Winnipeg | Downtown | True North Square | U/C - Page 25

steveosnyder · #**481** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 6:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

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?

That was more a reference on all the other project he's done downtown... I don't know if this is getting a tax break. I guess we'll just wait and see.

bomberjet · #**482** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 6:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

That was more a reference on all the other project he's done downtown... I don't know if this is getting a tax break. I guess we'll just wait and see.

Yeah. Just wondering if there was anything specific. Thanks for the clarification.

Biff · #**483** Posted **Jan 6, 2016, 7:15 PM**

Some Provincial offices will be moving into the office tower (not sure which departments). Seems like a pretty good incentive for TN considering that it really seems rich for taxpayer funded offices moving into brand new Class A office space.

lilwayne · #**484** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 12:08 AM**

http://www.cjob.com/2016/01/06/construction-set-to-begin-on-true-north-square/

It promises to be a downtown game changer: True North Square.

PCL Construction has fenced off the City Place parking lot on Graham Avenue. Sources tell 680 CJOB construction is set to begin on what’s expected to be a $400 million development. It will include three towers with offices, a condominium, “signature” hotel and street-level retail.

In an interview with 680 CJOB, Premier Greg Selinger says: “It will take downtown renewal to the next level.” Expect the provincial government to commit to leasing office space to support the project.

There are several tenants who have confirmed including a major Winnipeg law firm. None will speak publicly about the project. Expect an announcement as early as next week.

lilwayne · #**485** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 12:14 AM**

Winnipeg downtown is moving to the next level

this project will change the shape of downtown

this and skycity condos will significantly change how our downtown is perceived and looks.. downtown will be a far more attractive place to visit and live

construction on the project has begunn

Warehouse · #**486** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 5:08 AM**

I'm not as fond of this development as most (all?) here, perhaps because I am a long-time resident of the Exchange District and would prefer to see new residential and related projects (e.g., grocery store) continue what has been started there with renovations of existing buildings and new buildings, especially along Waterfront Drive. I'm not as familiar with need for office space, but there sure are a lot of For Lease signs all around the downtown.

bomberjet · #**487** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 1:13 PM**

^You're right on the office space. There is available space elsewhere. But I do like the fact this development will have residential, office, commercial, hotel. It's got a lot of good features that will have people downtown all hours of the day, everyday.

Labroco · #**488** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 7:21 PM**

[QUOTE=lilwayne;7290413]http://www.cjob.com/2016/01/06/construction-set-to-begin-on-true-north-square/

It promises to be a downtown game changer: True North Square.

PCL Construction has fenced off the City Place parking lot on Graham Avenue. Sources tell 680 CJOB construction is set to begin on what’s expected to be a $400 million development. It will include three towers with offices, a condominium, “signature” hotel and street-level retail.

In an interview with 680 CJOB, Premier Greg Selinger says: “It will take downtown renewal to the next level.” Expect the provincial government to commit to leasing office space to support the project.

Why would the province agree to take space in this private project without going to public tender for another 40,000ft2 or 50,000ft2? By agreeing to this it's no different than the province spending $5,000,000 for the flood protection dam which was disallowed by the Onbudsman.

There are all kinds of opportunities which will emerge through a tender process for a provincial RFP.

Why would the province providing this for one private developer? I think we are getting ahead of ourselves to think the province will just move into new class A office space....

The fallout would be huge especially if they make that kind of commitment just before an election. Very irresponsible...

.

steveosnyder · #**489** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 7:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labroco

Why would the province agree to take space in this private project without going to public tender for another 40,000ft2 or 50,000ft2? By agreeing to this it's no different than the province spending $5,000,000 for the flood protection dam which was disallowed by the Onbudsman.

There are all kinds of opportunities which will emerge through a tender process for a provincial RFP.

Why would the province providing this for one private developer? I think we are getting ahead of ourselves to think the province will just move into new class A office space....

The fallout would be huge especially if they make that kind of commitment just before an election. Very irresponsible...

Probabily because they owe them for the fact that the MLLC is moving into the Medical Arts building... Those pesky objective 3rd party contractors getting in the way of us getting a shiny new building.

If it turns out that TNS gets office space from the Province without going to tender I would be rather upset.

CoryB · #**490** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 7:49 PM**

Wasn't there a very public tender out there for new Government offices that never got awarded? I seem to recall the building that Manitoba Start moved into was reported to be in the bidding for that tender.

