown London the greenest in Canada: That would include planting 100 large trees by 2010 and removing the fence around the Central Library's reading garden.

The boards meet again March 15 to comb through the report in detail.

[MolsonExport]

The article in the paper is very short on details.

[ldoto]

Mon, February 25, 2008

London's downtown has huge potential, says a noted Vancouver architect.
Steve Weiler of Runner's Choice talks about options for downtown London.

A noted architect who helped transform Vancouver into one of the world's most livable cities says the pieces are in place for London's downtown to become a similar, small-scale success.

That assessment by James Cheng, a staple on Vancouver's planning commission, was made during a visit Friday that coincided with the release of an independent report calling for major changes to London's core by 2018.

"Just walking around, (downtown) London has more to build on than Vancouver had" when its urban transformation began 20 years ago, Cheng said.

"I'm just drooling looking at the buildings. You can use that to start a regeneration of the core."

That viewpoint, however, comes with a caveat: It looks to Cheng like downtown London has been neglected -- and the rare spirit of co-operation that's made Vancouver great may be missing here, he said.




In Vancouver, a unique give-and-take relationship exists between city officials and developers.

In one example, a developer was allowed to build a highrise a few storeys beyond the city-imposed limit if he maintained a heritage home on the property.

In another case, a developer was offered extra density for an apartment tower if he gave a $3-million donation to a public art display at the building's base.

In other words, Cheng said, each new development is built with the rest of the city in mind.

"A lot of people are very narrow-sighted. They only look at their own buildings -- you have to think bigger," he said.

"If you make a place attractive, people will want to be there. Do quality development that is sensitive to the (urban) context. Like the movie says -- they will come."

Without co-operation between city hall and developers, however, little will improve, Cheng said.

"What we learned in Vancouver is there is a win-win formula for both sides. If it becomes confrontational, it doesn't work."

Cheng, whose son attends the University of Western Ontario, was invited to city hall Friday to speak to councillors about his experiences.

The visit came one day after the so-called Downtown Task Force -- a group of 12 volunteers assembled by two downtown business associations -- released a 69-page "blueprint" on revitalizing the core during the next decade.

The suggestions include turning a key stretch of Dundas Street into a pedestrian-only piazza and doubling downtown's population, to about 10,000.

MainStreet London and the London Downtown Business Association, which requested the report, will discuss it in detail next month. It's unclear which suggestions will be embraced by the groups.

Cheng, who notes strong leadership on city council is needed to direct any urban renewal, admits London won't ever become Vancouver with its huge population and beautiful setting.

But that isn't the point, either.

"The choice is not to become a big city. The choice is to maintain all the charm and the character the city has now," he said.

"You guys really have the bones to become a great city, (but) the first step is you have to want it.

"There has to be a desire to take what you have and build on it."

[ldoto]

Feb, 26 2008 - 7:40 AM


It's budget day in Ottawa and reports suggest Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will focus heavily on the automotive sector and infrastructure.

Sources at Parliament Hill suggest 200-million dollars will be made available to auto companies -- allowing them to essentially write off the cost of new machinery and equipment. In turn, they'd be able to build more fuel-efficient vehilces and create more jobs.

The budget is also expected to include plans for a job-creating fund called Build Canada.

It would devote 1 billion dollars towards roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the country's major urban areas.

London Mayor Anne-Marie Deciccio Best tells AM980 this kind of partnership is essential.

The Harper Conservatives are also expected to reveal this afternoon the federal surplus is actually more than one billion dollars greater than previously expected.

The Liberals won't say whether they'll accept today's federal budget -- or reject it and force an election. But the New Democrats are making very clear where they stand.

N-D-P leader Jack Layton says he'll read the document first, but says his party will vote against the budget if it doesn't rescind tax cuts given by the Harper government to big banks and oil companies.

[MolsonExport]

Quite frankly, who gives two-shits what Jack Layton says?

[ldoto]

Thu, February 28, 2008


It has been a Ramada Inn, Park Lane Hotel, King's Inn and for a brief stint a stylish, edgy condominium project in downtown London.

Now, Park Tower, the 163-unit, 45-year-old residence at 186 King St. is an inexpensive home to students, people at a crossroads in their lives or business people needing a long-term residence in the city.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/LDN20080224MH_Park1.jpg This is looking good stylish, edgy condominium project in downtown London.



"Our strategy is to provide accommodation that's affordable and we have a mixed demographic of customers," says Darren Cooper, who manages the building for owner Rose Corp. in Toronto.

In fact, about 30 per cent of the tenants are students, the balance are people here on business for several months "or needing a new start," adds Cooper.

The units now rent from $550 a month inclusive for a bachelor to $850 for one-bedroom suites, and are fully furnished. There's a communal kitchen on every floor and the building is 94 per cent occupied, with about 200 residents, he adds.



"We have had a really good response," says Cooper.

Janette MacDonald, general manager of MainStreet London, believes Park Tower has a role to play in the core's revitalization. While recent residential developments downtown have focused on high-end rental units, a mixed demographic is needed to sustain long-term growth, she believes.

"They have done a terrific job there and the new facade is beautiful," she says. "Every resident is important to downtown, we will never be revitalized until people live here and we need a diverse group."

In addition to the apartments, Park Tower also offers 7,000 square feet of commercial space for lease on a month-to-month basis for new, start-up businesses, says Cooper. Those leases range from $7 a square foot to $18 a square foot.

But it's the Time Condominium project in 2005 that was perhaps the most ambitious concept for the former hotel, Cooper believes. In fact, the building's website -- parktower.ca -- still boasts an artist's rendering of the project. For four months they tried selling the units -- bachelor, one- and two-bedroom units -- ranging in price from $69,999 to $149,999. :tup:

"The sales were just not there," says Cooper. "It had a tired look to the front and it was hard to get people to understand the vision.

Rose Corp. has owned the building since 2004.

[MolsonExport]

"The sales were just not there," says Cooper. "It had a tired look to the front and it was hard to get people to understand the vision.

No kidding. Looks like a run-down 70's era Las Vegas motor inn.

[ldoto]

Big News

"Original Cakerie" Coming to London :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

500 Jobs Are Icing on the Cake

http://www.achannel.ca/london/news_54247.aspx

The British Columbia based company "The Original Cakerie" is coming to London, and with it will be 500 new jobs for Londoners.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held today for the new 245-thousand square foot manufacturing plant.

Company President David Hood says London beat out several other communities competing for the plant.

Hood says London's location was key. It is close to the Golden Horseshoe market, and has easy access to future American markets.

Original Cakerie provides baked good to grocery stores and prepared food products for companies like M&M Meat Shops.

The announcement reversed a recent trend of industrial plant shutdowns, mostly in the autoparts sector.:banana: :banana:

[MolsonExport]

^good news.

