Edmonton Construction 11 (November 2011) - Page 322

Coldrsx · #**6421** Posted **Mar 6, 2013, 10:30 PM**

^I loved the idea of a 'beach'.... as shown in the 1st rendition.

Coldrsx · #**6422** Posted **Mar 6, 2013, 10:37 PM**

REMINDER - Green Drinks is tonight a the Common, 7pm.

http://www.thelocalgood.ca

March 6th 2013 – Celebrating YEG Hidden Gems – facebook event + gets tix here

Jasper and one o nin · #**6423** Posted **Mar 6, 2013, 11:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keats82

Oh I hear that, you're preaching to the choir - but at least they said "no" to the beach. Now we just need to start convincing the suburban communities that they aren't paying their fair share of taxes...

I don't understand. What do you mean by suburban communties? because if you are referring to municipalities in the Capital Region, you are dead wrong. If you are referring to suburban neighbourhoods in Edmonton, you are exactly correct.
If it not the latter, you think residents of edge communities should pay edmonton to use their roads? Would the roads not be there anyway? Why are they coming into Edmonton? To shop, to work, to go to hockey games? If they are not shopping or working in their own communities, that means their communities do not have the same nonresidential tax base as edmonton. Nonresidential taxes generate much more revenue than residential taxes. What's more, suburban residential taxes pay the same tax rate as inner city residential. Add up all the costs associated with serving that suburban lot it is 2 to 4 time higher than the revenue it generates.
The suburban communities you refer to, indirectly provide revenue to the City of Edmonton. Why, because the lack of nonresidential uses in the suburban communities (strathcona excluded) are made up in Edmonton. If Edmonton annexed St. Albert, the tax rate would have to spread evenly throughout the entire municipality. that means taxes would go down in the area that was st albert and go up everywhere else.
I am of the opinion that if you want to live in the burbs you should pay your fair share. The ONLY way to do that under our municipal property tax system is to carve out the suburbs and make them their own municipality. that will never happen. So with this annexation proposal, the city will have to hope for industrial to make up for the inefficient suburban growth. except guess which will develop first?

Coldrsx · #**6424** Posted **Mar 6, 2013, 11:47 PM**

Pearl - Driving down Connors... you can see it peaking over the top of the west skyline... it is quite incredible I must say.

THERE BE GLASS!!!

From Immobile on C2E

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50640430@N06/8535568582/sizes/c/in/photostream/

Coldrsx · #**6425** Posted **Mar 6, 2013, 11:51 PM**

Just back from the Strathearn open house, very well presented and the urban design/architectural concept drawings are some of the best I have seen if not the best in Edmonton... and on par Tor/Van. Very modern boxy/extruded box, but equally creative and well though out.

Using Neuf from Montreal

http://www.neufarchitectes.com

Sorry, no photos.

Airboy · #**6426** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 12:45 AM**

Pearl Our Parents CWB etal looks pretty good when coming down Terwilligar.

As for my observation yesterday there is NO a crane base on the east side of the Museum site. Why would they need a crane before demo started?

Keats82 · #**6427** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 2:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper and one o nin

I don't understand. What do you mean by suburban communties? because if you are referring to municipalities in the Capital Region, you are dead wrong. If you are referring to suburban neighbourhoods in Edmonton, you are exactly correct.
If it not the latter, you think residents of edge communities should pay edmonton to use their roads? Would the roads not be there anyway? Why are they coming into Edmonton? To shop, to work, to go to hockey games? If they are not shopping or working in their own communities, that means their communities do not have the same nonresidential tax base as edmonton. Nonresidential taxes generate much more revenue than residential taxes. What's more, suburban residential taxes pay the same tax rate as inner city residential. Add up all the costs associated with serving that suburban lot it is 2 to 4 time higher than the revenue it generates.
The suburban communities you refer to, indirectly provide revenue to the City of Edmonton. Why, because the lack of nonresidential uses in the suburban communities (strathcona excluded) are made up in Edmonton. If Edmonton annexed St. Albert, the tax rate would have to spread evenly throughout the entire municipality. that means taxes would go down in the area that was st albert and go up everywhere else.
I am of the opinion that if you want to live in the burbs you should pay your fair share. The ONLY way to do that under our municipal property tax system is to carve out the suburbs and make them their own municipality. that will never happen. So with this annexation proposal, the city will have to hope for industrial to make up for the inefficient suburban growth. except guess which will develop first?

