Edmonton Public Transit - Page 274

Harrison · #**5461** Posted **Jun 3, 2012, 6:54 PM**

Bold dragon arches over LRT portal still disappoint Chinese community

Elise Stolte
Edmonton Journal

Sunday, June 3, 2012

City transportation staff released new, bold renderings for a dragon-themed LRT portal

in The Quarters last week, but Chinese community leaders say the city has ignored the

larger question of how to rejuvenate the neighbourhood...

[email protected] twitter.com/estolte
© Edmonton Journal 2012

Copyright © 2012 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/20community/6722740/story.html

240glt · #**5462** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 3:09 PM**

I love how they're asking the public what colour granite they want on their SE LRT stations, but we can't even get the ghetto looking ROW cleaned up in the NE.

canucklehead2 · #**5463** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 1:22 AM**

Welcome to the tale of Two Cities, 240glt!

But seriously I agree! Coliseum is one of the busiest stations on the system, even during non-event hours, yet it's also the most run down and worn out by FAR. I would love to see the city put even a tenth as much interest in rebuilding/updating the station as they do on other projects but some how I doubt it...

rapid_business · #**5464** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 4:40 AM**

(money for new lines and stations) > (money for existing lines and stations)

s211 · #**5465** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 2:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapid_business

(money for new lines and stations) > (money for existing lines and stations)

That is a dictum for all public infrastructure. Roads, hospitals, universities, you name it...

240glt · #**5466** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapid_business

(money for new lines and stations) > (money for existing lines and stations)

I call BS on that one. Did you know that for a typical infrastructure project (this is for buildings typically, but should be able to be applied elsewhere with different percentages) 47% of the lifecycle cost of the building is initial construction, 53% is operation and upkeep fo the facility. There is no reason why, for whole leg of the LRT, that upgrades shouldn't be happening to the NE leg. The condition of the stations and ROW is appalling

240glt · #**5467** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 3:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklehead2

Welcome to the tale of Two Cities, 240glt!

But seriously I agree! Coliseum is one of the busiest stations on the system, even during non-event hours, yet it's also the most run down and worn out by FAR. I would love to see the city put even a tenth as much interest in rebuilding/updating the station as they do on other projects but some how I doubt it...

Stadium desperately needs an upgrade/ total replacement, so does Collesium. Both are extremely busy stations. The ROW all the way from 95th st to Clareview needs to be dealt with in conjunction with a multi-use trail upgrade.

The city loves to do things halfway. Time to finish the job that was half done in 1978

Coldrsx · #**5468** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 3:56 PM**

Have to say I completely agree... both are embarrassing.

rapid_business · #**5469** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 4:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240glt

I call BS on that one. Did you know that for a typical infrastructure project (this is for buildings typically, but should be able to be applied elsewhere with different percentages) 47% of the lifecycle cost of the building is initial construction, 53% is operation and upkeep fo the facility. There is no reason why, for whole leg of the LRT, that upgrades shouldn't be happening to the NE leg. The condition of the stations and ROW is appalling

Oh I am well aware of life-cycle costs. I'm just commenting where the priority of funding is directed.

For example, there has been talk about doing a 40th Ave. station on the SLRT line, on the back of a community redevelopment plan. (more density via zoning --> justify the station). However, talk to anyone at the city and they'll tell you LRT funds will go towards new lines (SE, W, N, ...hell, even NE extension to Gorman) before that station would ever see the light of day.

MalcolmTucker · #**5470** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Have to say I completely agree... both are embarrassing.

Calgary is starting to replace their stations that are newer than these.

240glt · #**5471** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 5:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapid_business

Oh I am well aware of life-cycle costs. I'm just commenting where the priority of funding is directed.

For example, there has been talk about doing a 40th Ave. station on the SLRT line, on the back of a community redevelopment plan. (more density via zoning --> justify the station). However, talk to anyone at the city and they'll tell you LRT funds will go towards new lines (SE, W, N, ...hell, even NE extension to Gorman) before that station would ever see the light of day.

There's a big difference between a proposed station that may see major use one day, versus existing stations in dire need of upkeep and a line that's not up to current aesthetic standards that sees major use right now.

We are talking to the city about the NE line, and they are listening. It's just that dealing with city admin is a slow and arduous process. They recognize the need to deal with the issues at hand

My granite comment was just me being glib... if you've ever been in the property management biz you'd know what I am talking about

canucklehead2 · #**5472** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 8:52 PM**

Apples and Oranges... Station rebuilds don't come at the expense of new projects, especially since the costs aren't even close to be parallel... The 1998 Belvedere rebuild was $6.8 million and the Clareview rebuild was like $10 million, maybe? And the proposed Gorman extension was what? $210 M?

It's insulting to anyone who lives on the "North Side" to have shabby, run-down stations while other parts of the city have brand spanking new stations, not to mention that it presents a bad image of Edmonton to out of town visitors who use both these stations...

Mikemike · #**5473** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 9:43 PM**

Those rebuilds included basically the whole station structure, including grade separations. All coliseum and stadium need is new canopies, new flooring, a really good wash and a paint job. Costs should be maybe 3-5m each even 15 years later.

240glt · #**5474** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 11:18 PM**

Something is going to happen with the Stadium station sooner rather than later... they know the station is falling apart, and the Edgewater project has forced their hand somewhat in deciding what they are going to do vis-a-vis the station renovation or relocation. I imagine they're not going to do much with Collesium until the dust has settled around the new arena and the effect it has on on traffic to Northlands events, then plan for redevelopment.. but that's just my hunch

rapid_business · #**5475** Posted **Jun 6, 2012, 2:08 AM**

/\ I would agree. It comes down to the city buying into the relocation plan, and thus, the redevelopment plan for the area and the funding that goes with it. Very dependant on the arena (amongst other things) as you say.

Mikemike · #**5476** Posted **Jun 6, 2012, 3:17 PM**

The platform condition will force action. Edge water will make the relocation and redevelopment plan less beneficial, since it seemed to account future development and future riders as far more important than existing buildings and existing riders/residents

240glt · #**5477** Posted **Jun 6, 2012, 3:27 PM**

^ I agree, and I hope that the station is rebuilt rather than relocated. Relocation could be decades away anyways, and CUL will have to move for that to be possible, and I can't see the city just forcing them to do that.... there's a fair little employment node right on Stadium road.

I wonder if someone from transit isn't creeping around this site.... I got a call from infrastructure to talk about Stadium station this morning

240glt · #**5478** Posted **Jun 6, 2012, 7:27 PM**

So, it sounds like the re-construction od Stadium station will begin early next year, with the platform being replaced first, then other upgrades to the concourse and some aesthetic upgrades. The transit department is against moving the station 300m to the south (as we are too.. so that's good to know) so they are proceeding on the understanding that the station will stay where it is.

Upgrades to the ROW between the east portal entrance and Collesium will begin this summer with better landscaping and continue next year with better lighting, upgraded path and some wayfinding as well as some hardscaping. Parks department is involved in this one

hilman · #**5479** Posted **Jun 6, 2012, 8:15 PM**

Sounds great, the whole line North of the portal needs a lot of love, thanks for the update.

Mikemike · #**5480** Posted **Jun 6, 2012, 8:24 PM**

Thanks, that's good to know.

Do you know if they intend to do any consultation on this? I have a few suggestions that I would like submit.