Edmonton Construction 11 (November 2011) - Page 248

240glt · #**4941** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 2:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shodan

Slim homes, denser neighbourhoods
City hopes slender housing will help fill hollowed-out districts

We think this is a good idea. There is a real stigma "attached" to duplexes

240glt · #**4942** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 2:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shodan

Residents lose battle on housing
Court nixes inner-city opposition to units for homeless aboriginals

Well at least this takes that project out of limbo.

Council will debate the moratorium on subsidized housing today. Should be interesting. Although not the best approach IMO, but we'll get to the proper process eventually.

Funny enough, I had some dealings just recently with the Boyle Street Community League, what a difference in philisophy between them and McCCL. Very much a nuanced approach to this topic... something that most other CL's could learn from

240glt · #**4943** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 2:26 PM**

^ speaking of which

Job No 110509735-020: To construct 2 Apartment House buildings (building 1 has 26 storeys; building 2 has 30 storeys), both with main floor General Retail / Professional, Financial, and Office Support Service Use and underground parking.
8510 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 155HW Blk 10 Lot 6
8508 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 155HW Blk 10 Lot 7
8528 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 155HW Blk 10 Lot 2
8524 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 155HW Blk 10 Lot 3
8520 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 155HW Blk 10 Lot 4
8516 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 155HW Blk 10 Lot 5
8532 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 155HW Blk 10 Lot 1
BRINSMEAD KENNEDY ARCHITECTURE

COOL!!!!!! We looked at getting on board with this program, but our trees block too much sun...

Job No 19632-003: To install a Renewable Energy Device (Solar Electrical) on a Community Recreation Services use building.(Alberta Avenue Community League)
9210 - 118 AVENUE NW
Plan 8322774 Blk 3 Lot 1A
SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY OF ALBERTA
ALBERTA AVENUE

(About 10 similar permits have been issued for CL buildings across the city)

Coldrsx · #**4944** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 2:40 PM**

Interesting decision that come out yesterday. Closure is good.

Curious to see what direction Council heads, if any.

The EFCL Solar program was very well received indeed, good to see..... just cut down those mature trees and call it a day

240glt · #**4945** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 2:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Interesting decision that come out yesterday. Closure is good.

Curious to see what direction Council heads, if any.

Agreed, but something is going to happen.... not sure exactly what yet though... this process will continue beyond today as stakeholder meetings are ongoing, regardless of what council decides

Quote:

The EFCL Solar program was very well received indeed, good to see..... just cut down those mature trees and call it a day

That's sacriligious talk mister!!

Coldrsx · #**4946** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 2:46 PM**

Save CO2 by killing a tree = net zero! Hooray

Xelebes · #**4947** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 3:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240glt

^ you obviously have no idea how requests for funding in public institutions works... Not to say it's a good system, but that's how it is

The mayor is being obtuse for some reason. Why ? Who knows... maybe you can ask him...

Well, it's better to start tracing the amount of benefits that will be received instead of just attempting to lowball by magnitudes. The A/V Upgrades, due to their shorter amortisation periods, should come up as a regular capital expenditure and not something that should be attached to events unless the event itself has specific requirements. In which case, there would be a search for rented equipment if need be (re: concerts, etc.)

240glt · #**4948** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Save CO2 by killing a tree = net zero! Hooray

Some leagues, like Alberta Ave for instance, have no trees on their south facing flank... excellent candidates for this program

Our hall is right smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood, with giant Elms on all sides... even if we wanted to cut them (which we don't) the city would never allow it

Coldrsx · #**4949** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 3:23 PM**

I was joking...

240glt · #**4950** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 3:26 PM**

^ ah.. gotcha

I think I'll toodle downstairs and get a stronger coffee...

Coldrsx · #**4951** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 3:28 PM**

(http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404667_442745245782241_33410258_n.jpg)

comFORT Downtown is a project that invites the citizens of Edmonton to join us (a group of ambitious architecture students) in the construction of pop-up forts that you will see appearing in various locations across the core during the month of November. Bringing a sense of fun, whimsy and warmth to our chilly downtown, this project is a fun way to make Edmonton even more lovable and livable.

http://www.facebook.com/comFORTdt

http://manascisaac.com/news/comfort_downtown_edmonton

Who: the people of Edmonton

What: playful fort building installations and delicious hot chocolate. Participants can either endeavor to build their own fort, or use the pre-existing fort as space to relax and hang out.

Where: potential locations across downtown include:

City Hall/Winston Churchill Square
Beaver Hills Park (105th and Jasper)
Along walking trails
Manasc Isaac Office
Legislature Grounds
MacEwan University: 106th Street Foyer
University of Alberta Downtown Campus Lobby
Norquest College
City Centre Mall

When: beginning Friday November 16th, 2012

Why: to engage the people of Edmonton with their city, making downtown Edmonton a more livable and loveable place

BUILD YOUR FORT|BUILD YOUR CITY

Kevin_foster · #**4952** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 5:58 PM**

Ouch.....