[ldoto]

Lots of communities were after it, but London took the cake.

A Vancouver-based cake and pastry company has chosen London as the site of a new manufacturing plant that will employ about 400 people with potential for hundreds more jobs in the future.

"We did a North American- wide evaluation and we had a really good feeling for this area," said David Hood, president of the Original Cakerie.

The $40-million plant will be built on a nine-hectare site in a municipal industrial park in the southeast corner of the city.

The first phase of the plant will be 125,000 square feet. The second will double its size and add at least 100 more jobs.




Construction should begin within a few weeks and hiring is a few months off. The plant is slated to open next March.

With the price of basic commodities such as wheat soaring, Hood admitted it is a tough time to be in the bakery business. But the company is in for the long haul and London looked like the best place to expand, he added.

"These are North American issues and if we went to the States we wouldn't avoid them," he said.

The Ontario government is providing $2.5 million toward construction of the plant through a program targeted at rural development.

London-Fanshawe MPP Khalil Ramal said the grant was appropriate because even though the plant is in London, it will buy $30-million worth of flour, milk, eggs and sweeteners from rural producers.

Peter White, chief executive of the London Economic Development Corp., said London faced tough competition.

The company considered sites near Toronto and Kitchener as well as locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington state. He said the provincial grant helped seal the deal.

White said London has good access to eastern Canadian and American markets.

"We are great as a food-processing location with ties to regional agriculture," said White.

Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best said called it a "sweet, sweet" announcement for the City of London. In the last two months the city has also landed the new Hanwha manufacturing plant and an expansion of the Diamond Aircraft plant.

DeCicco noted that the Original Cakerie plant would more than offset the loss of 275 jobs at the McCormicks biscuit and candy plant, which was closed last January, and could provide jobs for any former McCormicks employees still looking for work.

The Original Cakerie was founded in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1979 and is privately owned.

Hood said consumers in this area may not be familiar with the Original Cakerie's name, but have likely eaten their premium, European-style products in restaurants, cafeterias and stores.

"If you went into a hospital, coffee shop, or restaurant you will see our product," said Hood.

The company sells its products to restaurant and food service suppliers such as Sysco and Sodexho and provides in-house brands to retailers such as M&M Meats and Sobey's.

---

REACTION

- "We are more than happy to supply them with quality wheat. We have a record number of acres of winter wheat in the ground."

Larry Shapton, general manager of the Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board

- "Rural Ontario has been suffering and this an opportunity to strengthen the economic base."

London-Fanshawe MPP Khalil Ramal.

- "This is excellent news that will diversify the London economy."

Gerry Macartney, general manager of the London Chamber of Commerce

BY THE NUMBERS

250,000 sq. ft.: size of new Original Cakerie plant when both phases completed

9 hectares: size of new factory site

400: jobs created in the first two years

100: jobs created in future planned expansion

$30 million: value of flour, eggs, milk, fruit and sweeteners the plant will buy annually

$40 million: construction cost of plant

$2.5 million: provincial grant for construction

[ldoto]

Pain gets long-term look

Mon, March 3, 2008

A London-based study will try a new approach to study medications for intense pain.


Lawson Health Research Institute scientists are tackling one of the worst pains for humans in a $1-million, three-year research project.

Dr. Dwight Moulin and Dr. Patricia Morley-Forster at London Health Sciences Centre are leading the investigation to find the best way to treat neuropathic pain.

Unlike the more common chronic pain, such as that caused by arthritis, neuropathic pain is due to nerve damage and is more intense.

"It could be from trauma, a car accident, it could be from shingles or diabetes. Some drugs can damage nerves as well," Moulin said.

"It's a type of pain that is particularly severe and difficult to manage."




Neuropathic pain can be triggered by activities as simple as getting dressed.

The over-the-counter drugs typically used for common pain don't work against neuropathic pain, he said.

Several drugs have shown promise in treating neuropathic pain, but the trials have involved giving one group of patients the drug and another a placebo.

That's limited the studies to two months, because it's considered unethical to give a placebo for pain beyond two months.

"In the real world, people want medication and they want to know how good it is going to be for more than two months. They want to know how good it is going to be for one year or two years, or perhaps the rest of their life," Moulin said.

The Lawson Health Research Institute study, involving five pain treatment centres in Ontario and Quebec, will try to answer the long-term question by following about 1,000 pain patients over two to three years.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the pain treatment, the researchers will measure how well people do over the years compared to when they started.

"We want to know if the results in the short-term trials can be confirmed in the long term," Moulin said.

Major funding for the study is coming from Pfizer Canada.

[ldoto]

Tue, March 4, 2008


Officials at the University of Western Ontario were starry-eyed yesterday at a $9-million boost from the Ontario government to upgrade the astronomy and physics building.

“The physics and astronomy building is one of Western’s oldest and grandest,” said UWO president Paul Davenport.

Completed in 1924, the structure in the “modified, collegiate gothic” style of architecture was originally the natural sciences building. It’s the second-oldest on campus, opened shortly after University College, the arts building.

Davenport lauded the gift as one that will “allow Western to expand research capacity, improve the student experience and help foster innovation.”

The money is earmarked to upgrade the structure so it can house four leading research programs and new teaching facilities.




The Ontario government recently contributed $13 million to Western to improve energy efficiency and campus safety and for other improvements. The money is part of a $1.4-billion, provincewide investment in strategic public works included in the government fall economic statement.

Deb Matthews, the Liberal MPP for London-North-Centre, said the latest contribution “will help ensure that there is the appropriate space for the development of research and the training of those who will become the workforce behind the next generation of jobs.”

[SlickFranky]

The physics building is really one of the coolest on campus (love that courtyard), but I'm not sure how much research space they're going to be able free up there. If anyone's ever been in that basement they know that no space is wasted in physics and astronomy. 9 mil should give the interior a much needed reno, but that's about it. The labs in the upper floors are pretty ghetto.

[MolsonExport]

^yeah, I taught in the bowels of the Physics and Astronomy building a couple of years. The classrooms were really run-down, and the halls were quite decrepit.

[flar]

There used to be some top-secret research funded by the US military going on in that basement.

[GreatTallNorth2]

I was speaking to the leasing manager at Sifton Properties and he told me that their vacancy rate is quite low for downtown London. One London Place, which someone in the KW forum said had a 26% vacancy, actually has 7% vacany. This person also told me that they are still considering building a structure beside OLP, but it would be a smaller structure. He said they are considering this because they are getting serious inquiries about leasing in downtown and they don't have the space to accomodate.

I think there are some other exciting things going to happen downtown including more residential and possibly a new hotel.

