Winnipeg Construction VIII - Page 379

rrskylar · #**7561** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

I'm 30. For me, downtown has always been a waste land. It's better now then I can ever remember. I enjoy going downtown as much as i can. I now work downtown.

But it's really easy when living in the burbs, if you want to call it that, to shop/eat/whatever in the burbs. All my shopping needs are a short 5 min car ride away from home. For everything. There's no need to come downtown. You have to want to come downtown.

So go downtown
Things will be great when you're downtown
No finer place for sure, downtown
Everything's waiting for you

So go downtown
Things will be great when you're downtown
Don't wait a minute more, downtown
Everything is waiting for you, downtown

Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)

bomberjet · #**7562** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 8:17 PM**

Haha. Should I get a moped first?!

Urban recluse · #**7563** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 8:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

I think it depends on your sampling. Most of the people I know tend to not mind it; they don't avoid it, but they don't go out of their way to go there. A small few love it, and about the same amount hate/avoid it.

But all in all, I think it's a generational thing. mid-40s to 60s hate it because they lived through the depressing era of suburban flight and urban decay. 20s-30s find it affordable now with elevated housing prices.

I can appreciate that. I suppose my thoughts are to make downtown more appealing by adding color and modern additions. The appeal of the Forks includes beautiful heritage buildings with glass additions, and colorful finishes on other buildings; it makes the area inviting, and has imbued it with whimsy and an aura of vibrancy.

windypeg · #**7564** Posted **Nov 10, 2015, 8:39 PM**

I think you hit the nail on the head, the "avoid downtown" mentality is pretty ingrained in those 40 and over and old habits die hard so that's not going to change overnight. Especially if they live, work and shop all in the burbs then it has more to do with simply not needing to go downtown.

But younger people seem more and more comfortable with downtown and are even attracted to it. I see a lot more students and so forth hanging around later into the evenings than even 5 years ago. And say what you will about the "Jets effect" but I do think MTS Centre has helped bring people in from the suburbs and helps familiarize them with downtown again.

cllew · #**7565** Posted **Nov 11, 2015, 5:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_jaf

The Arby's on Regent next to the Burger King just got demolished today. It was listed For Lease for a certain amount of time. Does any one know if they are building anything on that site?

I was just looking on the cushmanwakefieldwinnipeg.ca site and saw that there is a two/three tenant building going in on this site. The majority of the building is shown as "Medical" and about 2500 sq ft of sub dividable space on the south side.

Biff · #**7566** Posted **Nov 11, 2015, 5:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cllew

I was just looking on the cushmanwakefieldwinnipeg.ca site and saw that there is a two/three tenant building going in on this site. The majority of the building is shown as "Medical" and about 2500 sq ft of sub dividable space on the south side.

They are currently drilling for foundation piles.

Riverman · #**7567** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 4:47 PM**

Construction appears to have ceased on the spaceship.

kenny · #**7568** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 4:11 AM**

What makes you say that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverman

Construction appears to have ceased on the spaceship.

rrskylar · #**7569** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 5:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverman

Construction appears to have ceased on the spaceship.

Too bad, who wouldn't want a great view overlooking the Disraeli freeway!

cllew · #**7570** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 1:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Too bad, who wouldn't want a great view overlooking the Disraeli freeway!

Or looking to the east on the roof of the units next door.

Riverman · #**7571** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 3:06 PM**

Saw people back there yesterday afternoon, but the site was vacant most of the week.

cllew · #**7572** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 6:31 PM**

It seems to go in spurts, I wonder if Holtz pulls their crews for other projects.

mattpa · #**7573** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 8:36 AM**

i work at that space ship building and nothing has ceased holtz is waiting on windows so they are doing temperary heating atm since its to cold for the plumbers and sprinkler work to be done, while the electricians are waiting on material.

Urban recluse · #**7574** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 5:18 PM**

What are some thoughts on here regarding expropriation? The city of Winnipeg freely chooses this for infrastructure expansion (Polo Park, Kenaston), but not so much for the betterment of the downtown. Relying on developers to revitalize parts of the downtown has resulted in not much transformation. I would support expropriation in certain areas in order to see wholesale change. I believe the status quo is not sufficient.

In tandem with the plans created by Leon A Brown for the Canada Cartage site, the city could expropriate property in the vicinity to attract significant development, as opposed to the piecemeal currently being the extent of development in the area. Could this area be called the "Cultural District" based on its linkage to the soon-to-expand Museum of Man and Nature, the concert Hall, and theatre? This would IMO truly act as a catalyst for Main Street.

