Winnipeg | Exchange District | Developments & Discussions

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by esquire

I have to admit that preserving the character of the entire west Exchange is not really that high on my priority list. It's just through a fluke that it exists in its current form to begin with...basically due to the stasis that set in after WWI. I don't think that should force us to maintain things as they are now until the end of time... there have been new things built over the years that are more modern, like City Hall, PSB, elements of RRC, Centennial Centre the parkade on King... that kind of modern design looks far better on the neighbourhood than goofy throwback stuff like the Police Credit Union on William.

And wait a minute, this proposed building is a single family home? If so, that will change my opinion on things in a hurry.

The police credit union is not exactly a good example of traditional design.

City Hall, the Stalinist bunker that is the PSB and the parkade are eyesores and should be demolished at the earliest opportunity. Even when it opened in 1964, City Hall had already earned the moniker "ugliest building in Canada."

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Oh come on, those aren't bad at all, for Peguis Street.

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

The police credit union is not exactly a good example of traditional design.

City Hall, the Stalinist bunker that is the PSB and the parkade are eyesores and should be demolished at the earliest opportunity. Even when it opened in 1964, City Hall had already earned the moniker "ugliest building in Canada."

Agreed. This whole area screams: stay away!

[Wolf13]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I guess my point is just because something is curtain wall glass, doesn't mean its good...or even modern....it still needs to be designed sensitively. We seem to have this unquestioning default love of curtain wall. Use it and you're done. No more nuance required....say the words glass box and everyone loves it....but it can produce very bland buildings.

Punched windows can be every bit as modern and add a level of texture to the building. That site deserves more effort than uninspired curtain wall....it has nothing to do with how historic it is...its about design quality.

personally, I feel this site needs to respect the context more than the new red river as an example. The site warrants it in my opinion, as the centre of the historic neighbourhood.

I agree with you, but I guess I wouldn't consider myself a holdout if that turned into a standoff.

Curtain wall isn't automatically the "best", but it often or almost always is a substantial improvement over what's existing. I'm not in favour of the goose-poop green/brown ala old 360 Main, but if that's their budget and taste, maybe I'm lazy enough to say "good enough, move ahead".

I do not doubt that it can be done better with a more area sensitive approach, I just don't consider it a loss if it goes ahead as per rendering. Could certainly be better though.

[oftheMoon]

Streetscaping on Lily has started up again including work at the 1919 commemorative site on the corner of Lilly and Market. Anyone know if there's a plan to do something with the Nygard mural on the wall of 139 Market Ave?

[Urban recluse]

Ugly mural. It looks graffiti-like. I hope it is removed.

[TimeFadesAway]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

Streetscaping on Lily has started up again including work at the 1919 commemorative site on the corner of Lilly and Market. Anyone know if there's a plan to do something with the Nygard mural on the wall of 139 Market Ave?

I'm sure it will be painted over as part of the 1919 commemorative.

[oftheMoon]

Originally Posted by TimeFadesAway

I'm sure it will be painted over as part of the 1919 commemorative.

That's what I'm thinking/hoping also but you'd think that wall would be taken care of before the do the streetscaping there and the 1919 commemorative.

Or are they going to do like the did earlier this week on James/Lily where one day half a dozen new trees were planted and the next day they were pulled out again to do further work on the sidewalk. Seriously lol

[bomberjet]

If the tress were planted and pulled out for sidewalk stuff, I assume that is at the contractors time and expense. The City would only pay them for the finished product, however they get there is up to them.

[goldenboi]

Originally Posted by drew

^ you could use some sort of a timed parking pass for residents. Valid only between say 6pm and 9am every day. Whether or not it was abused, people gotta park somewhere.

Do they though? Often people move downtown with a car and then end up rarely using it because it's easier to bike/walk. Then their car ends up sitting idle in surface lots for days on end. That is why car share programs are so genius. They take the time that cars are sitting idle and let other people use them, making it cheaper for everyone. I think the city should be supporting and incentivizing car sharing instead of fretting so much about parking. Once more people start using it, it will become cheaper and the distance between cars will decrease, making it an even more viable option for people living downtown. I will never understand people's obsession of owning their own car. It's a piece of metal, grow up.. this is coming from a 20 year-old.

[drew]

Originally Posted by goldenboi

Do they though? Often people move downtown with a car and then end up rarely using it because it's easier to bike/walk. Then their car ends up sitting idle in surface lots for days on end. That is why car share programs are so genius. They take the time that cars are sitting idle and let other people use them, making it cheaper for everyone. I think the city should be supporting and incentivizing car sharing instead of fretting so much about parking. Once more people start using it, it will become cheaper and the distance between cars will decrease, making it an even more viable option for people living downtown. I will never understand people's obsession of owning their own car. It's a piece of metal, grow up.. this is coming from a 20 year-old.

