Winnipeg Construction VIII

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Portage Place included a significant office component from the start. The main change is it has become more prominent over the years. Recently when walking through there I noticed signs on the main floor for offices on a higher floor. That sort of thing was really limited when they first opened.

The difference between Portage Place then and now when it comes to office/non-retail commercial space is that it is creeping beyond the original office section along Portage Avenue between Edmonton and Kennedy Sts. and right into the retail mall itself.

It reminds me a bit of Commerce Place in downtown Edmonton... much of the mall at the base of the tower has been dedicated to office uses pretty much since its inception. Portage Place is headed in that direction.

[CoryB]

Local examples would be CityPlace where the north portion of the mall officially closed as retail space a fair bit before MTS Centre was announced with a then plan to convert in to non-retail space. Now in that mall we have the MPI customer centre on the main floor, their corporate training space on the second floor, the CentreVenture offices and the SharkClub.

The other similar space in the "mall" at Fort Garry Place. It is still a public space and relatively ornate but looking a little worn from age. The concept never really found any traction and ended up being leased out mainly as office space, I think to the City of Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Square too has suffered a similar slide. Having less space to lease to begin with it is more a hidden thing. It also has also been more an office support mall than a true retail outlet.

[esquire]

A $5.3 million expansion of Alloway Hall at the Manitoba Museum was announced today.

http://manitobamuseum.ca/main/alloway-hall-gets-a-makeover/

This is the hall that houses travelling exhibits. I heard a radio interview with the museum's executive director in which she said that these are a big part of what they do now, as these travelling exhibits bring a lot of people out to the museum. Up to now, the Manitoba Museum has been very limited in terms of what they could bring due to the small existing size of Alloway Hall.

[rrskylar]

What exactly is the end game for our somewhat naive rookie mayor in continually trying to antagonize one of the most important business men in this province? Based entirely on optics Bowman is looking more like a loser than a saviour for our city, in fact petty and dim witted come to mind.

[blueandgoldguy]

He promised the public accountability and transparency. Maybe he was a little over exuberant in his public questioning of True North's supposed dealings with CV. Maybe not. I doubt Chipman and Thompson will take their ball and go home. Seems like an idle threat. I'm sure they will go ahead with this project in some form regardless of whether they acquire the old Carlton Inn site or not.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

I doubt Chipman and Thompson will take their ball and go home. Seems like an idle threat.

As if a businessman worth hundreds of millions of dollars makes critical decisions based on whether or not a politician grovels enough. If I were Bowman I'd tell Chipman to GFY, although that's one of many reasons why I'm not mayor.

I'm sure Bowman is motivated enough to try and work out some kind of mutually face-saving end to this debacle.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by esquire

As if a businessman worth hundreds of millions of dollars makes critical decisions based on whether or not a politician grovels enough. If I were Bowman I'd tell Chipman to GFY, although that's one of many reasons why I'm not mayor.

I'm sure Bowman is motivated enough to try and work out some kind of mutually face-saving end to this debacle.

Your right because if Chipman and his True North group decide not to go forth with their project I'm sure there are dozens of other proposals and investors for that site!

[Jeff]

u never know.. that church might wanna expand some day!

[biguc]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

What exactly is the end game for our somewhat naive rookie mayor in continually trying to antagonize one of the most important business men in this province? Based entirely on optics Bowman is looking more like a loser than a saviour for our city, in fact petty and dim witted come to mind.

We've been over this before on this board, but here it is:

Centreventure killed the hotel deal Stuart-Olsen was working on, losing the city millions that it already paid for that hotel to be built. They did this at Chipman's behest, because he wanted to develop the site. It seems they also killed the W hotel proposal at Portage and Main because it would have competed with Chipman's plan.

As the Free Press understands it, Bowman taking issue with the city's development agency stopping development from happening, makes him anti-development. The Free Press is a pack of idiots.

Anyway, like Esquire said, this proposal isn't going away because Chipman's feelings are hurt. Ultimately, what's done is done, and Chipman wants to build his project to make money. I hope Chipman and Bowman can see to throwing Centreventure under the bus and making nice with each other, but it really doesn't matter. Chipman wants to make money and he already stacked the deck so that he can do exactly that. He doesn't need Bowman to be happy about it.

