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[cc85]

Originally Posted by raggedy13

^Maybe it has something to do with that 50 storey tower somebody mentioned a little while back (was it Volksboi himself?).

no it was me, hahah, ive heard some more confirmation of a block being succesfully purchased for the site. good i guess.

[Volksboi]

Which block? seems like every corner theres a major development

[worldwide]

the old abandoned shack building just down from patterson station has been demolished and a sign is up for a condo development. some guys were building what looked like a wooden stage/platform on the eastern portion of the site.

[East Van]

another height question, the industrial structure in Richmond that just south of the 91 & in between # 8 and 9 road. It sits in the middle of nothing and looks like its way over 300ft, anyone know its actual height ??

[vanman]

Is this what your talking about?


Emporis has Lafarge tower listed at 372ft but I agree it looks way taller.

[SpongeG]

Duck down to make way for bridge

Landmark for more than 90 years reduced to rubble

There will be no more wild times at The Duck.

The Wild Duck Inn, which was a Port Coquitlam landmark for more than 90 years, was torn down Wednesday.

The former watering hole, rest stop and gathering place for Port Coquitlam's blue-collar workers was bought by the Ministry of Transportation from its former owner, local businessman Joe Carhoun, early last year in order to make room for the new Pitt River Bridge.


Going, going, gone: Workers watched as Port Coquitlam’s Wild Duck Inn was torn down Wednesday.

The Wild Duck was slated for demolition last spring, but was given a reprieve until it could be decided what would happen to the heritage site.

Although the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society lobbied council tirelessly to move the building, and even encouraged the city to withhold the demolition permit for the property, the permit was issued in November.

"We're deeply distressed and saddened by it because it was the last commercial (heritage) building," said heritage society director and 47-year PoCo resident Karon Fuson.

"I can never understand why our community is so embarrassed of our blue-collar beginnings. Sometimes I think they're trying to ... make us into something we're not."

Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Mike Farnworth, who lobbied in the legislature to save the Wild Duck, called the demolition "very disappointing."

"I have lived in Port Coquitlam nearly my entire life and the Wild Duck Inn has always been a PoCo landmark," Farnworth, who is on vacation, wrote in an e-mail Thursday. "Every time we lose a heritage site, we are losing part of what makes PoCo a special place to live."

Fuson stresses that The Duck had "overwhelming" historical importance.

"It represented the endurance, survival and evolution of Port Coquitlam as a city and community," she said.

Fuson and fellow society director Wendy Sankey watched and documented the demolition Wednesday.

"I'm feeling very sad about it," Sankey said. "The building did not need to be demolished. It should have been moved and saved for the community to enjoy for years to come."

Sankey places the blame for the demolition squarely on the city: "It all came down to our municipal government: their lack of respect for our historic buildings, their nearsightedness, their lack of creativity.

"That building never, ever should have been knocked down."

- To share your Duck stories or donate Wild Duck memorabilia to the heritage society, call Fuson at 604-941-6563 or Sankey at 604-464-7236.

http://www.canada.com/coquitlamnow/news/story.html?id=54f7f522-9a22-4788-8f7d-36fe6f0cce72

The Duck, 1913-2008: RIP

The pub was the first casualty.

Wood and debris from it was piled high in the dirt to allow the excavator to reach the second and third storeys.

Its shovel then climbed the outside wall and tore down the roof and the top-floor rooms, some still filled with beds and mattresses, microwaves, tables and TVs, and pictures hanging on the walls.

Over the next 10 hours, crews picked apart the Wild Duck Inn, the 96-year-old Port Coquitlam landmark that housed CP Rail workers during the First World War. Later, it became a popular watering hole and eventually gained its wild reputation as a biker bar and strip joint.

But Wednesday’s demolition, although expected, shook many residents, some of whom raced to the site to record its demise.

“It’s a shame, really,” said marina manager Nick Colbeck, who witnessed the wreckage in disbelief with neighbours Gloria Ignace and Stephen Greenall.