Coming from a 20 year old... well you were about 16 when I originally posted that!

Since then, I have had another kid, moved houses, changed jobs...

Maybe even changed my opinion from 2013?

But that being said - cars for some are an obsession - but for most people, just a tool of convenience.

You are 20 now, but in 10 years time, your life may look VERY different, and having a car may either be a necessity, or a tool that makes your life much easier.

[Portmanteau]

Originally Posted by drew

Coming from a 20 year old... well you were about 16 when I originally posted that!

Since then, I have had another kid, moved houses, changed jobs...

Maybe even changed my opinion from 2013?

But that being said - cars for some are an obsession - but for most people, just a tool of convenience.

You are 20 now, but in 10 years time, your life may look VERY different, and having a car may either be a necessity, or a tool that makes your life much easier.

As one of those people who moved downtown with their car - I can 100% say that although we do walk and bike a fair bit, we will not be giving up our car any time soon. We have family and a cottage outside of the city, and there's no way I'm renting a car every weekend. (You can't take the shared cars for more than a few hours).

[Portmanteau]

Anyone posted this yet?
http://www.marketlands.ca/

[cutchemist42]

Originally Posted by Portmanteau

Anyone posted this yet?
http://www.marketlands.ca/

I was coming to post this. Just walked back from the RRC Tims and saw the new posters being put up by some people along the walkways.

[esquire]

^ The process so far is inspiring confidence... it reflects a solid understanding of what makes a good urban space. As long as they keep the politicians away it should end up just fine.

[Wolf13]

Originally Posted by goldenboi

Do they though? Often people move downtown with a car and then end up rarely using it because it's easier to bike/walk. Then their car ends up sitting idle in surface lots for days on end. That is why car share programs are so genius. They take the time that cars are sitting idle and let other people use them, making it cheaper for everyone. I think the city should be supporting and incentivizing car sharing instead of fretting so much about parking. Once more people start using it, it will become cheaper and the distance between cars will decrease, making it an even more viable option for people living downtown. I will never understand people's obsession of owning their own car. It's a piece of metal, grow up.. this is coming from a 20 year-old.

I appreciate that people do not need cars, but I disagree with the disrespect those that need/want cars get from those who don't have one.

Much like Drew said, I now need cars because I now have kids and live just outside the city ("what? and you're commenting on downtown?"). If you live downtown and have many destinations, you still need a car. I lived in downtown Toronto for a bit and although I only needed my car MAX once a week, boy did I either need or desperately want it then.

I think our dependency on cars should change, but our appreciation does not have to. Nobody needs to demonize cars to move society forward.


And finally, cars are awesome and going fast is fun. We all have a million interests but ultimately few machines are as capable, as fascinating and provide such a physical sensation on a daily basis of cars. Phones are super impressive but there's no sensation.

Car share programs are great, but those cars they use —.

I'm not a dog person, but I'm not about to tell people to live without their dogs. It sounds apples to oranges, but to many car people it isn't. Living being or not, they treasure their cars and that's fine.

We also shouldn't be so terrified of paying a measly $5 for parking.

[oftheMoon]

Originally Posted by Wolf13

Car share programs are great, but those cars they use —.

Most of Peg City Car Co-op's vehicles are newer model year Honda Fits and just last week they just added a 2017 SE model with heated seats and a back up camera. They also have a 2015 Dodge Carvan in their fleet. While these types of vehicles may not wow car enthusiasts, they are very nice, super well kept vehicles.

But fully understand having no car or using a car share co-op does not work for most people. But for the 800+ members that use it, it's a great system!

[Urban recluse]

Re: Marketlands

I am all for putting alleys through the development, connecting King to Princess.

[Wolf13]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

Most of Peg City Car Co-op's vehicles are newer model year Honda Fits and just last week they just added a 2017 SE model with heated seats and a back up camera. They also have a 2015 Dodge Carvan in their fleet. While these types of vehicles may not wow car enthusiasts, they are very nice, super well kept vehicles.

But fully understand having no car or using a car share co-op does not work for most people. But for the 800+ members that use it, it's a great system!

Oh I totally agree! It's a great system, and the quality of vehicles, considering they're brand new, is great! I expect these programs to continue to grow, which is good.

I'm just a car —, lol, and will fight til my dying breath for the continuance of the interesting automobile.

[Urban recluse]

Can anyone take a pic of 98 Market?