Regina Construction III

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Draftsman

I love that picture. I was probably around 5 years old at the time

Beautiful photo. The amount of neon signage on that street is fantastic, really brings life to it, I can only imagine strolling down it at night.

[Dan0myte]

Originally Posted by brithgob

First in a while, you mean. There were always grocery stores in the old days.

Hah, I guess that comment shows my age. I should have said "In the time that I've been alive, I don't think there has been a fresh food grocery store in the downtown core."

[jigglysquishy]

Those Hamilton Street photos are gorgeous. I wish our downtown streetscape could be brought back to that.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Those Hamilton Street photos are gorgeous. I wish our downtown streetscape could be brought back to that.

Yet look how vibrant and full of people the street is... oh wait haha. Apparently we never hang out downtown.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Yet look how vibrant and full of people the street is... oh wait haha. Apparently we never hang out downtown.

The lack of people in this picture is just a coincidence. The streets were very alive downtown in the 60's as one had little choice but to head downtown for everything from shopping to doctor's visits to movies and work. It will never be as centralized again, but we are moving in the right direction.

this looks like the 50's but you get the idea.


http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Photos+Facebook+page+posts+vintage+photos+Regina/7777275/story.html

[Drofmab]

Riders just sent out a New Mosaic Stadium Survey.
(login didn't work for me, though)

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Riders just sent out a New Mosaic Stadium Survey.
(login didn't work for me, though)

Me either, me thinks they didn't expect the volume or didn't activate the emails yet

[torgrimj]

It seems as the survey has been retracted now....

[brithgob]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Pretty sure it was Dominion. More info on the Midtown here from Draftsman:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6065566&postcount=327

I can't find an ad right now, but I'm almost positive it was "Loblaws Groceteria." But I do believe it closed in the 1970s, so maybe it reopened as a Dominion.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

If Wascana Centre Authority was going to have a hotel built in the park somewhere around the lake, where do you think the best spot would be?

I was thinking how odd it is that there is no hotel utilizing the gorgeous surroundings of the lake and its parks. I was thinking somewhere along Broad Street by the Willow and the Boat docks since it is along a busy corridor heading downtown, raised higher up for a better view and close to the ammenities of the visitor centre, Willow Island, the walkways, the Science Centre, Conexus Arts Centre, Wascana Pool, University of Regina and the CBC/Soundstage. Obviously not a stucco hotel would be a wise choice, but from the brick work across the street at Canterbury, I can see something that would fit nice into the park without taking away from it.

Also, any word on ATL Hotels plan for a hotel property downtown and if the Fairfield Inn has resumed construction on South Albert Street?

[UrbanClimate]

"State of the City: Big Plans for Downtown."

http://regina.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=549749

Gives a sneak peak into Malt City whisky bar & restaurant, in the historic Canada Life Building.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by one_brick_at_a_time

If Wascana Centre Authority was going to have a hotel built in the park somewhere around the lake, where do you think the best spot would be?

I was thinking how odd it is that there is no hotel utilizing the gorgeous surroundings of the lake and its parks. I was thinking somewhere along Broad Street by the Willow and the Boat docks since it is along a busy corridor heading downtown, raised higher up for a better view and close to the ammenities of the visitor centre, Willow Island, the walkways, the Science Centre, Conexus Arts Centre, Wascana Pool, University of Regina and the CBC/Soundstage. Obviously not a stucco hotel would be a wise choice, but from the brick work across the street at Canterbury, I can see something that would fit nice into the park without taking away from it.

Also, any word on ATL Hotels plan for a hotel property downtown and if the Fairfield Inn has resumed construction on South Albert Street?

I think that ship sailed when the Chateau Qu'Appelle failed:


Courtesy of Wikipedia

I don't think any development will be allowed within the park property at all; it'd have to be on the border of it.


Haven't heard anything about ALT in a long time though... and Fairfield is still crawling.. can't tell if there's no movement or going just super slowly; my guess is no progress.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I think that ship sailed when the Chateau Qu'Appelle failed:


Courtesy of Wikipedia

I don't think any development will be allowed within the park property at all; it'd have to be on the border of it.