Greenall was in the driver’s seat of his motor home, a camera perched outside his window that was wired to a laptop computer, taping the action frame by frame.

“I’ve seen a lot of good parties here,” he said. “It’s sad to see it go.”

Across the work yard, on the Pitt River bridge ramp, were PoCo Heritage and Cultural Society directors Karon Fuson and Wendy Sankey, who rallied the provincial government and city hall to save the Duck and move it to city-owned land. Their pleas fell on deaf ears.

The Duck, they said, was the last physical testament to the city’s past.

“To the newcomer, the Wild Duck Inn might not have seemed so significant but, to the old-timers like myself, the building was an inherent part of our culture,” Fuson said.

Sankey pointed the finger at city hall for sealing the Duck’s fate.

“Like Aggie Hall,” she said, referring to the old agricultural hall that once stood in Aggie Park and was torn down on city council’s orders, “the Wild Duck Inn represented Port Coquitlam’s past, culture and community spirit.

“A grand ‘lady’ was levelled today.”

Requests for comment on the demolition from Mayor Scott Young and city hall were not returned. Ironically, Young directed the city’s planning committee last month to come up with guidelines for heritage preservation in PoCo.

Tamara Little, a spokesperson with B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Highways, which bought the Duck from owner Joe Carhoun and removed it to make way for the new seven-lane Pitt River Bridge that is part of the Gateway Program, said the demolition and asbestos removal cost B.C. taxpayers about $300,000.

And Cameron Desautels, foreman with 3R-Demolition, said the Burnaby-based company will now sort through the salvageable materials: metal will be sent to a scrap yard and the old timbers will be recycled, although many are rotten.

As for the two-month asbestos clean-up that delayed the demolition, he said, “It was just slow work and we had to do it carefully. You don’t know how much asbestos is in an old building like that when you start.”

Meanwhile, the PoCo Heritage Society is compiling a DVD on the history of the Duck. Residents are asked to submit their stories to [email protected]. Donations of Duck memorabilia are also being sought for the society’s museum on Mary Hill Road. Call 604-927-2388.

[IMG]http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/320*194/te0111-Duck-Inn-demolition-1c.jpg[/IMG]
An excavator tears down the 96-year-old Wild Duck Inn Wednesday morning. The Port Coquitlam landmark was substantially flattened in about 10 hours to make way for the new Pitt River Bridge.
Colleen Flanagan/The Tri-City News

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/13688577.html

[SpongeG]

Overpass deal is done

Port Coquitlam city council sealed the deal with a major Canadian construction firm this week for the Coast Meridian Overpass.

At a special meeting Monday, city council officially awarded the $94.5-million design-build contract to SNC-Lavalin Constructors Pacific Inc.

“It’s hard to believe we’re here,” Coun. Darrell Penner said. “This has been a long process... Let’s get rolling.”

SNC’s price is final and is based on labour, materials and other costs. The company is proposing a 580-metre long cable-stayed overpass that will carry drivers over the CP Rail yard in less than a minute. Construction on the biggest public works project in PoCo’s history is due to start this winter and end in late 2009.

The city is now expropriating parts of 10 residential lots around Coast Meridian Road at Lougheed Highway before it formally executes the contract next Tuesday (a SNC spokesperson declined comment until the papers were signed).

To date, PoCo city hall has bought 10 whole residential properties for the project plus 31 partial lots. Portions of commercial/industrial land from the PoCo Best Western Inn, Tim Horton’s and Surrey Cedar have also been snapped up.

On the south side, at Broadway Street and Kingsway Avenue, the city expects to formalize negotiations with the Beedie Group for its vacant land at 1711 Kingsway by the end of the week, said Igor Zahynacz, PoCo’s director of engineering and operations. As well, the city needs to buy 10 partial properties in that area by July 1 and a right-of-way from BC Transmission Corp. by Jan. 1, 2009.

