The Official PEI Project Thread

[pei guy]

Originally Posted by braymondg

Hey pei_guy, did you post this on the "Atlantic Skyline". Nice Shot!
With the convention centre and the new hotel it will make the downtown even more dense.

Thanks! Yep, I posted it on the Atlantic Skyline thread too. Charlottetown's gettin' some rave reviews over there I tell ya!

[braymondg]

Dominion Building in Charlottetown SOLD



I just saw this on the CBC TV news that the Dominion buliding in Charlottetown has been sold to a developer from Halifax.
I couldn't find the official news release on The Guardian nor the CBC/pei site but it was on the TV CBC/pei news.
If you see the written news release, please post.

They said they were converting the building for commercial and residential use.

[pei guy]

Originally Posted by braymondg

Dominion Building in Charlottetown SOLD



I just saw this on the CBC TV news that the Dominion buliding in Charlottetown has been sold to a developer from Halifax.
I couldn't find the official news release on The Guardian nor the CBC/pei site but it was on the TV CBC/pei news.
If you see the written news release, please post.

They said they were converting the building for commercial and residential use.

HOORAY! Oh, I think this will be the finishing touch for development downtown. Great news!

[pei guy]

Found it:

Halifax-based firm buys P.E.I.'s Dominion Building

Published on August 7th, 2010

The sale of the Dominion Building in downtown Charlottetown has been finalized.

Canada Lands Company (CLC) announced Friday it has sold the 53,645-square-metre building to Halifax-based development company Rank Incorporated.

"We really are pleased to be able to do a transaction with an Atlantic firm and a reputable firm," CLC vice-president Gordon McIvor told The Guardian.

"It's really a firm that has a good track record."

McIvor believes this is Rank's first foray into development in Charlottetown.

The firm could not be reached Friday for comment on its development plans for the building.

Rank Incorporated is one of Atlantic Canada's most prominent developers, and has completed a number of significant projects in the region.

In 2002, Public Works Canada announced the Dominion Building as surplus to their needs, and in 2007 the property was transferred to Canada Lands Company. CLC is a Crown corporation that buys and disposes of surplus federal property.

The massive building, which covers an entire city block, was once home to a post office and hundreds of public servants.

[pei guy]

IRAC hears testimony on applications for pair of Stratford gas stations
Published on August 10th, 2010
Ryan Ross

It could be the end of the week before the fates of proposed gas stations in Stratford are known as an Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission hearing continued Monday.

IRAC heard testimony from two witnesses Monday during the hearing for licence applicants Stratford Petroleum and Karbrennal’s.

Doug MacDonald represented Cape D’Or Holdings, which owns the Stratford Esso, and spoke out against another gas station in Stratford.

MacDonald said the Esso is on some of the best land in eastern P.E.I. because people have to drive by it when they head east through Stratford, but it is not in the most convenient spot.

“There are a number of locations that provide easy access and easy exit.”

At times during MacDonald’s testimony, those involved with the hearing flipped through binders thicker than several telephone books as they read through a report presented earlier in the day.

Part of his testimony addressed questions about traffic accidents near the Esso, but MacDonald told the commission he didn’t remember any accidents since the ownership changed several years ago.

He also said a reduction in the number of self-serve pumps has helped alleviate some of the past traffic congestion problems and they have the capacity to serve more customers than they do currently.

“I do feel we are serving the demand that’s there.”

Wade Bruce is one of the applicants who hopes to build a Petro-Canada branded gas station with a Tim Hortons.

After Monday’s hearing, he said the commission has a lot of evidence to go through and the hearing might be finished by Friday.

“Certainly a lot of evidence was put out there.”

Until then, the only thing he can do is wait until the commission makes its decision, he said.

“I’m hopeful when it’s all done I’ll be a successful candidate.”

The other applicant in the process is Karbrennal’s, owned by Bruce Brine, which would open a gas station under the Ultramar brand.