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/10/31/edmonton-condos-gates-repair-bill.html

DAVEinEDMONTON · #**4953** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_foster

Ouch.....

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/10/31/edmonton-condos-gates-repair-bill.html

Just another reason why I do not like the idea on owning a condo. So many financial decisions are out of your control.

And this example, while extreme, is not the only one in the city.

I have a friend who lives in a 4 story walk up around 116th street north of Jasper and he is looking at a $65,000 bill for his share of repairs for his bachelor suite. Essentially, more than what he paid for the place 20 years ago. Many residents end up in tears thinking about how to finance the repairs.

And another friend who lives in a tower on 110th street south of Jasper got stung with a huge bill for installation of an upgraded fire detection system. And while that upgrade was necessary, the fact is that the price skyrocketed the condo board because delayed the installation of the system for a number of years. The lesson here is that bad condo board decisions can cost more for everyone concerned.

I am happy that with my house I have the control to say what does or doesn't get done. If I do not want to redo my driveway or shingles this year, I can do so and live with it.

Coldrsx · #**4954** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 6:33 PM**

This IS NOT a condo board issue, this is a TESSCO issue. See below their list of 'accomplishments'.

sickening and criminal

Past Projects – Brownstones - new
Past Projects – Campus Court - LEAKED
Past Projects – Ellis Lofts - not new construction
Past Projects – Garneau Court - Had issues
Past Projects – Garneau Gates - Had issues
Past Projects – Garneau Lofts - not sure
Past Projects – Gates on 117th - newish
Past Projects – Gates on Twelfth - Now has major issues
Past Projects – Glenora Gates - HAD MAJOR issues
Past Projects – Grandin Court - Had major issues
Past Projects – Grandin Gates - not sure
Past Projects – Rossdale Court - had major issues (balconies)
Past Projects – Southview Court - not sure
Past Projects – The Garneau - not sure
Past Projects – The View - had major issues
__________________

http://edmontoncondo.com/past-projects/

Coldrsx · #**4955** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVEinEDMONTON

Just another reason why I do not like the idea on owning a condo. So many financial decisions are out of your control.

And this example, while extreme, is not the only one in the city.

I have a friend who lives in a 4 story walk up around 116th street north of Jasper and he is looking at a $65,000 bill for his share of repairs for his bachelor suite. Essentially, more than what he paid for the place 20 years ago. Many residents end up in tears thinking about how to finance the repairs.

And another friend who lives in a tower on 110th street south of Jasper got stung with a huge bill for installation of an upgraded fire detection system. And while that upgrade was necessary, the fact is that the price skyrocketed the condo board because delayed the installation of the system for a number of years. The lesson here is that bad condo board decisions can cost more for everyone concerned.

I am happy that with my house I have the control to say what does or doesn't get done. If I do not want to redo my driveway or shingles this year, I can do so and live with it.

Also, get on your board then and be a part of those decisions. Condos can work very well, but many struggle for owners dont volunteer or participate.

Those out of context are hard to reply to, but older buildings need major renos, simple as that. If you plan for them or budget for them they dont have a massive impact. If you keep your fees low now and say screw the future, you get into major problems.

Our board has a healthy reserve, an active board and an engaged group of owners. All buildings have issues, it is about how you deal with them.

People should never be afraid to live in a condo, but rather understand that they operate differently than a single family dwelling and the best thing to do is to get volunteering.

feepa · #**4956** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 6:39 PM**

This is why I won't buy a condo brand new. Must be at least 5-10 years old for me to consider but not older than 20 years old. usually shit like this will become apparent by then. after 30 years, most buildings need major renos, and a lot of them don't have a good fund behind them, because they were under different rules back then, some have played catch up, many are in for major assessments

SHOFEAR · #**4957** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 6:49 PM**

My buddy who lives in a building built by LIAM on 137th is facing a $30,000 assessment for leaking issues as well. The better question may be is there a 4 story wood framed building that does not have issues?

As far as my Condo Board, Icon2, within the first year we went ahead with a study identifying all components, their condition and their life expectancy. Hopefully as the market matures people will understand the need for this and condo boards that have developed a plan to deal with issues 30-50 years down the road will reap the benefits as those buildings should be more desirable.

240glt · #**4958** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

The better question may be is there a 4 story wood framed building that does not have issues?

Our place on 104th was built in '05 by Graham, has only had one very minor problem with infiltration. Other than that the building is solid

As for Gates on 12th, I have a friend that owns on the top floor, And I must say that the water problems have been evident for years. In this case, yes the builder is obviously at fault for some shoddy construction but I believe that if action had been taken much sooner, a lot of the costs could have been avoided.

Airboy · #**4959** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 7:08 PM**

Happened to catch a glimpse of a Katz-WAM-102st residential project when I was in a consultant's office today. There was no time to get a photo but Brimsmead has done a great job on it. And yes lots of glass. The lower 10 floors appear to be a mix of cast in place and curtain wall. The top is almost all glass. I couldn't count the floors but appears to be over 30.

Airboy · #**4960** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 7:09 PM**

New Scaffolding is going up over the sidewalks around the Mayfair site.