Quote:
Originally Posted by Coldrsx
It's that time of the year again everyone.... where we list our top 5 'if only we did this our downtown would be so much better': (in no particular order)
1. Plant more cherry blossom trees and those purple bushes. They give such a welcome reprieve from the harshness of the concrete jungle and take attention away from other blights. Make a deal with a sister city in Japan, get 1000 of them put here on entrance routes, key areas, and places needing some 'color'.
2. BP's lands - simply put the key to our core IMO. It is such a donut hole disconnect for the downtown and truly is a barrier both visually and mentally. Bp's can stay for now... but we truly need a rather unique mixed use development there on the other 3/4 of the property with office space, educational space, residential, and retail... designed in an open manner so as to perhaps create a focal point that invites people on jasper avenue into it. Another 1000 people living there with say another 2000 working would truly be the 1st real step in connecting the downtown and its various microareas.
3. Arena/hotel/casino/entertainment centre - nuff said
4. Rice Howard Way revival... move over CCR make room for RHWR. Take this opportunity to make a truly special area of the core. Whether that means limiting cars more or putting some more interesting/viable businesses in there, do it... do it now... and let's make it a focal point of the city versus a mediocre hit and miss cross-hair of the core.
5. Norquest expansion - We have seen the plans... let's pray funding can be obtained for their new north building which will not only fill another ugly parking lot but bring in more people of all varieties to the core. Fast track their 3rd and 4th expansion plans so that entire block is revived with some public interaction areas/services and create another node for the downtown to expand out from.
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What's CCR and Rice Howard Way R?
Anyways
1. More retail on Jasper Avenue. We've seen many restaurants, pubs, and bars pop up on the strip, but now we need some retail. Audreys Books, Wener's Shoes, Sobeys, and various bridal shops are a good start but we need more. More clothing stores, more furniture shops, more quirky gift shops, more souviner shops, more beauty shops, more gallery and art shops, etc. It will bring in a sheer amount of crowds to Jasper Avenue that will be the final step to getting an adequate pedestrian traffic day long.
2. 104th street to develop north of 102 ave. 104th st south of 102 has gone on nicely (although somethings could be better), but what about north? Tons of potential. Bring in some festivals to the area, develop the Urbia lot for something that will turn ICON into shame. Add more shops and perhaps a rooftop patio on one of the warehouses. It could be a cool little strip. "Warehouse chic."
3. BP Land's revitalization. Like Cold said, key to revitalization. Some retail along Jasper to compliment BPs, some small offices and studios, and then high rise condos. Maybe a promenade or courtyard in it to bring in some serene calmness right off a major arterial road. Works nicely with Alex. Circle in Glenora.
4. More public art. We have some nice public art, but more, and funkier. Please. It really makes the visuals nicer for the downtown, and really are eye catchers and just really make the place look more beautiful.
5. Street car or urban low floor LRT network. These really add to the urban fabric and will encourage transit usage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by noodlenoodle
There's also a Subway in Scotia Place and another in the Allstream tower (or whatever it's called now. Kitty corner SW from Sutton Place)
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Woah jeez that is even worse. They definitely don't need to be expanding in the DT anymore. Enough Starbuck's, Cash stores, and subways please.
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