Regina Construction III

[jigglysquishy]

Originally Posted by Davidson

I was at the U of R this week and the exterior of both new residence towers (12 story's each IIRC) and the 6-story connector between the two appear to be substantially complete. Lots of interior work to go,I'm sure.

The construction has resulted in the loss of quite a bit of on-campus parking, so I see the students union is holding a referendum again on a U-pass for transit.

The U-Pass did wonders for Saskatoon and I'm sure it will for Regina as well. The pass is forcing Saskatoon to rethink transit in a big way.

Transit won't work until the people demand it. Having 10,000 students with guaranteed passes will do wonders for getting transit in the news.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Davidson

As a U of R Alum living in Saskatoon, I find the difference in the tone of news coverage between the two cities quite striking, especially when it comes to the universities. If this Conference was at the U of S, the Star-Phoenix would be trumpeting what a coup this was and how it proves that Saskatoon has a world-class university. By contrast, the first two articles I've read online from the Leader-Post about this coming to Regina (there was one previous to what's posted above) focused on the cost and who/how the U of R was going to pay for it.

CBC in particular appears to have it in for the U of R administration. They have a source that keeps "leaking" supposed scandals.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by Davidson

As a U of R Alum living in Saskatoon, I find the difference in the tone of news coverage between the two cities quite striking, especially when it comes to the universities. If this Conference was at the U of S, the Star-Phoenix would be trumpeting what a coup this was and how it proves that Saskatoon has a world-class university. By contrast, the first two articles I've read online from the Leader-Post about this coming to Regina (there was one previous to what's posted above) focused on the cost and who/how the U of R was going to pay for it.

If there is a university that can't pay for it, it's the U of S! LOL!!!!

[thefourthtower]

Would any one have any photo updates of the new eighty million dollar, twin tower residence complex at the university , they appear to be quiet nice looking buildings

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

Would any one have any photo updates of the new eighty million dollar, twin tower residence complex at the university , they appear to be quiet nice looking buildings

I'm sure there are better pics out there, but this webcam does show the new residence complex (in the background).

There's also a time-lapse of the construction here (same webcam location as above).

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by Stormer

If it is H&M they will definitely be taking the second floor of the Havik Blg at least, it may also mean Chatters and/or Tim Hortons moving.

Not sure if need an elevator if open to the mall.

Smitty's is now closed.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Smitty's is now closed.

Any action upstairs - i.e. Chatters/Timmies?

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Any action upstairs - i.e. Chatters/Timmies?

Nothing - both look like business as usual.

As with all Tim's, it's lined-up all the time... I suspect Cornwall would have to find them an alternative location, if something like H&M is actually taking over Havik/Smittys/BodhiTree/Chatters/Tim's.

Tim's current location is nearly ideal - anywhere else in the mall & the line-ups would cause congestion & flow issues. Where it is, there's a bit of a bottleneck at 10:30 & 2:30, but most of the time the line just snakes towards the RBC door.

Maybe the former medi-clinic across from SaskTel? lots of space there for line-ups. Would also get people down to that part of the mall. Seems like a stretch, though.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Well ladies and Gents looks like One lane each way on Victoria for a few weeks to a month or so while new bridges are built over the creek :p Good luck east end commuters!

http://www.leaderpost.com/Victoria+work+going+ahead/10729460/story.html

[Festivus]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Well ladies and Gents looks like One lane each way on Victoria for a few weeks to a month or so while new bridges are built over the creek :p Good luck east end commuters!

http://www.leaderpost.com/Victoria+work+going+ahead/10729460/story.html

It will suck for a while, but the expansion is sorely needed. I really can't wait until most truck traffic is routed around that entire area by the bypass, though.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Well ladies and Gents looks like One lane each way on Victoria for a few weeks to a month or so while new bridges are built over the creek :p Good luck east end commuters!

http://www.leaderpost.com/Victoria+work+going+ahead/10729460/story.html

The City has never completed any significant project that quickly. Where did you get those times? I will bet anyone right now it will be a minimum of 2 months.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Stormer

The City has never completed any significant project that quickly. Where did you get those times? I will bet anyone right now it will be a minimum of 2 months.

I was guessing at the time the bridges would need to be redone, but yes more time is always a good bet. I was trying to be nice.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

I was guessing at the time the bridges would need to be redone, but yes more time is always a good bet. I was trying to be nice.

It is always good to be nice, but I choose to say it like it is.

This is my recent experience with City projects on major roads:

1. The week before, the City goes out and blocks lanes so that driver's can become "acclimatized" to the changes in advance of the work.
2. They will then spend the next 3-4 weeks constructing crossovers. During this time the left lane in both directions will be completely blocked even though all the work is going on in the centre ditch and no work whatsoever is going on in the left lane.
3. Work will begin on the demoing one of the old bridges. Due to unforeseen weather (it never rains in June, what a surprise...) construction of the first bridge will take 6 weeks longer than expected.
4. Demo and construction of bridge #2 goes a little faster because they have figured out how to do it on the first one. Unfortunately winter has unexpectedly arrived in November and although the bridges are open, there will be more work to complete in the spring.
5. The City announces in spring 2016 some "minor inconvenience" to drivers to complete work.

