Winnipeg Construction VIII

[Urban recluse]

Cities everywhere have achieved this, while others are in the process. There are enough developers in the city to join forces to do this.

Complacency has been the order of the day for decades. People are moving to Vancouver's East Side, despite the woes from which it suffers.

[Riverman]

You really don't get it, do you?

If you think development is possible in the areas you specified, go develop them! Put up your own hard earned cash.

Why do you think developers are not acting? Because it is a lost cause.

[Urban recluse]

The same was said about the Forks. A development like this involves government.

[Cyro]

I believe Riverman is posing a fair question?

"Why do you think developers are not acting?". Is it their complacency and an unwillingness to be involved in rejuvenating underdeveloped neighborhoods or is it the simple fact there will be a loss financially in their investment/bottom line without some kind of subsidization to off set the risk they would have to undertake to even contemplate it in the neighborhoods you've outlined?

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

The same was said about the Forks. A development like this involves government.

Hey, nice to to have you on board Mr. Sellinger.

You mean like Portage Place? You have to remember, the Forks is a financial failure requiring continual subsidisies. Sure it is popular but this is not organic growth. Other than outward appearances, everything about the Forks is bad. Have you seen the state of the place lately?

THEY HAVE NO MONEY.

Do you believe every building should be subsidised by taxpayers?

This begs the question, are you even a taxpayer?

[Urban recluse]

Because the land is not available, thus the idea of expropriation comes to mind. Developers would, I believe, transform the area if larger tracts were available for development.

[Mod]

[Riverman]

Not bitter, enjoy life to the fullest. Powerful women turn my crank. And I rent my Toronto suite off of a a gay couple, an Englishman and a Filipino fellow whom I admire greatly.

So you are wrong on all counts. But I guess you are used to that.

[Urban recluse]

No, I think I have merely touched the surface.

The Forks was destined to not make profits by limiting the commercial and residential components.

[Labroco]

Originally Posted by Riverman

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.

Well let's start...

In Winnipeg today we don't have to expropriate but rather just buy blight as CV did with hotel beverage rooms. As for South Point D, the city already owns a number of parcels and hopefully they or Forks North Portage will be able to acquire the land on the point.

There is an extension of the water front drive walkway happening now with a vista canoe/ boat launch being constructed as we speak. It's a beautiful start.

Instead of expropriating, subsidize companys to locate in these areas or have more institutions there. I think the Waterfront Drive model has worked very well for moving us forward. Any government funds expended have almost been recovers in realty taxes.


Who would have thought a great spot like Joe and Lily, the new Peg Brewery or Mere would so completely change an area in such a short time.

While I have some design issues with Sports Manitoba it's use is great and will bring a lot of people to the area. It's parkade will go a along way in addressing this perceived parking shortage. ( Which I do not really see).

The Canada Cartage waterfront site owned by Leon A. Brown Ltd. could be transformational for the East Exchange and South Point Douglas but the City, Province and Federal Governments will have to help with infastructure. (Roads, parkways, transportation).

If hundreds of millions can be found for an underpass and a police station, surely a few million could be found for these things and the restoration of the Alexander Street Docks.

I feel Forks North Portage may be moving in the right direction and organic growth is taking hold.

Finally one needs patience and time. If a poster is under 30 it may seem like forever to get anything done. If your 50, one has seen HUGE changes in Winnipeg in the last 10 years.

Winnipeg is not and will never be Toronto or Vancouver but it is starting to move along just fine. There is nothing as rich as a true urban life and lifestyle. I hope some of our older neighbourhoods embrace it and young people see the pleasure of living there.

Just keep supporting local urban business and pay the extra nickel for the pleasure. Leave Walmart for those unaware of a truely rich urban life!

And yes, Parlour and Joe and Lily do make great coffee and add to the area in unimaginable ways. And to think, it's right beside the Woodbine! Just wait for Peg Brewery to open in the next two months. I saw them unloading the steel tanks last week!

[Urban recluse]

The area definitely needs new infrastructure (sidewalks, roads, boulevards, landscaping), but lest so much of it be destroyed by crews, heavy trucks, etc, needless to say a lot of it should be done after redevelopment has occurred. It would be easier attracting investment when an acre (as an example) is offered, as opposed to a lot. Raze most of the area, and it will be a lot more appealing (and profitable) for larger projects.

