Edmonton Construction 9 (2008-08) - Page 418

Coldrsx · #**8341** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 2:31 PM**

^^nice shot!

kcantor · #**8342** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 4:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craner

Man it's getting negative and depressing on here - anyone got some photo updates or development news to share ?

if it's just info "tidbits" you want, the epcor tower above grade is now taller than it is wide...

kcantor · #**8343** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 4:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

i miss your commentary on here.

perhaps an apres ski pint is in order?

as they say on cheers, i've been spending more time "where everybody knows your name..."

don't ski so that might be a long wait but a pint or a coffee could be arranged.

Shodan · #**8344** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 6:17 PM**

Jasper Ave. spruce-up depends on business: councillor

By Gordon Kent, edmontonjournal.com
October 8, 2009 12:02 PM

EDMONTON — A plan to spruce up 14 blocks of Jasper Avenue and draw pedestrians to the area needs to attract street-level businesses to be a success, Coun. Tony Caterina says.

The proposal to make Jasper Edmonton’s premier downtown street again will cost about $39 million for curbs, lights, paving, furniture, trees and other work, which doesn’t include the separate rehabilitation of two blocks around the Central LRT station, says a report released Thursday.

The scheme is aimed at upgrading the strip from 97th Street to 111th Street.

While Caterina said the roadway needs revitalization, his experience running clothing stores during downtown’s heyday indicates upgrades alone won’t be enough to bring the good times back.

“They should be concentrating on getting merchants back on the street so people have a reason to be outside, and not just in the pedway system,” he said.

“To bring people back on the street, you need something for people to attract them -- clothiers and shoe shops.”

Caterina owned Michael’s Clothiers on 101st Street north of Jasper in 1975-76, a time when he said independents ruled the downtown retail industry and drew lots of customers.

The problem is that many shoppers won’t go outside if they can stay in malls or pedways, which also means they have less need for profitable items such as winter boots and coats, Caterina said.

“The pedway system is there. Certainly, we’re not going to get rid of that, but there probably needs to be better planning for the buildings that are going up. The main floor has to be commercial, more so.”

An April workshop to develop a vision for the street called for restoring it as a signature shopping destination and focus for downtown life, connecting parks and open spaces while changing the current balance between cars, transit, pedestrians and cyclists, according to the report.

The existing improvements from 97th Street to 103rd Street are more than 20 years and need to be replaced, the report says.

[email protected]

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Jasper+spruce+depends+business+councillor/2082311/story.html

Shodan · #**8345** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 6:19 PM**

Edmonton engineering firm scooped up by ABB

edmontonjournal.com
October 8, 2009 12:02 PM

EDMONTON — Edmonton-based Sinai Engineering has been acquired by global power and automation technology group ABB for an undisclosed amount.

Sinai, with about 30 employees, has been providing engineering services in power generation, transmission and distribution since 1980.

“This acquisition is aligned with our strategy to strengthen our footprint in Western Canada, particularly in providing engineering services to oil and gas and utility customers,” ABB Canada CEO Sandy Taylor said Thursday.

“Sinai Engineering’s expertise and customer focus will help our customers boost productivity and energy efficiencies while reducing costs.”

Sinai president Mak Hakim said his employees are looking forward to accessing ABB’s global resources to expand the scope of services the company provides.

Switzerland-based ABB employs about 120,000 people in 100 countries, including 2,300 in Canada.

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Edmonton+engineering+firm+scooped/2082119/story.html

Coldrsx · #**8346** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 6:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shodan

Jasper Ave. spruce-up depends on business: councillor

By Gordon Kent, edmontonjournal.com
October 8, 2009 12:02 PM

EDMONTON — A plan to spruce up 14 blocks of Jasper Avenue and draw pedestrians to the area needs to attract street-level businesses to be a success, Coun. Tony Caterina says.

The proposal to make Jasper Edmonton’s premier downtown street again will cost about $39 million for curbs, lights, paving, furniture, trees and other work, which doesn’t include the separate rehabilitation of two blocks around the Central LRT station, says a report released Thursday.

The scheme is aimed at upgrading the strip from 97th Street to 111th Street.

While Caterina said the roadway needs revitalization, his experience running clothing stores during downtown’s heyday indicates upgrades alone won’t be enough to bring the good times back.

“They should be concentrating on getting merchants back on the street so people have a reason to be outside, and not just in the pedway system,” he said.

“To bring people back on the street, you need something for people to attract them -- clothiers and shoe shops.”

Caterina owned Michael’s Clothiers on 101st Street north of Jasper in 1975-76, a time when he said independents ruled the downtown retail industry and drew lots of customers.

The problem is that many shoppers won’t go outside if they can stay in malls or pedways, which also means they have less need for profitable items such as winter boots and coats, Caterina said.

“The pedway system is there. Certainly, we’re not going to get rid of that, but there probably needs to be better planning for the buildings that are going up. The main floor has to be commercial, more so.”

