Winnipeg Construction IX

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by buzzg

“Bridgwater is designed with pedestrian friendly, active transportation in mind” they said. “It will be a different kind of suburb” they said.

Yeah, right! It sure looks like it!

[The Jabroni]

"Pedestrian friendly."

[buzzg]

Is that "future road to U of M" actually something in the works? Link to Bison?

Also, lol @ that 6 minute drive time...

[Bluenote]

Originally Posted by The Jabroni

"Pedestrian friendly."

Have any of you ever been there ? Probably not. You all sit on google earth and make your remarks.

I bet there are more bicycle paths and parks and sidewalks in that development then anywhere else in this city.


Get off your asses and go look. Don’t just drive into town center which btw is well planned. All commercial in one central spot. All condos in one central spot.

Lots of lakes. Even a few islands now. And what was once a dump they repurposed into a giant park.

Every bit of original forest was saved and paths put through them. Cannot say that for places like Island lakes which bulldozed all trees down.

Bridgewater is one of the best designed suburban development we have. But you guys still hate it as it’s not downtown or doesn’t have this or that.


Oh btw. The place has a lot of bus stops to boot. And guess what. There are always during the day people waiting for them. The majority of people who moved there are from Asian countries and those people have big families which do use the bus.

But whatever. Sit on google earth and bitch.

[buzzg]

I've been there. It's devoid of life. Its designed like Portage Place – sure it's good that all the retail faces the main drag, but they also all have back entrances facing onto huge parking lots, and those are the doors that get used most – people are not doing their shopping walking down the centre road.

[trueviking]

Most of the doors facing the street are closed off permanently.

The 80km/h freeways that divide the ‘Towne Centre’ from where everyone lives is the best.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

Have any of you ever been there ? Probably not. You all sit on google earth and make your remarks.

I bet there are more bicycle paths and parks and sidewalks in that development then anywhere else in this city.


Get off your asses and go look. Don’t just drive into town center which btw is well planned. All commercial in one central spot. All condos in one central spot.

Lots of lakes. Even a few islands now. And what was once a dump they repurposed into a giant park.

Every bit of original forest was saved and paths put through them. Cannot say that for places like Island lakes which bulldozed all trees down.

Bridgewater is one of the best designed suburban development we have. But you guys still hate it as it’s not downtown or doesn’t have this or that.

Oh btw. The place has a lot of bus stops to boot.

But whatever. Sit on google earth and bitch.

I couldn't agree more. When the small businesses and whatnot start popping up in the Centre plan, then everyone will see what a great spot it is in the city. The design of Bridgwater will be hailed as one of the best suburbs in the city, if not THE best, as its design actually takes into account all city elements and integrates it seamlessly.

[optimusREIM]

Bridgewater and Waverly West: "Such urban. Wow."

Just cause it's got walking paths doesn't mean it is automatically walkable. That usually entails being able to access a good portion of your daily amenities in a fairly short time period like 10 minutes or less. Most Winnipeg neighborhoods aren't the greatest for walkability least of all the suburbs. It takes a lot more than a few paths to make an area walkable.

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by scryer

I couldn't agree more. When the small businesses and whatnot start popping up in the Centre plan, then everyone will see what a great spot it is in the city. The design of Bridgwater will be hailed as one of the best suburbs in the city, if not THE best, as its design actually takes into account all city elements and integrates it seamlessly.

It's a really nice area. Friends that live there never used to walk anywhere, now walk a lot. It is well done and a great place to live.

[wardlow]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

Have any of you ever been there ? Probably not. You all sit on google earth and make your remarks.

I bet there are more bicycle paths and parks and sidewalks in that development then anywhere else in this city.


Get off your asses and go look. Don’t just drive into town center which btw is well planned. All commercial in one central spot. All condos in one central spot.

Lots of lakes. Even a few islands now. And what was once a dump they repurposed into a giant park.

Every bit of original forest was saved and paths put through them. Cannot say that for places like Island lakes which bulldozed all trees down.

Bridgewater is one of the best designed suburban development we have. But you guys still hate it as it’s not downtown or doesn’t have this or that.


