Winnipeg Construction IX - Page 423

drew · #**8441** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 4:37 AM**

I see people getting the boot from bus shelters all the time. That story about moving into a bus shack and the City unable to remove them seems like some sort of urban myth.

Speaking of squatting, there were actually people living in the old Vespa dealership on Portage Ave. for about a week. I saw people coming in and leaving as I past by on my way to work. The inside was pretty much strewn with garbage and beer bottles.

It's since been cleared out.

buzzg · #**8442** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 4:48 AM**

So bizarre that there still isn't any for sale or lease signs there. What could the owner possibly be waiting on?

Authentic_City · #**8443** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 4:55 AM**

Apparently Fort MacMurray bus shelters have heaters that operate for 10 minute intervals after a button is pushed. The shelters cost $46000-$87000 according to this CBC story.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-warms-to-heated-bus-shelters-1.2919861

Heated shelters don’t seem very common.

plrh · #**8444** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 12:34 PM**

Minneapolis's shelters for their LRT lines have push button heat lamps. The shelters have an open side on them. They work OK, but might not be that helpful at -40.

esquire · #**8445** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 12:43 PM**

^ As I recall, Transit's line in recent years is that the shelters are mainly to provide protection from the elements, the wind, rain, snow, etc. The heaters are supposedly just there to prevent ice from building up on the glass.

The City can most definitely boot someone living in a bus shelter. In theory, at least. I guess if someone has no other options and is very persistent, it could well be easier for Transit just to change the route, or get rid of the shelter and get around the problem that way instead.

Authentic_City · #**8446** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 3:12 PM**

It's a sad state of affairs that we would rather create an unpleasant environment for everybody in an effort to discourage the unhoused from seeking warmth and comfort. I also remember the old wooden heated bus shacks and they were comfortable. For sure, homeless folks would camp out on cold nights, but who could blame them? I think we've failed as a society if we would prefer to turn down the heat and make benches impossible to lie down on rather than finding real solutions to the problem. Plus, we are creating a crappy urban environment at the same time.

esquire · #**8447** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

It's a sad state of affairs that we would rather create an unpleasant environment for everybody in an effort to discourage the unhoused from seeking warmth and comfort. I also remember the old wooden heated bus shacks and they were comfortable. For sure, homeless folks would camp out on cold nights, but who could blame them? I think we've failed as a society if we would prefer to turn down the heat and make benches impossible to lie down on rather than finding real solutions to the problem. Plus, we are creating a crappy urban environment at the same time.

I take your point, but at the same time the shelters are there for transit users. When you have people using them inappropriately (drinking, sleeping, etc.) it means they can't be used as effectively for their intended purpose. Transit shelters are not there to provide homeless people with a place to stay... there are homeless shelters for that.

In my opinion the transit shelters out there on the streets are good for what they're supposed to do... basically a place to get out of the rain or wind for the 2-15 minutes that people typically wait for the bus. Considering that people tend to dress appropriately for the weather, heating them to room temperature seems like overkill.

Jeff · #**8448** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 4:42 PM**

speaking of the bus shelters, the fact that one of the biggest election promises made by anyone throughout the campaign was to heat more of them as a major priority shows us how sad of a campaign it truly was. VISION WPG 2030: the most heated bus shacks of any city in the world!

Andy6 · #**8449** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 4:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

It's a sad state of affairs that we would rather create an unpleasant environment for everybody in an effort to discourage the unhoused from seeking warmth and comfort. I also remember the old wooden heated bus shacks and they were comfortable. For sure, homeless folks would camp out on cold nights, but who could blame them? I think we've failed as a society if we would prefer to turn down the heat and make benches impossible to lie down on rather than finding real solutions to the problem. Plus, we are creating a crappy urban environment at the same time.

Is the problem being exacerbated by the availability of heated bus shelters as alternatives to places that would be better for the “homeless folks” to be in, but which they resist because they like hanging out outside and/or don’t care for structured environments?