IRAC will continue the hearing today at 9 a.m.

[pei guy]

Eskimos, Stars align in Charlottetown in September
Published on August 10th, 2010
Dave Stewart

Charlottetown is quickly becoming a haven for professional sports teams — at least in the month of September.

City council agreed Monday night to pay up to $2,500 towards the cost of hosting the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos.

The NHL’s Dallas Stars will be in Charlottetown for four days, arriving Sept. 17 after completing physicals and testing in Frisco, Tex.

Coun. Mitchell Tweel said the Eskimos are scheduled to take part in an intra-squad game at UPEI on Saturday, Sept. 25.

The CFL will stage its first-ever regular-season game in Atlantic Canada the next day when the Toronto Argonauts and the Eskimos meet in Moncton.

“Football P.E.I. saw this as an opportunity considering the game that’s being held in Moncton,’’ Tweel said following council’s unanimous vote to spend the $2,500. “When we looked at how popular this event was, I mean 25,000 tickets were sold in 30 hours. That’s absolutely phenomenal and I understand the City of Moncton is looking to add another 5,000 seats to try to accommodate more spectators.’’

Mayor Clifford Lee said bringing in another professional sports team is all part of promoting the city.

“The Edmonton Eskimos camp is another one of those great events and the opportunity was available to the city and we’re taking advantage of the opportunity to bring them into Charlottetown,’’ Lee said.

The mayor said the $2,500 price tag will help the team offset some of the costs of travelling from Moncton.

“As we know they are playing in Moncton and they obviously have expenses to get to Charlottetown from Moncton and back and expenses while they are here.’’

Tweel, who also acts as the senior director for communications for the Atlantic Football League’s Holland College Hurricanes, said the football community saw it as an opportunity to introduce to the CFL what the Island has to offer.

“We believe this province will turn out in huge numbers to welcome the Edmonton Eskimos at the University of Prince Edward Island and if you look at the timing, with the Holland College Hurricanes’ inaugural season (2010-11), a lot of things are coming together in terms of football,’’ Tweel said.

“Football in this province is alive and well and it’s only going to get better. It’s the first time ever a CFL team has ever had representation here in this province. That’s fantastic and it’s a great shot in the arm.’’

Tweel said he might even try to get the CFL team to pay a visit to the Ward 4 farmer’s market on Queen Street while they’re here.

One problem with the intra-squad game is the field at UPEI isn’t regulation size for Canadian football.

“I think there is an issue with the end zones, to be quite honest with you,’’’ Tweel said. “I don’t believe that it is but we’ll make due with this particular situation.’’

Tweel said the Hurricanes are slated to play their inaugural season at UPEI but he hopes to eventually build facilities for the team east of the Joe Ghiz Park.

[pei guy]

Road work continues with construction zone in Stratford
Published on August 10th, 2010

The 2010 construction season continues with the start of reconstruction today on Route 26 - Stratford Road from Barkley Avenue to Keppoch Road.

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Ron MacKinley says the 2010 capital budget includes "an unprecedented investment in our Island roads and bridges,” to the tune of $56 million towards the 2010 construction season.

Among the major projects that have been completed are Route 1A - Wilmot, Route 2 - Springfield, and the Priest Bond Bridge replacement.

Work currently underway includes improvements to Route 2 -Alma/Elmsdale, Trans Canada Highway - Riverside Drive, and Route 2 -Rollo Bay.

Other projects scheduled to begin this construction season

include Route 2 - O’Leary Roundabout, Route 2 - Canavoy, and the replacement of the St. Peters Bridge.

“Road and bridge construction renews provincial highway

infrastructure and improves highway safety,” said MacKinley. “We thank motorists for their patience as road crews work to complete these major projects.”

A list of all projects taking place during the 2010 construction season can be found at www.buildpei.ca and the road construction map can be viewed at www.gov.pe.ca/tir.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh great, more road construction.