Where's George Takei when you need him?

I was actually referring to Edmonton's suburban growth, in direct correlation with comments regarding a lack of funding for schools, fire stations (I caught myself writing fireplaces but I'm on top of my game today), etc. The current commitment towards new suburban growth is unsustainable in many respects and it has to be addressed.

Howevvvvveeeerrr.....since you brought up the subject, and while you bring up some good points, I still foresee eventual annexation further in the far future, but dependant on a lot of factors. But considering the examples of Toronto, Vancouver, etc - if growth continues it would become unavoidable.

Surrealplaces · #**6428** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 6:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keats82

A quick Wikipedia of Telus vs Shaws profits and revenues may settle the question of who is in "decline".

A quick Wikipedia check shows 2011 revenues and profits for the two companies. Yes, Telus has bigger numbers, but they always have. They've been around 50 years longer then Shaw, and are an ILEC.

My point wasn't about who has bigger profits....you had wondered where they got the money from to build a new building in Calgary, and I was just pointing out that last year they had 5 Billion in revenue and half a billion in profit. Not exactly hard to find money to get 12 new floors of office space. I was also pointing out that Shaw has seen revenues and profits steadily grow over the years.....not exactly a company in decline

Jasper and one o nin · #**6429** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 7:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keats82

Where's George Takei when you need him?

I was actually referring to Edmonton's suburban growth, in direct correlation with comments regarding a lack of funding for schools, fire stations (I caught myself writing fireplaces but I'm on top of my game today), etc. The current commitment towards new suburban growth is unsustainable in many respects and it has to be addressed.

Howevvvvveeeerrr.....since you brought up the subject, and while you bring up some good points, I still foresee eventual annexation further in the far future, but dependant on a lot of factors. But considering the examples of Toronto, Vancouver, etc - if growth continues it would become unavoidable.

Jasper and one o nin · #**6430** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 10:41 PM**

Budget:
$130 million to NAIT for the construction of its Centre for Applied
Technologies in Edmonton. This will allow the institution to address
growing demand for science and technology, health care and business
programs by adding 1,700 student spaces to its current enrolment. This new
facility will house 72 classrooms, and a 135-seat lecture theatre;

$64 million to NorQuest College to build the new North Learning Centre
and retrofit the existing South Learning Centre to consolidate its facilities
into a single downtown Edmonton location, accommodate enrolment
growth and achieve operational efficiencies. The new facility will include
smart classroom technologies, a new library and student activity spaces;

CMD UW · #**6431** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 2:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapid_business

I hear your planning ambition, but take it with a grain of salt. The planned annexation (which would include significant greenfield residential development), the approved "Horse Hills" ASP, and the spending priorities of the city exist because of market demand, demand for 'employment lands' AND the sway of UDI developers. It's not where I want to live, or where I work, but many people do.

Also take note that the new suburbs that are being built in Edmonton are 30+ units/ha. Not so low-density and significantly more dense than many existing central neighbourhoods (Ottwell, Hollyrood, etc.).

Until there is viable, market-driven alternative for residential units in infill neighbourhoods, at a range of price points, especially sub 500k, suburban growth will continue to be an attractive option. Take it from a guy who just moved back to Edmonton, set on living in a central neighbourhood, but saw the lure of cheaper, new, suburban units after countless failed home inspections on older units in centrally located neighbourhoods, bidding wars and special assessments on older condos. (We did find a place in a central neighbourhood in the end though!)

