Winnipeg Construction

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by Biff

....sorry, actually the condo tower goes on the southern end of the site, closest to Portage (right where that picture is). The shoring work visible in the picture was the start of the original parkade foundation which started in that location. It is now delayed while they reconfigure the design. They will ultimately use the work already done so no money wasted.

Oh really, I thought it originally was supposed to be on top of the parkade at the south end. Then was changed to a stand alone tower at the north end. My bad!

[steveosnyder]

Originally Posted by h0twired

However the equal automobile access to Portage (and other major streets) is a problem if anyone ever wants to see a westbound rapid transit solution from downtown.

A westbound rapid transit solution can happen, but no one in the city would have the cojones to do it because it would mean putting rapid transit above the ever-mighty car.

Originally Posted by h0twired

That is assuming that "major street" in a fused grid layout is always similar to that of Waverley or Kenaston. I lived in McKenzie Towne in Calgary for a number of years and walked the fused grid layout there quite a bit to get to my Sobeys and never had issues crossing the major roads that surrounded the commercial area. They all had very wide boulevards, well market crosswalks and were more like Broadway than Portage.

I'm not an expert on different areas, I really am rather ignorant of other parts of Canada to be honest. But what I can say is that in most of the fused grid pattern neighbourhoods I have been to or seen, or had reference to, all of them cater to the car as the form of transportation. They have an exit off a major freeway, they have giant signs to attract people from their cars, they have huge parking lots, they have 5 and 6 lane streets they "front" if you could call it fronting when it's set back 500 feet.

Although some pockets within a fused grid pattern create pedestrian friendly areas, most of the denser areas -- the places that cars shouldn't be needed -- are built to the scale of the car.

One last thing; according to Wikipedia, the number of dwelling units per acre in McKenzie Towne is 6.38, not exactly dense. Seeing as this was another of the original reason for me stating that I dislike anything but grid, this isn't a good example.

[chrisallard5454]

Originally Posted by h0twired

That is assuming that "major street" in a fused grid layout is always similar to that of Waverley or Kenaston. I lived in McKenzie Towne in Calgary for a number of years and walked the fused grid layout there quite a bit to get to my Sobeys and never had issues crossing the major roads that surrounded the commercial area. They all had very wide boulevards, well market crosswalks and were more like Broadway than Portage.



However the equal automobile access to Portage (and other major streets) is a problem if anyone ever wants to see a westbound rapid transit solution from downtown.

I think my biggest issue with having to walk in neighbourhoods that are not grid is the fact that there will always be a detour of some sort, even if it is minor. Grids provide efficient routes to whatever end point you are trying to reach, as a pedestrian that is.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

A westbound rapid transit solution can happen, but no one in the city would have the cojones to do it because it would mean putting rapid transit above the ever-mighty car.

There is more than just removing a couple lanes of traffic that cause problems with rapid transit down Portage (or Ellice/Sargent/StMatt/Ness etc).

The real problem is the number of intersections, crosswalks and allowed left hand turns along the way through the grid areas.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by chrisallard5454

I think my biggest issue with having to walk in neighbourhoods that are not grid is the fact that there will always be a detour of some sort, even if it is minor. Grids provide efficient routes to whatever end point you are trying to reach, as a pedestrian that is.

This is why I like fused grids. Automobile traffic restricted, but pedestrian/bike traffic still has a full grid.

In residential areas there is little benefit to giving cars a grid when the majority of them are only on the road during the day while going back and forth to work.

[steveosnyder]

Originally Posted by h0twired

There is more than just removing a couple lanes of traffic that cause problems with rapid transit down Portage (or Ellice/Sargent/StMatt/Ness etc).

The real problem is the number of intersections, crosswalks and allowed left hand turns along the way through the grid areas.

I didn't say I had a solution -- I don't, and anyone who says they do is full of it. But the first step would be to put the car on the lower end of the priorities when it comes to transportation networks.

And based on the current capital budget, that's not happening with this council.

[cheswick]

Downtown Biz is doing a grocery store needs assesment survery.