The City is oblivious to the cost of road construction delays. The cost is enormous, especially on the Trans Canada Highway. Plus the longer traffic is restricted, the more chance there is for accidents.

[Treesplease]

I have seen bridge replacements stretch on forever but this might be quick given the bridges are being replaced with giant culverts and there are no tedious bridge parts to assemble afterwards - but yes, there is always the "city" variable.

[darclar]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Smitty's is now closed.

I heard from an employee at Smitty's that they had a long term lease but the mall used a clause accusing them of over serving in the lounge to break their lease and get them out of there. I guess that is the only way they could get the space back, so they must have big plans for that whole space.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by darclar

I heard from an employee at Smitty's that they had a long term lease but the mall used a clause accusing them of over serving in the lounge to break their lease and get them out of there. I guess that is the only way they could get the space back, so they must have big plans for that whole space.

Interesting accusation. I don't doubt there's a clause in most leases that permits termination if illegal activity is suspected. Obviously, this could be challenged (assuming SLGA didn't actually find them in violation), but the time/cost likely isn't worth it for Smitty's...

If this is what happened, I agree that bigger plans must be in the works.

[Dan0myte]

Originally Posted by darclar

I heard from an employee at Smitty's that they had a long term lease but the mall used a clause accusing them of over serving in the lounge to break their lease and get them out of there. I guess that is the only way they could get the space back, so they must have big plans for that whole space.

Wow! The Cornwall has some slimy lawyers on their side.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Does the building that Smitty's currently occupies contain a basement that could be used as well? Would three floors be enough for an H&M? Also, slimy or not, whether its an H&M or maybe a new restaurant, Smitty's needs to go.

I have mentioned this before, but I wish one day they would just add another floor to the Cornwall Centre. The amount of new space that could be introduced would allow the mall way more allowance for retailers with larger floor plates (ex. Zara, H&M, Club Monaco, SportChek, Chapters, Victoria's Secret, Urban Outfitters) which is what the Regina market of shoppers wants.

I also wish they would open up the street front brick walls of Sears and make that Sask Drive/Hamilton Street area more vibrant and visually appealing. The Cornwall Centre entrance on Sask Drive east of the Sasktel building is absolutely brutal and I am surprised nothing has happened in regards to plants, banners, signage or anything else that would make it a better gateway to the mall. I always see garbage stuck to the barb wire on the top and it looks awful.


On another note, I was thinking that the portion of the parking lot between the strip mall and the old Canadian Tire location on South Albert would be a good spot for a new hotel. Was there ever any other hotel besides the old 'Landmark Inn' (now the Shoppers/Brewsters block) on the west side of South Albert Street?

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Could actually be IN the Superstore... Goodlife in Loblaws is really common in Ontario. Pretty sure Calgary has some like this as well.
(50 Loblaws & Superstore locations feature a Goodlife for Women)

Speaking of GoodLife - they're looking at the former Target stores as part of their growth strategy. Aiming to open 50 new locations this year (from 350 to 400).

GoodLife is ubiquitous east of Manitoba (43 in Toronto; 14 in Ottawa; 8 in Hamilton; 14 in Halifax; 6 in St. John's...) other than Calgary (& to a lesser degree, Winnipeg), they really don't have a major presence in the West (e.g. 3 in Vancouver; 4 in Edmonton; 2 in Victoria).

Having multiple locations in the centres they serve seem to be key to their business model... given this, & assuming Golden Mile gets one, the north end would likely be on their radar, so Target might work.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5266784-goodlife-fitness-looks-at-former-target-canada-locations/

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by one_brick_at_a_time

Does the building that Smitty's currently occupies contain a basement that could be used as well? Would three floors be enough for an H&M? Also, slimy or not, whether its an H&M or maybe a new restaurant, Smitty's needs to go.

I have mentioned this before, but I wish one day they would just add another floor to the Cornwall Centre. The amount of new space that could be introduced would allow the mall way more allowance for retailers with larger floor plates (ex. Zara, H&M, Club Monaco, SportChek, Chapters, Victoria's Secret, Urban Outfitters) which is what the Regina market of shoppers wants.

I also wish they would open up the street front brick walls of Sears and make that Sask Drive/Hamilton Street area more vibrant and visually appealing. The Cornwall Centre entrance on Sask Drive east of the Sasktel building is absolutely brutal and I am surprised nothing has happened in regards to plants, banners, signage or anything else that would make it a better gateway to the mall. I always see garbage stuck to the barb wire on the top and it looks awful.

There is no basement. Not even a building for that matter. It is just part of the Cornwall Centre. They merely preserved the beautiful façade of the old building that once stood there. Edit:On the right below.

Regarding SaskTel on Sask Dr., I am convinced SaskTel hates trees when I look around their many, many buildings and properties in Regina. They usually have a lame excuse about underground lines, but they do not even try to have greenery or flowers. Zero trees around their new Energy Centre on 11th, despite them appearing in the renders. It took them many years to plant 2 spindly trees in front of the former Presuitti's building on Lorne that is now a surface lot, despite promises that they would plant trees. The 35 year old ash trees around their parkade downtown have not been maintained and are mostly dying.



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