Winnipeg Construction

[Andy6]

I was suggesting on the FP comments putting a full-size store on the Richardson-owned parking lots along Lombard as the ground floor of a new parking structure, all connected into the underground mall area. This would serve both office workers and the East Exchange and would be walkable/drivable from North and Central St. Boniface as well. The additional parking would enable more development of the lots along Westbrook as well. Parking could be free on weekends to allow for competition with the suburban stores. It could be designed to allow for the eventual construction of some sort of tower on top, if that was a concern of the owners.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by CoryB

The problem with shutting down venues like the St Regis is simply closing them does not solve the underlying issues and really just causes them to move elsewhere. I have heard people comment that the simlar plan to address the problems on North Main pushed the issues south of Portage to places like the St Regis. If those places are closed where will the problem move to next?

Exactly. Main Street has fewer issues, Portage has more. Difficult problem.

[ctochico]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

Adding a grocery store to the East Exchange is greatly needed. I actually proposed the City incentivise the development with the money they were using for the parking garage behind the Warehouse Theatre and put it there.

And why does everyone seem to think a grocery store needs to be 1 story high? Having been to other cities, all of the larger urban grocery stores were spread over 2 floors most times, some were first/second floor tenants to office towers.

The problem is the price to lease these spaces is way higher than in the suburbs. This is why the city should subsidize -- it will increase the value of the surface parking lot in the area for additional tax revenue, it will theoretically increase the value of the properties in the area, developers would need less parking for their developments thus increasing the number of units they can put in, and it would decrease the stress on the infrastructures by possibily taking additional vehicles off the streets. And for all the Jane Jacob's fanboys, it would increase the eyes on the street, something that a parking structure doesn't do.

If you want to read what I wrote -- http://riseandsprawl.tumblr.com/post/310...aking-out-of-the-parking-structure-cycle

how much would it be to lease in the area?...i was told that sky would lease to own because they rather sell the units. but yes...i can imagine that it would be quite pricey. i'm part owner of a convenient store and my partners and i have been talking about opening something in the area, may it be a convenient store/coffee shop or something along those lines just to have something in the area. but grocery store would be more ideal for the area but that would require more funds. and if the city is already talking about developing something of a grocery store then perhaps our idea is will be a no go.

[good_dude]

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

To get back on the subject of Downtown grocery tenants.... CBC news last night reported a rumor that this building, on Portage between Fort and Gary, can house a grocery tenant in the basement.

Any thoughts, comments, or facts out there about this idea?

Bad idea. We need a grocery downtown with STREET PRESENCE. Also it's too close to IGA, and too far from Fred Douglas Place. Hundreds of seniors in those towers rely on having groceries close by.

[Bluenote]

What honestly gets me is the Bay has had the grocery store in the basement since I can remember, that is 41 years now, they claim they cannot keep it because of the Zellers chain, well that chain has only been in the basement for 2-3 years correct? The Bay is always threatening to move, then promising to stay, they are or are going to lease the top floors if I am not mistaken, so what is so wrong with leasing the basement grocery store that EVERYONE has used for years west of Memorial and other area's of downtown. I am sure even another IGA type store could go in there, profit for THE BAY, and traffic the store would be a bonus, and all the would have to do is lease it.

Like the city said, there are certain stores looking to move downtown, not saying which, but that seems like a perfect spot since it is set up for a grocery store and all ready has clients.

Also someone mentioned the East Exchange ( waterfront etc ) I really wonder if these people in these condos would even walk, let alone go to a grocery store in there own area. Remember the ones downtown that are left rely on Renters for the most part, low income.

As for that spot on Richardson land ( I think they own it ) Mayor Katz would have a heart attack if you removed some parking for his Baseball team, just remember what he tore down to make parking lots in the first place in that area.

[headhorse]

they're finally putting in a sidewalk on the north side of McDermot between Rorie and Waterfront

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

What honestly gets me is the Bay has had the grocery store in the basement since I can remember, that is 41 years now, they claim they cannot keep it because of the Zellers chain, well that chain has only been in the basement for 2-3 years correct? The Bay is always threatening to move, then promising to stay, they are or are going to lease the top floors if I am not mistaken, so what is so wrong with leasing the basement grocery store that EVERYONE has used for years west of Memorial and other area's of downtown. I am sure even another IGA type store could go in there, profit for THE BAY, and traffic the store would be a bonus, and all the would have to do is lease it.