The side of the question people should be asking is if TNS has all these tenants lined up for Class A space what is going to be taking over where they are moving out of as they aren't exactly come out of people's basements.

Labroco · #**491** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 8:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

Probabily because they owe them for the fact that the MLLC is moving into the Medical Arts building... Those pesky objective 3rd party contractors getting in the way of us getting a shiny new building.

If it turns out that TNS gets office space from the Province without going to tender I would be rather upset.

A customized "Graham Avenue Only Can Win" RFP by the Province would be very disappointing in light of all that has gone on already...

Are they going to disrupt the provincial offices already existing in the Exchange Area? That would have a huge adverse effect on the business in the neighbourhood as well...

esquire · #**492** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 8:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labroco

Are they going to disrupt the provincial offices already existing in the Exchange Area? That would have a huge adverse effect on the business in the neighbourhood as well...

There are still a lot of provincial government offices out in suburbia. For instance, a large hunk of the Department of Education is located at Portage and Wall. And I believe the Department of Conservation is out in the industrial park west of the airport. I'm sure there are others.

Biff · #**493** Posted **Jan 7, 2016, 8:24 PM**

Lots of workers and equipment on site(s) this afternoon.

Flatland Metropolis · #**494** Posted **Jan 8, 2016, 3:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warehouse

I'm not as fond of this development as most (all?) here, perhaps because I am a long-time resident of the Exchange District and would prefer to see new residential and related projects (e.g., grocery store) continue what has been started there with renovations of existing buildings and new buildings, especially along Waterfront Drive. I'm not as familiar with need for office space, but there sure are a lot of For Lease signs all around the downtown.

Yup I wish it would have a few more floors of residential than it does. Rather it should have an entire building devoted to residential out of the three. Doesn't seem to be the case though.

trueviking · #**495** Posted **Jan 8, 2016, 5:36 AM**

the only way it will be palatable that the provincial government will be leasing brand new class-A office space is if they are relocating suburban employees...

its hilarious when you think about the gopher hole the city employees work in...with cottage furniture.

Biff · #**496** Posted **Jan 8, 2016, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

the only way it will be palatable that the provincial government will be leasing brand new class-A office space is if they are relocating suburban employees...

its hilarious when you think about the gopher hole the city employees work in...with cottage furniture.

...but the City is a model of efficiency and cost saving, protecting the taxpayers pocket books.

drew · #**497** Posted **Jan 8, 2016, 3:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

...but the City is a model of efficiency and cost saving, protecting the taxpayers pocket books.

The offices the City have in Fort Garry Place are just plain horrible. It really can't help productivity, creativity or morale. A part of me dies every time I walk into that place.

They really need to get PPD and related services out of there.

esquire · #**498** Posted **Jan 8, 2016, 3:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

The offices the City have in Fort Garry Place are just plain horrible. It really can't help productivity, creativity or morale. A part of me dies every time I walk into that place.

They really need to get PPD and related services out of there.

Of all the office space in this city, how did PP&D end up in there?

Not that I want property taxes to go up even more, but the City uses some of the lamest, most demoralizing office spaces possible. The Board of Adjustment office in that Shindico strip mall on Pembina more or less epitomizes that.

drew · #**499** Posted **Jan 8, 2016, 3:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Of all the office space in this city, how did PP&D end up in there?

Not that I want property taxes to go up even more, but the City uses some of the lamest, most demoralizing office spaces possible. The Board of Adjustment office in that Shindico strip mall on Pembina more or less epitomizes that.

Perhaps a rehab-ed PSB could house the PP&D and related offices? Re-clad it with a lot of glass and brighten up the spirits of the City workers...

esquire · #**500** Posted **Jan 8, 2016, 3:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

Perhaps a rehab-ed PSB could house the PP&D and related offices? Re-clad it with a lot of glass and brighten up the spirits of the City workers...

Actually, since the City now has an empty office tower on its hands, I think the people working in leased space like the ones in the Bank of Hamilton Bldg., Confederation Bldg., and Fort Garry Place should be moved into the former Canada Post Building on Graham.

Although that said, there may be enough City workers in leased offices to fill the Canada Post and Public Safety Buildings... why pay market rates for leases when you have buildings of your own sitting empty (or will soon be)?