Regina Construction III

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by SkydivePilot

Would two highrises even fit in that space?

No there is not. They must be referring to on 15 storey tower and something like a 5 storey podium.

[Devon]

This is really interesting, I hope it works out. I don't see any projects on their site that involve actual building, can anyone refute that?

[UPP]

Originally Posted by CoR East

They chose themselves. They are financing it themselves. Their model of housing development relies on generating revenue from related and spin-off businesses to support their core mission, housing. More housing, especially rental and modest ownership is excellent. The location is great, best access to transit in the City, more opportunities for people to live and work in the downtown. At grade uses proposed (grocery and daycare) are both important for a complete community, and the grocery is one of those things that people always site as a deterrent to living downtown.

Active storefront uses on that site will help knit 11th Avenue back together between Cornwall and Smith streets. Now if we could only get the school board to move upstairs, replaced with active uses in their building across the street, and get the Bay to activate their facade, then we might have a half-way viable commercial strip between MacIntyre and Hamilton Streets

Excellent post. This could be a great shot in the arm for the downtown. Grocery store and 170 units? Awesome!

[Treesplease]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Why would you assume there are no tax dollars involved? Where do you think Namerind gets their funds.

I made no such assumption.

[Stormer]

Westerra plan is going to the RPC this week. There is tons of info on the City's website about it.

https://www.regina.ca/residents/council-committees/meeting-calendar-agenda/

[StealthGirl]

Originally Posted by CoR East

They chose themselves. They are financing it themselves.

Sorry if I wasn't being clear. What I was curious about is why the city chose this group to build this project? It's a valuable piece of real estate to not tender out the build on.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

Sorry if I wasn't being clear. What I was curious about is why the city chose this group to build this project? It's a valuable piece of real estate to not tender out the build on.

If you read the Finance Committee report on the City's website there are lots of good social reasons. Most importantly Namerind already owns the adjacent parcel which I assume is this building:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.4497224,-...1!3m2!1sOi9Jo8_wzVSu6T61mxloIQ!2e0?hl=en

Namerind Housing Corporation intends to purchase the land from the City of Regina at the appraised
market value. Namerind Housing Corporation purchased the adjacent property owned by
Saskatchewan Property Management (SPM) and intends on consolidating the subject site referenced
on the attached Appendix A with the land acquired from SPM. Namerind Housing Corporation plans
on leveraging existing City of Regina and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation incentive support for
housing. The incentives are dependant upon the development meeting the requirements for these
programs. Based on the discussion with Namerind the intention is that the development will be
designed to qualify for both City of Regina housing incentive programs.
Given the opportunity to consolidate the City’s parcel with the adjacent parcel to deliver a more
intense use and considering the project will create residential units in the downtown with an
affordable housing component, it is recommended that the sale to Namerind at market value be
approved without a public offering as it is of strategic value. This sale and proposed project would

assist in moving towards the Official Community Plan goals for intensification and housing.

If this is correct, it also answers how they can fit two towers on the land. I also note that they have been working with PCL for 3 years on the design and costs. I expect they are pretty far along and have a lot of grant money lined up. The City has the right to buy it back if they do not build.

[brithgob]

Also on the RPC agenda is a proposal for a low-rise affordable apartment project at Dewdney and Horace Street. This is the lot that has an old trolley-bus turnaround still on it.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by brithgob

Also on the RPC agenda is a proposal for a low-rise affordable apartment project at Dewdney and Horace Street. This is the lot that has an old trolley-bus turnaround still on it.

Is that what that is? Very cool.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Devon

Is that what that is? Very cool.

ttps://www.facebook.com/VintageRegina/posts/277729182354893

[thefourthtower]

There are photos of the two twin towers on cbc sask news

[jigglysquishy]

[Baker58]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Not the most attractive buildings but I wouldnt expect them to be with low income housing. They look a lot better than a parking lot though.

[Stormer]

Ouch! I guess what can you expect for affordable housing

[jigglysquishy]

As long as the pedestrian interaction on the ground floor is nice I'm happy.

170 units at 1.5 people per unit increases the downtown population by 255. This is an increase of 41%.

[CoR East]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

Sorry if I wasn't being clear. What I was curious about is why the city chose this group to build this project? It's a valuable piece of real estate to not tender out the build on.

I am still not sure what you are getting at. The city did not choose Namarind to build this project. The city is not building the project, Namarind is. The City does not build affordable housing, or any other kind of housing for that matter. This lot has been vacant for decades, it is not as if the City had a line up to buy the land and develop it. There are many out there who might have bought it for 'future' development (for the right price), but that would have ensured that it remained a surface parking lot for a long, long time. Both the Downtown Plan and the Official Community Plan direct the city to encourage housing in the downtown. In this particular case, the stars seem to have lined up, and Council's vision and a development opportunity have come together.

[BrutallyDishonest]

It's definitely a good time for someone to plan on building downtown office space as a revenue source....

[thefourthtower]

They are kind of nice looking , two fifteen story towers , they appear to have a two story roof , when was the last time residential towers were built downtown , the Queen City will be known as twin tower city

[Devon]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

As long as the pedestrian interaction on the ground floor is nice I'm happy.

170 units at 1.5 people per unit increases the downtown population by 255. This is an increase of 41%.

The sad reality.

I agree with you though, as long as it creates a better streetscape (and not just because it wouldn't be a parking lot no longer), I am fairly happy with it. Affordable housing is also quite dire.

[Treesplease]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

As long as the pedestrian interaction on the ground floor is nice I'm happy.

170 units at 1.5 people per unit increases the downtown population by 255. This is an increase of 41%.

1.5 people per unit is likely conservative given women with kids typically get first dibs at subsidized housing. Singles won't and shouldn't be in subsidized housing.