Regina Construction III - Page 275

Nathan · #**5481** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spictacular mcluvin

There are a ton of trees on that property. So many that you can't even really see the house using google street view. Does anyone know if they will be knocking down some or all of those trees as some appear to be very close to the property.

Wouldn't be surprised if all the trees right around the building were removed to make at for the new house. They'll likely do all new landscaping afterward anyway.

curo · #**5482** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 7:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Yeah 11th has so much potential, but the Artful Dodger leaving is a really big blow to whatever momentum there might have been.

The movement of Payday Loans from the corner further South might help rent the space in the corner of Broad/11th, but there doesn't seem to be much pulse as of yet.

The AD is leaving ?

HomeInMyShoes · #**5483** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 7:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by curo

The AD is leaving ?

According to some soruces yes. Although I can't find anything firm on the Internet outside of this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

I don't really think the Weston's building is worthy of heritage protection, but whatever. It's really unfortunate that people have to resort to heritage protection as a way of horse-trading with the city for other zoning concessions (read: parking).

Also it's unfortunate that it's going to take the Artful Dodger over there into an area farther from residential. It does seem like they have a nice project going on, just wish it was in a different location.

yveseluj · #**5484** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 9:51 PM**

A few things I've noticed on my walk to work recently:

1) Trees have been planted along Sask Drive in front of the Delta.

2) It appears as if Carraway Grill is expanding/doing some kind of work in the rear of the building.

Stormer · #**5485** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 9:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by yveseluj

A few things I've noticed on my walk to work recently:

1) Trees have been planted along Sask Drive in front of the Delta.

2) It appears as if Carraway Grill is expanding/doing some kind of work in the rear of the building.

Excellent on both counts.

Festivus · #**5486** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 10:01 PM**

Love Caraway! Plan to go there for lunch sometime this week!

Dan0myte · #**5487** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 10:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festivus

Love Caraway! Plan to go there for lunch sometime this week!

Absolutely! The best east indian food in town by a long shot. They need a second location though. I would eat from them a lot more if were more convenient to stop in and grab a bite. Where they are right now is OK if you work nearby but for someone who works outside the downtown core like me, trying to get there at 5:00 during rush hour is very painful.

Stormer · #**5488** Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 10:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by yveseluj

A few things I've noticed on my walk to work recently:

1) Trees have been planted along Sask Drive in front of the Delta.

2) It appears as if Carraway Grill is expanding/doing some kind of work in the rear of the building.

I just looked at the StreetView history and brand new Schubert Chokecherry trees were planted in 2009, but promptly left to die. 7 years later, they would have been fairly mature. Too bad no one maintains these street trees.

BrutallyDishonest2 · #**5489** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 1:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

According to some soruces yes. Although I can't find anything firm on the Internet outside of this thread.

I guess I should say that I'm not 100% on that. Well I'm 100% sure I heard they're doing that. But I don't know that the move is on paper yet.

BrutallyDishonest2 · #**5490** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 1:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by yveseluj

2) It appears as if Carraway Grill is expanding/doing some kind of work in the rear of the building.

They bought the space behind them probably over a year-18 mo. ago and I'm surprised it's taken this much time. But it's good to see them expand.

StealthGirl · #**5491** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 3:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan0myte

13 Leopold demolition has started today. They removed the garage this morning and are prepping to knock down the house (this afternoon perhaps?). Should come down quickly once they start into it.

Courtesy of Dan Aho on Twitter yesterday...

Dan0myte · #**5492** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 4:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

Courtesy of Dan Aho on Twitter yesterday...

You follow me on Twitter?

Thanks.

CCF · #**5493** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 6:29 PM**

Surprised this hasn't been posted yet.

Collaboration between U of R and Conexus. Would involve Conexus moving into a new space adjoining U of R College Campus in exchange for a large donation. Personally, I don't think further office development within Wascana Park is the appropriate direction for the city.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchew...f-regina-college-avenue-campus-1.3622314

Dan0myte · #**5494** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 7:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

Collaboration between U of R and Conexus. Would involve Conexus moving into a new space adjoining U of R College Campus in exchange for a large donation. Personally, I don't think further office development within Wascana Park is the appropriate direction for the city.

Even if the U of R says OK to this, isn't it ultimately up to the Wascana Center Authority to approve a new building within their borders? Or does the U of R have free reign on their property?

Drofmab · #**5495** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 7:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan0myte

Even if the U of R says OK to this, isn't it ultimately up to the Wascana Center Authority to approve a new building within their borders? Or does the U of R have free reign on their property?