Like the city said, there are certain stores looking to move downtown, not saying which, but that seems like a perfect spot since it is set up for a grocery store and all ready has clients.

Also someone mentioned the East Exchange ( waterfront etc ) I really wonder if these people in these condos would even walk, let alone go to a grocery store in there own area. Remember the ones downtown that are left rely on Renters for the most part, low income.

I think you need to have a grocery store that is attractive one for upscale condo dwellers in the whole area of St. Boniface and the Exchange, that does not require too much driving on congested and confusing downtown streets and that offers easy and free parking (with a voucher, maybe). If you can add office workers picking up prepared meals on the way home, you might have enough to go ahead. That's why I think coupling it with a parking garage near P&M, with indoor access through Lombard Place, might work. Those Richardson lots are less than a 10 minute walk from some of the Waterfront Drive condos.

[JamieDavid Exchange]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

What honestly gets me is the Bay has had the grocery store in the basement since I can remember, that is 41 years now, they claim they cannot keep it because of the Zellers chain, well that chain has only been in the basement for 2-3 years correct? The Bay is always threatening to move, then promising to stay, they are or are going to lease the top floors if I am not mistaken, so what is so wrong with leasing the basement grocery store that EVERYONE has used for years west of Memorial and other area's of downtown. I am sure even another IGA type store could go in there, profit for THE BAY, and traffic the store would be a bonus, and all the would have to do is lease it.

Like the city said, there are certain stores looking to move downtown, not saying which, but that seems like a perfect spot since it is set up for a grocery store and all ready has clients.

Also someone mentioned the East Exchange ( waterfront etc ) I really wonder if these people in these condos would even walk, let alone go to a grocery store in there own area. Remember the ones downtown that are left rely on Renters for the most part, low income.

As for that spot on Richardson land ( I think they own it ) Mayor Katz would have a heart attack if you removed some parking for his Baseball team, just remember what he tore down to make parking lots in the first place in that area.

Sorry. I don't know where you're getting your facts. As a resident down in the East Exchange area, I can tell you, there is no 'low income" dwellers, for the most part, in and around the East exchange or waterfront. Rentals in my building are going for $2200/ month and my address isn't even on the Waterfront.

As for residents around here not walking to the grocery store, we'd love to have the option to. Ive talked to many in the area who would love a grocery store in the area so they don't have to drive out to get groceries. Walking to the Forks or The Bay is too far. So we're forced to have to hop in our vehicles and drive somewhere.

[chrisallard5454]

It only takes 10 minutes to walk from Osbourne to Main. I don't know why everyone keeps talking about with how long and inconvenient the walk is across downtown. Add the fact that every bus travels down Graham from Main to Vaughan and back reduces that time to under 5 minutes.

Common people, do your stretches and start struttin'. Time to get in shape. I used to walk farther to get to the end of my yard.

[1ajs]

there is low income... 113 market ave has had co-op housing in it since the 70's

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

Sorry. I don't know where you're getting your facts. As a resident down in the East Exchange area, I can tell you, there is no 'low income" dwellers, for the most part, in and around the East exchange or waterfront. Rentals in my building are going for $2200/ month and my address isn't even on the Waterfront.

As for residents around here not walking to the grocery store, we'd love to have the option to. Ive talked to many in the area who would love a grocery store in the area so they don't have to drive out to get groceries. Walking to the Forks or The Bay is too far. So we're forced to have to hop in our vehicles and drive somewhere.

[armorand93]

Winnipeg needs more lower-income housing...

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by chrisallard5454

It only takes 10 minutes to walk from Osbourne to Main. I don't know why everyone keeps talking about with how long and inconvenient the walk is across downtown. Add the fact that every bus travels down Graham from Main to Vaughan and back reduces that time to under 5 minutes.

Common people, do your stretches and start struttin'. Time to get in shape. I used to walk farther to get to the end of my yard.

Round trip walk from Waterfront Drive condos to the Bay would be 40+ minutes. Sorry, not doing that while loaded with groceries.

I walk through downtown for over an hour every day, but I'm not walking to The Bay for groceries.

