Edmonton Construction 9 (2008-08)

[naidoo]

Originally Posted by tony0911

^ Debating climate change and reducing emissions is a fair debate.....taking money from one pocket to another to make people feel good is irresponsible and shameful.

Let's debate. ;-) Especially about that last sentence there's some pretty strong, logical and compelling arguments against whatever it is you're saying. But most importantly, I hope you're prepared to have the necessary scientific debate in tandem. PM it.

[Shodan]

New film boss sees Edmonton as movie hub
Says city has much to offer Hollywood industry

Gordon Kent
Edmonton Journal

Monday, January 04, 2010

Edmonton isn't Hollywood North, but the city's new film commissioner hopes to build on such factors as our northern climate to boost a local industry worth $14 million in 2009...

© Edmonton Journal 2010

Copyright © 2010 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=338fcce6-00ae-4770-9f42-cff9cdd0b1e9&sponsor=

[Coldrsx]

www.youraga.ca


new site for info on the grand opening of the AGA

[Kevin_foster]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

www.youraga.ca


new site for info on the grand opening of the AGA

Awesome! (although I still think that logo is the pits.. oh well!)

It sure didn't seem like a long time to build the AGA... time sure moves quickly!

[Coldrsx]

^considering it took less time to build it than most BCM projects.... yes.

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by SHOFEAR

hopefully in ten years we will stop giving a 1/4 of the space to people like Susan McGee. advocate for apologies and guilt. boo hoo.


Not really a fan of Taft....but the guy basically summed up everything we discuss on here on a regular basis. My opinion my have changed.

Three opinions that correlate to the Edmonton I want to live in. it would have been interesting if the journal did something similar to that ten years ago...probably a very different vision.

before moving to homeward trust, susan was the executive director for the edmonton downtown develoment corporation and was an active member in the international downtown association among other industry groups and organizations. she was intimately involved in the redevelopment of the goodridge block as well as much of the current legislation affecting downtown and some of the areas around it. from some of your comments i would hazard a guess that she probably has a lot more experience and a lot better grasp of what makes successful downtowns work - and what doesn't - than you do. and take it from me, dealing with homelessness and the issues surrounding it will probably do more than the next curtainwall office or condo will on their own to making downtown work better for all of us. because homelessness doesn't "work" for any of us at any level.

[Coldrsx]

Airport debate, new arena some of my favourite things

Columnist McKeen looks back at the year that was and what he said about it

By Scott McKeen, Edmonton JournalJanuary 4, 2010 8:03 AMBe the first to post a comment



* Story
* Photos ( 1 )


Scott McKeen

Scott McKeen
Photograph by: Supplied, Edmonton Journal

Some of the mistakes I made in 2009 will definitely be repeated.

I learn from history. But I am not always a quick study.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Airport+debate+arena+some+favourite+things/2402716/story.html

[naidoo]

Originally Posted by cdnklc

and take it from me, dealing with homelessness and the issues surrounding it will probably do more than the next curtainwall office or condo will on their own to making downtown work better for all of us. because homelessness doesn't "work" for any of us at any level.

Agreed. Thanks Ken.

[Kevin_foster]

off topic, but well that was quick!

[Coldrsx]

Since it is 2010 now... your top realistic(ish) wish list for 2010 onward:

1. ARENA ARENA ARENA... er mixed use $1,000,000,000 development
2. Valleyview/UCAMA to start construction to give the quarters some cred
3. WLRT and SELRT funded through tax levies or the like with 2015 completions
4. Ironwood's office tower (slightly modified in design) starts construction
5. Melcor's little 104st infill moves foward

[240glt]

^ I think you're missing a couple of zeros on that aren... I mean entertianment district prediction!

Tops for me would be real progress on the two new LRT legs. if we can get those going I think the city would be taking a huge step forward.

[mintzilla]

I agree with Colds #1 choice. the arena(entertainment center whatever) is more than just that, it is an anchor. It will be the most significant thing we can do as a city to attract more people downtown. all business close to the building will see an immediate increase in business. Little known gems downtown will actually start to see increased foot traffic. even if only 10% of people stick around after a hockey game or concert, that is still a pretty significant amount.

