Winnipeg Construction

[chrisallard5454]

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by Reed Solomon

On the one hand, building the original downtown campus was a GREAT movie for RRC. It's a nice campus, it looks great on brochures, and they got to revitalize that area and maybe even take advantage of some heritage tax breaks (I can't remember if they did or not)

On the other hand, the Royal Bank building took forever and was way overbudget. Was it a bad idea to try to duplicate the success of the downtown campus and expand? Not necessarily. Were they wrong to try? Not based on their previous success and perhaps ultimate goal to take over that section of the exchange district.

Hopefully it all works out Seems to be almost complete, in any case. $11 million is a lot of money, but that's what, 30 textbooks?

I agree. Red River College operates in a competitive environment. Students don't have to go to Red River. RRC needs to offer a quality environment, among other things, to be able to attract top notch faculty and students.

I don't think the president of any institution, RRC or Hydro, would risk their job for the sake of downtown revitalization. They do it because it benefits their organization.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by Andy6

Yes, absolutely. How do we figure out if compelling government offices to move downtown is worth the expense if we don't gather data about what it accomplishes for the surrounding area when we have a concrete example to look at? This isn't just some random fascination of mine; it was one of the benefits that was trumpeted for having a downtown location in the first place. I'm not saying there aren't benefits, or even major benefits -- I'm just saying that I'm not hearing about them despite the fact that they (or the prospect of them) were used to create support for the expenditure of a lot of public money. I would be interested to know, for example, how many active businesses are located within a certain radius of the Hydro Building today as opposed to the day the project was announced -- same with MTS Centre. I think there may be more in each case, but I'm not sure. I'd like to know.

I can't imagine how you would ever undertake that type of research and be able to attribute the findings exclusively to either the construction of MB Hydro or the MTS Centre.

I agree, nobody wants to 'compel' any government agency to subsidize downtown revitalization. That being said I don't consider downtown to be a basket case worthy of subsidy. If new office space is required, isn't downtown the natural spot? Do we automatically default to industrial office parks?

I see that MB Hydro was considered to be one of Canada's top 100 employers in 2013, and this was mentioned as one reason:

"a centrally located head office that features quiet rooms available for napping or religious observance, roof top terraces, six-storey glass atrium and a 24-metre waterfall that moderates humidity"

Now I was sold at the napping part, but I truly believe that in order to attract and retain talent you have to offer a positive environment - and to me that means a nice building in a mixed use environment.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by chrisallard5454

It may not be a CMA, but it is a larger "city" than Winnipeg, which is what we were talking about.

Sure, but, there's a reason it's included in the Toronto CMA. It's integrated with Toronto, and so is often considered to be part of it. People are rarely taking about just the city proper when they say Toronto.

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by jmt18325

It's integrated with Toronto, and so is often considered to be part of it. People are rarely taking about just the city proper when they say Toronto.

What 'people'? Certainly no one from Toronto. Mississauga and the other areas outside the city proper are referred to as "The 905".

[armorand93]

Are you guys STILL talking about Toronto and Missasauga? Jesus...

[vid]

To settle up this stupid waste of time, I was thinking of Hamilton, and I was referring to CMA populations, not city populations, wherein Toronto would have 5.6 million people and not 2.5 million. Quebec City is the third tier city that is larger than Winnipeg. I organize my maps in CMA population order so I am kind of embarrassed to have not fact checked this.

Mississauga's success is primarily due to its proximity to Toronto. It might not be legally part of Toronto, but it if functionally a part of Toronto.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by vid

Quebec City is the third tier city that is larger than Winnipeg.

I assume you're talking about census numbers, and not population estimates? Winnipeg has in fact passed Quebec City in those.

[vid]

The actual colour of the fence is taupe, not dark brown as previously suggested.

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by vid

To settle up this stupid waste of time,

Sorry, I'm new here.

