Winnipeg Construction

[Wigglez]

Originally Posted by cheswick

Personally I don't understand the people complaining about how ba Winnipeg streets are as if every other city streets are far superior. I lived in Regina for a while, the streets there were worse than Winnipeg. Whenever my inlaws from Montreal visit they say Winnipeg streets are superior to Montreal where bridges are on the verge of collapse.

I've never been a fan of justifying our bad infrastructure by saying at least it's not as bad as "X".

As long as Winnipeg continues to build new roads for suburbs and ignores the decay of older roads (and as I posted earlier, the random selection of designs for sidewalks), I wont be happy with the state of our infrastructure.

Let other cities worry about their problems, I'm not going to ignore ours because theirs may be worse.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by chrisallard5454

During the Free Press Cafe when Scott Fielding was having a debate with a Provincial representative - Same old, same old "Province isn't paying enough..." - something funny occurred. Fielding had one of his own slides backfire on him. The slide contained info on how municipalities pay for infrastructure across Canada, and the percentage of what pays for what. A large portion, if I could render a guess it would be 30%, was from Developer Fees. And this city doesn't charge them.

Later on in the evening someone pointed that out, only after Fielding complained that the city was exhausting all options for infrastructure income. The individual blatantly pointed out that most municipalities (especially sprawling cities) charge a hefty developer fee to try and stagnate sprawl. Fielding's response was something along the lines of "I don't believe in them", he then moved on to continue complaining about how he believed the province wasn't doing enough.

And to counter your Devil's advocate; You're right the initial laying down of roads, etc. are paid for by the developer, but once the area is complete the infrastructure and services are taken over by the city. My uncle (who is a major developer in Ontario) said very blatantly to me "Do you think we spend a fortune to make the roads as good as they should be? Hell no. We build to minimum code and let the city take over". In other words, yes they pay for the roads, etc. but the city has to repair them in under 10 years anyways. This is already being seen in subdivisions from the 70's up to the 90's. The focus on late 21st century sprawl has left our inner (and original) city untouched and in a state of decay.

Yep, there will always be very strong resistance against development charges - amazing how the debate over them rarely ever even comes up, even though municipalities across the country use them (including almost ever RM in the capital region).

As to your second point, developers have to build municipal infrastructure up to municipal standards (and for some infra, there is a list of approved contractors who can do the work). If the City is concerned that roads in new subdivisions aren't standing up to wear and tear as they should be (which I'm not sure is the case), then they can either increase their municipal standards, or enforce them more rigorously.

[Spocket]

From my experience traveling through some of Asia (Japan , S. Korea, China) everybody complains that they have the worst roads in the world.

The roads where I am right now are actually pretty good but the popular lore is that the city deliberately does as little as possible to maintain them so that some there's always a job for somebody next year. Nobody seems to notice that half the place is under construction and maybe that has something to do with it. :/

[cllew]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Do some of you actually believe the snow removal contractors even pay for 1% of the damage they incur, maybe if they did actually pay we wouldn't see the curbs and side walks destroyed year after year.

If they are not fixing their damages then its poor city visual inspections and / or lack of residents calling 311 about damages in front of their houses because the following clause is in the snow clearing contracts.

the Contractor shall remedy all damage and deficiencies such as curb damage by June 30th following the Contract year.

The above one is from the current East District (north) contract as clause D2.2 (c)

[GD4C]

SOON ALL WILL BE REVEALED *



END THE SPECULATIONS!

Tallest building or tallest residence?
Floor count?
One tower, or two?
Styled like Collier Centre or Capital Pointe?
$80 million?

And more!



* Hmmm.

[lilwayne]

Originally Posted by GD4C

SOON ALL WILL BE REVEALED *



END THE SPECULATIONS!

Tallest building or tallest residence?
Floor count?
One tower, or two?
Styled like Collier Centre or Capital Pointe?
$80 million?

And more!