Jeff · #**8450** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 4:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy6

Is the problem being exacerbated by the availability of heated bus shelters as alternatives to places that would be better for the “homeless folks” to be in, but which they resist because they like hanging out outside and/or don’t care for structured environments?

ding ding ding!! I know the people that hang out in the bus shacks in my area definitely don't like being told what to do by anyone.. let alone having a curfew or having to tell a shelter their name as condition to stay for the night!

bomberjet · #**8451** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 5:10 PM**

Wtf? So if I went and set-up shop in the middle of P&M, the City is powerless because it's public land??

I find that story about living in the bus shack unbelievable. Like not that someone would do it because obviously people do anything.

Does transit have any authority? Apparently they cant stop fare evaders, or its not the drivers job. Now they can't stop people from living in bus shelters??? whaaat..

bomberjet · #**8452** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 5:11 PM**

I was in Minneapolis for new years a couple back. We took the train late one night. Temps were in the -30c ranges. The heat lamp helped, but did little. I find sitting on the heated benches I Winnipeg, in the enclosed shelters, to be better.

CoryB · #**8453** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 5:37 PM**

There is definitely more to the story on the removal of heated bus shelters. U of M (Fort Garry campus) used to have a really nice one that looked after you well if you needed to wait longer for a bus (aka not taking the Pembina route). Not sure why but they were removed and replaced with far less effective versions and homeless using them wasn't a problem.

Curmudgeon · #**8454** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 5:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

I was in Minneapolis for new years a couple back. We took the train late one night. Temps were in the -30c ranges. The heat lamp helped, but did little. I find sitting on the heated benches I Winnipeg, in the enclosed shelters, to be better.

There have been a lot of complaints in the Twin Cities about the inadequacy of the heat lamps. They are useful when the temperature is above about -10° (15°F) but anything colder and at best they might warm your face slightly.

windypeg · #**8455** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

ding ding ding!! I know the people that hang out in the bus shacks in my area definitely don't like being told what to do by anyone.. let alone having a curfew or having to tell a shelter their name as condition to stay for the night!

There was a news story about the tent camp that went up briefly at that church on Broadway and the homeless guy they interviewed said quite bluntly that he doesn't like the shelters because they have too many rules. Another story shortly after about a woman living in a guy's garage who said basically the same thing.

There is an expression, "Beggars can't be choosers", that would apply literally in these cases.

The reality is there are shelters for people who need shelter, and the people who stay elsewhere do so because they want to party or do other things the shelters won't allow, perhaps they've been abusive towards staff or other residents before, etc. It's very unfair that transit users who actually pay for transit are often unable to use the shelters they paid for because they're being inhabited by people using them to smoke, drink and make a giant mess. WPS needs to step their game up in kicking them the f&*% out. If they don't wanna go to a real shelter that's their problem.

esquire · #**8456** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 7:02 PM**

I strolled by P&M today and looked into the Scotiabank Building... the main floor is completely gutted. Do we know exactly who is taking that space up? Is this KidThink related already?

Wpg_Guy · #**8457** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 7:19 PM**

@j_thorsteinson
The #FortuneBlock on Main is looking good w its sidewalk-level windows in place #Winnipeg
https://twitter.com/j_thorsteinson/status/1057304008220663808

Biff · #**8458** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 7:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

I strolled by P&M today and looked into the Scotiabank Building... the main floor is completely gutted. Do we know exactly who is taking that space up? Is this KidThink related already?

KidThink is planned for the 2nd floor I believe. They are working at getting their funding in place. I think the main floor reno is for ScotiaBank.

esquire · #**8459** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 7:35 PM**

So Scotia is staying there even after KidThink sets up shop upstairs?

For what it's worth I didn't think the Scotia space looked out of date... interesting that they've opted to redo their space.

wardlow · #**8460** Posted **Oct 30, 2018, 7:55 PM**

I think this is the third time I've said this on here, but here goes...

Scotia Bank is moving their branch bank from the concourse/Winnipeg Square to the ground floor. Work includes new exterior doors. This suggests Scotia thinks Portage and Main will be reopened soon. Too bad North Kildonan has other ideas for now.