[QuantumLeap]

GreatTall, this doesn't surprise me, given the (ahem) worldwide office boom. However, the building next to me is practically empty (Dufferin and Richmond) and I know there are vacancies at their other buildings. Why doesn't Sifton build residential at Two London Place? There are lots of sites downtown, so there is no point in banking a site for offices til a sunnier day.

[GreatTallNorth2]

Hey, I don't work for Sifton. I am just telling you what the man said. I guess you would have some empty space if their buildings have 7% vacancy. They probably have a lot of space overall downtown, so some must be empty.

I did ask him about residential. He said they have never built any residential towers downtown, but he stressed they had not done it in the past but from his tone it sounded like they might consider it in the future. Sifton is really a first class developer and if they built something downtown (residential), I think they would do it right. No more commie towers please!

London indeed has a ton of space downtown to develop. I hope we see some good things happen in the future.

[ldoto]

:previous:
There is some good info and news in that Thread!!! Hope to see if some thing happens!!!!:cool:
News Headlines
News Release
2008-02-27


London, Ontario, businesses benefit from new Primus Internet Data Centre
Information technology infrastructure assures 100% uptime allowing businesses to concentrate on core competencies
London, Ontario February 27, 2008 - Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. (Primus Canada) today announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art Internet Data Centre (IDC) in London, Ontario. The new facility houses and manages mission critical computer server hardware and software assets and addresses a demand from local small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for better IT support.

Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees and medium-sized firms that have between 100 and 500 employees make up 97.7 per cent of businesses in Canada. To address common challenges faced by SMBs, such as lack of resources to dedicate to IT staff and infrastructure, Primus' London IDC provides a cost-effective, secure, safe and reliable location to house IT infrastructure.

"Primus customers across the country have told us they want locally based solutions to their IT needs," said A.J. Byers, Senior Vice President, Primus Business Services. "This new IDC in London allows small- and medium-sized businesses across southwestern Ontario to become more productive and focus on their specialized business operations so they can in turn innovate more aggressively."

According to the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), Primus's new facility offers local and regional businesses options for a local IDC that serves London's growing technology and business sectors. By easing the significant up-front cost for technology investment and providing critical IT solutions, the alternative offered by Primus allows SMBs to focus on their core business functions.

"This new facility demonstrates Primus's commitment to the London market and is a very positive indication of the growth of the small- and medium-sized business sector in London," said Peter White, President and CEO, LEDC. "We look forward to working with Primus in its support of London businesses."

The first phase of the new 22,000 square foot Class-A data centre includes 3,500 square feet of raised floor area. Located in an unmarked location with a single secure entrance, the IDC offers protection for servers allowing for maximized up time during a power failure using redundant Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and a backup diesel generator.

"Our global multimedia company offers a high degree of engineering in the multimedia products we offer," said Geoff Wagget, Vice President, Operations, for EK3, a global multimedia company based in London, Ontario. "Without proper network fail-safe infrastructure like what Primus is offering, we cannot deliver our solutions. Primus's superior value-added services such as higher security, redundant transmission links, environmental controls and power failure backup systems put us in a class above our competition to provide reliability in our solutions."

The facility offers industry leading managed services, fire suppression, enhanced power management and disaster recovery systems. A state-of-the-art cooling system with full redundancy ensures guaranteed climate control for high density servers available today and in the future.

About Primus Business Services
Primus Business Services is a leading provider of advanced voice communications, data centre infrastructure and managed information technology (IT) solutions to the small and medium sized business market. Its dedicated group of certified technicians, system administrators and network engineers deliver and support innovative solutions for over 45,000 businesses. As a division of Primus Canada, Primus Business Services leverages a national network for voice and data services, and a world-class telecom infrastructure. Primus Business Services operates Internet Data Centres in Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto and London.

About PRIMUS Canada
Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. is the largest alternative communications carrier in Canada. The Company offers facilities-based voice, data, e-commerce, Web hosting, VoIP and broadband Internet services utilizing ADSL2+ technology. Primus Canada's national network consists of nationwide switches with international connectivity through its parent company's global network, ATM and IP nodes, and colocation facilities at major cities across the country. Primus Canada is also one of Canada's largest MVNO's (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) offering Primus Wireless service. Primus Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of McLean, Virginia-based Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (OTCBB: PRTL). Primus Canada news and information are available at the Company's Web site at www.primus.ca.

[SlickFranky]

One London Place is well occupied, but there is plenty of vacant commercial space downtown. I wouldn't expect to see any new office towers for quite a while. City Hall has hinted they would like to see more residential development DT, though the massive "renaissance" building may absorb demand a bit in that market as well. Hopefully they throw some incentives at the developers and we get a few new residential towers in the near future. Ideally they would throw Farhi a bone and get that library project back on the table.

Speaking of vacancies, does anyone know what's happening with the building at Richond + Dundas? (the one that used to be a bank, BMO I think) It's such a beautiful building, sitting on a key location...something better happen there, and soon. Isn't that Farhi's as well?

[GreatTallNorth2]

That former bank building is being turned into a massive Moxies. They have been working on it for some time.

Yes, there is ample office space downtown, but I do not believe there is ample "class A" space. Sifton has a low vacancy and if they can secure tenants for a new building, then they will build.

From one I read in the freeps, Galleria is practically 100% occupied now (office space).

[WaterlooInvestor]

<deleted>

[WaterlooInvestor]

Mon, January 21, 2008
There is about 700,000 square feet of vacant office space downtown.:cheers: :cheers:

:yuck:

[MolsonExport]

<deleted>

[SlickFranky]

That former bank building is being turned into a massive Moxies. They have been working on it for some time.


Actually I was talking about the other bank. The one that sits right on the NE corner of Richmond and Dundas. I think it was either BMO or CIBC.

[QuantumLeap]

The CIBC on the NE corner is indeed a nice building. Some of the clever ideas I have heard for it are turning it into some sort of media office (ala Much Music building) or into a revamped LCBO (ala Summerhill (Toronto) LCBO.

By the way Waterloo Investor, thanks for your comments. We really appreciate your animosity. We will be sure to be mocking Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge as much as possible on your SSPs. Obviously, regional cooperation is for you, a terrible thing. Please make sure you alienate our (your) friends in Hamilton, Guelph, Woodstock, Brantford, Oakville, St. Catherines, Barrie, Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton while you are at it.

[ldoto]

LTC to add a second garage :tup:

Thu, March 6, 2008

Service expands as London grows

For the first time, the London Transit Commission (LTC) is expanding beyond its east-end headquarters.

“The city’s expanding west,” said LTC general manager Larry Ducharme. “We need a facility. We need space.”

To become more efficient in growing areas of the city, the LTC plans to add more buses and build a second garage — possibly in Hyde Park — to house them in two years.