If anyone is interested: http://surveymonkey.net/s/downtowngrocery


Also downtown biz is having a series called downtown living room where you can learn about (and discuss?) certain aspects of what downtown biz is doing. The one on a dwontown grocery store:
April 23 (8:30 – 10:00AM)
Does the Business Community Want a Grocery Store?
Hear from Tom Janzen (CentreVenture) and Stefano Grande (Downtown BIZ) as they discuss grocery stores and how to attract one downtown.


http://www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com/livingroom/

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

A westbound rapid transit solution can happen, but no one in the city would have the cojones to do it because it would mean putting rapid transit above the ever-mighty car.

Originally Posted by h0twired

There is more than just removing a couple lanes of traffic that cause problems with rapid transit down Portage (or Ellice/Sargent/StMatt/Ness etc).

The real problem is the number of intersections, crosswalks and allowed left hand turns along the way through the grid areas.

A rapid transit solution going west bound from downtown to Polo Park will likely need to literally be above the existing vehicle traffic, like the SkyTrain in Vancouver. Using an elevated rapid transit line through this highly developed part of Winnipeg would address the issues with existing traffic, intersections, crosswalks and left hand turns that h0twired mentioned.

Yes, it will be costly however that would have the smallest impact with servicing that area. Due to the cost and lack of alternatives this is why there is really no discussion started about any potentinal west bound routes at this time. Service to the east and north-east sections and into the south-west (ie Ikea) Liden Woods, and Ridgewood South will happen long before the downtown-Polo Park-Airport route.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by CoryB

A rapid transit solution going west bound from downtown to Polo Park will likely need to literally be above the existing vehicle traffic, like the SkyTrain in Vancouver. Using an elevated rapid transit line through this highly developed part of Winnipeg would address the issues with existing traffic, intersections, crosswalks and left hand turns that h0twired mentioned.

Yes, it will be costly however that would have the smallest impact with servicing that area. Due to the cost and lack of alternatives this is why there is really no discussion started about any potentinal west bound routes at this time. Service to the east and north-east sections and into the south-west (ie Ikea) Liden Woods, and Ridgewood South will happen long before the downtown-Polo Park-Airport route.

Only concern would be the skywalk system. Seems like going underground (just below street level) could be the only option to separate rapid transit from road traffic going down Portage Ave. Then that brings Winnipeg Square into the equation. So then do you go lower than that? The debate goes on.

There are some concepts out there to get to the airport from South Winnipeg. Pretty much bypassing downtown altogether. LRT, no BRT. From some super secret drawings I've seen anyways.

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by CoryB

A rapid transit solution going west bound from downtown to Polo Park will likely need to literally be above the existing vehicle traffic, like the SkyTrain in Vancouver. Using an elevated rapid transit line through this highly developed part of Winnipeg would address the issues with existing traffic, intersections, crosswalks and left hand turns that h0twired mentioned.

Yes, it will be costly however that would have the smallest impact with servicing that area. Due to the cost and lack of alternatives this is why there is really no discussion started about any potentinal west bound routes at this time. Service to the east and north-east sections and into the south-west (ie Ikea) Liden Woods, and Ridgewood South will happen long before the downtown-Polo Park-Airport route.

How could that work with Winnipeg winters? I'm guessing that it would be really expensive to develop that technology to ensure 100% reliable service in a brutal climate in which it likely hasn't been used before, especially if it's only ever going to be used for one tiny route. It would probably be more cost effective to bulldoze a new surface route through the West End somewhere, much as the City did when it created the Metro Route system and extended Cumberland Avenue and Donald Street (and others like the Osborne-Dunkirk Drive connection) through older residential neighbourhoods. I don't see that as very likely either. My guess is that people will continue to take the bus down Portage and the BRT money will be spent where it can make more impact.

[cllew]

City of Winnipeg City Center Community Committe is going to have a hearing on April 16/13 to review the plans to devleop the lands on Taylor from next to the Park and Ride to the Grant Park Festival.

http://www.winnipeg.ca/CLKDMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=12632&SectionId=&InitUrl= and then click on public hearings at the bottom of the list.

I have heard rumors that Wal-Mart would be coming back to the area as one of the lead tenents with a super Wal-mart but who knows if they want back into the Grant Park area?

Besides retail there will also be residental with transit service into the developemt.

By the way it's another Shindico development and involves land owned by Manitoba Hydro and the City of Winnipeg so there could be some media interest in this.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Only concern would be the skywalk system. Seems like going underground (just below street level) could be the only option to separate rapid transit from road traffic going down Portage Ave. Then that brings Winnipeg Square into the equation. So then do you go lower than that? The debate goes on.