An April workshop to develop a vision for the street called for restoring it as a signature shopping destination and focus for downtown life, connecting parks and open spaces while changing the current balance between cars, transit, pedestrians and cyclists, according to the report.

The existing improvements from 97th Street to 103rd Street are more than 20 years and need to be replaced, the report says.

[email protected]

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Jasper+spruce+depends+business+councillor/2082311/story.html

well hellmonton froze over today so i guess it makes sense i finally agree with something from Caterina.

craner · #**8347** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 7:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnklc

if it's just info "tidbits" you want, the epcor tower above grade is now taller than it is wide...

Well that's creative - well done

Now I want to see it when it's taller than it is long.

Xelebes · #**8348** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 7:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnklc

if it's just info "tidbits" you want, the epcor tower above grade is now taller than it is wide...

Haha.

Loving the snow. Can't stand walking around town late at night this time of year without the snow. More light reflecting off the street lamps making the dark spots more lighted.

Cow-garian · #**8349** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 7:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by naidoo

Well Edmonton should have a larger CMA pop than Ottawa pretty soon...#5 here we go!

I don't know about that, according to (the all knowing) Wikipedia you still have well over 100,000 to catch up by and that just matching them in size.

You'd have to have a population explosion plus more like Calgary has had, if you ever want to get to #5

So get to it! Viagra for everyone

Coldrsx · #**8350** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 7:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cow-garian

I don't know about that, according to (the all knowing) Wikipedia you still have well over 100,000 to catch up by and that just matching them in size.

You'd have to have a population explosion plus more like Calgary has had, if you ever want to get to #5

So get to it! Viagra for everyone

just a matter of time though... won't be "soon" but will be sooner than later.

Cow-garian · #**8351** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 7:46 PM**

^I'm all onboard for sooner rather than later! The sooner we can make the High Speed Rail feasible between Cow town and Oil Country, the better! IMO

Airboy · #**8352** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 7:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Haha.

Loving the snow. Can't stand walking around town late at night this time of year without the snow. More light reflecting off the street lamps making the dark spots more lighted.

On site right now and found polished concrete is slippery with this snow, go figure. I my be able to be able to audition for so you think you can dance with the foot work I did.

Xelebes · #**8353** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 8:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airboy

On site right now and found polished concrete is slippery with this snow, go figure. I my be able to be able to audition for so you think you can dance with the foot work I did.

Yeah, it melts too quickly this time of the year on the concrete but soon enough we'll have snowpack to walk on.

Airboy · #**8354** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 8:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Yeah, it melts too quickly this time of the year on the concrete but soon enough we'll have snowpack to walk on.

My chilled slab works real good with little energy use.

MrOilers · #**8355** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 8:19 PM**

Here's a housing project that is much needed for various mental health clients, and will be a nice addition to the Balwin neighborhood and the old Fort Road area.

Quote:

Balwin Villa is a 105 unit enhanced designated assisted living facility located at 6920 - 128 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta. It is the site of the North Edmonton School. The school has been closed for approximately one and a half years. It is comprised of a 1917 school and a 1955 school.

Excel Society has purchased the site from the Edmonton Public School Board and plans to redevelop the site by demolishing the interior of both schools and redesigning them to house barrier free suites for people with mental health issues. A new building will be constructed and joined to the other two buildings. The auditorium in the 1955 school will remain "as is" and be available for use by the Balwin Community as well as Excel Society. Remaining green space on site will be maintained by the City of Edmonton for playground and park use.

The 105 units will all be barrier free and designed to house 16 subsidized brain injury clients in the 1917 building, 19 private pay dementia clients in the 1955 building, 6 private pay dementia clients and 64 subsidized dementia clients in the new addition. Alberta Health Services is providing staffing dollars for the subsidized units. Alberta Seniors and Community Supports is providing $7 million towards construction of the approximately $20 million project.

Link to pdf Presentation:

http://www.excelsociety.org/11x17%20Presentation.pdf

0773|=\ · #**8356** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 8:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

well hellmonton froze over today so i guess it makes sense i finally agree with something from Caterina.

I can't believe it... he's actually making some sense. I dunno... am I too optimistic to expect him to start talking about buildings with good street-front interaction as well?

noodlenoodle · #**8357** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 8:26 PM**

How low do we set the bar for Special Tony? We're busting out the champagne for him being salient and sane and making sense!

MrOilers · #**8358** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 8:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0773|=\

I can't believe it... he's actually making some sense.

It's a bit similar to how a clock that has stopped is still right twice a day.

Coldrsx · #**8359** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 8:52 PM**

Avison fall/winter office report

http://www.avisonyoung.com/library/pdf/E...91005_Fall_National_Newsletter_FINAL.pdf

CanadianCentaur · #**8360** Posted **Oct 8, 2009, 9:09 PM**

For those frustrated by Edmonton not showing up on Google Street View:

I just came across this article from News 880 on Radio:

Quote:

Wood says Google Street View could go online here in Edmonton in the next day or two.

http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1149351

So I guess maybe we won't have to wait very long!