Edmonton Construction 13 (November 2015) - Page 293

240glt · #**5841** Posted **Dec 30, 2016, 9:04 PM**

^ it's just filler. They interview the mayor because there's fuck all going on otherwise

Coldrsx · #**5842** Posted **Dec 30, 2016, 10:33 PM**

...uh huh, or because they would like a comment going into 2017.

Design-mind · #**5843** Posted **Dec 30, 2016, 10:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by itom 987

^^ Removing the surface parking lot would be very easy to do.

I agree removing more of the surface lots would be ideal, maybe by expanding patios at restaurants and such.

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5844** Posted **Dec 30, 2016, 11:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Which end-of-year address is this? Is that from one of his numerous year end interviews with the media? Is there a link?

Never mind, here's the interview with CHED:
http://www.630ched.com/2016/12/30/iveson-excited-about-transit-and-downtown-in-2017/?sc_ref=twitter

Quote:

Mayor Don Iveson sees a marriage between improved transit, and a revitalized downtown paying off with more jobs and more economic activity. The early indications of the new transit strategy for the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) will see more frequency routes inside the inner ring loop along a grid system, while routes in the suburbs will see morning and evening rush hour express service.

That potential, plus an in-demand lifestyle in the downtown is attracting attention.

“A significant employer in town here, I won’t say who because they haven’t made their announcement yet, but they are intending to move several hundred jobs from a suburban location to downtown,” Iveson said in his annual year end interview with 630 CHED News.

“They’re excited about what’s happening in Ice District. This is an employer who is a very progressive employer and offers transit already to their employees for free, but I said it really makes sense if you become part of the ETS at-work program because then there’s a discount for employers who’ll work to help encourage transit use and because the paper work is less.”

Ian O’Donnell the executive director of the Downtown Business Association sees momentum growing in other ways.

“Norquest’s expansion is quite significant,” he said. “It’ll be bringing a few hundred new students downtown.”

“MacEwan’s new Centre for Fine Arts and Culture, which is under construction and opening in September 2017, 4,500 students I believe from the west end campus are coming downtown.”

The Royal Alberta Museum, once its move is completed, will also bring a lot of students to the downtown. That activity is one reason why Iveson isn’t worried about an oversupply of office space.

“It is a buyers’ market right now in downtown for office space.”

The most recent survey, by Avison Young shows rents in the $15 to $25 per square foot range, while brand new space is over $30. It’s not as hot or active as it once was Iveson said, however Edmonton is very healthy compared to Calgary.

“I mean, they’re 25 per cent official vacancy plus a lot other space technically being paid for but sitting completely empty. So upwards of 30 per cent vacancy,” he explained. “As an Edmontonian you can sort of have a chuckle at what’s happening in Calgary, but really as an Albertan it’s really tough. It’s sort of there like it was here in the 80s.”

Iveson also said the calibre of what’s coming in downtown is getting noticed across the country, especially with the two towers that will “change the skyline.”

“[Calgary] Mayor Nenshi was confessing to me that he was a little irritated that Edmonton was getting a J.W. Marriott, which is the top of the line Marriott property, before Calgary gets one. So a little sign of changing times.”

The mayor’s biggest regret on the real estate front is the province’s decision to move about 400 employees out of the downtown, to the Neil Crawford Centre adjacent to the U of A’s south campus.

The results of the transit strategy will be before city council in the spring. (sj)

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5845** Posted **Dec 30, 2016, 11:54 PM**

And here are some other year-end interviews. Couldn't find any for CBC, CityTV, Metro or Journal

Global:
http://globalnews.ca/video/3148354/2016-in-review-in-conversation-with-mayor-don-iveson
http://globalnews.ca/video/3149519/in-conversation-with-don-iveson-supportive-housing/
http://globalnews.ca/video/3151050/in-conversation-with-mayor-don-iveson-rogers-place/
http://globalnews.ca/video/3152555/edmonton-mayor-weighs-in-on-metro-lrt-saga-in-year-end-interview

CTV:
http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1020587&binId=1.1203428&playlistPageNum=1

Urban recluse · #**5846** Posted **Dec 30, 2016, 11:55 PM**

Sounds like downtown Edmonton is faring well. A lot of exciting things happening.

240glt · #**5847** Posted **Dec 31, 2016, 11:54 PM**

Forgot to post this.. Proposed (and brought forward to the community in exchange for support of development and variances) vs. what was actually.. Eventually.. built

Clap

Clap

EdmTrekker · #**5848** Posted **Jan 1, 2017, 1:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240glt

Forgot to post this.. Proposed (and brought forward to the community in exchange for support of development and variances) vs. what was actually.. Eventually.. built

Clap

Clap

under your watchful eye?

240glt · #**5849** Posted **Jan 1, 2017, 2:20 AM**

^ for part of it yep. I pay close attention

Can't help that an amateur developer couldn't pull off the original project as proposed. That's well beyond anyone's control unfortunately.

