Edmonton Construction 9 (2008-08)

[tallisgood]

Originally Posted by Airboy

I find Vancouver tougher to move around, but hope that will change as the public transit expanse. There is a noticeable bigotry with respect to where a person lives that I don't see as much in Edmonton.

I think the city needs to give North Edmonton some love pretty soon (and I mean more than a giant baseball bat), or this sort of thing will happen here, too. In ten years I fear the North Side could resemble a demilitarized zone between downtown and St Albert. Someone's previously posted idea about using some airport lands to connect the North to downtown using BOTH LRT AND a new road link would be a good start.

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by tallisgood

I think the city needs to give North Edmonton some love pretty soon (and I mean more than a giant baseball bat), or this sort of thing will happen here, too. In ten years I fear the North Side could resemble a demilitarized zone between downtown and St Albert. Someone's previously posted idea about using some airport lands to connect the North to downtown using BOTH LRT AND a new road link would be a good start.

I've been impressed with the changes to the North Town Mall area of late. As well the 118th ave is starting to show signs of renewed life.

The 111th ave area west of Commonwealth though is our bombed out neighbourhood.

So we probably won't have that demilitarized zone.

Well maybe the Quarters. Until something gets started there.

[Kevin_foster]

Originally Posted by ExcaliburKid

This is a little O.T. but this is good to see. Can never get enough summer festivals and hopefully this baby can grow!

New Edmonton music fest draws top rock acts

By Sandra Sperounes, edmontonjournal.comJuly 13, 2009 1:15

EDMONTON — Two of Canada’s top rock acts, Billy Talent and Alexisonfire, will headline Edmonton’s newest music festival.

Sonic Boom will explode Saturday, Sept. 5 at Northlands Grounds — on the same site as Capital Ex’s Ed Fest.

The one-day, modern-rock fest will also feature electro-popsters Metric, Scottish dance-rockers Franz Ferdinand, mash-up DJ Girl Talk, and local indie-rockers, The Wet Secrets.

Actor Jason Mewes, who stars in many of Kevin Smith’s films, will emcee the event.

General admission tickets are $69.50, V.I.P. passes are $102.90 plus service charges. On sale: Friday, July 17 at Ticketmaster.

For more details, log on to unionevents.com.

[email protected]

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Edmonton+music+fest+draws+rock+acts/1786714/story.html

Interesting. Not my type of music; but I know they are big(ger) names... good on the organizers!!!

[rapid_business]

/\ yeah, on second though, it will be full of so many pre-pubescent little punks... One reason I prefer to go to licensed shows. (it keeps the young punks out...)

[ue]

Originally Posted by Airboy

I've been impressed with the changes to the North Town Mall area of late. As well the 118th ave is starting to show signs of renewed life.

The 111th ave area west of Commonwealth though is our bombed out neighbourhood.

So we probably won't have that demilitarized zone.

Well maybe the Quarters. Until something gets started there.

Something should get started (um valleyview) when the recession ends.

[0773|=\]

Originally Posted by onishenko

/\ yeah, on second though, it will be full of so many pre-pubescent little punks... One reason I prefer to go to licensed shows. (it keeps the young punks out...)

I'm waiting for Edmonton to start up something like Sled Island.

[0773|=\]

Originally Posted by edmontonenthusiast

Yeah I know, but could we really fit all that in the Rossdale EPCOR Power Plant? That's why I assumed you just meant market, although would be cool there, I think it would be too much, as we have the City Market and the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market nearby.

I'm not so pessimistic. Have you ever been to The Forks in Winnipeg? Same kind of idea, a mixed-use area, roughly the same size as the Rossdale Lands. A little historical walk through the surrounding park, an iconic bridge (with a restaurant on the middle of it!), a lively marketplace for local goods, skateboard park, ice-skating in the winter, and coffee shops/bars dotted throughout the area as well. Google it. You'll be impressed.

Edmonton could do exactly the same thing and it would be a success. That's why I think we can do more. It's a very similar size of land and centrally located. The Rossdale plant could make a very cool indoor market to be used all year, not just in the summertime.

[ue]

^I went to a few parts like the Esplanade but unfortunately when I was in Winnipeg last I missed it. But I know what you mean.

[Daveography]

Whew, finally caught up on two weeks of this thread that I missed.

Interesting comments and observations on Vancouver considering that's where I just was for the last two weeks.

Here's a few of mine, not neccessarily in the most cohesive order.

I was there last fall with my fiancee, too; at that time we flew and stayed downtown and did most of our visiting downtown, walking just about everywhere. That was a great experience and it's amazing how much is within walking distance on the peninsula (and just off of it - Granville Island).

This time we drove there and around most of where we wanted to go, and while we got to see quite a bit more of the city and region, the driving was a frustrating experience. We stayed in North Van with relatives, and while it was convenient to hop on the SeaBus to go downtown or to hitch the SkyTrain, whenever we had to drive downtown it was a nightmare. There is no good way to get downtown from North Van by vehicle, and parking costs were exorbitant.

On the other hand, I love how Vancouver and surrounding cities aren't just one big city, but made up of so many smaller communities, each with their own unique identity, but somehow still very "Vancouver."

Observations about the midrises is spot-on. Some of the most attractive and interactive buildings are simple 4-6 story midrises that use simple designs, lots of brick and glass, but sometimes making creative use of wood and even stucco (yes, it can be used well).

Yaletown around Hamilton street is simply an amazing experience to walk, dine, and drink. While the glassy towers of the surrounding neighborhood may be monotonous, just about every single one of them blows away anything built here (with just a few exceptions).

Commercial Drive was pretty neat, but not that different from our own Whyte Ave, really.

