Winnipeg | Downtown | True North Square | U/C - Page 24

windypeg · #**461** Posted **Jan 4, 2016, 7:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

After that whole episode of being teased by the Portage and Main hotel a couple of years ago, I won't believe it's a go until there is actual construction taking place!

The portage & main hotel had all that funny business with the WTC wanting free space and whatnot. This project seems more likely

CoryB · #**462** Posted **Jan 4, 2016, 8:08 PM**

^^ One Portage & Main (aka the failed hotel) had a bad business plan from the start. The WTC section of that plan was just part of the bad ideas.

drew · #**463** Posted **Jan 4, 2016, 8:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoryB

^^ One Portage & Main (aka the failed hotel) had a bad business plan from the start. The WTC section of that plan was just part of the bad ideas.

I don't disagree - but even still, they (portage and main) shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars just to help the next developer design their foundation.

Until we know much different, this project appears to be at a very similar stage.

I won't get too excited until some excavation and foundation work actually starts taking place.

esquire · #**464** Posted **Jan 4, 2016, 9:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

I don't disagree - but even still, they (portage and main) shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars just to help the next developer design their foundation.

Until we know much different, this project appears to be at a very similar stage.

I won't get too excited until some excavation and foundation work actually starts taking place.

So who owns the P&M vacant lot now? Is that also Harvard's?

I wonder if the fact that some work has been done might make a smaller project more feasible? For instance, if we can't have a 40 storey tower there maybe a smaller 10 storey one might fly? And while I realize some might prefer a trophy building on that site, I'd say that after nearly 40 years of being a parking lot I'd take just about anything more substantial than a Taco Bell at this point.

steveosnyder · #**465** Posted **Jan 4, 2016, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

So who owns the P&M vacant lot now? Is that also Harvard's?

I wonder if the fact that some work has been done might make a smaller project more feasible? For instance, if we can't have a 40 storey tower there maybe a smaller 10 storey one might fly? And while I realize some might prefer a trophy building on that site, I'd say that after nearly 40 years of being a parking lot I'd take just about anything more substantial than a Taco Bell at this point.

The biggest pitfall to any project at the surface lot on Portage and Main is private access. It would either require a curb cut on Main Street (something the City was willing to give as a right in only), or access from the backlane, which limits the lot drastically, especially for a hotel that would have people from out of town.

As an aside, since the old project got kiboshed, I wonder why they haven't moved the bus stop back to where it was. Every once in a while I see people getting off my bus and running to the next to catch their transfer, something that would be a lot easier if the stop was the 200-300 meters closer.

1ajs · #**466** Posted **Jan 4, 2016, 10:09 PM**

They have now fenced off the whole lot and apear to be ripping out the parking lots infrastructure

factis · #**467** Posted **Jan 4, 2016, 10:33 PM**

Manitoba Hydro was there this afternoon taking down the streetlights along graham. Subterranean also still has one of its large drilling rigs and a crane sitting where the old hotel used to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

They have now fenced off the whole lot and apear to be ripping out the parking lots infrastructure

cllew · #**468** Posted **Jan 5, 2016, 1:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

The biggest pitfall to any project at the surface lot on Portage and Main is private access. It would either require a curb cut on Main Street (something the City was willing to give as a right in only), or access from the backlane, which limits the lot drastically, especially for a hotel that would have people from out of town.

As an aside, since the old project got kiboshed, I wonder why they haven't moved the bus stop back to where it was. Every once in a while I see people getting off my bus and running to the next to catch their transfer, something that would be a lot easier if the stop was the 200-300 meters closer.

The 11/40/41 etc bus stop was moved back to Main at Lombard some time ago.

I have had the odd time over the years a relief/spare driver make a mistake and use the stop at Main and McDermot when she / he should have stopped one block north.

trueviking · #**469** Posted **Jan 5, 2016, 1:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

True. But they did the same thing for the W hotel at P&M. And that project did not proceed.

Killjoy

It is true that they did this same test there.

I can say first hand that this project is much further along than project w was.

Charleswood · #**470** Posted **Jan 5, 2016, 6:49 AM**

My best friend is a carpenter for PCL and he confirmed with me over the weekend PCL is indeed going ahead with construction on TNS once the piles are in the ground at both sites. PCL already installed the fencing at both sites and the former Carlton Inn site is getting the first piles.

CoryB · #**471** Posted **Jan 5, 2016, 4:02 PM**

Let's hope the construction actually starts on this project!

drew · #**472** Posted **Jan 5, 2016, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

Killjoy

It is true that they did this same test there.

I can say first hand that this project is much further along than project w was.

I know - I am being a bit of a Debby Downer on this one. The cancellation of that hotel at P&M really sucked though, especially given they spent the $$ on the geotechnical.

But hopefully this project gets moving along.

bomberjet · #**473** Posted **Jan 5, 2016, 6:03 PM**

Guys on site working on what looked like some fencing along Graham Ave. Promising signs of life. Seems they're already complete the geotech work and are more doing site prep at this point.

cllew · #**474** Posted **Jan 5, 2016, 11:33 PM**

Looks like they have their first minor problem. Came out of City Place indoor parking at 2:30pm and there was what looks like a watermain break on Hargrave next to the construction fence. there was slush on the street with a water works van and small loader with a hydraulic drill bit in the slush.

bomberjet · #**475** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 1:22 PM**

Uh oh, somebody didn't get their locates?? haha

BigG · #**476** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 1:55 PM**

TNS looks like a go. Announcement to come sometime next week.

Pinus · #**477** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 3:31 PM**

Great news!

esquire · #**478** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 4:12 PM**

^ Very cool... without knowing any of the financial details or who will occupy it and speaking strictly in terms of impact on the urban fabric, I think this is good news. New buildings, more people, more activity... love it.

It'll also be nice to have a good new business hotel downtown to complement the more boutique-style hotels that have opened up over the past couple years (Mere, Alt)... hopefully it will encourage more visitors to stay downtown instead of over by the airport.

steveosnyder · #**479** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigG

TNS looks like a go. Announcement to come sometime next week.

I rag on Chipman and him asking for handouts/tax breaks a bit, but that doesn't detract from the fact that I like quite a few of the changes that are happening in Downtown. This will be a good addition and am hopeful it goes ahead.

bomberjet · #**480** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 6:30 PM**

What kind of tax breaks and incentives will TNS be receiving, separate from the SHED incentives? Not sure if I missed an announcement or something from Selinger?