The LTC has 190 buses squeezed into its 185-bus facility at 450 Highbury Ave., where it has been since 1974.

Ducharme said the commission plans to steadily increase its fleet to about 350 buses by 2024.




The second garage will be built by 2010, he said. It will cost $20 million, $16 million of which has been doled out by the province and set aside over the years.

“We didn’t just wake up one morning and decide we need a satellite facility,” he said.

Another garage is good news for some London transit users, like Lujain Khan, 16, who lives in Byron.

The Grade 11 Oakridge secondary school student said the LTC is in serious need of more buses that run more often in the west end.

Only two of the approximately 45 bus routes in the city run in the Oakridge area, each about every half-hour.

Marc Mueller, 32, who lives at Oxford Street and Hyde Park Road, said the buses that cater to the west end don’t run late enough.

A security officer at Labatt Brewery downtown, he said he doesn’t finish work until midnight — just missing the last bus — meaning he often has to take a cab or walk almost two hours home, expending money and time.

Building a second garage to accommodate more buses is needed to fix some of those problems, said Harold Usher, a city councillor and LTC chairperson on the environment and transportation committee.

“This is very essential. Sooner or later we’re going to have to have more buses to serve our community,” he said.

Usher said the LTC buys about 12 buses every year — nine to replace old ones and three for growth.

To deal with London’s overflow of buses in the interim, a $550,000, 12-bus facility will be built this summer near the existing garage while plans for the second garage are hammered out, he said.

He said the LTC works on a “frugal system” but a second garage is just the start of the spending it needs to do.

The commission has to spend more money on basic upgrades, including on its existing facility, which is 60 years old, Usher said.

He added the LTC uses its buses longer than the seven- to 12-year average of other transit systems and about 30 or 40 buses still used in London are more than 20 years old.

It will be cheaper in the long term to buy new buses and pay for a second garage, he said.

[go_leafs_go02]

nice news!

I come from Oakridge, live just around the corner from Oxford & Hyde Park, actually really close the 19 routing, which is very limited. Having a bus garage nearby will definitely increase service around the area, which is a good thing. Hopefully bus service is improved even though service levels on the 19 Oakridge route don't justify it, but having a bus end service before 7 PM is quite depressing and annoying. Hopefully service times are extended, a bus connection route is created on Hyde Park Road from Oxford up to Fanshawe Park road, and ridership grows in Oakridge and most of the west end.

[WaterlooInvestor]

By the way Waterloo Investor, thanks for your comments. We really appreciate your animosity. We will be sure to be mocking Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge as much as possible on your SSPs. Obviously, regional cooperation is for you, a terrible thing. Please make sure you alienate our (your) friends in Hamilton, Guelph, Woodstock, Brantford, Oakville, St. Catherines, Barrie, Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton while you are at it.

Actually regional cooperation is a good thing to me.

However GreatTallNorth2 and MolsonExport have already been mocking Waterloo Region in our local section for some time. I'm just "returning the favour", and letting them know if their actions continue from now on I'll continue to "return the favours".

[LondnPlanr]

However GreatTallNorth2 and MolsonExport have already been mocking Waterloo Region in our local section for some time. I'm just "returning the favour", and letting them know if their actions continue from now on I'll continue to "return the favours".

So, if you are acting as the 'police', then I quote Lisa Simpson:

"Who will police the police?"

I have a better idea than bugging us in our forum: How's about taking the high road and ignoring them on your forum? I have nothing to do with them posting in your forum, so why do I have to see your sarcastic retorts?

[ldoto]

Apartment and townhouse construction helped break a slide in London-area housing starts last month.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) said there were 171 homes starts in London-St. Thomas in February, up 20 per cent from the same month last year.

Single-home starts were down 14 per cent to 111 last month.

But that was more than offset by multi-unit starts, including 28 townhouses and a 30-unit affordable-housing apartment building on King Street.

Overall housing starts are down 48 per cent for the first two months of the year compared to 2007.




Housing starts in 2007 were the second-highest since 1990 but there was a significant downturn in the last half of the year.

CMHC market analyst David Lan said nasty weather this winter may have been factor in the slow start this year.

“All this snow has put a damper on things and we will probably see more of this in March. Things will likely pick up again in April,” said Lan

[ldoto]

Photo business focuses on city :tup:

Wed, March 12, 2008

Lifetouch will create 150 jobs in London for its new provincial operations centre.


A national photography business is making London its provincial home.

Lifetouch Canada Inc., which specializes in school photography, opened a provincial administrative office in London last month.

The company plans to establish a provincial operations centre with up to 150 employees within three years, Tracy Noble, operations manager for Lifetouch, said yesterday.

"We think London is a great city, very welcoming and we have good staff there now. It is very promising," said Noble from the firm's Winnipeg head office.

"This is the first phase. We expect to expand and bring in all of our Ontario operations into that centre within the next three years."




Lifetouch has two photo studios in London, one at the University of Western Ontario and the other on Blakie Road.

The company opened an administrative office last month in an 11,000-square-foot space on Bradley Avenue that contains a call centre and sales and administrative offices.

"They felt it was a good, central location," said Glenda James, the real estate broker who sold them the property.

"They are very excited about being in London. What makes this special is this is a new company. That says a lot about our facilities."

Laurie Wallace, manager of the Bradley Avenue location, said Lifetouch did a demographic study of London and other cities when looking at where to locate its new provincial office.

"We found that London was best suited for us," she said. "We ruled out Toronto because of the expenses and the costs."

Lifetouch has been looking for a provincial centre for about one year. London was chosen because of its central location, direct flights to Winnipeg, quality of its workforce and lower housing costs compared with Toronto, officials said.

"We like the stability of the economy here. Toronto is much more transient," Noble said.

At the call centre, customers can call in with questions about picture packages. The accounts receivable office will handle new orders.

The new office employs 34 people. In the fall, the company's peak season, that will climb to about 70.

In the next three years, the administrative function being done at smaller photo studios in other Ontario cities will be shifted to London, and that will mean up to 150 jobs.

"It's a branch office now but will be a centre for all of Ontario," Noble said.

Lifetouch will keep its photo studios in London as well as other cities, she said.

[QuantumLeap]

According to recently released figures, as of March 1, building permits in the city had already reached $199 million, about a third of last year's total. While the numbers are principally due to exciting new institutional growth, as already reported, numbers are also up about 25% for residential permits.

[QuantumLeap]

PS An application for a 140,000 sq ft expansion of McCormick's on Clarke Road is going to Planning on Monday.

[ldoto]

Fri, March 14, 2008



The city of London will learn today that Queen's Park is allocating $14 million to help it fund social programs, The Free Press has learned.

The announcement, under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, brings to $54.6 million the amount London has received during the past four years. It will help to cover welfare, disability support and drug programs.

