Edmonton Construction 13 (November 2015)

[etown]

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

JW/The Legends permit:

"The development is for and operate at 179.0 meter high mixed Use Tower with Commercial podium including (2) Restaurants (678 square meters of Public Space with 325 seats) and Hotel lobby on the main floor; with Hotel (349 units from floors 7th to the 22nd) with accessory Non-Residential Amenity Area including meeting rooms, banquet rooms, ballrooms, lounge, administration and space and fitness areas from the 2nd to 4th floors; with Apartment Housing (258 Dwelling units from the 23rd to 54th) with accessory Residential Amenity Area including outdoor landscaped rooftop lounge and interior lounge, roof patio and roof terrace on the 5th floor; with partial mechanical rooms on the 24th floor and mechanical rooms on the 6th, 55th and 56 floors."

Plus a number of variances.

I was hoping (more of a fantasy really) that the JW would have a rooftop bar on the 54th with outdoor seating - like the Ritz in Shanghai.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Originally Posted by 240glt

McKeen against ? I thought dingleballs was for the project

Colonel Sanders was also bemoaning how development destroyed downtown.

[Daveography]

^ Yeah, he oddly raised the comparison of how Edmonton Centre and Eaton Centre set the precident that "mall'd" downtown...ignoring of course the fact that Mezzo is very much externally-focused and pedestrian-scaled, and totally not mall-like. I really don't get McKeen sometimes.

[Black Star]

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

JW/The Legends permit:

"The development is for and operate at 179.0 meter high mixed Use Tower with Commercial podium including (2) Restaurants (678 square meters of Public Space with 325 seats) and Hotel lobby on the main floor; with Hotel (349 units from floors 7th to the 22nd) with accessory Non-Residential Amenity Area including meeting rooms, banquet rooms, ballrooms, lounge, administration and space and fitness areas from the 2nd to 4th floors; with Apartment Housing (258 Dwelling units from the 23rd to 54th) with accessory Residential Amenity Area including outdoor landscaped rooftop lounge and interior lounge, roof patio and roof terrace on the 5th floor; with partial mechanical rooms on the 24th floor and mechanical rooms on the 6th, 55th and 56 floors."

Plus a number of variances.

Er umm. What happed to 191.0 meters!

[Makenosmallplans]

Originally Posted by etown

I was hoping (more of a fantasy really) that the JW would have a rooftop bar on the 54th with outdoor seating - like the Ritz in Shanghai.

or even an enclosed one like Hancock Tower in Chicago.

[vaportrail]

Originally Posted by Black Star

Er umm. What happed to 191.0 meters!

Yeah, that seems a bit odd. I suspect the 179m figure refers to the tower above the podium. I'll have to check my notes ...

[Daveography]

^ I don't think it is, the permit for the foundation (162139487-017) also specified 179.0 meters. No sure how no one noticed that

To construct Partial Footing and Foundation (parkade foundation and Tower A pile cap) for a four-storey underground parkade for a future 179.0 meter high mixed Use Tower with Commercial podium including two (2) Restaurants (678 square meters of Public Space with 325 seats) and Hotel lobby on the main floor; with Hotel (349 units from floors 7th to the 22nd) with accessory Non-Residential Amenity Area including meeting rooms, banquet rooms, ballrooms, lounge, administration and spa and fitness areas from the 2nd to the 4th floors; with Apartment Housing (258 Dwelling units from floors 23rd to the 54th) with accessory Residential Amenity Area including outdoor landscaped rooftop lounge and interior lounge, roof patio and roof terrace on the 5th floor; with partial mechanical rooms on the 24th floor and mechanical rooms on the 6th, 55th and 56th floors.multiuse building ( 62 storey office, retail and residential uses)

Oh well, 179m is still pretty tall, and we're still getting the 251m beastie.

ETA: Although it's weird because it's saying mechanical at 55-56, but 62 stories? Confused.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Just saw a news piece on the Oscar Peterson piano in the EPCOR lobby. Very cool!

[GreenSPACE]

Also, from the permit, it sounds like the skylounge is for residents, not the hotel. I could be wrong.

[Coldrsx]

Wayfinding

What makes a street enjoyable? A street you want to go to? A street that feels safe?

It’s the people.