I think a canal could work too

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.9023833,-...awe8biE-y5qa-Fs_t7UvQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.9012347,-...7BHiJl1UfD2rcUR5qR44g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.9006487,-...psd7767IzxPzjsKToAwNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.9018545,-...BLtSf4QCgbHIK48J0ee5w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.ca/maps/@35.4664438,-...UwcKCRL7-TiwA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

https://www.google.ca/maps/@35.4652293,-...QZHoUa-qOXSQA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

buzzg · #**7575** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 5:35 PM**

The renovated existing Manitoba Museum building will bring the entrance on to Main, which will be great. I have high hopes the new science building looks the same way, which would do a lot for the area... But then I look at the atrocious building Sport Manitoba was allowed to start just around the corner and it all fails. If that area is ever going to work, the East and West Exchange need to seamlessly connect over Main, and that project is really gonna hinder that opportunity. I'd like to imagine the Science building with CRUs all along Pacific ad Rupert... but what's the point now?

It seems like for some reason in Winnipeg we love to have our blocks with the highest potential limited to one side of the street. Corydon has the MTS monstrosity; East Bannatyne has the surface lot and no sidewalk; East McDermot has parkades; Albert has abandoned hotels; William has future potential on one side and PSB on the other; Sherbrook has the Epic building (Cancer Society building is no help either)... I'm sure the list of lopsided streets goes on.

Urban recluse · #**7576** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 6:16 PM**

I am in complete agreement. I applaud the city for its stance on the application for the new Earl's on Main, but I shake my head that they approved the design of the Qualico Centre, and that ugly office building next to the Bell Hotel, as examples. The links I posted above: I am beside myself over the fact that a downtown has such a high concentration of properties and lots as these. The same forlorn atmosphere continues west of Main Street. This plague downtown seems overwhelming.

esquire · #**7577** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 7:56 PM**

Sounds like urban recluse is talking about 60s-style urban renewal. Cases where this has actually worked are the exception, IMO. A more incremental patchwork style that builds on what's already there is a more sensible approach to development.

Urban recluse · #**7578** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 8:17 PM**

Have you not seen the areas in question? If your idea of urban bliss to have numerous fields, lots, rusty industrial sheds, broken down cars, decrepit streets/boulevards...then you must feel invigorated when you stroll around the area. When you have the amount of land that needs to be redeveloped that Winnipeg does, relying on the current trend is not going to cut it. The era you refer to saw great buildings demolished; this case does would not.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.902027,-9...USSh4IsQu4fUV1QsZ20UA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.9016165,-...FX-kIhHUeqcjXFiDHqR7g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.900569,-9...Ovo6NZ2r2w4vOZVwDc7Qg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.9015495,-...PhENE2-RayUAp0bBzOoTw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The addition to this building in particular is just stunning.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.9020878,-...nJbjSV2E24CmLW9905F-w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Cyro · #**7579** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Have you not seen the areas in question? If your idea of urban bliss to have numerous fields, lots, rusty industrial sheds, broken down cars, decrepit streets/boulevards...then you must feel invigorated when you stroll around the area. When you have the amount of land that needs to be redeveloped that Winnipeg does, relying on the current trend is not going to cut it. The era you refer to saw great buildings demolished; this case does would not.

I've looked at all the links you provided, thanks, (google maps) and see a pattern in understanding your vision for the future, although positive, and you'd like (somebody), city or private developers to move in a more expedient way, do you really understand the areas in question and why this area is so difficult to redevelop, glass as an example used, which your partial to, aesthetics I'd guess. Have you spent time in this area on a Saturday night? Walked by the Ie: mission and experienced why some may be leary of living across the street from it.

I see this same line of thought for areas bordering the West Exchange,Princess as the so called line. It's improved over the years but West of it is someplace you should be vigilant to explore at 1:00am on a Friday night.

Riverman · #**7580** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 11:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Have you not seen the areas in question? If your idea of urban bliss to have numerous fields, lots, rusty industrial sheds, broken down cars, decrepit streets/boulevards...then you must feel invigorated when you stroll around the area. When you have the amount of land that needs to be redeveloped that Winnipeg does, relying on the current trend is not going to cut it. The era you refer to saw great buildings demolished; this case does would not.

Development has to pay back for those who invest in it. There is no point in development without returns on investment. In Winnipeg, it is very difficult.

If you feel there is potential in redevelopment of the areas you noted, write up a business plan and find investors.

Edit: Basically repeating what Cyro said.