Edmonton Construction 13 (November 2015)

[s211]

Originally Posted by hotwheels

MacEwan adds dynamic new building to its campus (via src)

It's a shame this wasn't put out for bid today rather than when it transpired. The odds of getting the original design built would have been better, I would hazard.

[canucklehead2]

So in other words, the PC announcements were nothing more than political vapourwear... No surprises there!

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by 240glt

what specific mechanical changes or optimization is being performed on the WSP building ?

Let me look into that for you.

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by canucklehead2

So in other words, the PC announcements were nothing more than political vapourwear... No surprises there!

They way things are going on some of them, the PC didn't know you needed to design them either.

The design build packages do not work well.

[ExcaliburKid]

Originally Posted by Airboy

They way things are going on some of them, the PC didn't know you needed to design them either.

The design build packages do not work well.

Quoted for truth. I cringe when I see the DB schools out for tender

[240glt]

I did a few design build schools in Burnaby & New West back in the early 2000's.. I seem to remember them going rather smoothly actually, aside for Queensborough School starting sink part way through construction

[middeljohn]

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

All those new schools that were promised including a 🞵🞵🞵🞵 load here in Edmonton. National Post have a sweet little article on that in today's paper.

http://news.nationalpost.com/full-commen...ies-liars-and-politicians-seeking-office

I was talking to somebody at EPSB the other day. They're building 14 new schools this year. Absolutely insane.

[middeljohn]

I'm hearing Symphony got delayed again. Some kind of structural issue.

[Airboy]

I have 5 schools now. both public and separate.

[240glt]

Some fantastic news, the Stadium Station ARP is being updated this summer. We've been pestering the city to do this for a few years now. We had a very well attended community meeting with the TOD planning director who acknowledged the plan is long overdue, Goes to public consult this summer with council signing off in September.

Of note: The city purchased the old CN ROW between 112th ave and the tunnel, the stretch will be upgraded with a wider trail on the north side of the tracks and another trail on the south side. Lighting, ornamental fencing, landscaping.

East Jasper Av will be upgraded with an attractive promenade and views along the top of the bank and other upgrades, better crossing points. Stadium road will get a refresh, probably from north of Lafarge to 112th. Norwood blvd gets a pedestrian oriented treatment, wider sidewalks, better crossings & lighting from 86st to 92st. (phase 1)

Upgrades to Kinnard Ravine to be determined in consult with the community. The PCCL has a 5 year agreement with the city for artwork along the retaining walls in the ravine (in place now) program hopefully to be expanded

The city is weeks away from signing a development agreement with Brookfield on the Muttart lands, Brookfield has paused due to current economics but the city hopes to start groundwork this year with the first phases of development in 2017. 84th from Jasper to the LRT station becomes a tree lined promenade, with ground level development along the west side. Consultants from Montreal and Portland involved in the development of the site.

Lots of pressure on the city to consider re-purposing the SW side of the Northlands site to high density residential, retail, mixed use. The community is very much in favour of this option rather than the festival site idea. City acknowledges that this is the ideal use given the proximity to amenities and LRT, but there's a lot of political wrangling going on right now, we'd hoped to get that included in the ARP, but likely won't be solved in time, city says plan can be amended once the Northlands situation is sorted out.

[s4.audios]

Glad to hear, the area really does need some sprucing up. Especially like the idea of a promenade down Jasper.

[Coldrsx]

^^fantastic news and much needed.

[Mikemike]

That's lots of good news.

Did they state that the stadium road changes would be on that stretch only? Because it would make some sense to continue to the recently improve bit between 95 and 97 streets.

[Coldrsx]

Love the bow. Pedway in now too.

[Coldrsx]

Mezzo Q&A with some 'urbanist'.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/20...ed-to-chill-worries-about-the-mezzo.html

[Coldrsx]

Re. “Unsettling, unusual project essential to Whyte Avenue,” David Staples, April 13

Columnist David Staples may not live or work in Old Strathcona, but he knows that the area needs: a 16-storey tower one block south of Whyte Avenue. I cannot imagine a building less compatible with the ambience of Old Strathcona.

I have lived within walking distance of Old Strathcona for many years. What makes the neighbourhood particularly attractive to many of us is its human scale. Most of the buildings are only two, or three, or four storeys tall, encouraging people to come and walk about and stay awhile.

The proposed 16-storey building is totally out of character in Old Strathcona. And keep in mind, if this tower is approved, there will be another like it and another until Old Strathcona loses its uniqueness and becomes like every other “tall tower” part of the city.

I believe strongly that we should preserve the unique areas of Edmonton. Old Strathcona continues to thrive the way it is. Perhaps city council should consider my father’s favourite saying from many years ago: “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

Jean H. Young, Edmonton

http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/lette...-out-of-scale-for-walkable-neighbourhood

[Coldrsx]

Except that it is broken.

[hilman]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

^speaking of which... a few new renderings.





From Westoak Developments

From OffWhyte on C2E:



"It is these very things that make this a very vibrant place," --Karen Tabor, Executive Director, Old Strathcona Foundation.

Jean H. Young rather have this too, it's definitely vibrant and thriving

[240glt]

I'm rather indifferent to this project, my only comment relates to the last time I was in Calgary in late Nov, walking 17th on a brisk sunny afternoon, the several 4-6 story developments that have cropped up on the south side of the street made a significant impact on the walking experience. Where the sun was able to reach the sidewalk, it was pleasant. Where it was shaddowed it was very cold and uninviting, we found we'd rush right through those blocks with little interest in the shops and such, and observing others on the street the feeling seemed widespread

[240glt]

Originally Posted by Mikemike

That's lots of good news.

Did they state that the stadium road changes would be on that stretch only? Because it would make some sense to continue to the recently improve bit between 95 and 97 streets.

Not at this time, Lafarge is a bit of a quandry, and the plan is focused primarily on the 300M radius immediately surrounding the station

That little stretch they widened and cleaned up on 107ave is nice, but a little bewildering as to why they did just that section