Oh btw. The place has a lot of bus stops to boot. And guess what. There are always during the day people waiting for them. The majority of people who moved there are from Asian countries and those people have big families which do use the bus.

But whatever. Sit on google earth and bitch.

So, you're telling me that if I go and walk down this street in the Town Centre in person it will look better? You forgot to mention "all driveways in one central spot."

Anyway, I have walked around much of Waverley West in recent years. Believe me. It's not all this bad (how could it be?), but this is a clear example of how sidewalks and density as blunt instruments only take you so far.

[windypeg]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

Have any of you ever been there ? Probably not. You all sit on google earth and make your remarks.

I bet there are more bicycle paths and parks and sidewalks in that development then anywhere else in this city.


Get off your asses and go look. Don’t just drive into town center which btw is well planned. All commercial in one central spot. All condos in one central spot.

Lots of lakes. Even a few islands now. And what was once a dump they repurposed into a giant park.

Every bit of original forest was saved and paths put through them. Cannot say that for places like Island lakes which bulldozed all trees down.

Bridgewater is one of the best designed suburban development we have. But you guys still hate it as it’s not downtown or doesn’t have this or that.


Oh btw. The place has a lot of bus stops to boot. And guess what. There are always during the day people waiting for them. The majority of people who moved there are from Asian countries and those people have big families which do use the bus.

But whatever. Sit on google earth and bitch.

I have ventured down there on my bike and explored most of the main bike paths that run through Bridgewater, the people who live there brag about them so much I had to see what the fuss was about.

They are recreational paths. They're not for transportation. They don't really go anywhere, they meander about and don't connect very well to the rest of the city. OK for a relaxing sunday ride with your kids, but useless if you want to actually use a bike or walk to get places.

It's also not a good thing that the condos and retail areas are all clustered together. Especially with the retail being cut off from the rest of the development by freeways like that. Proper mixed-use means having a healthy mix of uses on each block, with higher density residential mixed in too. This is just classic suburbia with large monotonous areas of housing on one side of the highway and large monotonous areas of box stores on the other, and all the residential "density" jammed together instead of evenly distributed. Look at mature neighbourhoods like West Broadway, how there is retail mixed right throughout the housing, not segregated from it. It greatly improves walkability when these uses are all mixed together instead of segregated into different areas.

Add in the sheer distance from downtown or just about anything except the handful of box stores in the "town centre" and it's very clear that anyone who lives there will be using their car to go to work and probably 90% of trips in general. If all the nice paths make some people more inclined to walk around the block with their family on a Sunday afternoon, great for them, exercise is good. But that place is simply not designed for walking/cycling as a practical means of actually going places.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by wardlow

So, you're telling me that if I go and walk down this street in the Town Centre in person it will look better? You forgot to mention "all driveways in one central spot."

Anyway, I have walked around much of Waverley West in recent years. Believe me. It's not all this bad (how could it be?), but this is a clear example of how sidewalks and density as blunt instruments only take you so far.

What in the hell is that?? How did that pass through City Approvals? Hideous. Where do they put the snow in winter?

[BigG]

The neighbourhood may not be for everyone but obviously people are moving there. Live and work maybe not, but live and play and do other things, I think it's laid out well. If someone works outside of the neighbourhood then a car is necessary. But once you're in your "town" most amenities are there. Keep in mind this is still a work in progress. I don't hate it.

[rkspec]

Speaking of Bridgewater


80,000 Square Foot Fitness Centre Opening in Bridgwater
https://accesswinnipeg.com/2018/09/80000-square-foot-fitness-centre-opening-in-bridgwater/




edit: my bad, just saw the new gym addition on the pic with the legend towards the top of this page

[esquire]

Originally Posted by windypeg

It's also not a good thing that the condos and retail areas are all clustered together. Especially with the retail being cut off from the rest of the development by freeways like that. Proper mixed-use means having a healthy mix of uses on each block, with higher density residential mixed in too. This is just classic suburbia with large monotonous areas of housing on one side of the highway and large monotonous areas of box stores on the other, and all the residential "density" jammed together instead of evenly distributed. Look at mature neighbourhoods like West Broadway, how there is retail mixed right throughout the housing, not segregated from it. It greatly improves walkability when these uses are all mixed together instead of segregated into different areas.