But how do you encourage more people walk Downtown?

First off, it’s realizing just how walkable Downtown Edmonton really is. Most major sites and amenities are within a five to ten minute walk of one another. You can spend more time looping the block to find a close parking space than it takes to park a block further away and walk to your destination.

Helping you find your way

When you come out of an LRT station or out of parkade, finding your way can be difficult amongst the tall buildings.

Coming this fall, the City will be installing street-level map based signage in the busiest areas of the Downtown core to help people locate where they are, and how to get to their destination. In 2014, we tested placing signs in various locations Downtown and people found them to be very helpful.

The maps will show where you are in relation to major landmarks, buildings and LRT stations. You’ll also be able to gauge how long it will take to walk to your destination.

A variety of interim signage options will be used, that will be easy to move around as different construction projects start and finish. They will also be updated regularly as our Downtown changes.

Once areas under construction are completed, the City will install permanent signage in the core and throughout the rest of Downtown.

This work is part of a larger project called Pedestrian Wayfinding, which is setting the standard for pedestrian-focused wayfinding maps, apps and signage for our busy pedestrian areas and paths featuring multiple transportation modes.

By creating standards for how signage and maps are designed, we can better ensure that consistent map references, icons and language are used. It also helps ensure that signs are updated frequently and maintained by the City and its partners.

Part of the Pedestrian Wayfinding project also involves developing a new plan for signage and mapping in our pedway system to help people navigate the complex network between public and private buildings, LRT stations and parkades that is not always easy to navigate.

Building streets you want to walk on

Making a pedestrian-friendly street is a combination of many things. Wide sidewalks and lighting make it comfortable. Benches, trees, and art make it interesting. Attractive stores and restaurants facing the street, with patios, active frontages and destinations like parks, make it exciting.

The City has several programs to make this happen. The Green and Walkable project, funded by the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy, will bring infrastructure improvements to sidewalks, lighting and street furniture. The Façade Improvement Program helps businesses update their storefronts to be more attractive. And this spring, we break ground on Alex Decoteau Park, which is turning a gravel parking lot into a lush green space.


https://transformingedmonton.ca

[Coldrsx]

Hello,

We would like to invite you and other representatives of your organization to an Open House to learn more about the City of Edmonton's Wayfinding Project.
We have been moving along with the design of the on-street, pedestrian wayfinding system and are close to a final design of the permanent on-street sign family and related design elements. The Open House will be a drop-in format with mock-ups of the signage to view and presentations at 4:30 & 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, May 4th
4:00 - 7:30 Pm
Presentations at 4:30 & 6:30 PM
City Room, City Hall, #1 Churchill Square



Wayfinding Project Background

The City of Edmonton, Walk Edmonton is working on the development of a comprehensive wayfinding system of maps, digital applications & signs for central areas of the city to support people who travel on foot, by bicycle or by transit. This pedestrian-focused, map-based system recognizes the importance of walking as the linking mode for all other transportation and its critical role in city life and business.

Wayfinding refers to the tools and techniques people use to orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place. This includes maps, signs, web applications and other intuitive tools that help residents and visitors navigate public and private realms they are not familiar with.

Where: The current focus area for pedestrian wayfinding includes Central Edmonton, Old Strathcona, Stony Plain Road as well as local area maps for LRT stations and transit centres. It will also include central Edmonton connections to the River Valley Parks system.

For More Information on this project, Contact: Ian Hosler, [email protected] 780-495-0322
Follow this link to our website for more information on the Wayfinding Project.

[Coldrsx]

Winspear expansion, not funded...yet.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/20...re-left-off-provincial-funding-list.html

[Shodan]

Edmonton faces bill of $18 million a year for reconstruction of back alleys

Elise Stolte

Published on: April 21, 2016 | Last Updated: April 21, 2016 7:30 PM MDT

A new city report gives nearly 40 per cent of Edmonton’s back lanes — peppered with potholes and drainage problems — an F for quality.

Council needs to decided who will pay the $18 million a year bill to fix them.

If all taxpayers contribute, it means an additional 1.17 per cent on the property tax bill — roughly $25 a year for a typical homeowner. But not everyone has a back alley. Some councillors think people with back alleys should foot more of the bill.