Haven't heard anything about ALT in a long time though... and Fairfield is still crawling.. can't tell if there's no movement or going just super slowly; my guess is no progress.

That building would have been gorgeous and an amazing landmark at the corner of College and Albert.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I think that ship sailed when the Chateau Qu'Appelle failed:


I don't think any development will be allowed within the park property at all; it'd have to be on the border of it.


Haven't heard anything about ALT in a long time though... and Fairfield is still crawling.. can't tell if there's no movement or going just super slowly; my guess is no progress.

The WCA master plan and vision always contemplated some commercial development. It must be tightly controlled and limited, obviously. I know they have entertained some fairly significant proposals in the past and no doubt will in future. Hotels and spas are specifically mentioned in some of their vision materials. I note the that SGEU has filed materials strongly opposing development around the lake but not necessarily elsewhere in the park.

Alt raised a boatload of cash on the markets a month or so ago to fund their expansion plans. I would not be surprised if we hear something soon.

[Dan0myte]

Originally Posted by one_brick_at_a_time

If Wascana Centre Authority was going to have a hotel built in the park somewhere around the lake, where do you think the best spot would be?

Well I know CNIB is in discussions right now with the WCA and some developers regarding their building at 2550 Broad.

The building was built in the 1950's, prior to the WCA being founded. The buildings along that strip of Broad are a unique group as they've been 'grandfathered' and allowed to remain even though there is a ban on any and all buildings within the WCA's boundaries. The problem is CNIB's building is in rough shape. The west side's foundation is sinking into the soft earth surrounding the lake and it's very evident by the computer chairs rolling from one side of the room to the other on their own. The smell in there is pretty bad too from what appears to be broken sewage pipes under the foundation. The final nail in the coffin came when the Open Door society moved out, as they were leasing half the building and helping CNIB cover the building's costs. CNIB has about 15 employees in Regina and working out of a building that size is quite wasteful. That being said, they know they have a golden ticket here as they're in a building that shouldn't technically exist with one of the finest views of the lake and park and an unbreakable 99 year lease on the property.

CNIB has been trying to raise funds to demo & replace their building at the current location but all signs right now are CNIB moving out of that building and into a more affordable commercial location downtown or in a suburban office park. But then how is the lease & building sale handled? Could it be sold to a developer for other purposes? Would the WCA allow that? Or if CNIB moves out does that property become surrendered to the WCA and demolished and returned to park land? It will be interesting to see how this all plays out over the next few years.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Dan0myte

Well I know CNIB is in discussions right now with the WCA and some developers regarding their building at 2550 Broad.

The building was built in the 1950's, prior to the WCA being founded. The buildings along that strip of Broad are a unique group as they've been 'grandfathered' and allowed to remain even though there is a ban on any and all buildings within the WCA's boundaries. The problem is CNIB's building is in rough shape. The west side's foundation is sinking into the soft earth surrounding the lake and it's very evident by the computer chairs rolling from one side of the room to the other on their own. The smell in there is pretty bad too from what appears to be broken sewage pipes under the foundation. CNIB hasn't really maintained the building all that well either leading it to be considered for demolition soon. The final nail in the coffin came when the Open Door society moved out, as they were leasing half the building and helping CNIB cover the building's costs. CNIB has about 15 employees in Regina and working out of a building that size is quite wasteful. That being said, they know they have a golden ticket here as they're in a building that shouldn't technically exist with one of the finest views of the lake and park and an unbreakable 99 year lease on the property.

CNIB has been trying to raise funds to demo & replace their building at the current location but all signs right now are CNIB moving out of that building and into a more affordable commercial location downtown or in a suburban office park. But then how is the lease & building sale handled? Could it be sold to a developer for other purposes? Would the WCA allow that? Or if CNIB moves out does that property become surrendered to the WCA and demolished and returned to park land? It will be interesting to see how this all plays out over the next few years.

I am certain that this bolded part is not the WCA's policy. The WCA has entertained other proposals in other areas of the park and will continue to do so. There is no outright ban. You just need to jump through lots of hoops.