I dread when they start the roundabout in Montague, which should be soon... they have some pegs up around the intersection. Basically anyone going to the ferry, southern Kings, the high school, the soccer complex, or into the town itself will have to pass through that. Yikes!

[braymondg]

Developer looks at buying Sherwood Greens property

A Charlottetown developer has his eye on a sizeable property behind the Charlottetown Mall. Clifford McQuaid has been meeting with residents in the area around the Sherwood Greens, a business which includes a driving range and mini-putt.

The DeLong family currently owns Sherwood Greens but is talking to McQuaid about purchasing the property.

Preliminary plans include apartments, a seniors residence and a commercial component for things like a hair salon and dentist’s office.

Coun. David MacDonald, who represents the area on city council, said Tuesday the developer has yet to officially approach the city’s planning department with any plans.

MacDonald said he wasn’t invited to the residents’ meeting last week and he’s fine with that.

“I’d like them to form an opinion themselves and then come talk to me about it,’’ MacDonald said.

“I know the residents were surprised (with the scale of the project). I know it is a large development.’’

MacDonald said it goes without saying the developer would have to take a number of factors into consideration, including traffic flows and access issues, especially with the proposed mall project in the works for the Malpeque Road, near the arterial highway.

MacDonald wouldn’t comment on what he thinks of the proposed plans for the Sherwood Greens property.

“Given the fact nothing has come to City Hall, there is nothing to comment on,’’ he said.

The property is currently zoned Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) so if the developer does submit plans to the city, council would be required to send the matter to a public meeting

[hogan2]

Originally Posted by braymondg

Developer looks at buying Sherwood Greens property

A Charlottetown developer has his eye on a sizeable property behind the Charlottetown Mall. Clifford McQuaid has been meeting with residents in the area around the Sherwood Greens, a business which includes a driving range and mini-putt.

The DeLong family currently owns Sherwood Greens but is talking to McQuaid about purchasing the property.

Preliminary plans include apartments, a seniors residence and a commercial component for things like a hair salon and dentist’s office.

Coun. David MacDonald, who represents the area on city council, said Tuesday the developer has yet to officially approach the city’s planning department with any plans.

MacDonald said he wasn’t invited to the residents’ meeting last week and he’s fine with that.

“I’d like them to form an opinion themselves and then come talk to me about it,’’ MacDonald said.

“I know the residents were surprised (with the scale of the project). I know it is a large development.’’

MacDonald said it goes without saying the developer would have to take a number of factors into consideration, including traffic flows and access issues, especially with the proposed mall project in the works for the Malpeque Road, near the arterial highway.

MacDonald wouldn’t comment on what he thinks of the proposed plans for the Sherwood Greens property.

“Given the fact nothing has come to City Hall, there is nothing to comment on,’’ he said.

The property is currently zoned Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) so if the developer does submit plans to the city, council would be required to send the matter to a public meeting

Don't let this go through, Clifford is to cheap to do anything of quality, unless he has changed recently. But I can't see him using any quality of materials on any of his buildings.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by pei guy

Found it:

Halifax-based firm buys P.E.I.'s Dominion Building

Published on August 7th, 2010

The sale of the Dominion Building in downtown Charlottetown has been finalized.

Canada Lands Company (CLC) announced Friday it has sold the 53,645-square-metre building to Halifax-based development company Rank Incorporated.

"We really are pleased to be able to do a transaction with an Atlantic firm and a reputable firm," CLC vice-president Gordon McIvor told The Guardian.

"It's really a firm that has a good track record."

McIvor believes this is Rank's first foray into development in Charlottetown.

The firm could not be reached Friday for comment on its development plans for the building.

Rank Incorporated is one of Atlantic Canada's most prominent developers, and has completed a number of significant projects in the region.

In 2002, Public Works Canada announced the Dominion Building as surplus to their needs, and in 2007 the property was transferred to Canada Lands Company. CLC is a Crown corporation that buys and disposes of surplus federal property.

