Regina Construction III

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

At the very least, get rid of the tree boxes, since most have sat empty for years... I think it's safe to say they won't be replaced (which is sad, but...). Leaving the boxes as-is creates a tripping hazard/CoR liability, and is an eyesore. Fill'em in with paving stones or concrete.

No, No, No! Never get rid of the tree boxes. Fix them and replace the trees. This is even more important than a pretty sidewalk to me. Trees are a generational investment with countless benefits.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by Stormer

No, No, No! Never get rid of the tree boxes. Fix them and replace the trees. This is even more important than a pretty sidewalk to me. Trees are a generational investment with countless benefits.

I agree - downtowns with trees can happen, and are leaps & bounds better than DTs without (which Regina effectively is right now - except for a few small pockets, and Victoria Park).

However, the City seems to regard downtown trees as an annual consumable. The City spends virtually no time/energy tending to the trees (other than Vic Park & Vic Ave).

I can count dozens of these boxes that have been empty (expect weeds - which often grow as high as a nice shrub) for years & years.

To the City's credit (kinda), I don't think these boxes were designed to support the root system of a tree beyond a couple years - so until proper investment is made to permit these trees to grow (both fixing up the boxes, and committing horticulturalists to advise on proper maintenance, watering, pruning, etc), putting new trees in is just throwing good money after bad.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

I agree - downtowns with trees can happen, and are leaps & bounds better than DTs without (which Regina effectively is right now - except for a few small pockets, and Victoria Park).

However, the City seems to regard downtown trees as an annual consumable. The City spends virtually no time/energy tending to the trees (other than Vic Park & Vic Ave).

I can count dozens of these boxes that have been empty (expect weeds - which often grow as high as a nice shrub) for years & years.

To the City's credit (kinda), I don't think these boxes were designed to support the root system of a tree beyond a couple years - so until proper investment is made to permit these trees to grow (both fixing up the boxes, and committing horticulturalists to advise on proper maintenance, watering, pruning, etc), putting new trees in is just throwing good money after bad.

However... there have been some decent trees grown in these crappy boxes over the years, but after about 20-30 years they seem to die off as the soil/water conditions are not sufficient as you have stated. The City does have a plan to re-do sidewalks DT (slowly) which includes soil cells for tree roots. They did this on part of Lorne and the trees look very healthy so far. As well all new buildings must have soil cells for the trees. Mosaic tower has them and I am sure Ag Place and Albert and 11th will as well.

Lorne:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.449436,-1...1!3m2!1so3-Ii-HmSheshfS6FEbYmg!2e0?hl=en

[Stormer]

NC Shared Facility


@braceSamanda CBC

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by Stormer

However... there have been some decent trees grown in these crappy boxes over the years, but after about 20-30 years they seem to die off as the soil/water conditions are not sufficient as you have stated. The City does have a plan to re-do sidewalks DT (slowly) which includes soil cells for tree roots. They did this on part of Lorne and the trees look very healthy so far. As well all new buildings must have soil cells for the trees. Mosaic tower has them and I am sure Ag Place and Albert and 11th will as well.

Lorne:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.449436,-1...1!3m2!1so3-Ii-HmSheshfS6FEbYmg!2e0?hl=en

I hadn't looked at the plans, but now that you mention it, I did notice how nice the trees on Lorne are set up. I walk from Sask to 11th on Rose every day, and the tree boxes on that stretch just drive me nuts... not necessarily reflective of the entire DT, nor of the City's plan/requirements.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

I hadn't looked at the plans, but now that you mention it, I did notice how nice the trees on Lorne are set up. I walk from Sask to 11th on Rose every day, and the tree boxes on that stretch just drive me nuts... not necessarily reflective of the entire DT, nor of the City's plan/requirements.

I hate that street too. There's plenty of jagged stumps on Hamilton too. I'm okay if they aren't going to plant new trees, but don't leave hazards for people to find underneath the snow. I'm with Drofmab and fill them in if you aren't going to do something about them in the next three months.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I hate that street too. There's plenty of jagged stumps on Hamilton too. I'm okay if they aren't going to plant new trees, but don't leave hazards for people to find underneath the snow. I'm with Drofmab and fill them in if you aren't going to do something about them in the next three months.

I'm not sure the mechanism used in other cities, but often the property owner is responsible right to the curb all around their building... some might view this as a burden, but it's also a great opportunity to extend your company/hotel's street presence.

For example, the sidewalks on the Rose & Hamilton sides of the Delta aren't aesthetically pleasing... no trees, benches, planters, etc. I bet if the conditions were right, the Delta would agree to assume responsibility for the space between their building an the roadway - adding planters, benches, maybe even fixing the sidewalk.

As it sits, the Delta may wish to do something to improve the sidewalks & curb appeal around their building, but it's not their property, and they would likely run into resistance from the City if they tried to do something. I think this is unfortunate.