As for environmental compensation because of habitat and riparian loss from Lougheed Highway ditches, the city plans to upgrade Brown Creek, Zahynacz said, and, as part of its land sale, the Beedie Group will clean up its contaminated land when the weather improves.

Besides the contract award, city council also granted final reading Monday to a loan bylaw to borrow up to $25 million from the Municipal Finance Authority at a rate of 5% — a move that would shake PoCo from its long-standing debt-free status.

Richard Wells, PoCo’s acting corporate director, said the city anticipates to borrow $6.2 million, or 4.7% of the total project costs, but more funds may be needed due to grant delays and land purchases. The rest of the funding will come from TransLink ($62 million); the provincial government ($3 million); city reserves ($33.6 million); and development cost charges ($27.2 million). In addition, PoCo home and business owners will face a 1.2% property tax hike — on top of any other increases — for each of the next two years, which Wells said will repay 70% of the money the city is borrowing from its own reserves.

Zahynacz told council the city shaved nearly $1 million off SNC’s bid because of contract scope changes. Still, another $560,174 to $810,174 was later added to the bill because of property negotiations and the ramp realignment through the Beedie property.

The “net savings” — which are expected to be finalized today (Wednesday) with SNC — will amount to between $129,326 to $379,326, Zahynacz said.

As a result, the contract costs “might be somewhat less” than anticipated, he said.

[IMG]http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/320*295/---CMO-design-concept.jpg[/IMG]
An artist's rendering of the proposed Coast Meridian Overpass, spanning the CP Rail yard.
COURTESY OF CITY OF POCO

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/13545152.html

[SpongeG]

On hold awaiting TransLink decision, dev’t moves ahead

A major transportation improvement in Port Moody means a developer hoping to build 23 townhouses has a decent shot at getting city approval.

Last November, PoMo council voted to wait for a decision by TransLink regarding the Murray-Clarke Connector before giving third reading to a rezoning bylaw that would allow for a townhouse development at 3355, 3365 and 3375 Dewdney Trunk Rd.

The land is currently zoned for single-family residential use.

But following TransLink’s decision last month to spend $46 million for design and construction of the connector, PoMo council voted unanimously to let the application proceed through third reading Tuesday.

Mayor Joe Trasolini, who said he has been voting against new developments since last March because of inadequate support for transportation infrastructure, changed his tune with the new year.

“I think that the funding... on the table for the Murray-Clarke Connector and the process being underway tells me that we have gone a long way in at least resolving one major issue of transportation in this very narrow corridor,” he said. “I am confident that with the Murray-Clarke Connector, we are one our way in resolving some of the more prominent transportation issues in the northeast sector.”

At a public hearing, two residents of the area near the proposed development supported the application by Mohammed Nassiri of Fon Construction, saying the current empty lots are drawing vagrants and vandals who damage the fences and dump trash.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/13688597.html

[SpongeG]

http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/320*295/---CMO-design-concept.jpg

A second public hearing slated for Monday on a controversial highrise proposal has been postponed.

City council was expected to hear about Onni’s development for a new 26-storey residential tower on Shaughnessy Street next to Lions Park; however, due to a technical concern with the way the bylaw was drafted, the public hearing was postponed to a later date.

The concern was noted when city staff was preparing the covenant for the bonus density implementation. There are no changes to the development itself, said city planner Laura Lee Richard.

Other PoCo news:

NOW HEAR THIS

A Port Coquitlam city councillor wants residents to help shape the community’s future by getting more involved in the way the city spends taxpayers’ money.

Coun. Greg Moore is asking residents to visit www.gregmoore.ca and give feedback on the city’s priorities for this year’s financial plan.

In his survey, Moore asks eight general questions about the city’s identity, homelessness, the height of future highrises, service levels and municipal property taxes.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/13688627.html

[jlousa]

the Aberdeen expansion is in the works, for some reason I pictured it as taller the 8 stories, anyways here are the details.