Attorney General Chris Bentley of London late yesterday confirmed today's announcement and said it's part of the government's plan to help municipalities deal with rising social program costs.

The London grant is part of an $870-million allocation for 393 municipalities for 2008.

Along with plans to return all remaining costs under the Ontario Drug Benefit, and all costs under the Ontario Disability Support Program, Bentley said the grants "will save millions of dollars" for London.




"This is a substantial benefit to the city," the London West Liberal MPP said.

The municipal partnership fund was established a decade ago and until four years ago London received no financial help for reasons Bentley said he could not explain.

"They just excluded London," he said of the former governments of Conservative premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves.

Bentley dismissed a suggestion the funding announcements and this week's promise of a share of provincial government surpluses for municipalities means local governments will see little direct help in Finance Minister Dwight Duncan's March 25 budget.

"I would not make that assumption," he said, stressing, however, he has no idea what the budget contains." "

[ldoto]

:previous:
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuantumLeap
PS An application for a 140,000 sq ft expansion of McCormick's on Clarke Road is going to Planning on Monday. :tup:



November 12, 2007
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
TO AMEND THE ZONING BY-LAW



The purpose and effect of this zoning change is to allow the existing food
processing building to be expanded.

The Municipal Council for the City of London is considering an amendment to the City’s Zoning Bylaw

Z.-1 for the lands shown on the map as attached. The requested change is described below.

We are advising you of this application to invite your comments.
APPLICANT: McCormick Canada Property Co.

LOCATION: 1919 Oxford Street East and 600 Clarke Road

[ldoto]

Downtown business and land owners "enthusiastically" endorsed the latest strategy aimed at repairing London's ailing core.

The owners met privately yesterday to discuss a task force report and plot their next move.

"The enthusiasm to move forward is huge," MainStreet London manager Janette MacDonald said yesterday.

"It validates a lot of what we're already doing and encourages us to take it to the next level. There are some sensitive issues in there (the report) and we'll have to boldly go forward."

Long-term parking and the need for a multi-use parking structure, keeping office jobs downtown and public transit are major "sensitive" issues that will have to be overcome, MacDonald said.



"We need to put our heads together to find solutions," she said. "We absolutely want to have public transit downtown, but we think we need a better operation, a downtown bus terminal that's not at the corner of Richmond Street and Dundas."

London Transit has so far resisted putting a terminal elsewhere in the downtown, which it considers the hub of bus operations from all corners of the city.

"We are not pro-car, but we are pro-people and we want more people coming downtown and living downtown. And we want a strong public transit system," MacDonald said.

MainStreet London and the London Downtown Business Association formed the Downtown Task Force.

Controller Gord Hume led the volunteer committee established to come up with a vision for the core for the next decade.

The task force released its report last month.

Bob Usher, who chairs the London Downtown Business Association, also was pleased with the reaction at yesterday's meeting.

"There was a substantial amount of energy," he said. "We discussed all the issues in the report and now we're planning to come back (at an April 19 meeting) and figure out how we're going to attack these issues in the short, medium and long term."

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

- Get buses off Dundas Street between Wellington and Richmond streets by 2010, eliminate parking there by 2013 and ban daytime traffic by 2018.

- Double the core's current population of 6,000. :D

- Open a grocery store in the core within five years. :cheers:

- Make downtown the greenest in Canada, including planting 100 trees by 2010.

- Offer wireless Internet throughout downtown. :yes:

[QuantumLeap]

London's defence plant is bringing a new vehicle to market, helping it win a national award from a Canadian defence magazine.

The Canadian Defence Review, in a survey released yesterday, has ranked General Dynamics Land Systems Canada as the top defence plant in the country.

Among the reasons for the honour is the "innovation" the plant has shown developing a new, bigger, more heavily armoured armoured vehicle, the LAV-H.

"They have a lot going for them. They are very successful at what they do," said Peter Kitchen, editor-in-chief of the magazine.

"They are real innovators and now they are bringing out a new military vehicle, a new armoured vehicle -- the LAV-H."




The 25-tonne (55,000-pound) vehicle is based on the 17-tonne LAV III infantry carrier, but boasts additional protection from roadside bombs and heavier armour.

"It offers more heavy protection and greater capacity for Canadian forces," said Kitchen. "It is an example that GDLS is not just a branch plant here, it develops new vehicles. It has been around a long time and this exemplifies the innovation you find there."

The magazine was also impressed by GDLS Canada's support for Canadian forces -- it is the supplier for light armoured vehicles now being used by Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Since about 85 per cent of its products are exported to the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Australia, amongst other countries, it also helps boost global trade figures.

"We are honoured. There are other significant defence companies in Canada and it is great that we were chosen," said Ken Yamashita, GDLS Canada spokesperson.

There were 40 other plants contending for the title, among them: CAE, a Canadian manufacturer of flight simulators; L-3 Communications Corp., which makes communications systems for military vehicles; Raytheon, which develops various defence technologies; and Thales, an aerospace firm.

"I like to think this is because of the excellence of our product, our good customer relations and our workforce," said Yamashita.

GDLS Canada employs about 1,800 people in its London plant on Oxford Street.

Last year's No.1-ranked company was General Dynamics Canada in Ottawa, a sister company that makes electronic systems and employs more than 2,000.

Both are divisions of defence giant General Dynamics Corp. headquartered in Falls Church, Va., with annual sales of S$27 billion in 2007.

The magazine has its complete list of top 40 companies on its website: www.CanadianDefenceReview.com.

[london2020]

Does anyone know what the city is planning to do with that terrible Sarnia bridge over the tracks between Wonderland and Hyde Park? I've heard it being referred to as a "heritage" item, but I'd consider it to be absolute abomination. I was half hoping the whole thing would fall apart after that time it got damaged (provided no one got hurt! :))

There is a ton of development going on there and the area will be totally filled in, yet they're leaving that POS there? What's more, as we all know there is a planned apartment building not far from the intersection of Sarnia and Hyde Park.

[MolsonExport]

Yeah, I live about 1 km from that shitty bridge. and cross it from time to time. It is the Marie-Anne de Cicco way: rezone, build, but do not expand the infrastructure.

[QuantumLeap]

Welcome, London2020! Any significance to 2020?

[ldoto]

:previous:
btw Welcome London 2020 to the london Forums!!!!!

This week’s provincial budget could pump an estimated $100 million into London.

Aside from $56 million to rid an East London site of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), at least that much again will flow into the city one way or another.

London’s MPPs conceded today as they highlighted the spending plan by Finance Minister Dwight Duncan that some of the funds come in direct dollops of cash while other money flows less obviously through increased support for health and education, in which London is a leader.