Other cities (Ottawa, Toronto & Vancouver jump to mind) clearly have something worked out with downtown landowners (beyond simply ensuring the sidewalk is shoveled in the winter)... I bet if we put on our creativity hat, we could come up with something here that would improve the look of downtown, decrease efforts & direct costs borne by the City (even if it were a tax offset in recognition of the landowner defraying the City's costs by assuming a role in sidewalk/curb work), and potentially make landowners happier. Of course, there'd still need some standards, so they don't impede pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk; or create a real hazard - but this isn't insurmountable.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

I'm not sure the mechanism used in other cities, but often the property owner is responsible right to the curb all around their building... some might view this as a burden, but it's also a great opportunity to extend your company/hotel's street presence.

For example, the sidewalks on the Rose & Hamilton sides of the Delta aren't aesthetically pleasing... no trees, benches, planters, etc. I bet if the conditions were right, the Delta would agree to assume responsibility for the space between their building an the roadway - adding planters, benches, maybe even fixing the sidewalk.

As it sits, the Delta may wish to do something to improve the sidewalks & curb appeal around their building, but it's not their property, and they would likely run into resistance from the City if they tried to do something. I think this is unfortunate.

Other cities (Ottawa, Toronto & Vancouver jump to mind) clearly have something worked out with downtown landowners (beyond simply ensuring the sidewalk is shoveled in the winter)... I bet if we put on our creativity hat, we could come up with something here that would improve the look of downtown, decrease efforts & direct costs borne by the City (even if it were a tax offset in recognition of the landowner defraying the City's costs by assuming a role in sidewalk/curb work), and potentially make landowners happier. Of course, there'd still need some standards, so they don't impede pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk; or create a real hazard - but this isn't insurmountable.

I always assumed it was the city's responsibility, firstly. I know in Saskatoon, in residential areas, the city owns a certain portion of everyone's front lawn if I am not mistaken. I worked for the parks dept. at one point and after a big storm we had to collect and prune branches from any trees that lay a certain distance into people's front lawn.

[Devon]

But then again, it's up to the homeowner and business owner to take care of the sidewalk during winter, so?

[Udon'tknow]

Rider fans getting say on new stadium's seating



http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/footbal...tting+Regina+stadium/10979415/story.html

credit: LP

[Udon'tknow]

Originally Posted by Stormer

NC Shared Facility


@braceSamanda CBC

Here's the story from the LP:



http://www.leaderpost.com/news/North+Central+Shared+Facility+gets+name/10982298/story.html

[thefourthtower]

http://cjme.com/story/hotel-construction-restarted-after-fire-northwest-regina/548975

Hotel construction restarted after fire in northwest Regina
Reported by Alex Docking

First Posted: Apr 17, 2015 3:57pm | Last Updated: Apr 17, 2015 4:01pm

This hotel project in Regina is rising like a phoenix from the ashes.

People driving on north Pasqua Street near Regina's northwest edge have been noticing the re-born Comfort Suites Hotel at the corner with Diefenbaker Drive. The hotel project was well under way when fire destroyed it a year ago.

"She was a complete loss. We went right down to underground sewage, replaced it all right from scratch," says Adam Gartner with Clark Builders, the project coordinator.

The construction workers -- 60 strong -- worked under tarps all winter, but not any longer.

"The day we started pulling those tarps down it really showed what all the work was for," said Gartner.

[Scruff Bucket]

Just a couple of quick progress shots I took with my iPhone on Thursday evening (sorry for the shadows, I don't see the light of day too much!):

Looks like Four Points by Sheraton near Albert St., on Dewdney Ave. has its signage up and somewhat functioning. Anyone know if they're close to opening?
Let's hope for the sake of the hotel patrons, that billboard doesn't become a bright, video board!


The (new) Keg also has some signage up.

[brithgob]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Looks like Four Points by Sheraton near Albert St., on Dewdney Ave. has its signage up and somewhat functioning. Anyone know if they're close to opening?

June 18th, it sez here:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints...ndex.html?propertyID=3615&language=en_US

[brithgob]

Oh, and what a Bing Maps fail! The map on their site puts it on Dewdney EAST (which places the hotel in Glencairn) instead of Dewdney.

[UrbanClimate]

As new Mosaic Stadium rises, it will be interesting to see how it adds to the Regina skyline.

View from the 11th Avenue pedway downtown:


From Wascana Mountain:


From west of the Airport:

[Devon]

Really cool. I think it adds just enough!

[Stormer]

And remember the (glowing) roof will rise above what you see there now.

[thefourthtower]

all I can say is that it will be one the most beautiful recognized buildings in the province

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Stormer

And remember the (glowing) roof will rise above what you see there now.

The degree to which is glows has yet to be decided... I'm hoping it looks at least as good as that vision image though.