Regina Construction II

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Goldenant

If you live in Regina and own or pay rent, then you pay property taxes and yes they did go up last year, and will for the next 10 years for sure. It's how much of an increase that matters.

Nice to have Mayor Quimby back on board. It was becoming far to positive around here.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Dillweed

Holy crow, you mean some people here are grumbling because the stage they built for this plaza is not big enough for every event held in it. It would seem to me impossible to build a stage for a facility like this that would meet the needs of every event held there. Unless you build some monstrosity that is going to take up a lot of room and be under-utilized most of the time.

The grumblers should may be go back to grumbling about potholes or the new proposed stadium in Regina or something like that.

I think think the point is that the stage is NEVER used.

[Goldenant]

Originally Posted by Stormer

I think think the point is that the stage is NEVER used.

Thats the exact point. If you are going to build it and spend millions of dollars build it right at least.

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by Stormer

I think think the point is that the stage is NEVER used.

Never? Are you sure about that?

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Dillweed

Never? Are you sure about that?

There was entertainment all summer on a temp stage a few dozen meters away at Scarth. Other than the grand opening if the plaza and the 100th anniversary of the Cyclone, both City events, I cannot recall it being used. Oh yeah, Crazy Chad used it to announce run for mayor.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Stormer

There was entertainment all summer on a temp stage a few dozen meters away at Scarth. Other than the grand opening if the plaza and the 100th anniversary of the Cyclone, both City events, I cannot recall it being used. Oh yeah, Crazy Chad used it to announce run for mayor.

A couple of times some violinists have used it. And some people set up and play there during the farmers market. From what I've seen, it's really been more of an amateur open mic/schedule type place.

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by Stormer

There was entertainment all summer on a temp stage a few dozen meters away at Scarth. Other than the grand opening if the plaza and the 100th anniversary of the Cyclone, both City events, I cannot recall it being used. Oh yeah, Crazy Chad used it to announce run for mayor.

Well check out page 195 in this thread.

[Chaps]

11th and Albert building that is going up...


The construction fencing now has a BUNCH of Earls posters on it advertising lobster and what not. I didn't see a "Coming Soon" message or anything.

Does anyone know if an Earls is opening in that building? Or are they just renting ad space?

Earls there would be DEADLY.

[Stormer]

The brochure for the project shows the whole main floor as retail, which includes restaurants.

http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/2/A/C/2AC34568-BDAD-48D4-ABA8-998934FF3F21.pdf
It also says:

This new office building will conform to the Built Form Framework as outlined in the Regina

Neighborhood Downtown Plan.

The façade is as interactive as possible at
ground level, through transparency
(windows), multiple entrances, and active
uses.

The building is also set way back from the street for extra wide sidewalks/patios, which would work well for Earls.

took this last week:

[Chaps]

If you go to http://www.earls.ca/ you'll see the SNAP Lobster Event picture...that's what the posters on the fencing are advertising. So unfortunately, it kinda looks like maybe they just rented some ad space on the fence. Location is pretty close to the existing Albert St location. Hope I'm wrong!

[Azraeyl]

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

Some people think that the plaza should have been built on Scarth St because of the businesses that are already along that street but that kind of defeats the purpose. The point was to expand on that and create new areas for people to gather and encourage those types of businesses and spread the activity around.

Sorry, I always read this forum and follow it all the time but haven't usually posted anything. I think my comments are maybe four years too late but oh well.

The concept of the plaza expanding new areas in downtown is/was a good one. A successful plaza in my eyes would have cafes, pubs and restaurants bordering it to create the ambiance of what almost any European town square/plaza has (and what Scarth St. could have provided right off the bat). If the new Hill IV Tower does not have retail space (which I think they have to according to the Downtown Plan) on its main floor and can utilize the plaza space with outdoor seating/patio that will be very unfortunate.

Traffic wise, putting it on 12th was a mistake, and I find it hard to believe that no one at City Hall involved in this project foresaw the mayhem that it has caused with traffic flow (or they hire consultants from House of Lies). Creating the plaza and having it open to traffic, leaving 11th and 12 to their original one way directions would have in my mind been the better option. Engineering and building it for traffic and end up not utilizing it as a thoroughfare is a waste of money in my eyes. Although a favorite pastime of my coworkers when we go to Canada Life for our coffee break is watching bewildered drivers when they encounter the plaza, do a three or four point turn and proceed the wrong way on a one way street back to Victoria Ave.

However, the plaza is here now, no way of moving now so I guess all I can do now is to enjoy it. I do enjoy my walk to the bank a lot more now. I think it was a great idea, extremely poorly implemented by the City, but in the grand scheme of things it will be a eventual positive for Regina, especially when I can have a nice beverage at an outdoor cafe on it.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Azraeyl

Sorry, I always read this forum and follow it all the time but haven't usually posted anything. I think my comments are maybe four years too late but oh well.

The concept of the plaza expanding new areas in downtown is/was a good one. A successful plaza in my eyes would have cafes, pubs and restaurants bordering it to create the ambiance of what almost any European town square/plaza has (and what Scarth St. could have provided right off the bat). If the new Hill IV Tower does not have retail space (which I think they have to according to the Downtown Plan) on its main floor and can utilize the plaza space with outdoor seating/patio that will be very unfortunate.