“We justify user pay for so many things. This is another form,” said Coun. Bryan Anderson, whose southwest ward has mostly homes with front-facing garages. “I honestly think you or I would have difficulty explaining to a citizen how their property taxes are going to go up to pave someone else’s back alley.”

The issue goes to transportation committee Wednesday...

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-ne...a-year-for-reconstruction-of-back-alleys

[240glt]

I'll pay to have alleys redone. I'll even support exempting neighbourhoods without alleys if that means something will actually get done. We're already paying for the reconstruction of the front streets at both houses, and it's worth it for the curb appeal and overall aesthetic

The alley behind the Gold Bar house is not bad but the alley behind the Parkdale house is a disaster. It's too bad the city has neglected so much infrastructure for so long that we're once again at crisis stage. Sad but not surprising for Edmonton

[Mikemike]

I might support charging only alley neighbourhoods if alley neighbourhoods actually had more asphalt per residence, but in general they don't. Alley neighbourhoods typically have narrowed streets, and often narrower lots than non-alley neighbourhoods, and if the wide street is covered in a wide street neighbourhood then the alley should be covered too.

And especially in dense neighbourhoods like Oliver where residents per m2 and tax revenue per m2 of asphalt is off the charts.

[CMD UW]

Originally Posted by Mikemike

I might support charging only alley neighbourhoods if alley neighbourhoods actually had more asphalt per residence, but in general they don't. Alley neighbourhoods typically have narrowed streets, and often narrower lots than non-alley neighbourhoods, and if the wide street is covered in a wide street neighbourhood then the alley should be covered too.

And especially in dense neighbourhoods like Oliver where residents per m2 and tax revenue per m2 of asphalt is off the charts.

No, if we start 'redlining' communities to pay for portions of public infrastructure that can lead to neighbourhoods that are more affluent to benefit over poorer ones. A dangerous road to travel. We all chip in to the pot and task our elected officials to direct administration where to spend it.

[240glt]

^ but I'm already paying an extra $400 a year levy on my property taxes for the neighbourhood reconstruction done at both properties, how is that different than asking owners to pay a portion of the alley reconstruction ? Eventually new neighbourhoods will need to be rebuilt and owners there will pay a levy when that is done

Not that I think this is ideal by any means but it's how it works now so I don't see a significant difference if alleys are added to the equation. I've been complaining about the Parkdale alley for years, and occasionally they'll attempt to fill the craters but it's terrible. I don't see anything getting done if they don't float a levy

[CMD UW]

Originally Posted by 240glt

^ but I'm already paying an extra $400 a year levy on my property taxes for the neighbourhood reconstruction done at both properties, how is that different than asking owners to pay a portion of the alley reconstruction ? Eventually new neighbourhoods will need to be rebuilt and owners there will pay a levy when that is done

Not that I think this is ideal by any means but it's how it works now so I don't see a significant difference if alleys are added to the equation. I've been complaining about the Parkdale alley for years, and occasionally they'll attempt to fill the craters but it's terrible. I don't see anything getting done if they don't float a levy

Yes you're right, the City's Local Improvement program is one way that they can do this. And in this case I would support using this program to fund the rehabilitation of alleys.

http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/LocalImprovementOverview.pdf

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by Mikemike

I might support charging only alley neighbourhoods if alley neighbourhoods actually had more asphalt per residence, but in general they don't. Alley neighbourhoods typically have narrowed streets, and often narrower lots than non-alley neighbourhoods, and if the wide street is covered in a wide street neighbourhood then the alley should be covered too.

And especially in dense neighbourhoods like Oliver where residents per m2 and tax revenue per m2 of asphalt is off the charts.

you can't pick and choose only one side of the equation. yes, oliver is denser per m2 of asphalt but oliver is also a much heavier user per m2 of asphalt to the point where the replacement/repair cost per resident is likely similar to other neighborhoods. and before you counter with "but we walk more and drive less", those lanes deteriorate more from garbage trucks and bins and service vehicles etc. than they do from cars. which is also a reason to include lanes in all those neighborhoods that have them.

[240glt]

Small mixed use project for Parkdale along 118th Ave- two bay main level retail with two apartments on top for the vacant lot next to Battista's. So that'll be nice to have that hole filled