[Jasper and one o nin]

I know Valleyview will not get started. Love to see it, but nyet.
I think it will be a cautiously optimistic year. i think we will see the following:
Jasper and one o nine, phase 1
demolition will of the onsite buildings for the Pearl - but no construction
First phase of Regency East
Infrastructure work for the quarters
Announcement about an onsite airport hotel
Construction on the Churchill - Macewan line will begin
Probably will not hear much about arena

[Kevin_foster]

My prediction for 2010

Total will announce further expansion and investment into the Northern Sands, creating a market for 3,200 jobs - of which all will be located in a new signature tower on the commonwealth lands

[ue]

Realistic predictions.

Originally Posted by edmontonenthusiast

-NLRT?

-Mayfair Village

-Ironwood/the Metro?

-Azur/e parkade&retail

-Begin redevelopment of Jasper Avenue around Central Station (maybe 2011 instead?)

Announced...

-Arena design competition with renders of people's different proposals

-A condominium or two in West Oliver gets approved (potentially u/c)

-New proposal on Urbia (102/104 St NW)

-Redevelopment of urban park in front of Hotel MacDonald

-Street scape enhancements of Jasper Ave in the Quarters including new parking meters, new trees, sidewalk, pavement

-A small condo in the Warehouse District on 102 or Jasper Av is proposed

realistic?

Wishlist.

-ICON II to have waaay better retail than ICON I (like, actual retail).

-Infill project on 104 St (eastside) to start

-AGA becomes one of the top2-5 major galleries in the country & (re)opens with a bang

-SLRT boosts ridership dramatically

-NLRT begins

-All three residential Procura109St projects commence.

-Market really recovers in Fall/Winter 2010 for a microboom in 2011/2012 (just in time for the world to have recovered 2013/2014 my guess)

-Height limit officially removed for Downtown west of the CBD (103/104 St)

-Jasper Ave from 97 to 96ish St is redeveloped into an urban promenade like Victoria Promenade only more modern and more public art (& better )

-More and better festivals ON Churchill Square for winter months

-New infill constructs on 118 Ave west of Kingsway

Originally Posted by Jasper and one o nin

I know Valleyview will not get started. Love to see it, but nyet.
I think it will be a cautiously optimistic year. i think we will see the following:
Jasper and one o nine, phase 1
demolition will of the onsite buildings for the Pearl - but no construction
First phase of Regency East
Infrastructure work for the quarters
Announcement about an onsite airport hotel
Construction on the Churchill - Macewan line will begin
Probably will not hear much about arena

That sounds realistic. I'd especially hope to see the Quarters part happen, as it has so much damn potential!

[WhipperSnapper]

I agree with Colds #1 choice. the arena(entertainment center whatever) is more than just that, it is an anchor. It will be the most significant thing we can do as a city to attract more people downtown. all business close to the building will see an immediate increase in business. Little known gems downtown will actually start to see increased foot traffic. even if only 10% of people stick around after a hockey game or concert, that is still a pretty significant amount.

Arenas/Stadiums actually make poor anchors and there's a lot of evidence available to support that. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be downtown as they do add value but, their hours of operation tend to be worse than the 8 to 6 central business district.

[WhipperSnapper]

What to Aurora, Mondrian, Century Park Tower, Founder's Ridge or Strathern Heights? IIRC, these guys have been around longer than Valleyview and a few have even hit pre-sales.

[240glt]

Central @ Century Park & Aurora are in sales, & CP's already seen a lot of construction activity. Mondrian & Founders aren't even approved. Strathern was only approved just before the real estate market crash

[240glt]

More good news for Alberta Ave, the old vacant United Cycle building has been bought by the city and donated to Arts on the Ave and ArtHab to use as studio & gallery space. Should see that whole block looking a lot nicer by the summer.

[ue]

^Nice. That district is really turning into a neat "authentic" artsy neighborhood. The kind with "starving artists" and not so much the gentrified sort...like Inglewood in Calgary or Alberta St in Portland are the two main ones I think of.