Regina Construction - Page 414

Nathan · #**8261** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 6:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

Apparently the SGI Building has been evacuated due to the +100kph winds. I am not sure if this is related to the structural issues that have been discussed in this thread in the past.

I work there... The first/second floor wall on the North side is shifting and if it falls, they are worried the entire North side of the building will fall due to a ripple affect. They have the street blocked and a big cat is propped against the wall to help support it... but we will see...

Hopefully this makes the government think about it a bit more and a new building is built...

BrannyMuffin · #**8262** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 6:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

Apparently the SGI Building has been evacuated due to the +100kph winds. I am not sure if this is related to the structural issues that have been discussed in this thread in the past.

Well that's scary!

Nathan · #**8263** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

Well that's scary!

Yes, it was... and the building was also swaying a lot. You could actually feel yourself moving back and forth when there was a bit gust. I know buildings are supposed to move a bit... but it seemed like it was moving waaay to much... at least for my comfort level.

Stormer · #**8264** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 7:18 PM**

from Global:

A crack in a wall is blamed for the evacuation of SGI employees in downtown Regina.

A spokesperson told Global News the break was detected this morning.

At this point, he could not say if the strong winds were a contributing factor to the breaks's formation, nor could he say how extensive the damage is.

The company is expected to send out a statement this afternoon.

Check back for updates.

Read it on Global News: Downtown Regina building evacuated

Stormer · #**8265** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 7:24 PM**

Newstalk980.com:

Most of Saskatchewan is facing a couple of windy days. And Regina isn't shielded from any of it, particularly SGI workers.
All workers have been evacuated from the famous copper-coloured building downtown because of the swaying of the building and a crack somewhere. This worker was on the eighth floor when the the impact of the wind was truly felt, "a couple of people went over to the parkade portion of the building and noticed the walls were separating."
And he contends that it is even worse the higher up you get with a sway of 16- 18 inches felt, "and it can actually make you feel quite nauseaus, but that is the way the building is designed." There is some consideration the building may remain closed even though until Monday.
There are reports in and around the city of semi trailers flipped on highways. Large trees throughout city neighbourhoods have also been snapped in half or blown over, some obscuring traffic. And over the noon hour Friday, traffic was blocked from traveling northbound on Albert Street between Victoria and 12th Avenue with a leaning lampost. SaskPower is on scene.

Stormer · #**8266** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 7:27 PM**

Wind Empties Regina Building

Friday, 09 April 2010

The wind is forcing the evacuation of the SGI building on downtown Regina, due to foundation cracks.
Staff have been let out to allow officials in to assess the damage.
Tim Kydd, a spokesman for SGI, says a panel had come loose on the main floor and was becoming more and more unstable.
He says they decided to evacuate the building until they could secure the panel.
It's the most serious report of damage in Regina due to the wind storm, although panels on the RBC building have also been blown off.
There are also trees down, and at least one light pole has become a victim.

prairieguy · #**8267** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 7:43 PM**

How old is the SGI building? I can't believe there is already a need or consideration given to replacing this building. I guess that is a sign of our current inferior construction methods when buildings built over 100 years ago are still standing in Regina.

As a visitor from the Saskatoon forum, I always find it interesting to see what is being discussed on the Regina forum. When combined with the news from the Saskatoon forum (which has been pretty quiet as of late, but the last few weeks has seen the resurrection of the $200 mil Lake Placid project and today the announcement of new dowtown hotel), it does demonstrate that things are happening in Saskatchewan.

Here is hoping both cities continue to grow into more cosmopolitan urban centres. We need progress to keep the youth of our province to stay and that means vital, exciting and relevant cities.

Stormer · #**8268** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 7:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairieguy

How old is the SGI building?

1979. Somewhere on this thread there is a picture of the structural steel going up with the Cornwall Centre excavation in the foregound.

Nathan · #**8269** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 8:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairieguy

How old is the SGI building? I can't believe there is already a need or consideration given to replacing this building. I guess that is a sign of our current inferior construction methods when buildings built over 100 years ago are still standing in Regina.

As a visitor from the Saskatoon forum, I always find it interesting to see what is being discussed on the Regina forum. When combined with the news from the Saskatoon forum (which has been pretty quiet as of late, but the last few weeks has seen the resurrection of the $200 mil Lake Placid project and today the announcement of new dowtown hotel), it does demonstrate that things are happening in Saskatchewan.

Here is hoping both cities continue to grow into more cosmopolitan urban centres. We need progress to keep the youth of our province to stay and that means vital, exciting and relevant cities.

There've been problems with the way the SGI was built for a number of years already... this is the first time it's become really serious though.

spictacular mcluvin · #**8270** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 8:37 PM**

So either A) people over-reacted and their is nothing wrong with the buildings structure OR B) they are covering up more major issues in an attempt not to scare anyone, especially employees working there.

