Winnipeg Construction VIII - Page 289

trueviking · #**5761** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 2:23 PM**

should also be writing to MLA's. Hydro is provincial government.

They cant have a demolition permit yet though can they?

trueviking · #**5762** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 2:28 PM**

MLA for the site

[email protected]
Flor Marcelino

esquire · #**5763** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

should also be writing to MLA's. Hydro is provincial government.

They cant have a demolition permit yet though can they?

To their credit, Hydro backed off when there was big-time backlash to their ridiculous McDermot St substation plan in 2009:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/H...Exchange-District-buildings38151579.html

I'm surprised that they didn't learn from that. Gutting or demolishing buildings in or around the Exchange District is not exactly a great way to win friends. Especially in this case when the demolition has absolutely nothing to do with any sort of operational requirements.

Calvary Temple should be a better neighbour too. Maybe tell the congregation that street parking is not exactly hard to find around there on a Sunday morning. Reserve the existing surface parking lot for the handicapped, elderly or expectant mothers and let able bodied people walk a block or two. If the MTS Centre can handle crowds that can't all park right outside the entrance, I'm sure Calvary Temple could as well. Besides, the buildings could do a lot more for the church's mission than a surface parking lot which is nothing but blight. I once worked for a church client that wanted to tear down a small commercial building in a central neighbourhood to feed the surface parking beast... I did my best to convince them to reconsider. Today that building is still there performing an important community and church function. Calvary Temple could at least consider doing the same.

Pegoise · #**5764** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 2:40 PM**

As a Provincial Crown Corporation, they may be invoking crown prerogative, no permit needed from the City because they are above their jurisdiction.

Simplicity · #**5765** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 2:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

should also be writing to MLA's. Hydro is provincial government.

They cant have a demolition permit yet though can they?

They don't yet, but this one is going to be interesting. The way I understand it - and correct me if I'm wrong because this may change with the municipality - public utilities have a superseding priority over the city's by-laws. That may exclude them from the requirements.... Or sort of more clearly, these would be considered 'public works' in the same way improvements to roads and sewers are carried out without public input.

Biff · #**5766** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 2:47 PM**

Apparently it was part of a swap with hydro for the substation property as mentioned earlier. Exceptions were made. I had it confirmed but details were kind of hazy. This is likely one that is hoped would happen quickly and be swept under the carpet.

CoryB · #**5767** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 3:22 PM**

Is it possible the Luke's location falls outside the "no downtown demo for surface parking" by-law? Along those same lines, could Hydro be exempt for that by-law and be converting the site to a parking lot first then transferring ownership of the completed project to Calvary Temple?

esquire · #**5768** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

I'll be writing to my councillor about the Calvary Temple thing as should everyone here. It sounds like a plan straight out of the 70s... hard to believe that it could get the green light.

I e-mailed Jenny Gerbasi who is typically a strong advocate for doing the right, sensible thing in cases like this but alas, she's gone until April 10. Maybe Hydro will get the wreckers in there while the adults are out?

trueviking · #**5769** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 3:35 PM**

I just bombed twitter about it.

esquire · #**5770** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

I just bombed twitter about it.

Great job... you have an influential voice, so it will certainly draw public attention to this. Kudos to 1ajs for raising the issue.

Now to send a missive to my MLA...

trueviking · #**5771** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 3:42 PM**

yeah, and then when it turns out to be a mistake I will lose my job, credibility and all my friends.

rypinion · #**5772** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 3:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

yeah, and then when it turns out to be a mistake I will lose my job, credibility and all my friends.

Hopefully Bartley can confirm quickly. I guess that's what he makes his 27 cents for.

esquire · #**5773** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 3:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

yeah, and then when it turns out to be a mistake I will lose my job, credibility and all my friends.

I sincerely hope your hydro does not get cut off permanently as a result of this.

Authentic_City · #**5774** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 4:06 PM**

I hope the public rallies against this demolition nonsense.

I emailed my local city councilor and MLA about this. The councilor's assistant has already responded to tell me that this item is not yet scheduled for any upcoming meetings. Hopefully this dies.

Anyone know what's happening to Luke's? Are they relocating, or just going out of business?

Riverman · #**5775** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 4:11 PM**

They still have an online presence.

Authentic_City · #**5776** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 4:15 PM**

Looks like everything was auctioned off last November. My guess is that the Winnipeg location is gone for good.

http://www.manitobaauctioneers.com/auction/unreserved-close-out-auction-for-lukes-machinery-co/

Labroco · #**5777** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplicity

I can't find anything on this. No permits, no meetings - nothing. If it's in fact happening, I'd love to know how any of this can happen without any public review at all...

They can demolish as of right ...

Parking on the site is currently not allowed..

No different than Carlton Street...

Two years go by and the variance is then requested and granted without any opposition...

That's how it works in this town...

Sorry...

Jammon · #**5778** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 4:17 PM**

Just a quick question unrelated to the above- does anyone know what is happening with the old McNaught dealership on Portage? What an eyesore that building has become...

esquire · #**5779** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 4:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

I emailed my local city councilor and MLA about this. The councilor's assistant has already responded to tell me that this item is not yet scheduled for any upcoming meetings. Hopefully this dies.

It is somewhat concerning that it's not on any public agendas... as some have suggested, it's possible that Hydro may not need to jump through the hoops that private interests do given that they're a provincially-owned utility. The danger is that the bulldozers just show up one day and flatten the site without council having any inkling of what's going on.

Simplicity · #**5780** Posted **Mar 30, 2015, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labroco

They can demolish as of right ...

Parking on the site is currently not allowed..

No different than Carlton Street...

Two years go by and the variance is then requested and granted without any opposition...

That's how it works in this town...

Sorry...

No, I understand that, I'm just wondering what the schedule might look like. If they intend to do anything in the near future, they're going to have to get moving. If they're intending to wait it out, then I can see your plan working.