In the end, it won't be a growth boundary that changes peoples mindset on where they want to live, and in turn, where development happens, but it will be the natural pressures of a growing city (increased commute times for example), the attractiveness of established infrastructure, growing popularity of our redeveloping commercial corridors (Jasper, Whyte, 124, 118, 107, etc), and most importantly, a range of housing type options at various price points!

You're bang on here bud.

Coldrsx · #**6432** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 2:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper and one o nin

Budget:
$130 million to NAIT for the construction of its Centre for Applied
Technologies in Edmonton. This will allow the institution to address
growing demand for science and technology, health care and business
programs by adding 1,700 student spaces to its current enrolment. This new
facility will house 72 classrooms, and a 135-seat lecture theatre;

$64 million to NorQuest College to build the new North Learning Centre
and retrofit the existing South Learning Centre to consolidate its facilities
into a single downtown Edmonton location, accommodate enrolment
growth and achieve operational efficiencies. The new facility will include
smart classroom technologies, a new library and student activity spaces;

Great news!

Can't wait to see norquest takeaway a half city block of surface parking.

CMD UW · #**6433** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 3:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Just back from the Strathearn open house, very well presented and the urban design/architectural concept drawings are some of the best I have seen if not the best in Edmonton... and on par Tor/Van. Very modern boxy/extruded box, but equally creative and well though out.

Using Neuf from Montreal

http://www.neufarchitectes.com

Sorry, no photos.

Yes, I think the revised plan with their integration of the future LRT station is fantastic. It seemed like most of the people were in favour. Granted I was only there for about an hour.

craner · #**6434** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 5:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Pearl - Driving down Connors... you can see it peaking over the top of the west skyline... it is quite incredible I must say.

THERE BE GLASS!!!

From Immobile on C2E

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50640430@N06/8535568582/sizes/c/in/photostream/

Glass!
At Pearl!
Seriously?!
Yes!
FINALLY!!

Jasper and one o nin · #**6435** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 3:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMD UW

Yes, I think the revised plan with their integration of the future LRT station is fantastic. It seemed like most of the people were in favour. Granted I was only there for about an hour.

We'll see. Not sure about Norquest, but funding for NAIT is 70 million short.

Coldrsx · #**6436** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 4:05 PM**

Perhaps the shortfall in both is other forms of funding/debt/order of govt?

MrOilers · #**6437** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 4:22 PM**

The cost of Norquest's complete expansion plans were pegged at $170 million.

So they are still $100+ million short of what they need.

MalcolmTucker · #**6438** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 4:28 PM**

The capital funding in the budget is over three years, the projects would likey take longer than that even if fully funded today, so all the money isn't allocated.

Coldrsx · #**6439** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 4:52 PM**

It does say 170mil for BOTH the north and south plans...

http://www.norquest.ca/about-us/campuses-maps/north-learning-centre.aspx

Coldrsx · #**6440** Posted **Mar 8, 2013, 5:00 PM**

Hooray!

Jasper Avenue Streetscape Project to Reopen Sidewalks

March 07, 2013

Work on north side of Jasper Avenue nears completion
Pedestrian access to 102 Street north of Jasper Avenue will resume as the first portion of sidewalks along the Jasper Avenue streetscape project reopens on March 8, 2013.

The sidewalk on the north side of Jasper Avenue between 101 Street and 102 Street will reopen on March 11, 2013. All sidewalks along the north side of Jasper Avenue between 100 Street and 102 Street will reopen to pedestrians by the end of March.

The sidewalks have been closed since the spring of 2012 as part of the Jasper Avenue streetscape project.

The north side of the Jasper Avenue road and sidewalk work is nearing completion. Construction crews will switch to the south side of Jasper Avenue in early April. Vehicle traffic will be moved to the newly paved north side, with one lane of traffic in each direction from April to October.

Work on the two-year Jasper Avenue streetscape and Central LRT Station rehabilitation project was carried over from November 2012. Construction crews worked over the winter in order to bring the project back on schedule. The project is on track to be completed by the end of October 2013.

http://edmonton.ca/city_government/news/...etscape-project-to-reopen-sidewalks.aspx