Hiking in Lynn Canyon was also a really great experience, as was the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden.

Overall, though, what really struck me about this trip is that Edmonton really isn't that different from Vancouver.

We have many great commercial strips that are on par with or have the potential to become like or better than those in Vancouver.

We have cultural institutions on par with or better than any of those I saw in Van.

We have hiking trails not so different from those in the Vancouver area, and they are central and even more accessible.

There's a lot we can strive for still, like better cycling infrastructure, more community-building and densification, and better designed buildings and public spaces, but aside from ocean and mountains, we're not as dissimilar as some would have us believe.

One thing I was shocked about is the level of anti-Olympic sentiment still prevalent in the region, even long after the bid and awarding and this close to the commencement of the games.

I didn't notice people any less friendly than they are here, but I didn't really socialize with a lot of the locals either.

That's all for now.

[ue]

Glad you enjoyed yourself RTA.

Man a lot of you in Van recently - 240GT, RTA, and bulliver .

[Spring2008]

I find these continuous Edmonton-Vancouver, Edmonton-TO, Ed-Calgary etc....
comparisons so lame.

This time around it's, Oh Van has cultural facilities, so do we: Van has trails,so do we: Van has biking lanes so do we, Van has retail, so do we....let's keep telling ourselves our city is just as awesome as any other city.

Using this rational I could probably convince some of you that Grand Prairie is really almost identical to Vancouver.

In the end it's really like comparing a Ferrari to a Chevy, sure they both have 4 wheels and a steering wheel, but if you keep telling yourselves they're the same you're only fooling yourselves.

[Daveography]

^ You're a piece of work. If you don't like Edmonton, that's fine, you're entitled to that. But don't you dare berate me or anyone else who likes this city and are able to see its positive aspects and all it has to offer. You who has never contributed a single constructive post to the Edmonton threads in as far back as I can remember.

[Spring2008]

^Oh It's not about berating you in the least. In fact, I admire your spirit and ambition for this city. Though I must yes I am entitled to my opinion(doesn't have to be exaggerated, unrealistic, glowing remarks about Edmonton), and even though from my experiences here my opinions seem to be more in line with what you'd hear from people outside this small thread, I still take a lot of heat on this thread for any bit of criticism I spill on here.

[ue]

^Unrealistic? This city has a lot going on right now and in the near future, OUTSIDE WEM...it's unrealistic to think that WEM is our only, if it even is, our 'vibrant' place.

Attitudes are changing, while yes, many people are still down on this city, a lot of things are helping improve. I know a lot of people from other cities come hear and are impressed by things right here.

And a tiny bit? I don't think you ever say anything nice for our fair city - but I don't keep track of your every post. And when you post in other sections, with you're location as Dead City outside WEM, it's an insult to not only us on this forum, but Edmonton in general, and does NOT portray us the way we should be.

/rant

[Daveography]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

^Oh It's not about berating you in the least. In fact, I admire your spirit and ambition for this city. Though I must yes I am entitled to my opinion(doesn't have to be exaggerated, unrealistic, glowing remarks about Edmonton), and even though from my experiences here my opinions seem to be more in line with what you'd hear from people outside this small thread, I still take a lot of heat on this thread for any bit of criticism I spill on here.

See bold for why I can't take you seriously.

You're entitled to your opinion and criticism, no one argues that, but all you do is beat down and complain, while never providing any constructive advice, feedback, suggestions, nor ANYTHING at all remotely positive. And then you go off on those of us who do, saying we're fooling ourselves, calling our assessments exaggerated and unrealistic.

I hope you don't wonder why you take a lot of heat for your criticism. It's not the fact that you criticize, it's that your criticism is empty and devoid of any substance; basically you come across as a whiner, and worse still, you insult the opinions and observations of us who don't share in your whininess.

Basically, you come across as a guy who doesn't think he should have to make any effort to get what he wants out of a city. And I have absolutely no respect for that.

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by RTA

Basically, you come across as a guy who doesn't think he should have to make any effort to get what he wants out of a city. And I have absolutely no respect for that.

Well I've been here for 24 years and despite what it seems it's not like I haven't made efforts to like this city. Anyways I'm outta here in a couple months, watch out Vancouver ladies here I come lol

[240glt]

I think I made some pretty objective points & comparisons.

I also lived in Van for several years, & have been visiting the city regularly for the past 30 years.

There's things I love, things I want to see transplanted, things I hate that I'd never want to see here.

[Daveography]

^^ I'm not just talking about making an effort to like it. I'm talking about making an effort to make it what you want to be. "Be the change you want to see" as the quote goes. It sounds to me like you want everyone else to be the change and you want it now now now.

In any case, I hope you find what you're looking for in Vancouver.

[240glt]

^ I remember when a lot of the really nice places in Vancouver were dirty run down shitholes, and had been for decades. Transformation is nice, but you're absolutely right, it takes a lot of time.

On to better topics, they're pulling the hoarding down on 10830. Lots of glass.

And for any of the ones who've been complaining about the lack of curtain wall in the city, the last phase of Northlands has the steel up and thay are hanging glass now. The north east side of the building is basically all glass, staggered from the 1 story banquet & convention area, all the way up to 4 stories along the new mall which has a very atrium-like feel. It looks really nice. Too bad it won't be ready for Cap Ex this year. It's going to be a nice facility. The consultants are being very particular, and I am more & more convinced that Edmonton based Clark Builders could be the best construction company in Western Canada.

[CMD UW]

^ Yes, the Agricom expansion is looking very nice. I also like the main floor of 10830, it has turned out well.

I also had a glimpse of the mainfloor at Serenity, at least the west piece. It also looks good.