Winnipeg Construction VIII - Page 281

CoryB · #**5601** Posted **Mar 13, 2015, 2:10 PM**

"Manitoba Buddhist Church" on the south east corner of Tecumseh and McDermot, based on its size, would likely be easier to relocate than the large McDermot Ave Baptist Church on the north west corner. I do know that that Mennonite church nearby on Notre Dame sees a lot of people attending on Sunday's and wouldn't be surprised if the Baptist church was similar. Granted I am not an expert on the subject but my understanding is that moving a church is nearly impossible to accomplish. The purchase cost for relocation often requires a comparable piece of land near by that can be zoned for significant traffic, something that often gets objects from neighbours. Further, the cost of construction for a similar sized new building can further kill the deal. There is a reason that when the church by MTS Centre burned down many years ago a replacement was built on the same spot even though its membership had significantly shrunk over the years.

In terms of a possible residency location, if U of M does not go for the pad idea the Bell Lenox Lodge on Pearl would seem to be ripe for redevelopment. Such a plan might need to also account for the accommodations for patients/out of town families that are currently housed there. I still think there is some synergy though with looking at putting student housing into the reportedly underused CanadInns. The SMD/MB Lung Association Site would also seem to have potential for redevelopment. It is also possible that the residence might locate across Notre Dame from the current campus.

Tacheguy · #**5602** Posted **Mar 13, 2015, 7:11 PM**

I see the Winnipeg School division is consolidating its adult ESL programs into the Kensington building at 275 Portage. Good infusion into the downtown. Bad for the volunteers who now will pay for parking. Former locations were on grant, Maryland at portage, and Vaughn St. Good move.

esquire · #**5603** Posted **Mar 13, 2015, 7:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacheguy

I see the Winnipeg School division is consolidating its adult ESL programs into the Kensington building at 275 Portage. Good infusion into the downtown. Bad for the volunteers who now will pay for parking. Former locations were on grant, Maryland at portage, and Vaughn St. Good move.

Interesting choice of location given that Kensington feels like a corporate office building as opposed to an educational institution, although I guess it makes sense given that Manitoba Start is right next door.

From what I hear, Kensington has been plagued by vacancies by years... it's a tough sell given the small floorplates (it looks like a building you would expect to see in a large Asian city with pricy real estate, and not in Winnipeg). Any idea how many floors they're going to take up in there?

Tacheguy · #**5604** Posted **Mar 13, 2015, 9:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Interesting choice of location given that Kensington feels like a corporate office building as opposed to an educational institution, although I guess it makes sense given that Manitoba Start is right next door.

From what I hear, Kensington has been plagued by vacancies by years... it's a tough sell given the small floorplates (it looks like a building you would expect to see in a large Asian city with pricy real estate, and not in Winnipeg). Any idea how many floors they're going to take up in there?

Not sure. I am familiar with the portage and Maryland location only, where they take a couple floors in that old building on the southwest corner. Will let you know in September, should I decide to re-up at the new location.

Labroco · #**5605** Posted **Mar 14, 2015, 5:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplicity

There's tons of demand from developers and the U of M has actually commissioned a student housing consultant out of Toronto to form an opinion as to the number of residences that will be required, but the neighbourhood is organized and there aren't that many people interested in selling. Surprisingly, that little pocket has survived a lot of the dereliction just to the East and North of the hospital. Even the South, really. But I assume it'll come at some point. There's also a group working towards building a large new palliative care hospice just to the East of Sherbrook, so land is going to come at a premium in the area pretty soon.

What about the parking lot on the NW corner of Notre Dame and Tuchumsee?
It's a good size and could be available for residences?

Simplicity · #**5606** Posted **Mar 14, 2015, 5:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labroco

What about the parking lot on the NW corner of Notre Dame and Tuchumsee?
It's a good size and could be available for residences?

I'm not exactly sure how the relationship between the U of M and HSC works. That lot is owned by HSC and it's possible they aren't interested in giving up the parking.

Labroco · #**5607** Posted **Mar 14, 2015, 3:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplicity

I'm not exactly sure how the relationship between the U of M and HSC works. That lot is owned by HSC and it's possible they aren't interested in giving up the parking.

Actually it's privately held..

But the idea of residences with a master lease back to the university is kind of intetesting...

The parking disappears though...

cllew · #**5608** Posted **Mar 14, 2015, 4:39 PM**

That lot was a Shell Station at one time. I am not sure if it still has "problems" or would have to undergo remediation before anything could go there related to a medical building.

buzzg · #**5609** Posted **Mar 14, 2015, 5:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacheguy

I see the Winnipeg School division is consolidating its adult ESL programs into the Kensington building at 275 Portage. Good infusion into the downtown. Bad for the volunteers who now will pay for parking. Former locations were on grant, Maryland at portage, and Vaughn St. Good move.

Apparently what spurred this on is WSD1 seriously considering reopening William Osler on Grant as an elementary. This is one of their possible solutions to the whole Earl Grey/La Verendrye debacle, the schools in RH/Crescentwood are getting too full, and this is the most economical fix.

Simplicity · #**5610** Posted **Mar 14, 2015, 6:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labroco

Actually it's privately held..

But the idea of residences with a master lease back to the university is kind of intetesting...

The parking disappears though...

Huh. It shares title with the existing HSC parking structure and is taxed as 'institutional. Perhaps it's changed hands?

EDIT: Just checked your original post. I was looking at the Northeast corner, not the Northwest. That lot might accommodate something worthwhile, but you'll end up having to vary nearly every entitlement to get something substantial enough for a large residence.

Labroco · #**5611** Posted **Mar 14, 2015, 7:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cllew

That lot was a Shell Station at one time. I am not sure if it still has "problems" or would have to undergo remediation before anything could go there related to a medical building.

All clean after remediation years ago...

CoryB · #**5612** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 2:31 PM**

With all the discussion on the U of M Health Campus (aka HSC site) and their proposal for three new buildings, a parkade expansion and the possibility of a student residency in the future might it make sense to spin this into its own thread now?

esquire · #**5613** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 2:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoryB

With all the discussion on the U of M Health Campus (aka HSC site) and their proposal for three new buildings, a parkade expansion and the possibility of a student residency in the future might it make sense to spin this into its own thread now?

Yeah, I'd certainly agree that the HSC/U of M Bannatyne Campus is substantial enough to be deserving of its own thread. Might be a good catch-all considering how many projects are either recently completed, under way or planned there.

h0twired · #**5614** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 3:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoryB

"Manitoba Buddhist Church" on the south east corner of Tecumseh and McDermot, based on its size, would likely be easier to relocate than the large McDermot Ave Baptist Church on the north west corner.

Considering that McDermot Ave Baptist Church is over 100 years old, you will probably be looking at some heritage building issues as well. I can't see it ever being torn down for a student residence.

There is no shortage of other building that could be torn down for a residence. HSC owns the vast majority of homes in the area and most people renting write their rent cheques out to HSC.

The Isabel M Stewart building (south of CancerCare) is another building that will probably be replaced in the next few years.

CoryB · #**5615** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 4:30 PM**

The Isabel M Stewart building is already designated to be part of a CancerCare expansion at some point. Those plans were announced and likely posted here somewhere.

bomberjet · #**5616** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 4:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0twired

There is no shortage of other building that could be torn down for a residence. HSC owns the vast majority of homes in the area and most people renting write their rent cheques out to HSC.

That's interesting. Are we talking mostly to the west/north areas?