The massive building, which covers an entire city block, was once home to a post office and hundreds of public servants.

Rank Incorporated is the designer for the new Halifax Convention Centre (called Nova Centre) in the old part of downtown.

[pei guy]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Rank Incorporated is the designer for the new Halifax Convention Centre (called Nova Centre) in the old part of downtown.

Oh yeah, I like that development. Maybe they will build a few 18-storey towers on this site, too.

Anyway, I understand that Rank Inc. is a pretty good and respected firm in the area, so I have no doubt they'll do a good job of the Dominion Building. One thing that might happen is to have a little public square on the open area out front, and maybe fix up the concrete, or replace it. I wonder...

[pei guy]

Belvedere roundabout gets finishing touches
Published on August 13th, 2010
Dave Stewart

Crews were busy Thursday putting the finishing touches on the new roundabout on Belvedere Avenue.

Charlottetown’s second traffic circle is scheduled to open first thing Monday morning.

The contractor, Island Construction, began work on the project in late May with an eye towards completing it by the end of this month.

The first roundabout, at Mount Edward and Allen streets, has been a big hit with motorists. Officials with the City of Charlottetown are now fielding calls from businesses that wouldn’t mind seeing more of them pop up around the city.

The roundabout on Belvedere Avenue, at the entrance to UPEI and the Charlottetown Farmer’s Market, will be about seven metres wider than the one on Mount Edward Road.

Coun. Terry Bernard, chair of public works, said they’ve had tractor-trailers test-driving the new roundabout with no trouble whatsoever.

It cost roughly $1.8 million to create it, part of a $6-million project that also involves widening University Avenue to four lanes.

The city chose to redesign the intersection and asked traffic experts whether the best choice was to use traffic lights or a roundabout. The experts told the city to go with the roundabout, citing reasons such as improved traffic flow and safety.

The entire traffic circle has been paved with some touchup work taking place on Thursday.

Storm sewer work was completed back in June.

Other work that is now finished in and around the roundabout includes curbing, splitter islands and skirting. The lines still have to be painted.

Things still on the to-do list include planting shrubs and flowers to give it a nice esthetic look.

The roundabout will feature a dedicated merge lane off Belvedere Avenue (heading towards Burger King) into UPEI, as well as a lane to avoid the university.

There will be three major crosswalks in the area — a pedestrian-actuated traffic signal and painted crosswalk where the Confederation Trail meets the avenue, one at the entrance to the university and a third one on the west side of the roundabout.

A concrete median will separate traffic. For example, motorists leaving the Farmers’ Market will only be able to exit to the right, meaning vehicles intending to go towards the Superstore will have to first proceed through the roundabout.

Back in 2007, the city asked the traffic experts to rate 11 intersections in the city, ones in dire need of being redesigned. Three of them include Belvedere-UPEI and Mount Edward-Allen (roundabouts) and Kensington Road-Woodward Drive (traffic lights), all of which have now been taken care of.

[pei guy]

City to have input on Dominion Building future
Published on August 13th, 2010
Dave Stewart

The City of Charlottetown will play a part in mapping the future of the old Dominion Building.

City officials and politicians will be meeting with Halifax-based development company Rank Incorporated over the next two weeks in the Island capital to discuss what the inside of the building is going to look like going forward.

Canada Lands Company announced recently it sold the 53,645-square-metre building to Rank Incorporated.

Coun. David MacDonald, chair of economic development, said his committee has been working with the city's economic development officer, Ron Atkinson, on the file.

"We'll be meeting with Rank when they come over here and, according to the mayor (Clifford Lee), that's going to happen in the next couple of weeks,'' MacDonald said Thursday. "We'll be talking about what visions the city has for the future of the building.''

Rank Incorporated is by no means obligated to follow the city's wishes but MacDonald said the parties are working together in the best interests of the development.

The private sector will undoubtedly play a role, too. The city expects lots of interest in terms of renting space and the province is expected to enquire as well.