So which is it?

http://www.newstalk980.com/story/20100409/31983

Downtown Regina SGI Building Evacuated
Temporary wall support measures in place

The SGI headquarters in downtown Regina was evacuated Friday afternoon and it will remain cleared of employees for the rest of the day.

The Crown insurance company is concerned that a portion of the building's exterior wall could be blown loose by wind gusts approaching 100 kilometres per hour in the city's downtown. Spokesperson Tim Kydd says the panel, located in the north-west corner of the building in a parking area, showed signs that it may be coming dangerously loose.

"We were monitoring it this morning and the panel became very unstable," Kydd explains. "We had an external opinion come in and examine it as well and we made the decision that until we can get that panel stabilized we're going to empty the building and resolve it and that's what we've done." He says, like vinyl siding on a house, if one panel were torn loose by the winds it could have a domino effect on the panels above it because of the way they're interconnected.

"If that panel were to come off then you have a situation now where you could have an empty space on the main floor of your building. That would definitely be a concern."

SGI employee Steve Nazerchuk says the building was swaying slightly in the wind today as well. But Kydd says that isn't terribly unusual, nor was it part of the reason why employees were evacuated. "No, not part of the problem at all. I work on one of the higher floors and yes, you could feel it as you could in any building. But this building can withstand winds of very high speeds and again, there's no structural concerns of any kind for the building."

Kydd says a temporary support for the panel in question has been put in place, but engineers will be unable to begin working on a more permanent solution until the wind dies down.

It's unlikely employees will be allowed to return until at least Monday.

as Reported By Patrick Book CJME

Stormer · #**8271** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 8:55 PM**

It is true that modern skyscrapers have an internal structural skeleton and an exterior, non-structural curtain wall. The curtain wall does not hold up the building but you sure do not want it falling off.

cutterp · #**8272** Posted **Apr 9, 2010, 9:21 PM**

More on the crack at the SGI Tower

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2010/04/09/sk-sgi-building.html

CCF · #**8273** Posted **Apr 10, 2010, 3:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by babo

Hooray! Even less street parking. With every passing year this city becomes more of a joy to live in. Truly cosmopolitan.

None of the on street parking will be lost after construction is finished.

JayM · #**8274** Posted **Apr 10, 2010, 3:28 AM**

plant some trees to block the wind outside the city

youngregina · #**8275** Posted **Apr 10, 2010, 4:59 AM**

I really do think there need to be more trees in this city. i would not only look nice, but like JayM said, would block the wind. especially needed downtown.

BrannyMuffin · #**8276** Posted **Apr 10, 2010, 6:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngregina

I really do think there need to be more trees in this city. i would not only look nice, but like JayM said, would block the wind. especially needed downtown.

What he's talking about is essentially a shelterbelt. Plant trees around the perimeter of the city to block the wind from coming in in the first place.

Planting more trees downtown is a great idea, but it won't do much to block the wind.

Nathan · #**8277** Posted **Apr 10, 2010, 7:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

What he's talking about is essentially a shelterbelt. Plant trees around the perimeter of the city to block the wind from coming in in the first place.

Planting more trees downtown is a great idea, but it won't do much to block the wind.

At at heights approaching 100m are trees really going to help that much anyway?

BrannyMuffin · #**8278** Posted **Apr 10, 2010, 4:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

At at heights approaching 100m are trees really going to help that much anyway?

Exactly. I don't think it was ever a serious suggestion.

Stormer · #**8279** Posted **Apr 12, 2010, 2:13 AM**

I guess Mayor Fiacco has dicided that the new plaza on 12th will be a piazza. I guess that means the new stadium will be a colosseum.
A Face-Lift for Downtown Regina

Downtown Project changes underway

Reported By Bre McAdam
Posted April 11, 2010 - 6:45pm
With spring weather comes the sprucing-up of Regina's downtown.
Mayor Fiacco says the first phase of construction for the Downtown Plan is converting 11th and 12th Avenue to two-way streets, which has already begun.
There's another change people in Regina can get excited about and it's the conversion of 12th Ave. north of Victoria Park in to a piazza. "Cobblestone, park benches, art work, fantastic lighting and a wonderful fountain that can be converted to a stage. There are a number of changes."
Fiacco also tells people to be aware of construction starting on Albert St. from College Ave. to 11th Ave.

Stormer · #**8280** Posted **Apr 12, 2010, 3:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djforsberg

He's Italian. It's a plaza and piazza.

Really? Fiacco is Italian? A piazza is not a pizza with anchovies? Who knew?

Ovviamente!