Winnipeg Construction VIII

[esquire]

^ How has that parkade not been built yet? You have residents and developers all clamoring for it, and understandably so given that the number of residents and workers in the area has shot up over the last 10-15 years but there have been virtually no parking spaces added other than the hideous Grain Exchange thing which is really more oriented to Portage and Main.

Also, it does appear that the single-storey building is there in the rendering, at the far right. The WFP story implies that Cheung has been the owner of that building and the site of the proposed apartments since 1983. (What is the story behind that building anyway? Was it built that way as a single storey multi-tenant office building or was it something else before? Always seemed a bit peculiar to me.)

[trueviking]

looks like the other side is curved....

[oftheMoon]

Will be interesting to see where 26 parking spots fit in and how they'll be accessed. https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.8982527,-97.1342815,19z/data=!3m1!1e3

[bomberjet]

Looks like the property curves, based on that air photo. The short end with the curve is on the east end it looks like? Long walls are on the north and south sides?

Maybe my sense of direction is off there. Curves part might be on the south end, where the existing single story building is.

[Biff]

I love the "Art Space"-esque 98 Market signage on the roof. I have always thought that was a cool little corner in the exchange.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Biff

I love the "Art Space"-esque 98 Market signage on the roof. I have always thought that was a cool little corner in the exchange.

That kind of old-school signage used to be more common in the Exchange, even back in the 80s there were a couple of buildings that still had it IIRC. Now I think Artspace is the only one left, until now. A nice touch of hyper-local flavour.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

Will be interesting to see where 26 parking spots fit in and how they'll be accessed. https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.8982527,-97.1342815,19z/data=!3m1!1e3

I enjoy the keyboard on the roof of the Mere hotel. Hadn't seen that before.

[buzzg]

Ah this is that infamous "Impark Development" we were all talking about a while back. Really excited for this, it makes the reconstruction of the lanes and pathway to Waterfront through there have a little more value now. I hope this encourages the properties backing onto Elgin to take advantage of the gift the city gave them now. The most obvious one would be Boon Burger putting a proper patio out back instead of all the parked cars at their back entrance.

[trueviking]

there will be an rfp for the james avenue parkade coming out shortly...hopefully this time it works.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

Will be interesting to see where 26 parking spots fit in and how they'll be accessed. https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.8982527,-97.1342815,19z/data=!3m1!1e3

So only 26 parking spots for 64-65 units? Okay then.

[drew]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

So only 26 parking spots for 64-65 units? Okay then.

I don't believe there is a requirement for any parking in this area. So 26 stalls is just a bonus.

And they will be able to charge a decent amount for them, given the scarcity in the area.

[esquire]

^ I'm sure many of the tenants will be young people without cars, so parking will be scarce but it'll be workable. Once the new parkade gets built, it should alleviate any parking concerns in that immediate area.

[drew]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ I'm sure many of the tenants will be young people without cars, so parking will be scarce but it'll be workable. Once the new parkade gets built, it should alleviate any parking concerns in that immediate area.

eventually - but remember 98 Market will remove (~100?) stalls immediately for current office works and residents. There isn't anything in the vicinity to pick up the slack. Let alone once the new apartment starts being lived in.

Qualico will also be developing their buildings on Market to add to the mess.

[oftheMoon]

Originally Posted by drew

eventually - but remember 98 Market will remove (~100?) stalls immediately for current office works and residents. There isn't anything in the vicinity to pick up the slack. Let alone once the new apartment starts being lived in.

Qualico will also be developing their buildings on Market to add to the mess.

Less surface parking and more residents may be the push the James Ave parkade needs to actually happen this time around.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

Less surface parking and more residents may be the push the James Ave parkade needs to actually happen this time around.

Who knows, maybe it'll even push a developer with land (re: a surface lot) to see the demand and potential profit for a parkade and then the city won't have to get involved in something it shouldn't really be involved in.

[buzzg]

@ TV, is that mystery project you alluded to be working on a few months ago still in the works?

[TimeFadesAway]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Looks like the property curves, based on that air photo. The short end with the curve is on the east end it looks like? Long walls are on the north and south sides?

Maybe my sense of direction is off there. Curves part might be on the south end, where the existing single story building is.

The curve follows the property line on the NE corner of the lot. It curves because that's how the Elgin spur of the Winnipeg Transfer Railway ran. So you are correct about the orientation of the long walls.

[TimeFadesAway]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ How has that parkade not been built yet? Also, it does appear that the single-storey building is there in the rendering, at the far right. The WFP story implies that Cheung has been the owner of that building and the site of the proposed apartments since 1983. (What is the story behind that building anyway? Was it built that way as a single storey multi-tenant office building or was it something else before? Always seemed a bit peculiar to me.)

The single story building is built over original location of Ross House (which is now in North Point Douglas). Ross House was moved to Higgins (across from the CPR station) in 1948, but in it's last pre-museum incarnation, it was an office for Midland Construction. I always presumed that the single story building was built for Midland, but I'm not really sure. A peek through some old Henderson's Directories should answer that question.

[Cyro]

Reg: the Fortune Block,232 Main St, as well as the other properties at 214 & 226 Main Street
(Winnipeg Hotel and McDonald Block) and the vacant lot at 220 Main Street.

This property and the other buildings are to be added to the list of Historical resources by the HBRC.

The problem is the owners are against the designation and are opposing it, condition of the building, disrepair, water damage etc..45 years of non-use on the upper floors etc.
The developer wanted to purchase, demolish, and redevelop this property (Fortune Block) and the others listed above. It's before CC now..

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by TimeFadesAway

The curve follows the property line on the NE corner of the lot. It curves because that's how the Elgin spur of the Winnipeg Transfer Railway ran. So you are correct about the orientation of the long walls.

Kind of what I was thinking. Thanks for the clarification.