[esquire]

Great post, Labroco...wise words.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by mattpa

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.

I would have guesses that was the case given the temp walls and hoarding put up in the spots where windows were missing.

[TimeFadesAway]

The biggest hurdle in redeveloping South Point Douglas will be the extensive and expensive site remediation required. This is most evident in a walk around the tip of Point Douglas on the riverbank (which is really only practical in the fall when the water is low). I took that walk on Saturday and for almost the entire riverfront of the Gateway Industries site, the riverbank is actually made up of discarded asphalt shingles. Some of the piles are 15-20 feet high.
In other areas further to the west, there are giant piles of discarded metal embedded into the bank. This site pollution can be a huge barrier for redevelopment into non-industrial uses.

[Labroco]

Originally Posted by TimeFadesAway

The biggest hurdle in redeveloping South Point Douglas will be the extensive and expensive site remediation required. This is most evident in a walk around the tip of Point Douglas on the riverbank (which is really only practical in the fall when the water is low). I took that walk on Saturday and for almost the entire riverfront of the Gateway Industries site, the riverbank is actually made up of discarded asphalt shingles. Some of the piles are 15-20 feet high.
In other areas further to the west, there are giant piles of discarded metal embedded into the bank. This site pollution can be a huge barrier for redevelopment into non-industrial uses.

I have to disagree with you on this...

The tip does not need to be remediated to a residential standard. Gateway should be developed into parkland and utilize in a similar manner as The Brick Works in Toronto by Evergreen.ca.

Landfills and garbage dumps have been repurposed every where. The toboggan hills around the city were all garbage and industrial waste dumps. Younger posters and most people forget this.

I can assure you many sites in South Point D meet residential standards as I have seen the phase 1 and 2 reports.

Let's all talk about saying yes more often and not no...

Please go and check out the new small craft boat launch and walkway at the foot of Annbella Street!

Let's all try and move forward! It's easy just put one foot in front of the other!

[TimeFadesAway]

Originally Posted by Labroco

I can assure you many sites in South Point D meet residential standards as I have seen the phase 1 and 2 reports.

That's good to hear. Does that include the oat mill property (south of Higgins)? It's a fantastic piece of land with great 'view potential.'

Is 515 Waterfront included in your business park proposal? IMO, it's the most exciting building/location, potential-wise, left on Waterfront. I can just imagine a great terrace on the south face with residential above...

Originally Posted by Labroco

Please go and check out the new small craft boat launch and walkway at the foot of Annbella Street!

Saw the construction there on my walk this weekend and wondered what it was. It's great that we're turning back towards the rivers again after all of these years. Walking along the banks, you can see signs of old docks all along the Red, especially where the foot of Pioneer used to be and at the foot of Messager in St. B.

[lilwayne]

Image Source: http://blogs.rrc.ca/development/sttc/

this is being built right now on route 90 by red river college

[1ajs]

was wondering why there was a pit there

[steveosnyder]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

The area definitely needs new infrastructure (sidewalks, roads, boulevards, landscaping), but lest so much of it be destroyed by crews, heavy trucks, etc, needless to say a lot of it should be done after redevelopment has occurred. It would be easier attracting investment when an acre (as an example) is offered, as opposed to a lot. Raze most of the area, and it will be a lot more appealing (and profitable) for larger projects.

Please god no... This is the sort of thing Trizak said when they demo'd an entire city block of buildings, or what happened with Portage Place.

Small lot development please. No big monster projects.

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by lilwayne

this is being built right now on route 90 by red river college

They were piling right beside my office last week. Yikes it was loud.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

Please god no... This is the sort of thing Trizak said when they demo'd an entire city block of buildings, or what happened with Portage Place.

Small lot development please. No big monster projects.

Yeah, it does seem that big projects always lead to disappointment. If anything lots need to be further subdivided into smaller chunks. Make it feasible for smaller developers to get into the game with modestly-sized buildings. If you look at the great cities in the world, giant block-long developments are nearly nonexistent... they are not the answer. Fine grain is what we need.