* Hmmm.

cannot wait til the details are revealed for this project aswell. I also hope st regis is bought out demolished and redeveloped as a mixed use bldg.

I also want to find out what the plans are for the site of the old gios nite club.

[DavefromSt.Vital]

Was in Manitoba for a few days. Noticed workers putting the finishing touches on the Hampton Inn near the airport. Yes, it is another wood frame, Super 8-ish thing, but it is at least another choice for those looking for Hilton stays. Also noticed that the Homewood Suites on Ellice has the, um, wood frame complete. Neither will be much to look at, but they will definitely help out Winnipeg's profile with people using a major international hotel chain. Now if we could only get a Hilton brand downtown again.

Personally, I stayed at the airport Four Points both going in and going out. Not just convenient for my flight plans with added good direct views of the runways (for some reason I like watching planes land and take off), but also for the stay credits - 20% of gold or 4% of platinum with Starwood Preferred Guest. However, if a Westin does indeed get built downtown, I am SO there.

Finally, I did enjoy the WAG's "100 Masters - Only in Canada". As a bonus, the mezzanine level has a history of the WAG with miniature models of the WAG's various incarnations.

[headhorse]

Originally Posted by lilwayne

cannot wait til the details are revealed for this project aswell. I also hope st regis is bought out demolished and redeveloped as a mixed use bldg.

I also want to find out what the plans are for the site of the old gios nite club.

Centre Venture has an EOI for the St Regis on their website: http://www.centreventure.com/

[trueviking]

don't get too excited about what will be revealed on wednesday....i will be very surprised if it is a full on launch of the project.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by trueviking

don't get too excited about what will be revealed on wednesday....i will be very surprised if it is a full on launch of the project.

as long as a render is involved, i'll be happy (the above render?)

[trueviking]

Love to see that too, but I'm not so sure we will get one.

[lilwayne]

Originally Posted by trueviking

Love to see that too, but I'm not so sure we will get one.

you already seen it? didnt you


and u were very excited with what you saw

[GD4C]

If Fortress doesn't show a fairly accurate render, if not a model, and at least general specifications during Wednesday's event, it'll prove what I suggested earlier. That the firm is more concerned with gaining news coverage (CTV, state broadcaster CBC, various newspapers and journals) than developing a project that's sure to be built. Else, it'd make the announcement when the project is nearly ready for construction.

[lilwayne]

truviking apparantly seen the reendering already.. i recall him posting something regarding it a few days ago..

unless tv was blowing smoke

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by lilwayne

truviking apparantly seen the reendering already.. i recall him posting something regarding it a few days ago..

unless tv was blowing smoke

Trueviking, please tell us its not a 36 storey box...

[lilwayne]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I just saw the fortress proposal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow.

and i say again ladys and gentlemen it must be amazing

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Wigglez

I've never been a fan of justifying our bad infrastructure by saying at least it's not as bad as "X".

As long as Winnipeg continues to build new roads for suburbs and ignores the decay of older roads (and as I posted earlier, the random selection of designs for sidewalks), I wont be happy with the state of our infrastructure.

Let other cities worry about their problems, I'm not going to ignore ours because theirs may be worse.

Amen.

[Finn]

Hi everyone! I've been reading this forum everyday since the Alt Hotel was announced and figured it was time to finally make an account. I'm really excited for what the future holds for this city! Although I was wondering if we even have enough construction workers/equipment for all the different projects? If not I guess that's not a bad problem to have, nice to finally see some action!!

~~Finn

[1ajs]

fortress is doing the pr game to get its brand know out here if thats the case makes sens

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by lilwayne

I also want to find out what the plans are for the site of the old gios nite club.

I keep saying that it will be an expansion of the Hydro substation and don't think anything there will change. Hydro previously announced a plan to expand their substation on King St and had those plans derailed by public outcry. Based on the NIMBY that has happened there they are likely keeping the plans for the Gio's site extremely quiet. Sure it is not a sexy new building like some of the other projects but it is the sort of infrastructure piece that enables these projects to happen.