Regina Construction III

[J-Walker]

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

http://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/ri...ars-to-build-cost-upwards-of-140-million

Ring Road overpass over railway would take years to build, cost upwards of $140 million

It always amazes me the current cost of infrastructure. When you consider the cost of borrowing, yearly maintenance, and eventual repair costs, this overpass would likely end up a quarter billion dollar project.

Even the cost of small things like pedestrian crossings are ridiculous. Just read a leader post article (http://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/ci...-safety-with-new-crosswalk-pilot-project) that was speaking to a new type of wireless crossing sign that is basically composed of a control box with the computing power of a Commador 64, a couple of poles, a $400 solar panel and battery, and $20 strip of LED lights - that costs $50,000 a pop. Seems unreal.

[StealthGirl]

I think the Ring Road Overpass numbers were released as a quit complaining, but realize this is not going to happen. The city is never going to build an overpass over the railway tracks.

Sask Heavy Construction Assoc is complaining the city is deliberating competing again local business.

Originally Posted by Leaderpost

The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) is accusing the City of Regina of competing against local industry and its members by selling recycled products to the market at a discounted rate and self-performing its own road construction.

Self-performing involves a city using its own equipment, materials and workers to carry out infrastructure projects rather than private companies.

“It is not a level playing field right now,” said Shantel Lipp, president of the SHCA. “Unlike the private sector, municipally-owned enterprises (MOE) can lose money and stay in business. MOEs don’t have to pay taxes, they can use the municipality’s credit rating to finance purchases at below-market interest rates and they use tax dollars to subsidize their operations to continue to undercut the private sector.”

Lipp stated that with the city operating its own construction business and asphalt plant, along with expanding the number of people on its paving crews, its hard for SHCA members to compete against an MOE.

http://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/sh...erately-competing-against-local-industry

[Drofmab]

So, my wife said there's a sign up on the construction hoarding at the former Bryan's on 11th saying that Starbucks is coming. I didn't see it myself, and this is the same site that had a sign up in 2013 trying to lure Starbucks (using the hashtag #202011thAve)... so, I'm skeptical on that basis alone. But I did see construction going on in the space last week, which I assumed was just getting it lease-ready.

There's still the 2006 Labour Relations Board ruling that makes a company-owned store difficult... not impossible, just difficult (the location would automatically be certified & represented by RWDSU, just as the Chapters location is. Background).

I'll take a look at the sign tomorrow.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

So, my wife said there's a sign up on the construction hoarding at the former Bryan's on 11th saying that Starbucks is coming. I didn't see it myself, and this is the same site that had a sign up in 2013 trying to lure Starbucks (using the hashtag #202011thAve)... so, I'm skeptical on that basis alone. But I did see construction going on in the space last week, which I assumed was just getting it lease-ready.

There's still the 2006 Labour Relations Board ruling that makes a company-owned store difficult... not impossible, just difficult (the location would automatically be certified & represented by RWDSU, just as the Chapters location is. Background).

I'll take a look at the sign tomorrow.

Assuming it's actually a Starbucks, it would almost certainly be a franchise location.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

Sask Heavy Construction Assoc is complaining the city is deliberating competing again local business.

http://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/sh...erately-competing-against-local-industry

Oh, FFS... they make it sound like "self-performing" is a weird thing that the City is doing to screw over private companies.

There are plenty of reasons to contract certain public works projects out to the private sector, and there are also plenty of reasons for public bodies to do many types of work themselves.

Selling recycled materials just seems to make good sense. What would the private companies like the City to do with this material? send it to the dump?

It's a whole different discussion if the City is choosing to produce more material than they foresee needing with an aim to turn a profit. I'm not against this, but I can understand opposition to it. To my mind, it makes a lot of sense for public bodies to diversify revenue centres to offset costs that would otherwise be borne directly by taxpayers (including business taxpayers), and to better position them to handle the unexpected (e.g. this year's provincial budget). EPCOR accounts for 5.6% of the City of Edmonton's operating revenue.

If the City ran the asphalt plant as a MOE/arms-length Municipal Crown, they could - for example - sell product at a slight profit to a neighbouring RM. There'd (presumably) be benefit to Regina taxpayers, and probably benefit to the RM if they can buy it for less than producing it on their own, or getting a private firm to produce it.

If the City were taking on private paving (e.g. mall parking lots) & construction jobs, that would be pushing the boundaries...

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Assuming it's actually a Starbucks, it would almost certainly be a franchise location.

Starbucks explicitly says they don't franchise.

BUT, they do enter into 'license agreements'... which walk & quack like a franchise

Most sources online say licensed stores are for locations that would otherwise be inaccessible to them... for example, airports; grocery chains; colleges & universities. In addition to Safeway & Save-on, we have a couple examples in Regina of licenced stores (Doubletree & Regina Centre Crossing).

We also have Foodservice locations (Delta Hotel & UofR Riddell Centre [I think - haven't been there in a loooong time]) that aren't licensed stores, but they "proudly serve" Starbucks... get access to branded materials, beans, syrups, etc.

Regina Centre Crossing & the 11th Ave locations don't strike me as locations that would typically fit their criteria for licensed stores... they're not inaccessible/inside a business or other entity. Starbucks could lease the space & open a corporate store. I think they're bending their criteria to avoid the LRB ruling.

(shitty part about licensed stores is that you can use your SB card & earn SB points, but you can't redeem points. Points can only be redeemed at corporate stores... Chapters is the only corporate store in Regina, and it's typically a gong-show, so I prefer to avoid it)

[Baker58]

Had a friend post a picture of this on Facebook. It is a legit Starbucks sign using the Starbucks symbols and says "Opening soon. our barristas can't wait to meet you."