The company will have to go to the city when it comes to applying for building permits and development permits so the city does have some control over things.

"It's more than a courtesy meeting,'' MacDonald said.

Lee met with officials with Rank a week ago to assure the developers they were coming to a bustling municipality.

"They were very enthusiastic when they saw all the stuff that was happening in the city,'' MacDonald said, referring to the Homburg hotel and convention centre.

In terms of what people might see in the Dominion Building going forward, MacDonald speculates it will include a commercial mix - perhaps even a provincial museum.

"I think we'd like to see something that fits in nicely with how we're developing from, say, Grafton Street south, something that is going to fit in well with pedestrian traffic, for instance. Maybe an attraction for the people who are downtown already.''

In 2002, Public Works Canada announced the Dominion Building as surplus to their needs and in 2007 the property was transferred to Canada Lands Company, which buys and disposes of surplus federal property.

Employees were transferred to the new Jean Canfield Building on University Avenue.

[braymondg]

Construction on 500 North River Rd to Begin

The stakes are in the ground and the heavy equipment is being moved on site to begin on this unknown building. A permit was given back a few months for a height variance for this building. If anynoe can find out the details, can you post them.

[braymondg]

Kwik Copy expansion and renovations to the old building on the corner of Queen and Euston has been ongoing. Here is a photo of the expansion.
Along with the expansion, I guess they felt obligated to fix the exterior to match the new buildings close by.

[pei guy]

Thanks for the pic, it's coming along nicely. I believe the new addition will be two stories, and the existing section will get a new brick exterior. Don't quote me, but I think that's what will happen (from the render facing Queen St).

As for the unknown North River Rd project, one can safely assume it will be an apartment building, probably 4-6 stories... or maybe more! We'll know soon enough!

[pei guy]

City's newest roundabout opens
Published on August 17th, 2010
Dave Stewart

It took a little longer than expected but Charlottetown's second roundabout opened Monday afternoon on Belvedere Avenue and more traffic circles could be on the way in the future.

City officials had hoped to have it ready for traffic for the morning rush hour but Maritime Electric was still installing light standards through the early part of the day, delaying opening until just after noon.

It is expected to improve traffic flow considerably for UPEI and the Farmer's Market. It had become quite a challenge to exit left onto Belvedere from the campus.

Coun. Terry Bernard, chair of public works, said he expects the newest addition to the traffic circle universe will be as popular as its predecessor on Mount Edward Road-Allen Street. That one opened June 23.

"I expect the same success from this design as we are experiencing from our first modern roundabout,'' Bernard said.

The Belvedere roundabout, part of the overall $6-million University Avenue facelift, is about seven metres wider than the Mount Edward-Allen version. It includes a dedicated merge lane into the university, right-only exit from the Farmer's Market and a pedestrian-activated crosswalk across Belvedere Avenue at the Confederation Trail.

It completes the city's roundabout plans for now but there may be more in the works. The city is not involved in the two roundabouts still under construction on Riverside Drive.

The city has asked one of its traffic experts, CBCL Ltd., review the confusing rotary intersection in the old Sherwood neighbourhood, surrounded by businesses like Vogue Optical, Imperial Oil and Leon's Furniture. The intersection takes in St. Peters Road, Brackley Point Road, Belvedere Avenue and Falconwood Road.

Bernard said the city wants to know whether a roundabout would work there.

"They are going to do traffic counts and they are going to come back with a design with what could work there,'' Bernard said, noting that CBCL will also determine whether the city would need to buy land in order to make a roundabout work there.

"They will come back with a recommendation whether a roundabout can go there or not. They'll do a concept design to improve that intersection.''

Bernard said he expects some results on what the engineers find by November.

Beyond that intersection, there is also talk that the city might also look at the Euston Street-Weymouth Street intersection, the so-called Ken's Corner intersection.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopefully Ken's Corner and the St Peters Rd / Brackley Point Rd / Belvedere Ave
will either be improved a lot, or replaced with roundabouts. They're pretty scary!