There are some concepts out there to get to the airport from South Winnipeg. Pretty much bypassing downtown altogether. LRT, no BRT. From some super secret drawings I've seen anyways.

Get rid of the skywalks. Ruins street level pedestrian activity downtown.

[Flavelle103]

OK lightning round of questions that have been rattling around my mental locker:
-what's under construction on second floor of cityplace, kitty corner from the new casino/shark club? Ie, right at the skywalk to mts centre?
-when will meaningful construction work begin on the WCC exp?
-when will meaningful construction work begin on the Upper Fort Garry site?
-Isn't it interesting that the parking lots b/w 201 Portage and Whiskey Dix are not being used anymore for parking? Hmmm
-Doesn't it seem like there's a growing gulf between NoPo and SoPo? Seems like all the new developments (or most) are going to the south, while the north continues to struggle.
-Is there a nicer part of the city than East Exchange (ok i'm biased - i work in the Grain Exchange Bldg)

[trueviking]

- this thing: http://www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com/livingroom/
- Autumn I believe
- Parts are under construction off site. Apparently this summer. The building next spring.
- A significant project there will be announced soon.
- SoPo is finally seeing its day....its good...so many parking lots to fill in that area. Would be great if the Broadway residential and commercial area was connected better.
- west exchange.

[morty]

Originally Posted by cllew

City of Winnipeg City Center Community Committe is going to have a hearing on April 16/13 to review the plans to devleop the lands on Taylor from next to the Park and Ride to the Grant Park Festival.

http://www.winnipeg.ca/CLKDMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=12632&SectionId=&InitUrl= and then click on public hearings at the bottom of the list.

I have heard rumors that Wal-Mart would be coming back to the area as one of the lead tenents with a super Wal-mart but who knows if they want back into the Grant Park area?

Besides retail there will also be residental with transit service into the developemt.

By the way it's another Shindico development and involves land owned by Manitoba Hydro and the City of Winnipeg so there could be some media interest in this.

I wonder if they weren't expecting anybody to read "Attachment A - Taylor Redevelopment Master Plan. So much BS. They talk about the history of the neighbourhood: the Métis community, and how this conforms to OurWinnipeg and modern urban planning. Then they show the plans: more big box store development, along with some condos. I don't understand how the south end isn't saturated yet with retail. Seasons of Tuxedo isn't nearly done, Sugar Beet lands remain undeveloped, and the adjacent to this proposal Grant Park Festival isn't even finished building out to the west.

I am not, however, an economist. Even if the demand is there, I can't believe what they're saying. It's going to be a well connected community hub? It is surrounded by big box stores, low-density residential, the CN main line, the giant Hydro parking lot, and the Pembina underpass which has no sidewalks on this development's side and won't until at least 2018.

This proposal seems to be a long-term plan. It is Shindico, so I'm sure it'll get approved and built eventually. It's just that I can't believe they're selling it as a mixed use development. It's allegedly going to "Change the game" as Winnipeg's first true MUD. The zoning variance shows the site plan: Surprise, it's big box stores and parking. With a traffic circle! Must be urban.

I threw this together in paint to show what kind of potential this site has. Imagine this with ground level retail in Shops of Don Mills style, and mid-rise condos.

Waverley will never have a bridge across the Assiniboine, that ship sailed 25 years ago. This type of plan would improve transportation in the area and lead to higher quality development.

Sorry for the rant. I don't even live in River Heights, but I'm sick of these "infill developments" being more suburban crap. Time to buy into Glasshouse or d Condos, I think...

[1ajs]

that area should not be built on its all wet lands...

[viperred88]

If you all you don't know already there is now a countdown installed at the pedestrian lights @ River and Osborne. Finally!

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

that area should not be built on its all wet lands...

Most areas are former marshlands and creeks in this province that have been buried .

[rypinion]

View from Amy at James.


Sky 2 Condominium Construction by Robert Young, on Flickr

[Jeff]

went to blue moon on pacific yesterday.. I don't mean to sound like an advertisement but they had a 20-70% sale on some amazing furniture. check it out if you're around the exchange! that place has amazing stuff.. very Vancouver gas town / yale town vibe.