[chrisallard5454]

Originally Posted by vid

To settle up this stupid waste of time, I was thinking of Hamilton, and I was referring to CMA populations, not city populations, wherein Toronto would have 5.6 million people and not 2.5 million. Quebec City is the third tier city that is larger than Winnipeg. I organize my maps in CMA population order so I am kind of embarrassed to have not fact checked this.

Mississauga's success is primarily due to its proximity to Toronto. It might not be legally part of Toronto, but it if functionally a part of Toronto.

Once again, tell that to someone from Mississauga. Lol. I think out of all of us I would know better than anyone having lived in and around Toronto for 8 years.

[drew]

^ good heavens this is a ridiculous conversation. Population numbers aside, Mississauga is as much a separate city from Toronto as Headingley is from Winnipeg.

Nobody considers Mississauga a serious city or cares one way or the other, besides people who live there. It's a giant bedroom community serving Toronto. Whether or not they happen to vote in their own little city council, or fabricate a city centre is irrelevant.

[chrisallard5454]

Originally Posted by drew

^ good heavens this is a ridiculous conversation. Population numbers aside, Mississauga is as much a separate city from Toronto as Headingley is from Winnipeg.

Nobody considers Mississauga a serious city or cares one way or the other, besides people who live there. It's a giant bedroom community serving Toronto. Whether or not they happen to vote in their own little city council, or fabricate a city centre is irrelevant.

Is that Jealousy I smell Drew? Just joking. All I was doing was pointing out that Mississauga is technically bigger than Winnipeg, defending someone who may have stated that Mississauga was that third city. That and the fact that today it is very much a self-sufficient city that doesn't need Toronto to exist. 20 even 10 years ago your statement may have been true, but such is not the case today.
Cities are constantly in a state of change. And Mississauga has really matured as a city over the last 30 years. Will it ever have its own identity akin to a city like Winnipeg? No. Because it is overshadowed by Toronto, but it is very much its own city.
Saying that Mississauga is dependent today on Toronto, is just simply an unwillingness to let go of the past and admit that things change.

And common, comparing a city of over 700 000 to a town of 2 000 is silly. Although I do understand why you tried to make the comparison.

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by chrisallard5454

Is that Jealousy I smell Drew? Just joking. All I was doing was pointing out that Mississauga is technically bigger than Winnipeg, defending someone who may have stated that Mississauga was that third city. That and the fact that today it is very much a self-sufficient city that doesn't need Toronto to exist. 20 even 10 years ago your statement may have been true, but such is not the case today.
Cities are constantly in a state of change. And Mississauga has really matured as a city over the last 30 years. Will it ever have its own identity akin to a city like Winnipeg? No. Because it is overshadowed by Toronto, but it is very much its own city.
Saying that Mississauga is dependent today on Toronto, is just simply an unwillingness to let go of the past and admit that things change.

And common, comparing a city of over 700 000 to a town of 2 000 is silly. Although I do understand why you tried to make the comparison.

I agree. Mississauga's downtown skyline is amazing. I'm sure lots of visitors flying in these days assume they're looking at Toronto when they see it. It's not quite a 'real city' but it's far from a 'bedroom community'. It's kind of on a category of its own at the moment.

[wags_in_the_peg]

confession time.... it's been 3 years since my last post, but I do read you guys everyday. I'm not an architect or engineer or bus driver but I do love reading what is going on around here. I'm been staying away from posting as (at times) I heavily disagree with some of you and prefer making peace over war.

[wags_in_the_peg]

gorden bell field is looking GREAT!!! nice turf and nice fencing! I drive by it everyday, it's finally getting done. great for the school and great for the neighbourhood

[1ajs]

quit the progress


this is a block over from me


anyone know whats going on inside this building between lighthouse mission and main meets apears to be undergoing renos?

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

this is a block over from me

Schizophrenic architect?

That thing already looks terrible.

There comes a time where it just makes more sense to tear down the entire house and start from scratch. This is one of those times.

[Riverman]

It will look better once the vinyl siding is installed.

[headhorse]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

quit the progress

noticed this the other day... still no word about what the use is going to be?

I don't know why they would paint over the brick..