East Village Rejuvenation Plan - Page 66

outoftheice · #**1301** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 4:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Not the best written article (to be expected when you consider the source I guess). Here is a link to the CPC report on this application:
http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Documents/calgary_planning_commission/agenda/2015/loc2014-0155.pdf

Seems like there is extremely strong policy reasons to not approve this, as is the case with all private parkades in the Centre City. Also, if you look at Appendix IV of the report, starting on page 29, you can find the parking supply study that was completed by DA Watt in 2013. It actually states that parking supply will meet demand in that part of East Village (see graphic on page 36), so an additional private parkade that violates many other policies is not necessary.

Very interesting. Thanks for providing the link. I have to say that based on the City's current policy framework, I can see why it is recommended for refusal. That being said, I hope this is a case where Council over-rides the policy decision.

To me it seems like this entire deal has been structured to satisfy the investors behind the ALT Hotel. Essentially the proposal is for a hotel, plus the parking that would normally be required to be included with the hotel proposal plus a few extra stalls. Instead of the hotel offering to rent out its extra parking stalls (as happens at the downtown Hyatt), a separate entity is being created to "own" and "manage" the parking component of the hotel. Guests at the ALT Hotel would still have priority access to any required stalls but anything beyond that would be under control of the parking company.

The way I see it, if everything about this development remained exactly the same but it was ALT Hotel asking to add a few extra parking stalls to the number required by a hotel development instead of the current proposed arrangement, chances are project would be approved. But because the current proposal brings a non standard ownership arrangement we end up with a recommendation for refusal.

I think the ALT Hotel is one of those projects that is worth making an exception for and that the East Village is the place to test it out (this is the same reason why I support the no-parking condo proposal in the East Village as well). Having a public parkade at the western edge of St Patrick's island and across from the Riverwalk will help the East Village continue to develop as a destination neighbourhood for the entire city. Having both the ALT hotel and Hilton hotels in the East Village will also help the area. As the financing for the ALT Hotel seems contingent on the approval of this ownership structure I say do it!!

The Fisher Account · #**1302** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 2:30 PM**

St. Patrick's Island toboggan hill development:

Edit: It's called 'The Rise'

MichaelS · #**1303** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by outoftheice

The way I see it, if everything about this development remained exactly the same but it was ALT Hotel asking to add a few extra parking stalls to the number required by a hotel development instead of the current proposed arrangement, chances are project would be approved. But because the current proposal brings a non standard ownership arrangement we end up with a recommendation for refusal.

Not quite. The hotel is very much supported, however not the extra parking. The hotel would likely be approved in a heartbeat if they came in with their bylaw limit of parking, and not extra. If they were proposing extra, they would have to remove them. The report in the link I provided even suggests the hotel only needs 40 stalls (bylaw limit is around 63 I think) so they are even saying the hotel doesn't need the extra to be viable.

While it may seem trivial, a few stalls extra (in this case, around 60% extra) starts to add up if it is granted to every project in East Village. Once it is all said and done, you don't end up with the walkable urban village as envisioned, but rather a neighbourhood with more car parking than anywhere else outside of suburban power centres. While that might not seem like a big deal as it is all underground, just about every study of transportation demand management indicates that the most successful way to promote alternate modes of transportation is to restrict vehicle parking.

Chadillaccc · #**1304** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 3:08 PM**

High res renders...

The Seasonal Breach

The Rise

The Lookout Plaza

http://www.calgarymlc.ca/patricks-island

O-tacular · #**1305** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 4:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick.flood

Looks like it should be a 4 storey car dealership.

Agreed. I hope it gets redesigned.

O-tacular · #**1306** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 4:32 PM**

St. Patrick's island looks amazing! I'm very excited to check it out when complete.

Spring2008 · #**1307** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 3:36 AM**

I like the amount of money the city is dedicating to urban parks. Also just announced today that a new performance space is coming to Riley Park in Kensington.

speedog · #**1308** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 5:06 AM**

Riley Park in Hillhurst?

outoftheice · #**1309** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 5:22 AM**

For those with some time on their hands the CMLC has just revamped their two official East Village websites. The new websites offer the most up to date info on various aspects of the East Village and have a much greater multi-media content level than the old websites. Enjoy!

http://www.calgarymlc.ca

http://www.evexperience.com

Chadillaccc · #**1310** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 11:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Agreed. I hope it gets redesigned.

It doesn't need redesigning, since that design was never the official design to begin with... hence the word "concept" in my post.

I thought I'd go ahead and throw some more high res render love onto this EV shade fest...

Hilton

East Village Tower

Evolution

XYC

Cyric · #**1311** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 2:14 PM**

Since Block 39 came up on the last page this caught my eye. According to the updated Masterplan from CMLC Block 39 (at least the eastern half) is owned by Embassy Bosa.
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54...MLC+Masterplan+Map+updated+-+Feb+x1a.pdf

H.E.Pennypacker · #**1312** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 2:47 PM**

Those high res renders of the EV Hilton look awesome, I've never seen the details of the project like that before. I hope it pans out as illustrated

O-tacular · #**1313** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 3:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

It doesn't need redesigning, since that design was never the official design to begin with... hence the word "concept" in my post.

I thought I'd go ahead and throw some more high res render love onto this EV shade fest...

Hilton

Okay why is there a creepy cowboy hiding behind the sign? Did the artists just throw it in there like a funny game of Where's Waldo for Calgary?

speedog · #**1314** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Okay why is there a creepy cowboy hiding behind the sign? Did the artists just throw it in there like a funny game of Where's Waldo for Calgary?

Probably the same reason that many renders will show 40-50% of balconies being occupied when the reality is quite different.

suburbia · #**1315** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 3:39 PM**

Was the fellow who smashed the face of the lady at Prince's Island Park an East Village resident? That type of thing could still impact the decisions people make on where they want to live. Police tracked him down to the catholic drop-in centre area I believe.

Also, what's the plan with that high ticket priced washroom? Will it be "open for business" again, or is it simply part of the landscape?

O-tacular · #**1316** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 3:55 PM**

Colin · #**1317** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 4:00 PM**

I have to say that I'm most excited about the XYC project in the East Village. It's just so simple and stunning, and will be a great destination along the Riverpath. Once Charbar opens, I can see both buildings drawing in lots of people. I really hope it gets going soon.

DizzyEdge · #**1318** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 4:30 PM**

Does anyone know when the 2 (or 3?) buildings currently under construction around the Simmon building will likely be occupied?

The Fisher Account · #**1319** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 6:02 PM**

Walk through the EV twice daily on my commute. Awesome to see the progress. New cladding, another floor, etc every day on a different building. It's all coming together

MasterG · #**1320** Posted **Mar 27, 2015, 7:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Walk through the EV twice daily on my commute. Awesome to see the progress. New cladding, another floor, etc every day on a different building. It's all coming together

Yeah it's looking really good. I went through last night, I can't believe how far the Marriott has come, looked to be a floor above grade and moving quickly.

I can't even imagine this time next year once everyone has had time to settle in. It will be very weird to see actual people and traffic there like a normal neighbourhood.