West LRT | 7 Stations | 8.0 KM | In Service

[Vascilli]

Originally Posted by lubicon

The old strip mall across from Westbrook mall (where the Bravo/Encore etc. condo towers are) is now being demolished as of yesterday afternoon when I drove past.

Originally Posted by mersar

Thanks for the update, I was wondering about that one last night since last time I was past it there was still stores open

One building is totally leveled, the one that used to house Cash Converters is still standing.

[MMMBeer]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

So what does everyone think travel time will be? Say from 69th Street Station to entering the shared transit mall at 7th Avenue and 9th Street SW? I predict it could be about 12 minutes. 18 minutes to City Hall Station, remembering of course that all the 7th Avenue improvements and station platforms will be complete by then.

If you read pg. 9 of this PDF they have travel times incorporating the new feeder bus routes end-to-end, from various western neighbourhoods. Total including bus from, say Signal Hill is 24 mins.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/pdf/West_LRT_Bus_Route_Open_House-April_09.pdf


Average travel time is expected to decrease 11 mins.

[srperrycgy]

Originally Posted by Vascilli

One building is totally leveled, the one that used to house Cash Converters is still standing.

From this afternoon:

[clooless]

Thanks for the updates, frinkprof.

The stations look really nice. I also love the perimeter seating in the new LRVs. More space to stand and easier to get out of a seat and to the doors.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[SubwayRev]

Originally Posted by fusili

I like side loading stations myself. Centre-loading stations to me are best suited for transfer stations, but we don't have any of those in Calgary anyways.

In a perfect world, I wouldn't mind seeing two center-load platforms on 7th Ave, one at each end. City Hall and say...8th St. There are transfers, it just doesn't happen very often.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by SubwayRev

In a perfect world, I wouldn't mind seeing two center-load platforms on 7th Ave, one at each end. City Hall and say...8th St. There are transfers, it just doesn't happen very often.

Yeah, I meant to say that people do transfer, but there aren't any stations designed to do so. And you are right, those are the best places for a transfer station.

[Wentworth]

Originally Posted by Vascilli

One building is totally leveled, the one that used to house Cash Converters is still standing.

Any idea what happened to the Vietnamese restaurant that used to be in that building? The quality of the place was inconsistent, but there's not much for eat options in the area. I'd rather have seen the Boston Pizza plowed under.

[srperrycgy]

That place moved to strip mall on the south side of 17th, just west of 37th. Where Liquidation World (soon to be Shoppers) was. Lots of business moves in the area.

[unibrain]

Originally Posted by Wentworth

Any idea what happened to the Vietnamese restaurant that used to be in that building? The quality of the place was inconsistent, but there's not much for eat options in the area. I'd rather have seen the Boston Pizza plowed under.

There's a Vietnamese noodle place in the strip mall where 7-11 and Schooners pub is in Coach Hill...

I think there's also one opening up next to the 7-11 on 37th st.

[PPAR]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

From this afternoon:

Glad to see this strip mall go... not only was it ugly, it had an Adult Video Store next to Beaners Kids Hairstylists (which did not seem to be an optimal arrangement from anyones perspective).

[Yume-sama]

Yay! Now if only the other 99% of that area was demolished

[mersar]

Define "that area"... in the immediate vicinity you have 3 condo towers, and I think the one restaurant/bar and thats it. And the other place is likely going down soon as well since Bow Trail will be running through it (or has it already come down?)

[SubwayRev]

Originally Posted by Wentworth

Any idea what happened to the Vietnamese restaurant that used to be in that building? The quality of the place was inconsistent, but there's not much for eat options in the area. I'd rather have seen the Boston Pizza plowed under.

As srperrycgy said, it's in the mall at 38th St. and 17th. Apparently you are one of the few who didn't know this, as it is CRAZY busy! I was there a couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday at 2:30PM...they didn't have any tables. I can't think of too many suburban restaurants that are at capacity on a Wednesday smack in the middle of lunch and dinner!