[pei guy]

Community fund spends $1.5 million in Tignish area
Published on August 17th, 2010

The Island Community Fund is partnering with three organizations in the Tignish area on projects with total expenditures of close to $1.5 million, says Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair.

The projects were announced during a cabinet tour of the area on Tuesday.

“The Island Community Fund is aimed at supporting projects to strengthen economic and social opportunities in rural Prince Edward Island,” said LeClair.

“I am pleased that the department has partnered with local groups in the Tignish area to undertake these exciting new initiatives that will provide lasting benefits for area residents.”

Mr. LeClair said the projects are being carried out as part of the provincial government’s Rural Development Strategy.

The Tignish Community Centre will upgrade its facilities with a total expenditure of $57,740. The Island Community Fund will contribute $43,305.

The Tignish Health Co-operative is installing a new generator, and upgrading its heating and filing systems at a total cost of $54,590, with $40,943 coming from the Island Community Fund.

The largest project will see an expansion of 20 beds to the Tignish Seniors Home Care Co-operative. The total cost of the project is $1,323,500. The Island Community Fund is contributing $100,000.

In addition to the projects that were announced, cabinet toured Miminegash harbour, Maritime Sea Products moss plant, North Atlantic Organics and Royal Star Foods, the largest employer in the west Prince area.

“I congratulate the organizers of these projects and wish them every success,” said LeClair. “The provincial government has made a strong commitment to support development in rural communities across Prince Edward Island.”

The Island Community Fund is a six-year, $27.5 million program to address infrastructure needs in local communities.

[billy1]

A P.E.I. pharmaceutical manufacturer is appealing a building permit for the construction of apartments near its facilities in Charlottetown.
Officials from BioVectra say it is not safe to live near its property on the outskirts of the city.
The permit, issued by Charlottetown council in June, puts the building within about 25 metres of the bioscience company, which works with hazardous chemicals, solvents and other dangerous materials.
Ron Keefe, the company's president, said having the million-dollar apartment complex so close to the manufacturing plant and storage facility puts residents at risk.
"There are certainly dangers relating to explosions," Keefe said. "The issue is, if you bring in people that are totally untrained … they don't know the hazards, the risks. Our people are fully trained. We accept the risk. The people coming in, they don't know."
BioVectra appealed to the province's regulatory and appeals commission two months ago. The appeal will be heard in September.
But construction on the complex continues, and Keefe said four other apartment complexes, with more than 100 residential units, are also planned for the area.
"To us, it's silly to build multi-residential units that close to a chemical facility," Keefe said. "We would turn it around and say, you know, if an apartment building was there in the beginning, would they allow us to build a chemical facility? And no, the answer would be no."
The manager of Charlottetown planning, Don Poole, declined an interview on Tuesday but said the building met all the planning requirements.
The developer, Paramount Construction, had no comment on the matter. But Keefe said if BioVectra's appeal is successful, the building will have to be taken down.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-i...partments-584.html?ref=rss#ixzz0wyA1DypZ

[braymondg]

Tweel Building - Settlement Reached



I personally emailed Rob Lantz, a city councilor, regarding the Tweel Building on the corner of University and Kent, as to why we haven't heard any information regarding it's status.
I asked him about the Homburg /Tweel lawsuit and any news he could provide about the building.
This is his reply.

The city was never a party to the lawsuit between Homburg and Tweels; however, I do know the lawsuit has been settled. I don't know what the terms of the settlement are. That would be a private matter between the two parties.

I believe the Tweel family itself has settled some issue with regard to their properties. Chris Tweel did a fine job on the "Gift Shop" building where Starbucks is now, and the old "Sally Shop" on Grafton is looking great as well. I'm hearing the next project will be the building on the corner of Kent and University, but I have no details.

Regards,
Rob

Good News!, hopefully we may see something start in the near future.