Among the goodies for London:

-$5.82 million to be used by the city as it pleases for repairs to roads and bridges. That’s London’s population-based share of $400 million for municipalities outside Toronto and Hamilton.




-$3.3 million for social housing.

-$7.5 million for research at the University of Western Ontario into bio-energy and alternative-energy sources including biodiesel, biogas and uses of agricultural wastes.

Chris Bentley, MPP for London West, said other benefits will accrue to London with measures like a 10-year tax exemption for businesses that convert ideas into commercial products and jobs and tax credits for digital media in which London is a leader.

There’s also the city’s share of a $355-million program to retrain 20,000 workers, expanded apprenticeships and millions more to renew and expand training facilities at places like Fanshawe College and UWO.

Bentley and colleagues Khalil Ramal (L – London-Fanshawe) and Deb Matthews (L –London-North-Centre) hinted there may be further good news Friday when the province announces $150 million in spending on local infrastructure projects. London has applied for $11 million to speed development of Innovation Park along Veterans’ Memorial Parkway south of Hamilton Road.

Dave Leckie, director of roads and transportation for the city, said council has to decide where the new money for roads and bridges is to be allocated, but he has his personal preference.

“My inclination is very much to put it into the area of the pothole situation,” he said. And that means rehabilitating roads before they age and sprout potholes.

New money for London and elsewhere helps in many ways.

“It is balanced,” Bentley said of the overall spending plan, which continues to avoid provincial deficits.

“We are planning that by 2011 we will have had six balanced budgets in a row for the first time since 1908,” he said.

In that year, the premier was James Whitney, a Conservative. Bentley took issue with a modern Conservative, however — federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty — for meddling in provincial affairs by arguing business taxes should be cut when studies have shown taxes are a small factor when companies decide where to locate.

“It would be helpful for governments at all levels to highlight their strengths publicly and keep their differences private,” Bentley said, noting the worrisome side effect of public spats is a negative impact on investor and public confidence.

[MolsonExport]

good ol' Jim Flatulence

[Ldotbyron]

why doesnt London have its own ssp local?

[london2020]

Thanks for the welcomes guys.

To me the Sarnia bridge is almost comical. If the city won't pay for all of it then the builders should have to chip in. When was that built? The 1800s?

Another thing I was thinking about -- Why hasn't the city set aside any land for the North corridor of the imaginary ring road? They missed their chance to put it between sunningingdale and medway, as that is now all being developed. Arva has also grown somewhat so they'd have to put it all the way out on 8 mile road or something. If they don't do something soon there will never be a ring road!

And did anyone see what's going on with the Demolition at Adelaide and Kipps? They're tearing down most of the horrible three-story walk-ups, and I believe building a second large apartment tower like the new one completed a year ago. I don't necessarily think the density there makes sense, but at least the slums are going bye-bye.

[SlickFranky]

I never really understood the point of the ring road they were planning (if you could call that half-assed attempt "planning"). Apart from allowing trucks to avoid the crowded city streets, why would anyone use this route? Is it so that Summerside residents can more easily access the Fanshawe-Highbury powercenter? Seems to me like it would only promote residential sprawl and commercial decentralization.

As for Kipps-Adelaide, I have mixed feelings there as well. I used to live in one of the transglobe slabs across the street from those low-rises. I would walk through that place to get to the hasty-market all the time. Sure, there were always groups of young hoodlums hanging around, up to no good, but there were also dozens of kids running around playing (moms sitting off to the side chatting).
I don't know what my point was there. As far as density goes, it's not the greatest spot, but you could do a lot worse. At least that place has good bus service (unlike hyde park).

[ldoto]

Call centre to employ 150

Thu, March 27, 2008

The new centre, Transcom, will be on Fullarton Street in London's core.
Email Print Write Size: A A A Share:

Facebook Digg Del.icio.us Google Stumble Upon Furl Newsvine Reddit Technorati Blinklist Feed Me Yahoo Socializer Ma.gnolia Raw Sugar Simpy Squidoo Spurl Blink Bits Rojo Blogmarks Shadows Netvouz Scuttle Co.mments Bloglines Tailrank Sitejot + Help
By NORMAN DE BONO, SUN MEDIA


A new call centre will call downtown London home, adding 150 jobs to the city's core.

Transcom, in an Old Oak Property building on Fullarton Street, will field customer service, billing inquiries, sales and technical support calls for a cable operator.

"Although some people don't get excited about call centre jobs, they use state of the art technology. They are a very well known business," said Peter White, chief executive of the London Economic Development Corp.

Transcom looked at "multiple locations" across North America before deciding on London, he added.

"It speaks very well of the city to win this," he said.




Transcom employees will take technical training and work in the technology and communications field, learning computer and customer-service skills, he added.

"This is excellent training, excellent skills development for young workers," said White.

Transcom has more than 17,300 employees in 73 offices in 29 countries. In Canada, there are 12 centres with London the ninth in Ontario.

Transcom is a member of the Kinnevik Group of companies, a Stockholm-based investment company established in 1936. Its client list includes Aventis, Capital One, Chrysler, IBM, Xerox and Yves Rocher.

"When Transcom decided there was a need to open a new site, we solicited interest from over a dozen communities across North America.

"Applicant flow from London was very strong, right off the mark, and the quality of applicants has been exactly what we're looking for to maintain sustained growth in the area," Bob Milne, corporate communications manager, said.

Transcom has opened a 6,200 square foot office on Fullarton St.

Transcom London office will be able to handle inbound customer service, billing inquiries, sales, and technical support. The company is now looking to hire workers.

"We're looking for candidates with great people skills who are computer literate and able to respond quickly to new situations", said Milne.

[GreatTallNorth2]

I never really understood the point of the ring road they were planning (if you could call that half-assed attempt "planning"). Apart from allowing trucks to avoid the crowded city streets, why would anyone use this route? Is it so that Summerside residents can more easily access the Fanshawe-Highbury powercenter? Seems to me like it would only promote residential sprawl and commercial decentralization.

I am with you in regards to sprawl. I think the point of a ring road is this: if I am traveling from T.O. to London on the 401 and I am heading anywhere in the north of London, I would take the ring road. It bypasses intercity traffic which is growing steadily. By the time they finish the ring road (if they do) there will be much more in city traffic and this road will seem like a much better idea. This road will cost hundreds of millions to complete, if not more and I can't see our city council spending that money. They are just too small minded. We should be putting all our money into transit and building a great transit system.

[MolsonExport]

Some nice London shots at SSP

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=577508

[MolsonExport]

Wal-Mart buys land for 4th London store
Thu, March 27, 2008

Wal-Mart is looking to add a fourth store and build another major commercial plaza in London, buying up a large chunk of land in the city's south end.