I'm impressed by Bowman's resolve. Through this and the budget he's been incredibly open and clear. He's making difficult moves without piles of political bullshit. It's ruffling feathers now, but I think people will see the wisdom of what he's doing in the years to come.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

What exactly is the end game for our somewhat naive rookie mayor in continually trying to antagonize one of the most important business men in this province? Based entirely on optics Bowman is looking more like a loser than a saviour for our city, in fact petty and dim witted come to mind.

I shudder at the fact that it appears that there is only one developer (Chipman's Longboat group) that is willing to spend money in Winnipeg.

I wonder what happened to all the REIT's that were saying a few months ago to the Free Press business reporters that Winnipeg was on the top of their list to be investing in because of the good market conditions.

[biguc]

Like I just said, CV scuttled two different hotel plans in this city. This is exactly why it's so important that Bowman go after them for their crooked deal with Chipman: even though two hoteliers were ready to invest in this city, the appearance is now that nobody is willing to invest here.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by biguc

As the Free Press understands it, Bowman taking issue with the city's development agency stopping development from happening, makes him anti-development. The Free Press is a pack of idiots.

They're definitely not idiots... they're protecting what is undoubtedly their biggest advertiser and one of their largest sources of content. Flip through the WFP on any given day and you will literally see pages of Birchwood Automotive Group ads, and many column-inches of Jets coverage. They know what side their bread is buttered on.

Anyway, I'm surprised to see sipowicz defending an outfit that pulls the strings of CV and relies on NDP patronage (Jets operating subsidies, soon add MLLC) to make things happen. All I've heard Bowman saying so far is that he wants everyone on an equal playing field. What's unreasonable about that?

[Tacheguy]

I see a long time vacant lot in North St. B. is being prepped for construction. Corner of St Joseph and Aubert. Name of the proposed development is Condos Place Aubert.

That entire area is starting to gentrify slowly but surely. Not sure how I feel about that to tell you the truth..

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by Tacheguy

That entire area is starting to gentrify slowly but surely. Not sure how I feel about that to tell you the truth..

Why? Would you prefer the area to retain its dumpy appearance?

[Tacheguy]

Originally Posted by Riverman

Why? Would you prefer the area to retain its dumpy appearance?

Not really. As a property owner I know I am better off with this new investment coming in. I do like mixed areas containing light industry though..like Waterfront drive. More interesting to me than, say, Academy Road area..

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by biguc

Like I just said, CV scuttled two different hotel plans in this city. This is exactly why it's so important that Bowman go after them for their crooked deal with Chipman: even though two hoteliers were ready to invest in this city, the appearance is now that nobody is willing to invest here.

If you count One Portage and Main, CV actually killed three different hotel deals. They killed the original group looking at 220 Carlton with their terms and conditions for the site. Then a second group, (Colliers?) was lined up to build a hotel there only to receive a cease and desist letter from CV. All this so True North could advance their own plans for the site which I have been told will not include any form of hotel there, never mind trying to meet the strict terms and conditions other had to work with.

[Biff]

Check out this little nugget. Oh the internet has some surprises.

http://dreamscapewinnipeg.com/

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Biff

Check out this little nugget. Oh the internet has some surprises.

http://dreamscapewinnipeg.com/

You definitely peaked my interest with that link..

From the website..

Two 4 and 5 star hotels;
Comprehensive Convention Centre;
Two signature golf courses;
A regulation size ice-rink;
World-class Symphony/Concert Hall, Amphitheatre;
Offices, retails, brand-name outlets and boutique stores;
Cinemas and drive-in, fine dining restaurants and food-courts;
Wet and dry theme parks, walkways, Grotto and gardens;
Condominium complex with green spaces to enjoy year-round;
An all-inclusive winter park for outdoor fun and recreation.

[bomberjet]

April Fools?

[Cyro]

Added Twitter Link:

https://twitter.com/Dreamscape_204