Winnipeg is slowly coming around to the idea of higher density, public transit and alternative transportation. But when it comes to actual mixed uses in new suburban areas, well, that is just a bridge too far. Unthinkable. Commercial and residential must be kept separate. Preferably by an expressway. In Winnipeg, "mixed use" means a building that has an insurance agency AND a Thai restaurant.

FWIW I see Waverley West as really no different than any other late-model suburban area, except that it has a better collection of recreational trails. It's fine for what it's meant to be.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

^Bait and switch tactics.. Seems illegal. How could they get significant tax write off if they're not a charity?

KidThink is a spinoff of Upside Down Tree which is a registered charity. The building owner could potentially give a "donation" to the charity which then uses it to pay for the leased space. I am not a tax expert though so not sure all the ins and outs there. Also Upside Down Tree is what is known as a charity clearing house, basically taking in funds it will distribute to other causes similar to the Winnipeg Foundation or United Way.

--

Originally Posted by OverUnder

80,000 sq ft fitness centre going up in Bridgwater Forest.

That is an absolutely massive private gym/fitness centre. For some perspective: Goodlife Fitness locations are typically about 25% of that at 24,000 sq ft. The three Save on Foods locations range from 40,000 sq ft to 65,000 sq ft. The Wellness Centre (at Seven Oaks) is apparently 80,000 sq ft.

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by BigG

The neighbourhood may not be for everyone but obviously people are moving there. Live and work maybe not, but live and play and do other things, I think it's laid out well. If someone works outside of the neighbourhood then a car is necessary. But once you're in your "town" most amenities are there. Keep in mind this is still a work in progress. I don't hate it.

Exactly.

The people that buy there buy there for a reason. It is a great neighbourhood. People seem friendly and some of the house designs are beautiful.

And who cares if it is "so far from downtown"? Most people see that as a good thing, including me. As someone who used to live close to downtown, it sure is nice not having to listen to sirens all night.

[drew]

I have some friends that live in Bridgwater and love it, especially the bike trails.

It is what it is. People who live in Bridgwater aren't going to be shopping for their houses within the city anywhere north of the Assiniboine anyway.

By living in Wolseley, we are certainly the outlier in our group of friends from High School/University who all live in the far flung burbs or bedroom communities.

There are pros and cons no matter where you live. Although I can't help my self-satisfied smile whenever the talk of lack of schools, or traffic and commute times comes up in conversation.

[oftheMoon]

Originally Posted by drew

I have some friends that live in Bridgwater and love it, especially the bike trails.

It is what it is. People who live in Bridgwater aren't going to be shopping for their houses within the city anywhere north of the Assiniboine anyway.

By living in Wolseley, we are certainly the outlier in our group of friends from High School/University who all live in the far flung burbs or bedroom communities.

There are pros and cons no matter where you live. Although I can't help my self-satisfied smile whenever the talk of lack of schools, or traffic and commute times comes up in conversation.

We all choose our neighbourhoods for a variety of reasons. Nobody moves to Bridgewater because they hate it just as nobody chooses to live in the Exchange because they think downtown sucks. Neither choice is right nor wrong - it's personal preference.

I think the original point was Bridgewater not being a perfectly set up self-contained, walkable neighbourhood. Are people walking to get groceries, to pick up a coffee, to the local restaurant or to get their hair or nails done? The answer is no.

Absolutely great recreational paths to go for a bike ride or walk with the kids and that's a good thing. For anything else, it's a trip with the car.

[bomberjet]

I know one person who lives there and they're the type of person that needs to live there. Needs new home, new car, etc.

I know another person who lived in River Heights. Moved to WW for a new home. Moved straight back to RH 2 years later because WW "was a place where garages shit out cars in the morning and sucked them back in at night. Nothing else happened there." Meaning there was no neighbourly feels. Everyone just went into their homes and that was that.

Where as River heights had that neighborhood feel. People would talk over the fence, kids would play.

It's really a matter of personal choice. But branding WW as an urban, walkable village is false.