I can't imagine it would be a licensed store but I wouldn't be shocked if it was.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by Baker58

Had a friend post a picture of this on Facebook. It is a legit Starbucks sign using the Starbucks symbols and says "Opening soon. our barristas can't wait to meet you."

I can't imagine it would be a licensed store but I wouldn't be shocked if it was.

There is is... same owners as the Regina Centre Crossing (licensed, I understand).

"JOIN OUR AMAZING TEAM!!
We are hosting a hiring fair this Saturday August 26th at 1621 Albert Street location between 10:00am - 1:00pm. Bring your resume and be prepared to interview on the spot!
Positions are available at the 1621 Albert Street location and a new location opening very soon downtown!"

https://www.facebook.com/Sbuxreginacentrecrossing

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

There is is... same owners as the Regina Centre Crossing (licensed, I understand).

Yes it is.

Starbucks corporately is still looking to open real stores here but I understand they haven't solved the union BS yet.

[mitchellk12]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Yes it is.

Starbucks corporately is still looking to open real stores here but I understand they haven't solved the union BS yet.

unions and BS go together real good

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Yes it is.

Starbucks corporately is still looking to open real stores here but I understand they haven't solved the union BS yet.

11years later, they either aren't trying very hard, or they aren't really interested in the Regina market. I'd bet on the latter. Interesting that they're so actively avoiding Regina, though - it's not as though they don't have long-standing unionized stores. They do. They're certainly the minority of their stores, but they exist & they haven't simply shut them down (like WalMart does) nor have they been repeatedly nailed for union-busting/attempted union-busting like they were in Sask.

The rulings against them here certainly tempered things for them. Reading the rulings, though, best case, they had a rogue/inept manager on site... worst case, corporate actively intervened & orchestrated attempted union busting (which backfired spectacularly).

I'm not pro/anti union - just SB's activities in Regina from 2003-2006 were complete amateur hour dumbassery. 4th year Business student could have busted the union more effectively.

[StealthGirl]

I don't understand the appeal of Starbucks. I find their coffee very bitter and often, a bit burnt. I've tried it a handful of times and I'd much rather give my business to Brewed Awakening. I think the absence of a lot of Starbucks has allowed local shops to become established.

[jigglysquishy]

Not having Starbucks downtown has been a massive benefit to local companies. Most offer a superior product as well.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

I don't understand the appeal of Starbucks. I find their coffee very bitter and often, a bit burnt. I've tried it a handful of times and I'd much rather give my business to Brewed Awakening. I think the absence of a lot of Starbucks has allowed local shops to become established.

I agree. On the other hand, folks visiting from out of town like the comfort of recognized brands... most people who would typically go for chains like Starbucks/Second Cup/Blenz/Waves/Good Earth/etc have no interest in Tim's - so the 2 downtown Tim's are of little interest.

I'm sure if they were introduced to Atlantis, Green Spot or Brewed Awakening, they'd be very happy... but people are creatures of habit, most people I know will seek out a brand they know when traveling - even if they'd go to a local shop at home. Starbucks will do very, very well in that spot. Likely to the detriment of Brewed Awakening (who knows - Atlantis may have heard it was coming & decided to extract as much value as possible by selling 11th/Cornwall to Brewed Awakening before the announcement was made). I think Brewed Awakening is a strong enough brand now that this won't be a death blow, but it's likely not a positive development for their new location.

[Stormer]

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Stormer

They need to combine it with the new Winnipeg St overpass replacement to save money

The City intends to re-align and replace the Winnipeg St. bridge to the blue line below. The 2 existing rail crossings (red) could be removed and co-located to where Winnipeg once crossed (green). They could use the existing grade separations and even the bridge piers for the rail crossing.

They City is putting much more priority on the Winnipeg re-alignment than the rail crossings. It should be the other way around for both traffic-flow and safety reasons. IMO.

[Festivus]

Originally Posted by Stormer

The City intends to re-align and replace the Winnipeg St. bridge to the blue line below. The 2 existing rail crossings (red) could be removed and co-located to where Winnipeg once crossed (green). They could use the existing grade separations and even the bridge piers for the rail crossing.

They City is putting much more priority on the Winnipeg re-alignment than the rail crossings. It should be the other way around for both traffic-flow and safety reasons. IMO.

I would imagine you can't just put rail lines on a vehicle bridge, the weight loads and requirements would be very different, and I imagine you'd need to basically rebuild the bridge anyway.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

I'm not pro/anti union - just SB's activities in Regina from 2003-2006 were complete amateur hour dumbassery. 4th year Business student could have busted the union more effectively.

I think they were unprepared because they don't get a lot of union drives.

Primarily because Starbucks is a good place to work. They provide good wages, with helpful programs and scholarships, etc. They are a pretty progressive workplace and the union really shot themselves in the foot going after Starbucks.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

I don't understand the appeal of Starbucks. I find their coffee very bitter and often, a bit burnt. I've tried it a handful of times and I'd much rather give my business to Brewed Awakening. I think the absence of a lot of Starbucks has allowed local shops to become established.

Starbucks coffee is deliberately brewed that way and isn't actually burnt.

What Starbucks and other chains provide is consistency. You know from one location to another what you're getting. They also provide convenience, though not in Regina. Their real specialty isn't brewed coffee, it's the infinite variation on flavoured coffees, lattes and blended drinks. Ordering a flavored latte or frappuccino at Starbucks results in a much better drink than at say, Atlantis.

Personally I find Brewed Awakening to be massively overrated and is really not to be celebrated. Some of the independent places are good (fix. Coffee) and some are awful (looking at you Naked Bean).

As in all things, preferences vary.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Originally Posted by Stormer

That will be a great spot, and will always be busy!