The world's largest retailer has partnered with its landlord, SmartCentres, buying 14.5 hectares of property (36 acres) at the southeast corner of Exeter and Wonderland roads for $9.6 million.

It's the second land buy in the area. First Pro Shopping Centres,what SmartCentres used to be called, bought an adjacent 49 hectares (121 acres) in 2004 for $2.1 million.

"They are interested in developing that land, but there is also a lot of other activity going on in the south end," said Deputy Mayor Tom Gosnell, who works as a consultant to developers and advised SmartCentres on the land purchase.
"SmartCentres and Wal-Mart own it and intend to build if they get approval."




The new owners have applied to the city to complete an area study to develop a commercial shopping plaza, but it may be on hold until the city can determine whether it has the sewage capacity to allow development in that area, said city planner John Fleming.

There are several proposed developments for the region and many landowners are looking to build, waiting for the green light from city hall, he added.

"Planning staff recently looked at the southwest area. We are looking at proposals on the table and we have recognized servicing constraints in the area. We are recommending these proposals be put on hold until such time as a comprehensive review of the area is conducted to deal with growth," said Fleming.

The city is expecting a report on the servicing of the southwest area within the next two months, added Gosnell. "Sewage is the big issue now and what capacity is available."

George Kerhoulas, vice-president with Cushman Wakefield LePage commercial realtors, believes "hundreds of acres" of land in the area is ripe for commercial development and the southwest may be the next big area to grow, he said.

"It will be ground zero for future growth for London and services are vital," he said. "The Wonderland south area could be a major commercial node."

Sandra Kaiser, vice-president corporate affairs for SmartCentres, said the developer will start work soon on rezoning the site and confirmed this size of the purchase means it will be likely be a larger development, although a portion of the land is not developable.

"It is a possibility," she said of a large commercial plaza. "Wal-Mart is very interested in this market."

The development will be in the shadow of another major commercial plaza at Wonderland and Southdale roads owned by Southside Group, and its owner Vito Frijia.

In 2005 Frijia announced he and Wal-Mart were close to a deal that would see a store built at his Wonderland and Southdale site, but that never materialized. It is believed Frijia wanted to own the building and lease it to Wal-Mart while the retailer wants to own its own buildings.

Wal-Mart now has stores at White Oaks mall, Argyle mall and in the Hyde Park area.

Yeah, just what I expected, city council is totally in cahoots with the big box sprawl developers. Who gives a shit if inner London looks like shit, or if the Westmount mall completely dies? Just collect money from developers.

[MolsonExport]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Expressway-network-future.png/800px-Expressway-network-future.png

Future freeway map of southwestern ontario? (wikipedia) It shows a ring around london, with Veteran's Memorial Parkway as the eastern N-S expressway, and Westbourne (?) as the wester N-S expressway.

[ldoto]

Wed, April 2, 2008

By JENNIFER O'BRIEN, SUN MEDIA


A surge of immigrants to the London area has helped the visible minority population grow by 30 per cent, a rate higher than the national growth rate of 27 per cent, since 2001, new census results released today. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

With 50,300 visible minorities — about 11.1 per cent of population — the London Census Metropolitan Area still lags behind Canada's national average in which visible minorities make up 16 per cent of the population.

But it could be catching up, an analyst indicated today.

"Thirty per cent is pretty strong growth, higher than the national average," said Jarod Dobson.

The Census Metropolitan Area includes municipalities surrounding London, including Middlesex, Strathroy-Caradoc and St. Thomas.




The city of London is closer to, but still behind, Canada's average with 13.8 per cent of its population identifying themselves as visible minorities.

The census takes its definition of a visible minority from the federal Employment Equity Act, which is "persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour."

Respondents could choose from a list that included Chinese, South Asian (such as people from India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka), black, Filipino, Latin American, Southeast Asian (such as Cambodian, Indonesian or Vietnamese), Arab, West Asian (such as Iranians and Afghans), Korean and Japanese.

[ldoto]

Bank of Canada official declares London's economy diverse

Wed, April 2, 2008


The senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada said London's economy is diverse enough to weather a slump in the manufacturing sector.

Paul Jenkins, a University of Western graduate, is in London today meeting with business leaders, Mayor Anne Marie De Cicco-Best and Western students.

Jenkins told the Chamber of Commerce this morning that global competition is slowly eroding the manufacturing base in the London area.

Manufacturing now accounts for only 14 per cent of jobs in the London are compared to 20 per cent 20 years ago.

But he said the decline has been offset by gains in sectors such finance, transportation and professional services.




"Adjustment is not easy. But London does seem to me to stand out as an example of the importance of having the flexibility to respond and adjust to changing circumstances," said Jenkins.

[london2020]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Expressway-network-future.png/800px-Expressway-network-future.png

Future freeway map of southwestern ontario? (wikipedia) It shows a ring around london, with Veteran's Memorial Parkway as the eastern N-S expressway, and Westbourne (?) as the wester N-S expressway.

The part running along the north is apparently the proposed 403 extension. Unsure how serious this proposal is, but i like the idea.

"A provisional plan supported by local municipalities is to extend Highway 403 westward past Woodstock between London and St. Mary's to terminate at Highway 402 near Strathroy. This project does not currently have the support of the provincial government, however, all planning and development is being performed by the municipalities only. It is expected that a portion of this new route would form part of London's proposed ring road/bypass route. Such an extension would back up the kilometre posts and the exit numbers would have to be revised accordingly if it comes to fruitition." - Wikipedia

[QuantumLeap]

The above map is a pure fiction, a wikipedian's wet dream.

[london2020]

I'm not sure if it's pure fantasy. I found mention of it here as well.

The Northern leg will be the 403 extension, and won't even be within the City of London but rather Middlesex Centre. For this reason, it is expected that the Northern leg will be a provincial project.

source: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19839571-Serious-Large-Pileup-on-Hwy-400-MCI-Incident~start=20

[Koolfire]

The above map is a pure fiction, a wikipedian's wet dream.

Doubt it's a total wet dream as the two Highways to North Bay and Sudbury are being worked on. Might get done in the next 25 years.
417 extension east from Ottawa to North Bay. Well, maybe after the other two or if the Federal Government decides to build a freeway across the country. Wouldn't hold my breath.
The highway in the middle of the Niagara Pennisula is proposed and environmental assessment is being done. It's to help with traffic on QEW.

I know that half of the red line near Hamilton is done. Should be the Red Hill Valley expressway and the rest of the red line should be the expansion path.

The line running parallel to 400 is the 427 extension which is to help with traffic on 400. I think thats at the environmental assessment phase too.

Not all of it makes sense. Like the freeway to Nanticoke. I know there's lot's industry that way, but c'mon.

