Winnipeg | Downtown | True North Square | U/C

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by Tacheguy

The Forks was an operational railway yard several decades ago. People come from all over the world to figure out how three levels of government could work towards what exists today -- one of the world's great public spaces. The L'esplanade and Waterfront Drive were also forward looking public investments that received a fair amount of short sighted criticism. Is there a greater example of "vision" than the creation of the cmhr? Even its critics should concede that point.
Winnipeg has its problems but I don't think a lack of vision is high on the list.

Yes, and over 100 years ago the city was booming. Clinging to the development of the Forks, really? Let's think now. CMHR is not much of an achievement in my eyes, as it has not resulted in any additional developments.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Yes, and over 100 years ago the city was booming. Clinging to the development of the Forks, really? Let's think now.

What difference does it make to me whether the city is booming or not?

[BigG]

Have to keep up.

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by esquire

What difference does it make to me whether the city is booming or not?

The point is that we should not argue today's lack of development in Winnipeg by countering with developments decades old. Let's also focus on private $$$, not massive public $$$.

[esquire]

^ What do you mean by lack of development? Not too long ago you were trying to suggest that the development taking place downtown didn't count for whatever purposes because there wasn't really demand for it, now you're saying there isn't enough of it?

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by esquire

The idea that a bunch of lowrises is better than one highrise would be more appealing if we didn't end up with lowrise duds like this. If a surface lot is a 1 when it comes to street interaction, then this thing is a 2, maybe a 3 at best. It does little to animate the streetscape as opposed to the taller, if not quite highrise, Centrepoint development across the street.



As we can see, just filling in lots isn't enough to create a pleasant pedestrian environment.

We end up with things like this because the city allows it. We end up with half-block parkades that kill any potential of a street, because the city allows it.

TBH the physical design and layout of this building is pretty good when you think about it. The main floor is all office space, so it could easily be converted to CRUs along Donald if wanted, and the corner entrance opens up with the lane fairly nicely. They just decided to go all-office on the main floor and mirror-out the windows. At least it isn't main floor parking like many others here.

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Every new building cannot offer CRUs. Location really is the determining factor.

I'd agree there's probably some streets where we can just cut our losses, especially in the SW part of downtown, but this part of Donald shouldn't be one of them. Main connector in and out of downtown and to Exchange; with the hotel there now and arena half a block away, this should be a pretty busy, active street. Centrepoint has 4 buisinesses in it facing Donald (Browns, Tims, Alt, Merchant) – it'd be great to reflect that across the street.

Originally Posted by Tacheguy

The Forks was an operational railway yard several decades ago. People come from all over the world to figure out how three levels of government could work towards what exists today -- one of the world's great public spaces. The L'esplanade and Waterfront Drive were also forward looking public investments that received a fair amount of short sighted criticism. Is there a greater example of "vision" than the creation of the cmhr? Even its critics should concede that point.
Winnipeg has its problems but I don't think a lack of vision is high on the list.

Three levels came together by realizing there's no way they'd ever actually come together and get things done. That's why The Forks is its own operation – the governments own it and stay VERY hands-off.

[esquire]

^ There's no way that the CUC building would be designed that way if it were being drawn up today. It clearly reflects the state of affairs pre-MTS Centre. Yet the status quo remains with Donald Street's squat little fortress. And that approach is a common affliction downtown... remember when One Canada Centre had retail and a mix of office tenants? Now it's 100% IG right down to the main floor and no one who isn't an employee or supplier passes through the doors.

[dmacc]

Looks like a truck forgot to lower the hoist after dropping something off.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/news/vehicle-crashes-into-downtown-winnipeg-skywalk/ar-BBJUfTr

[robertocarlos]

Originally Posted by dmacc

Looks like a truck forgot to lower the hoist after dropping something off.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/news/vehicle-crashes-into-downtown-winnipeg-skywalk/ar-BBJUfTr

Now the walkway will be closed for another 3 months.

[esquire]

^ Good God

Here's the key point from that story:

This is the same stretch of skywalk that had to be closed several times during 2015 and 2016 because of structural concerns and repairs.

Worst case scenario, this skywalk could be out of commission for a while.

[dmacc]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ Good God

Here's the key point from that story:



Worst case scenario, this skywalk could be out of commission for a while.

It was all a TNS plan to force people to use the new one they're building.

[esquire]

^ Haaaa, you might be on to something

[bomberjet]

People were still walking through there at lunch. Co-worker snapped a photo of the inside. Which was smashed to all hell.

After the structural stuff from a few years ago, they just finished up over the last year aesthetic work on the inside. Now it has to be re-done again.

[vellakaran]

Originally Posted by dmacc

Looks like a truck forgot to lower the hoist after dropping something off.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/news/vehicle-crashes-into-downtown-winnipeg-skywalk/ar-BBJUfTr

Nice view of d-condo in the picture from the article...

[robertocarlos]

^ Good eyes. Carlton is down to one lane now. The Convention Centre expects the skywalk to be closed for a few days for repairs. So like I said, three months.

[cllew]

That's just a slight scratch, a little grey Bondo and its as good as new.

I'm guessing that some insurance company will be picking up the tab for this repair and not the city.

[Brizzy82]

I have never noticed that CUC building before. Driven past it a thousand times I guess but have never paid it attention. I would have bet money that WASN’T a Wpg building if not for the other buildings in the pic. I’m so floored by this.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by esquire

This is the key factor. Height and the "would you rather have one 30 storey tower or six 5 storey buildings" question are red herrings.

But beyond buildings being nice or ugly, it still matters if there's a critical mass of them around or not.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

But beyond buildings being nice or ugly, it still matters if there's a critical mass of them around or not.

Yeah, it's amazing when you go to cities with great downtowns, you don't really notice how many truly awful buildings there are because they're in bustling areas with great retail. Some of Toronto's signature streets and neighbourhoods are rife with ugly, old, plain buildings. Half the time businesses (especially chains) dress them up with their branding so much you don't really notice.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Yeah, it's amazing when you go to cities with great downtowns, you don't really notice how many truly awful buildings there are because they're in bustling areas with great retail. Some of Toronto's signature streets and neighbourhoods are rife with ugly, old, plain buildings. Half the time businesses (especially chains) dress them up with their branding so much you don't really notice.

While this can sometimes be true, it's not really where I was going with my comment. I'm just saying there's more to a pleasant urban experience than if the buildings look good or not - there has to be enough of them for that experience to actually feel lively, and well, urban.