Richmond, Greater Vancouver RD BC WORKING DRAWINGS
Aberdeen Station Lands, 4000 No 3 Rd, V6X 2C1
$30,000,000 est
Start: April, 2008 Complete: April, 2009
Note: Currently in Working Drawings. Site preload is underway. The Owner is negotiating with several General Contractors. The General Contractor award will be announced March/08. Construction start is scheduled for Spring/08. Further update March/08.
Project: cast-in-place concrete structural frame, steam/hot water heating system, proposed addn to an existing hotel/retail centre. Scope of the work includes an eight storey addn to the existing Aberdeen Centre. Three storeys will be retail, five storeys will be hotel space containing 150 rooms.
Scope: 22,374 m²; 8 storeys; 150 units

[vanman]

Some new condo towers going up in Burnaby and NW:

InterUrban
776 Columbia st NW
19 floors
condos+groundfloor retail
http://interurbanliving.ca/index.htm



Jewel
Beresford and Wilson Bby (next to Patterson station)
28 floors
condos+townhouses
http://www.jewelhomes.ca/

[officedweller]

Thanks. Jewel must be on the site of that hall/warehouse building that was torn down.

[vanman]

^Ya I'm pretty sure that's the same site. It also looks from the render that there will be a shorter tower in a second phase of the project, although the current website makes no mention of it.

[officedweller]

Pic (seems rather towers in the park-ish):
http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/320*260/GUILFORD_TOWERS___BIRDS_EYE_VIEW_080118.jpg

Trio of highrises proposed for Guildford
By Jennifer Lang - Surrey North Delta Leader - January 18, 2008

A proposal to construct the tallest towers in Guildford is heading to a public hearing at city hall at the end of the month.

Giffels Management Ltd. wants to construct three residential towers ranging from 27 to 35 storeys tall, making them the highest buildings in Guildford. The towers would add 637 new residential units to the area.

The proposal, which passed first and second readings, heads to a public hearing Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at Surrey City Hall.

The project contains a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as some four-bedroom units. The site, owned by Cartier Developments Ltd., includes three parcels of land, at 14970 and 14975 101A Ave., and 10160-149 St.

The applicant is seeking approval to increase density beyond what’s outlined in the Official Community Plan.

“It’s a form of development that I think we’re hoping for in the town centres,” Coun. Bob Bose said.

The project meets the city’s goals of higher-density development in town centres, an approach that’s transforming Whalley, where several towers are planned or have already been constructed.

Bose said Guildford has the same potential.

“There has not been a lot of interest in Guildford, until now,” Bose said. “It’s rather a sleepy hollow up there.”

He predicts that’s about to change. The province plans to extend SkyTrain east along 104 Avenue to Guildford, before turning south and east to Langley. Faster bus options are also promised.

That’s partly why Bose isn’t concerned about the 1,000-plus vehicles the new towers could bring. However, Bose does worry the school district has low-balled its estimate on new students.

The Surrey School District says the development would bring 22 new students to local schools, 16 for Bonarcord Elementary and six for Johnston Heights Secondary.

“I just don’t think this is realistic,” Bose said.

If the project is approved, construction of the 27-storey tower could begin this year, with the 32- and 35-storey towers completed within the next five years.

[officedweller]

Pic:
http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/320*228/TrappBlock_080119.jpg

Developer buys up Downtown properties
By Michael McQuillan - Burnaby NewsLeader - January 18, 2008

The developer who owns the Trapp Block has big plans for Columbia Street.

The Saliant Group, is purchasing the two properties adjacent to the six-storey Trapp Block to build a mixed-use building.

The development would include a 170-foot residential building with commercial space at ground level. The Vancouver developer wants to add another 10 or more storeys to the Trapp Block building while preserving the facade of the structure.

The 139,000 square feet of residential space would accommodate 166 housing units with 8,700 square feet for commercial use.

The project consolidates the Trapp Block, the Windjammer Hotel—both originally built in 1899—and two properties to the west that include the Army and Navy Annex.