Keep in mind the crew that built this wanted to be considered the voice for infill developers in the city. Quite a joke that turned out to be

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5850** Posted **Jan 1, 2017, 8:08 PM**

Nice to see downtown so busy last night! It helped that the weather was OK - still needed to bundle up though. Of course every time there's an Oilers game night, about the half the people are wearing orange McDavid jerseys! Churchill Square was jam-packed with people and lots of families, and the fireworks were amazing. 3 Bananas and L'Espresso were jam-packed while the food trucks did a brisk business. Sorrentino's, McLeod Tavern, Woodwork, Craft and Sherlock Holmes were full, with the lone glaring dark spot being the stillborn Alibi.

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5851** Posted **Jan 1, 2017, 8:16 PM**

^ So in addition

Happy New Year to all of you! May it be a great 2017 for you and our city.

Coldrsx · #**5852** Posted **Jan 1, 2017, 8:19 PM**

^indeed. Other than Crashed Ice and Nuit Blanche, I do not recall Downtown having so many people out and about. The 2 x fireworks/events went very well and drew 2 different crowds. I know a bunch of folks in from Vancouver and Calgary who were at the Game and they were very impressed with Rogers, but also how different Downtown felt. Big city ish.

CMD UW · #**5853** Posted **Jan 1, 2017, 8:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

^ So in addition

Happy New Year to all of you! May it be a great 2017 for you and our city.

Likewise!

Design-mind · #**5854** Posted **Jan 2, 2017, 2:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240glt

^ for part of it yep. I pay close attention

Can't help that an amateur developer couldn't pull off the original project as proposed. That's well beyond anyone's control unfortunately.

Keep in mind the crew that built this wanted to be considered the voice for infill developers in the city. Quite a joke that turned out to be

Wow they really butchered it!

Ha the voice for infill developers, these guys hardly measure up to re-clad welding shops in Nisku!

What neighbourhood is this atrocity in?

Airboy · #**5855** Posted **Jan 2, 2017, 6:30 PM**

Looking at the coming year for St Albert. watch for the 2nd phase of Botanica in St Albert to proceed. As well we will probably see one of the Grandin Park towers get start this year as well.

240glt · #**5856** Posted **Jan 2, 2017, 6:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Design-mind

Wow they really butchered it!

Ha the voice for infill developers, these guys hardly measure up to re-clad welding shops in Nisku!

What neighbourhood is this atrocity in?

Yup kinda looks like a welding shop in Nisku! It's located just north of Commonwealth Stadium

The few infill houses they've done look like shipping containers as well

My god I'd love to see some experienced, respectable developers in this city for a change!

Coldrsx · #**5857** Posted **Jan 2, 2017, 8:01 PM**

I gotta admit, that cladding and difference is quite significant. I knew of some changes, but that is not a nice end product given the initial rendering/plan.

kcantor · #**5858** Posted **Jan 2, 2017, 8:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240glt

Yup kinda looks like a welding shop in Nisku! It's located just north of Commonwealth Stadium

The few infill houses they've done look like shipping containers as well

My god I'd love to see some experienced, respectable developers in this city for a change!

seems to me that those are sufficient changes to require an amended development permit, not just an amended building permit, as those are supposed to reconcile/agree with each other.

it would be interested to know what permit amendments - if any - they applied for and received and whether notifications were sent to everyone who was registered in regard to the original development permit application if it was amended.

if the original development permit wasn't amended, it would be interesting to know how they got a occupancy permit for a building that doesn't reconcile with the approved elevations. the changes made are clearly in excess of the "minor variances" that are typically allowed/overlooked.

Hardhatdan · #**5859** Posted **Jan 2, 2017, 9:45 PM**

When the use of metal cladding goes wrong.
Very poorly executed.

240glt · #**5860** Posted **Jan 3, 2017, 12:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcantor

seems to me that those are sufficient changes to require an amended development permit, not just an amended building permit, as those are supposed to reconcile/agree with each other.

it would be interested to know what permit amendments - if any - they applied for and received and whether notifications were sent to everyone who was registered in regard to the original development permit application if it was amended.

if the original development permit wasn't amended, it would be interesting to know how they got a occupancy permit for a building that doesn't reconcile with the approved elevations. the changes made are clearly in excess of the "minor variances" that are typically allowed/overlooked.

There was a permit to change the roof from flat to pitched and something to do with the balconies. Can't remember exactly what but I think technically the changes were probably covered in that permit

I'm just more shocked at how God awful it looks, especially up against the original proposal. I wish they had never brought the original forward and just said "hey we're going to build this pile of crap here, suck it up" like most developers do. It looks even worse in person.. You can't tell from the photo but the black main level is all just black corrugated metal as well... They couldn't even be bothered to do some split face or hardie or something like that to try & break it up a bit