[QuantumLeap]

Do you really think in 25 years the Province is still going to be building expressways? C'mon yourself. That map above should show all the passenger rail routes in the province.

[ForestryW]

Sure they will be. Ontarians will continue to use cars regardless of how efficient our rail system is, and traffic will inevitably increase. I don't think they'll extend the 403 north of London any time soon (if ever) but I can guarantee they'll be building expressways for a while yet.

[LondnPlanr]

Old East facing new promise

Tue, April 8, 2008

A Toronto company plans to build a 600-unit complex housing as many as 1,500 residents.

By JONATHAN SHER, SUN MEDIA

London's Old East Village may soon be home to the city's most progressively designed residential towers, a showpiece city boosters believe will stand as an example to other developers.

Medallion Developments, a Toronto company, plans to build a 600-unit complex that could add 1,200 to 1,500 residents to a neighbourhood that's worked hard to recover some of its faded glory.

"It's going to propel the revitalization effort . . . We're really on our way now," Sarah Merritt, manager of the village's business improvement area, said yesterday.

It's not just the size of the project that had people buzzing at city hall after officials there unveiled Medallion's plans late yesterday.

Medallion has a track record of revitalizing GTA neighbourhoods with designs of the sort that go beyond basic boxes that have long marked -- some might say scarred -- London's skyline.




"They say this is going to be a flagship development," Merritt said.

City planner John Fleming couldn't contain a smile as he described key design elements Medallion officials say they will incorporate into the design that will take up much of the block between Dundas, King, Hewitt and Lyle streets:

- Two towers will be slender to allow sunshine to reach the streets below and will be different heights -- 24 and 21 storeys -- to avoid monotony.

- The towers will be near the block's centre along with a nine-storey building so their size doesn't dwarf pedestrians.

- Along Dundas, where there are gaps between retail fronts, the complex will fill the holes with commercial uses.

- Along King and Hewitt, the complex will have three-storey townhouses, each front door facing the street, to blend with other buildings.

City staff won't make a recommendation about the development until they review detailed designs later this week, but what they've heard excites them.

"These are the design elements we've been looking for . . . It could be a model for the rest of the city," Fleming said.

That also is the belief of the city's urban designer, Sean Galloway, who's preached the connection between well-designed buildings and thriving neighbourhoods since his arrival six months ago.

"There's been a notion that this can't be done in London, that the city is too small, that it's not economically feasible."

What was needed was a benchmark project of the very sort Medallion is proposing.

"You can refer to urban design in living colour," Galloway said.

With Medallion expected to spend $60 million, the private investment is easily the biggest in the Old East Village.

"It's just as significant as the $100 million of public money for downtown development," said Controller Gord Hume, a member of the business improvement area.

A key lure was council's policy to have taxpayers, not developers, pay to service residential development in the village, he said.

Medallion hopes to get council's go ahead by July.

The project would be the company's second here. It's built the first of what will be three towers at Kipps Lane and Adelaide Street North.


This is terrific news, but I hope that this development will attract, for the lack of a better term, the 'right' type of people to allow for this development to truly help in the revitalization of the area. I've long thought that this little stretch of Dundas could be turned into one of the most hip areas in town with the right amount of residents and a few hip commercial anchor stores (Starbucks, a Record Store, etc.).

Let's hope this pans out as expected!

[MolsonExport]

^good news, but I don't think that record stores, as we know them, have any future, here or outside of London.

Interesting that it will be built in an area that has seen much better days.

http://www.londontopic.ca/article.php?artid=8488

http://www.londontopic.ca/artimages/lg/downtowndev.jpg

development proposal submitted to the City of London by a Toronto-based real estate development company is eyeing a section of the city's Old East Village, and has been hailed as "very exciting," by London's Mayor, and potentially having "a major impact on the revitalization of the Old East Village," said City Controller Gord Hume.

The proposal, submitted by Medallion Developments, a privately-owned real estate development and property management company that's been in operation for 50 years, involves a 600-unit residential building, with the potential of adding 1,000-to 2,000 residents to the area. The building would be built in a block bound by King Street, Dundas Street, Hewitt Street and Lyle Street, said a City of London media release.

"The City has worked diligently on revitalizing this area for many years, so this type of proposal is very exciting," said Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. "This is exactly the type of high quality urban design project that Council has been looking at in other cities such as Vancouver and downtown Toronto."

City officials said the proposal has the potential to add thousands of residents to the area, which in turn could create demand for commercial services, bringing revitalization to the area.

The first step in the process requires a zoning amendment application for the area.

This zoning by-law amendment application will be reviewed by city staff for appropriateness from a land-use planning perspective, said city officials, adding the application will then be subject to a public participation meeting expected to be held this summer, and finally City Council approval.

"This project represents a major investment in the Old East Village that will spark further investment in the area and move the revitalization of the Old East Village ahead," said Sarah Merritt, manager of the Old East Village Business Improvement Area (BIA).

City Council and the Old East Village BIA have worked together on the revitalization of the Old East Village. Council has established a Community Improvement Plan for the area, established an incentive program and created one of the largest heritage conservation districts in Canada.

"By putting feet on the street, this project will have a major impact on the revitalization of the Old East Village, furthering the renaissance that has been underway for some time," said Gord Hume, City Controller and member of the Old East Village BIA board of directors.

Ward 4 Coun. Stephen Orser agreed the development is exciting. "I am looking forward to seeing more of the details of this project."

Past Medallion projects include residential subdivisions and multi-family apartment communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The company's portfolio is comprised of a full spectrum of real estate holdings: from high rise residential buildings to commercial office, retail and industrial properties.

[QuantumLeap]

This is fantastic news for Old East. I wondered why such a big deal was being made of the very small increase in the OE revitalization area at Planning Committtee yesterday, but here is the answer.

As to Molson's question, this is the whole point of revitalization. It is certainly strange that this building is going up when there is a lot more to be done in Old East, but anyone from Toronto can see the enormous potential of the strip. Queen West, King West and Queen East all share amazing similarities with our Dundas East.

[softee]

Doubt it's a total wet dream as the two Highways to North Bay and Sudbury are being worked on. Might get done in the next 25 years.

The new highway to North Bay should be complete within the next 5 years. There is less than 40 km of two lane highway remaining and it is currently in the process of being 4-laned.

[SlickFranky]

Fantastic news for Dundas East! :cheers:

That strip really does have so much potential. Now everyone cross all their fingers and toes...I really hope this actually happens.

I wonder why they haven't really tried to fix the situation there. I say just drop the commercial property tax to 0% for a few years and see what happens. Then again, maybe the plan all along was to allow property values to hit roughly $0 and just wait for a visionary developer to come along and fix the problem for them.
I can already see Decicco and Hume high-fiving each other on another job well done.