[HomeInMyShoes]

There is no ban according to the Wascana Centre Authority Act. Unless it is temporary it needs to be reviewed.

Originally Posted by WCAA

Restriction on approval of construction of building
18(1) Subject to subsection (2), no approval of the construction of a building shall
be given under section 17 unless:
(a) the participating party requesting approval of the proposed building
submits all plans, elevations, specifications and models relating to the
exterior of the proposed building that the Authority may require; and
(b) the Architectural Advisory Committee has recommended the approval by
the Authority of the proposed building on the ground that it is consistent with
the master plan.
(2) The Authority may waive the requirements of clause (1)(b) if, in its opinion:
(a) the value of the proposed building will be less than $25,000; or
(b) the proposed building is of a temporary nature and conformity with the
master plan has been waived by the Authority pursuant to subsection 17(2).
R.S.S. 1978, c.W-4, s.18; 1979-80, c.72, s.5;
1993, c.2, s.6.

I'd love to see some sort of casual restaurant and coffee and ice cream place that could be open all year near the marina where the skating rink is. I walk through the park at all times of the year and a stopping/meeting place would be great. The Willows is nice, but they aren't a casual walk in and get something place and are not open on Sundays.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by Stormer

The WCA master plan and vision always contemplated some commercial development. It must be tightly controlled and limited, obviously. I know they have entertained some fairly significant proposals in the past and no doubt will in future. Hotels and spas are specifically mentioned in some of their vision materials. I note the that SGEU has filed materials strongly opposing development around the lake but not necessarily elsewhere in the park.

I would be exceptionally surprised to see a hotel or spa within WCA in my lifetime. On land bordering the WCA, perhaps.

Aside from the suggestions appearing briefly in visioning sessions, commercialization beyond small (often temporary) vendors really doesn't have a foothold in any of the Centre's Master Plans.

Much like the National Capital Commission lands in Ottawa, the focus is arts/culture, education, recreation, environment, and seat of government. Commercial development has always been exceptionally limited. The 2006 Master Plan gives no hint of a change to this long-standing policy direction.

Also like the NCC, there are too many restrictions placed on developments in the Centre for most entrepreneurs to tolerate. Design standards alone will kill most developers' interest - signage & height restrictions being the most limiting... anything taller than 4 stories is explicitly prohibited.

True, any of this can be changed with the swipe of a legislative pen... but successive governments of all political stripes seem reticent to touch the WCA mandate. I actually think by creating the Provincial Capital Commission, the Sask Party gave a nod to maintaining WCA's course.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

I would be exceptionally surprised to see a hotel or spa within WCA in my lifetime. On land bordering the WCA, perhaps.

Aside from the suggestions appearing briefly in visioning sessions, commercialization beyond small (often temporary) vendors really doesn't have a foothold in any of the Centre's Master Plans.

Much like the National Capital Commission lands in Ottawa, the focus is arts/culture, education, recreation, environment, and seat of government. Commercial development has always been exceptionally limited. The 2006 Master Plan gives no hint of a change to this long-standing policy direction.

Also like the NCC, there are too many restrictions placed on developments in the Centre for most entrepreneurs to tolerate. Design standards alone will kill most developers' interest - signage & height restrictions being the most limiting... anything taller than 4 stories is explicitly prohibited.

True, any of this can be changed with the swipe of a legislative pen... but successive governments of all political stripes seem reticent to touch the WCA mandate. I actually think by creating the Provincial Capital Commission, the Sask Party gave a nod to maintaining WCA's course.

We already have the CBC, City-TV, CNIB, Willow and all sorts of commercial tenants on the U of R campus and Research Park.

WCA have been wiling to consider major commercial developments in the past that may not have become public because they did not proceed and they will continue to do so in the future. This does not mean they will be in the flower garden in front of the Legislature but rather in appropriate places such as along Broad, Albert and College.

[Stormer]

Regina's CMA nearly 240K and growing fast. Saskatoon tops 300k!

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150211/dq150211a-eng.htm?HPA