Yes, WCA has final approval. BUT the UofR, City & Prov all have equal seats on the Board (EDIT - the Prov has 5 seats, City & UofR each have 3). Not sure the Prov would vote it down.

By announcing it, the UofR already knows they have approval, or they're hoping to put WCA Board in an awkward position.

This wouldn't be the first time WCA was placed on the defensive, and grudgingly approved a project: they approved the SoundStage only after construction began - they weren't asked to approved (as required), and likely wouldn't have approved it in its current form (it's not exactly a nice looking building, it wasn't contemplated in the Master Plan, and it crosses a former access road), though it does fit the WCA's arts & culture mandate.

Man - a credit union flies close to the sun on WCA's mandate ("the development of the seat of Government, the enlargement of educational, research and development opportunities, the advancement of the cultural arts, the improvement of recreational facilities and the conservation of the environment"). Other than the Willow, virtually everything in the Centre presently (and historically) has been either government (Prov Gov't; Queen Bldg; SIAST; City; Royal Sask Museum; Arts Centre), quasi-government (Univ; SaskPower; RQHR; CBC), or non-profit (CNIB; MacKenzie; FNU; Campion; Luther, etc)... a credit union, I believe, is technically a non-profit.

CCF · #**5496** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 7:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Yes, WCA has final approval. BUT the UofR, City & Prov all have equal seats on the Board. Not sure the Prov would vote it down.

By announcing it, the UofR already knows they have approval, or they're hoping to put WCA Board in an awkward position.

This wouldn't be the first time WCA was placed on the defensive, and grudgingly approved a project: they approved the SoundStage only after construction began - they weren't asked to approved (as required), and likely wouldn't have approved it in its current form (it's not exactly a nice looking building, it wasn't contemplated in the Master Plan, and it crosses a former access road), though it does fit the WCA's arts & culture mandate.

Agreed - if they are at this stage then the WCA undoubtably (one would assume) has been involved in the process.

That being said, was office development contemplated here in the Master Plan? I want to say that's highly unlikely. But the various planning authorities within Regina are really good at deviating away from the 'plan' so that's become the norm.

Stormer · #**5497** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 7:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan0myte

13 Leopold demolition has started today. They removed the garage this morning and are prepping to knock down the house (this afternoon perhaps?). Should come down quickly once they start into it.

We are not yet Vancouver, but there have been some serious tear downs in recent years, including this one on Lowry Place going down right now.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.4063682,-...ugFPfplvbMbYaHdGBFnuA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Drofmab · #**5498** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 8:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

Agreed - if they are at this stage then the WCA undoubtably (one would assume) has been involved in the process.

That being said, was office development contemplated here in the Master Plan? I want to say that's highly unlikely. But the various planning authorities within Regina are really good at deviating away from the 'plan' so that's become the norm.

WCA has tended to stick quite closely to their Master Plan (which, by its nature, is designed with flexibility to allow for changes in direction... but not typically a 90 or 180degree turn). Part of the reason is that they review the plan regularly, and it informs all development decisions - if they deviate from it, it's a conscious decision, and they look at the long-term consequences.

They're not perfect, but they're better than most, IMHO.

A commercial office building on the UofR campus - with no apparent link to R&D or education - seems completely out of line with the WCA & UofR's Master Plans... but, allowing the College Ave campus to gradually decay also isn't in-line with the Master Plans... this may be a case of selecting the best of several less-than-ideal options. From this vantage point, so long as the building fits the character of the area, it'll be fine.

Dan0myte · #**5499** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 9:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

We are not yet Vancouver, but there have been some serious tear downs in recent years, including this one on Lowry Place going down right now.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.4063682,-...ugFPfplvbMbYaHdGBFnuA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Yes! I walked by and saw that one the other night. Any rumors on what's being built in it's place? It looks like a large structure regardless.

HomeInMyShoes · #**5500** Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 9:05 PM**

I'd say go modern or give it up. Trying to build something to match the character will give us something akin to the St. Paul's Cathedral which while well intended just doesn't mesh that well.

The main concern for me is affecting the access of the park and Conservatory by general users. In the end 200 employees do not show up without something in the range of 200 cars. As long as the increase in parking demands isn't problematic for users and doesn't result in a large increase in the parking lot footprint in the park then it's probably okay and I am more than happy to see the structures get some of the maintenance they need.

I find it odd that Conexus wouldn't try to consolidate into a new structure at their location on Albert Street instead of in the park. Employees here will get lousy transit access and few lunch options unless walking more than 3 blocks.

But as was said, it might be the best of a whole bunch of less than ideal options for both parties.