Also, as unibrain mentioned...there is a place in Coach Hill...also very good. I usually get take out on 17th, but if I want to eat in, I go to Coach Hill. (Sorry, I can't think of what either one of them is called other than 'Vietnamese place on 17th' and
'Vietnames place in Coach Hill')

/end ramble about Vietnamese restaurants in the West end.

How about that West LRT?!?! That'll be something...

[wmp.dll]

Originally Posted by fusili

I like side loading stations myself. Centre-loading stations to me are best suited for transfer stations, but we don't have any of those in Calgary anyways.

I like Center loading stations my self. Though part of that is because I really hate the look and feel of 39th Ave station. If they can make side loading stations, look and feel better than 39th maybe I will change my mind,

[Full Mountain]

I would think that the biggest reason for using side loading platforms is their ability to be more easily integrated into existing communities (think Lions Park, or Sunnyside), as well they serve to knock down some of the train noise around the station, where as center loading creates a whole set of issues of people always having to cross the tracks to reach a train

39th Ave station is a bad example of where not to place a station ie behind buildings

Center loading platforms can't happen downtown as mentioned earlier, because of street width issues, you would have to move the sidewalk onto the platform or at very minimum narrow it to some degree (think 10 street station) I think the plan for dual side loading stations at city hall and 11st is the best choice, and by concentrating the foot traffic on the station (ie the new stations) they become more inherently safe, rather than splitting the traffic between the station and the sidewalk

[PPAR]

Originally Posted by Wentworth

Any idea what happened to the Vietnamese restaurant that used to be in that building? The quality of the place was inconsistent, but there's not much for eat options in the area. I'd rather have seen the Boston Pizza plowed under.

There are actually two decent restaurants right at 17th Av and 37 St: Platos Pizza is excellent Greek Pizza and the Chili Club has good Thai food there as well.
The Westbrook area is kind of a mess of strip malls and a blah neighborhood mall right now- but it probably represents the best opportunity the city has to develop a high quality TOD. With the 5 min LRT ride downtown, a local golf course and a decent mix of retail/ residential that area could become very desirable in ten years. It also has the advantage of being regularly transited by the high income residents on the west hills (that should promote retail and restaurant growth). The only problem I see are rumors about the owners of Westbrook mall. They are apparently happy just to let the mall sit as is and to collect the rents. It really needs an owner who can envision a whole new direction for that property.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

Center loading platforms can't happen downtown as mentioned earlier, because of street width issues, you would have to move the sidewalk onto the platform or at very minimum narrow it to some degree (think 10 street station) I think the plan for dual side loading stations at city hall and 11st is the best choice, and by concentrating the foot traffic on the station (ie the new stations) they become more inherently safe, rather than splitting the traffic between the station and the sidewalk

Due to size constraints it will be, but center loading platforms are great for interlined sections of track because of the ease of transfers (i.e. Westbound 202 to Southbound 201).

[Wentworth]

Originally Posted by SubwayRev

As srperrycgy said, it's in the mall at 38th St. and 17th. Apparently you are one of the few who didn't know this, as it is CRAZY busy! I was there a couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday at 2:30PM...they didn't have any tables. I can't think of too many suburban restaurants that are at capacity on a Wednesday smack in the middle of lunch and dinner!

If it's crazy busy, sounds like the move was good for them. I can't say I've ever been there when it's been all that busy, at the old location.

Funny to hear you call it a suburban restaurant. It's about 5Km from Banker's hall, according to Google Maps, which is about the same distance as Stanley Park is from Banker's Hall.

Also, as unibrain mentioned...there is a place in Coach Hill...also very good. I usually get take out on 17th, but if I want to eat in, I go to Coach Hill. (Sorry, I can't think of what either one of them is called other than 'Vietnamese place on 17th' and
'Vietnames place in Coach Hill')

/end ramble about Vietnamese restaurants in the West end.

How about that West LRT?!?! That'll be something...

Vietnamese in Coach Hill? You're kidding me! How have I missed this all this time?

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

From this afternoon:

And what is being built in its place?