Traffic wise, putting it on 12th was a mistake, and I find it hard to believe that no one at City Hall involved in this project foresaw the mayhem that it has caused with traffic flow (or they hire consultants from House of Lies). Creating the plaza and having it open to traffic, leaving 11th and 12 to their original one way directions would have in my mind been the better option. Engineering and building it for traffic and end up not utilizing it as a thoroughfare is a waste of money in my eyes. Although a favorite pastime of my coworkers when we go to Canada Life for our coffee break is watching bewildered drivers when they encounter the plaza, do a three or four point turn and proceed the wrong way on a one way street back to Victoria Ave.

However, the plaza is here now, no way of moving now so I guess all I can do now is to enjoy it. I do enjoy my walk to the bank a lot more now. I think it was a great idea, extremely poorly implemented by the City, but in the grand scheme of things it will be a eventual positive for Regina, especially when I can have a nice beverage at an outdoor cafe on it.

Thanks for your comments. I believe the idea for the 12th Ave Plaza was the brainchild of Jennifer Keesmaat, who has just been appointed the Chief Planner for the City of Toronto. She is very talented, but has a personal vendetta against cars and parking. It is not surprising that the traffic disruption was not a significant concern to her.

[BrannyMuffin]

Maybe it's a girl thing, but I find this very exciting...lol

Reported by CJME staff
First Posted: Oct 1, 2012 4:51pm | Last Updated: Oct 1, 2012 4:52pm

No need to wait until your vacation to stock up -- Bath & Body Works is coming to Regina.

The company posted the news on their Facebook page.

This would be their first store in Saskatchewan. You'll find it in the Cornwall mall this spring.

The company is known for their fragrant home and bath products.

http://www.newstalk980.com/story/bath-body-works-coming-regina/77733

[jw6969]

Apple maps has newer imagery (about 2 years old) of regina than google (10 to 12 years old). WTF

[sask1982]

Originally Posted by jw6969

Apple maps has newer imagery (about 2 years old) of regina than google (10 to 12 years old). WTF

Apple's maps are from last spring (2011) as you can tell by the levels of Wascana Creek (re: flooding).

Google's are from approx 7 years ago. One example being that the old Bay building is nearly complete construction into what is now Century Plaza...which opened in May of 2006.

Just being technical on the dates. Apple didn't update everywhere though. Saskatoon's map is older than the one on Google. Go figure.

[Udon'tknow]

Originally Posted by TechnicalRecession

Hmm, that is interesting, I beleive I read on the Saskatoon thread that the Regina Swiss Chalet is opening up in one of the old Block Buster locations. And there is something definitely going into the former block buster on South Albert, I passed by the other day and renovations look under way. In any event, sounds like we are getting a Swiss Chalet, I mean two rumors can't be wrong can they??

I think the big blue bins have been gone for a while, and thought that was a city initiative rather than a Southland mall thing but could be wrong..

I can confirm that Swiss Chalet is not going into the old Blockbuster location on South Albert. Looks like a Halloween store is opening up in that location, just in time for Halloween! Not sure how they will make money for the other 11 months of the year, and it is a big store for just Halloween stuff!! So maybe the Swiss Chalet is going to open in the Southland parking lot..

[Scruff Bucket]

Hopefully the information at these links to pages from Swiss Chalet's website I posted from page 242 is still effective ...

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Swiss Chalet's future Regina locations (apparently 2 on their map representation -- the Pasqua & Rochdale location is sort of misplaced at Regina Beach on the map! ) are already posted on their website (kind of convoluted linking path to get this map, but ... [direct links ->])

https://www34.myfranconnect.com/carabrands/captivate/google-map.jsp?brandId=160004&stateId=593

http://discover.swisschaletfranchising.ca/opportunities.html?s=5534029

Saskatoon and Moose Jaw locations coming soon!

I would suspect that the Hallowe'en store will be a temporary pop-up store, like Lulu Lemon did last Christmas, unless there really is a demand for that sort of stuff year round.

[brithgob]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Hopefully the information at these links to pages from Swiss Chalet's website I posted from page 242 is still effective ...



I would suspect that the Hallowe'en store will be a temporary pop-up store, like Lulu Lemon did last Christmas.

Yup. Last year there were Halloween "pop-up" stores galore, including in the old Office Depot and the old Nevada Bob's. (Actually, the one in Office Depot operated for an extended period as a San Francisco)

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by Udon'tknow

I can confirm that Swiss Chalet is not going into the old Blockbuster location on South Albert. Looks like a Halloween store is opening up in that location, just in time for Halloween! Not sure how they will make money for the other 11 months of the year, and it is a big store for just Halloween stuff!! So maybe the Swiss Chalet is going to open in the Southland parking lot..

Those Halloween stores pop up every year wherever there's free space and are usually gone by mid-November. There has been one in the old Office Depot building on Albert for the past few years but that's been leased so this year there are two further north...one in the old Blockbuster on North Albert and one right beside it in the old Regent Place library branch.

[Stormer]

The City is preparing to do something at the Plaza intersection of Scarth and 12th. Based on the spray paint on the Plaza surface, it looks like perhaps bollards to direct traffic flow.

When is Lorne supposed to open up?