Winnipeg | Osborne Village & Fort Rouge | Developments & Discussions

[Unbending]

[pspeid]

Winnipeg's first pedestrian scramble? From today's CBC news website:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/osborne-village-pedestrian-scramble-1.6837862

Show it works here, then put one at P & M!

[thebasketballgeek]

They’re even going to close the slip lane on River oh what a lovely announcement.

I just hope the Biz remembers that a bike lane is being added on River this year so curious how a pedestrian scramble works with cycling lanes.

[rivercity]

I guess cyclists would just have to wait like traffic during the scramble would be my guess. Curious how the removal of the slip lane will slow down bus traffic. A lot of people turn left onto River.

[esquire]

The only unfortunate aspect of the slip lane removal, which is great, is that it happened after the Liquor Store was built to the slip lane lines. So instead of having a proper urban building more or less up to the corner, that large empty space in front of the LC will remain there for years to come. Not really ideal urban design.

[Coil]

Originally Posted by esquire

The only unfortunate aspect of the slip lane removal, which is great, is that it happened after the Liquor Store was built to the slip lane lines. So instead of having a proper urban building more or less up to the corner, that large empty space in front of the LC will remain there for years to come. Not really ideal urban design.

Good urban design doesn't mean running every building up against the property line, especially in a person-scaled mid-rise neighbourhood. Has to be some porosity, and some public space. It's a nice little plaza.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Coil

Good urban design doesn't mean running every building up against the property line, especially in a person-scaled mid-rise neighbourhood. Has to be some porosity, and some public space. It's a nice little plaza.

I kind of expected this reaction and I can appreciate it to some extent. The problem is that Winnipeg is unwilling or unable to actually design these types of spaces to a standard that makes them pleasant and enjoyable. The area between the Liquor Mart and Starbucks doesn't look good, and now it's likely to get even bigger. The space across the street by Subway is even worse. Same with by the fire station at Stradbrook.

[Coil]

Originally Posted by esquire

I kind of expected this reaction and I can appreciate it to some extent. The problem is that Winnipeg is unwilling or unable to actually design these types of spaces to a standard that makes them pleasant and enjoyable. The area between the Liquor Mart and Starbucks doesn't look good, and now it's likely to get even bigger. The space across the street by Subway is even worse. Same with by the fire station at Stradbrook.

I say turn the entire Safeway parking lot into a grand piazza, but if that doesn't work out I'll take what I can get- a few benches where you can take a load off and eat your hot dog. If your gripe is the homeless people, well, you aren't gonna design your way out of that one.

[zalf]

Originally Posted by esquire

The only unfortunate aspect of the slip lane removal, which is great, is that it happened after the Liquor Store was built to the slip lane lines. So instead of having a proper urban building more or less up to the corner, that large empty space in front of the LC will remain there for years to come. Not really ideal urban design.

That area and the circular bench actually get used and people actually hang out there and have unplanned encounters with friends. If the additonal space is used for some trees and public art, it could be pretty pleasant.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by zalf

That area and the circular bench actually get used and people actually hang out there and have unplanned encounters with friends. If the additonal space is used for some trees and public art, it could be pretty pleasant.

I agree, the space is well used. But I don't think that adding more space, especially without any kind of design budget beyond filling in the slip lane, is going to enhance it.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by esquire

I agree, the space is well used. But I don't think that adding more space, especially without any kind of design budget beyond filling in the slip lane, is going to enhance it.

Exactly, it would be nice to spend a buck or two and plant more trees and add more space defining elements. Have they released their actual design though?

[esquire]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

Exactly, it would be nice to spend a buck or two and plant more trees and add more space defining elements. Have they released their actual design though?

Not that I know of, but judging from existing streetscaping along Osborne I think we can make a pretty informed guess as to what it's going to look like...

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by esquire

Not that I know of, but judging from existing streetscaping along Osborne I think we can make a pretty informed guess as to what it's going to look like...

That's too bad, we should emphasize building a beautiful environment where people will actually want to spend time. To me, that corner and several others along Osborne are no brainers for beautifying and improving the human-scale experience. I think referring to it as "pedestrian" would be missing the point that that stretch of Osborne should be a destination. I think that it's at its best when they used to have those street parties for Canada Day. Do something that would bring people to the area, narrow the street, widen the sidewalks, introduce many traffic calming measures, make trucks use alternative routes, and do the exact same for Corydon up to Stafford.

I like to daydream a similar scenario for parts of Provencher as well. Let's make these areas desireable.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Overall the plans shown in the article look pretty good. It would be nice if the City could also lower the speed limit on Osborne, River, and Stradbrook from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. Osborne Village has great bones but it's still choked with high speed car traffic. I look forward to Osborne slowly becoming more of a destination and less of a commuting thoroughfare.

[Wpg_Guy]

There are going to be a lot of great ideas presented under the new biz director, her husband is a landscape architect and Principal at Scatliff+Miller+Murray. It’s whether there is the political will to see these great ideas implemented.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

There are going to be a lot of great ideas presented under the new biz director, her husband is a landscape architect and Principal at Scatliff+Miller+Murray. It’s whether there is the political will to see these great ideas implemented.

That was exactly my thinking, I was wondering if she might be getting a few good ideas at the dinner table, haha.

[EndoftheBeginning]

Was thinking over morning coffee that I will miss the little blue apartment at the corner of River and Wellington after it is demolished to make way for the new development. It seemed to be really well cared for, at least on the exterior.



Also, 1 Mayfair Place has been for sale for almost a year now (not the Mayfair Ave site just west of Main, this one is just west of Donald at the east end of the Village). The listing says "well suited for high density multifamily development". Looks like the lot would just about fit another 390 Assiniboine style narrow tower if someone was inclined.

[wags_in_the_peg]

$1.25 mil seems high, eventhough it's riverfront, it's beside a very very busy bridge.


https://www.collierscanada.com/en-ca/pro...lace-winnipeg-manitoba-canada/can2010266

[EndoftheBeginning]

Noise could be an issue, but I wouldn't think it would be worse than 7 Evergreen Pl for example. Once upon a time I lived in that building for a year or so, and on the busy east side facing Osborne. Although it was noisy outside on the balcony, it really wasn't that bad inside. The wind noise howling through the balcony railings was more annoying, to be honest.

[Atrial78]

Anyone have some insight on 570 Stadbrook or 530 River Ave? Have a family member interested in moving to one of these buildings. They look nice and I believe are on the better side of Osborne Village