The developer’s plan goes before New Westminster city council Monday as a preliminary application. It will require rezoning because the proposed building does not meet the conditions of the neighbourhood’s zoned use. For one, it exceeds the 100-foot height restriction.

But that is not without precedent. The Interurban project was granted a height variance to build to 170 feet.

Saliant is also applying for less setback on the Front Street side, for a 177-space parking garage and a change to the allowable floor space ratio.

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by jlousa

the Aberdeen expansion is in the works, for some reason I pictured it as taller the 8 stories, anyways here are the details.

Richmond, Greater Vancouver RD BC WORKING DRAWINGS
Aberdeen Station Lands, 4000 No 3 Rd, V6X 2C1
$30,000,000 est
Start: April, 2008 Complete: April, 2009
Note: Currently in Working Drawings. Site preload is underway. The Owner is negotiating with several General Contractors. The General Contractor award will be announced March/08. Construction start is scheduled for Spring/08. Further update March/08.
Project: cast-in-place concrete structural frame, steam/hot water heating system, proposed addn to an existing hotel/retail centre. Scope of the work includes an eight storey addn to the existing Aberdeen Centre. Three storeys will be retail, five storeys will be hotel space containing 150 rooms.
Scope: 22,374 m²; 8 storeys; 150 units

I am very impressed with this project. It should turn a lot of heads when the final design comes out, if it hasn't already.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by vanman

Some new condo towers going up in Burnaby and NW:

InterUrban
776 Columbia st NW
19 floors
condos+groundfloor retail
http://interurbanliving.ca/index.htm



Jewel
Beresford and Wilson Bby (next to Patterson station)
28 floors
condos+townhouses
http://www.jewelhomes.ca/

about time Patterson got some development going

I can't place that one in new west...

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I can't place that one in new west...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&ti...10501&spn=0.00476,0.012671&t=h&z=17&om=0

[98fb]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pic (seems rather towers in the park-ish):
http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/320*260/GUILFORD_TOWERS___BIRDS_EYE_VIEW_080118.jpg

Trio of highrises proposed for Guildford
By Jennifer Lang - Surrey North Delta Leader - January 18, 2008

A proposal to construct the tallest towers in Guildford is heading to a public hearing at city hall at the end of the month.

Giffels Management Ltd. wants to construct three residential towers ranging from 27 to 35 storeys tall, making them the highest buildings in Guildford. The towers would add 637 new residential units to the area.

The proposal, which passed first and second readings, heads to a public hearing Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at Surrey City Hall.

The project contains a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as some four-bedroom units. The site, owned by Cartier Developments Ltd., includes three parcels of land, at 14970 and 14975 101A Ave., and 10160-149 St.

The applicant is seeking approval to increase density beyond what’s outlined in the Official Community Plan.

“It’s a form of development that I think we’re hoping for in the town centres,” Coun. Bob Bose said.

The project meets the city’s goals of higher-density development in town centres, an approach that’s transforming Whalley, where several towers are planned or have already been constructed.

Bose said Guildford has the same potential.

“There has not been a lot of interest in Guildford, until now,” Bose said. “It’s rather a sleepy hollow up there.”

He predicts that’s about to change. The province plans to extend SkyTrain east along 104 Avenue to Guildford, before turning south and east to Langley. Faster bus options are also promised.

That’s partly why Bose isn’t concerned about the 1,000-plus vehicles the new towers could bring. However, Bose does worry the school district has low-balled its estimate on new students.

The Surrey School District says the development would bring 22 new students to local schools, 16 for Bonarcord Elementary and six for Johnston Heights Secondary.

“I just don’t think this is realistic,” Bose said.

If the project is approved, construction of the 27-storey tower could begin this year, with the 32- and 35-storey towers completed within the next five years.

Awesome, should change guildfords skyline a lot.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&ti...10501&spn=0.00476,0.012671&t=h&z=17&om=0

d'oh forgot google

ah i see now - i was thinking further north