[chrisallard5454]

Originally Posted by rypinion

Round trip walk from Waterfront Drive condos to the Bay would be 40+ minutes. Sorry, not doing that while loaded with groceries.

I walk through downtown for over an hour every day, but I'm not walking to The Bay for groceries.

To each his own I am a young, semi-fit male, so walking for groceries isn't a problem for me. No response for the bus though? Many buses come up and down Main and then turn onto Graham, finally stopping right outside of the Zellers East entrance. There are then loops that will stop where ever is needed.

I would even be bold enough to guess that it could be faster taking a bus rather than a car, with the designated bus route on Graham, and not having to either search for parking or going into the Parkade.

[ctochico]

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

Sorry. I don't know where you're getting your facts. As a resident down in the East Exchange area, I can tell you, there is no 'low income" dwellers, for the most part, in and around the East exchange or waterfront. Rentals in my building are going for $2200/ month and my address isn't even on the Waterfront.

As for residents around here not walking to the grocery store, we'd love to have the option to. Ive talked to many in the area who would love a grocery store in the area so they don't have to drive out to get groceries. Walking to the Forks or The Bay is too far. So we're forced to have to hop in our vehicles and drive somewhere.

Yup agreed...as a future resident, and with so many condo residents around on that street, a pedestrian grocery store is very convenient...that's why I suggested the commercial space at sky or any other commercial space in any of those mix use developments...although they mite be small if just one space, but perhaps if all commercial space is available beside each other like sky phase 2, then it's possible? I dunno...wishful thinking

[JamieDavid Exchange]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

there is low income... 113 market ave has had co-op housing in it since the 70's

AND, that is why I said "no low income dwelling around the East Exchange/Waterfront for the MOST part

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by chrisallard5454

To each his own I am a young, semi-fit male, so walking for groceries isn't a problem for me. No response for the bus though? Many buses come up and down Main and then turn onto Graham, finally stopping right outside of the Zellers East entrance. There are then loops that will stop where ever is needed.

I would even be bold enough to guess that it could be faster taking a bus rather than a car, with the designated bus route on Graham, and not having to either search for parking or going into the Parkade.

Every lunch hour I walk from Portage and Main to The Bay and back, I'm just not going to do it in the evening for groceries.

I don't plan to buy a bus pass just so that I can go get groceries.

You're preaching to the choir about walking and taking the bus, it's just that it's a heck of a lot more convenient right now for me to get groceries while I'm already out with my car. If there was something much closer to the east exchange, that would change things. Instead of going once every week or two and getting way too much to carry, I'd probably pop in a couple of times a week.

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

AND, that is why I said "no low income dwelling around the East Exchange/Waterfront for the MOST part

It's not a good idea to confront the mod. Just saying.

[JamieDavid Exchange]

Originally Posted by armorand93

It's not a good idea to confront the mod. Just saying.

Well, then the mod should learn to fully read someones post before running and prematurely correcting them. Just sayin.

[inlp89]

It’s great to hear that some of you guys have the time to walk to the osborne safeway, I wish that was an option for me. When you work and live DT and are constantly strapped for time its essential to be able to hit a safeway or sobeys on the way. For me osborne safeway is not an alternative for a downtown grocery store in the least bit. Doesn’t make sense for me to walk to and from work then hop in my car to fight traffic in osborne, it defeats the whole purpose of making DT livable. DT definitely needs a major grocer, and those smaller corner shops in no way cut it. I don’t think its a matter of finding space to put one but more finding a willing tenant to take a bit of a risk on DT. IMO Having a major grocer DT will signify a bit of a turning point for the better especially for those who have already taken the risk on investing in DT residential property.

[Andy6]

In Toronto we have Sobey's Urban Fresh and a similar format from Longo's all over the central city, as well as some full-scale groceries. Almost all are new within the last 2-5 years. There is a tried-and-tested urban format out there, so it's a matter of getting someone to try it in Winnipeg. The reality is that in the Exchange there are about as many dwellings in total as in one downtown Toronto condo development. It's not a huge local market so it has to be supplemented by being high-end, accessible and car-friendly (to bring some traffic in from the outside). But at the same time it should also be walkable to a significant percentage of downtown dwellers and on a commuting route used by downtown office workers. Luckily Winnipeg's downtown land is neither so occupied, so scarce or so valuable that a grocery store in such a location is out of the question.