Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed - Page 101

Waders · #**2001** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 5:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i'm just pissed that that stairway ruins the vista from the plaza and now the kicker that no one wants to use it

I feel the same way.

Waders · #**2002** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 5:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

The top level is probably a lookout.

I remembered that is the case in some of the rendering drawings I saw.

SpongeG · #**2003** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 6:42 AM**

so what happens to the current spot? when do they have to move and clearout so we can finally get that little chunk of the seawall completed?

Waders · #**2004** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 7:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

so what happens to the current spot? when do they have to move and clearout so we can finally get that little chunk of the seawall completed?

The current spot will become part of the new seawall connecting to the unfinished walkway.

See the unfinished walkway blocked by the temporary seaplane trailers?

Picture from Vancouver Sun http://www.vancouversun.com/4118043.bin?size=620x400

Quote:

Under its lease with the city, Harbour Air was to move from its existing site some time in 2012, when a two-year term expires, or when a new, permanent facility is built – whichever came first.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1873899/

So this means the move will happen in May this year. It seems the seaplane operators' hand are tied as the Port of Vancouver has already say "No" to the alternative terminal proposal, even before any meeting taking place.

Fairbanks · #**2005** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 6:22 PM**

A significant number of BC MLA's and senior staffmembers communte daily when the Legislature is in session. They fly between Vancouver and Victoria.
Who pays for their airtravel? WE DO. Who will pay this $24.00 surcharge? WE WILL!

Fairbanks · #**2006** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 6:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairbanks

A significant number of BC MLA's and senior staffmembers communte daily when the Legislature is in session. They fly between Vancouver and Victoria.
Who pays for their airtravel? WE DO. Who will pay this $24.00 surcharge? WE WILL!

I can hear the discussion in the LEDCOR boardroom in my mind.

"BC taxpayers will foot the bill for the bulk of the commuter surcharge so what the hell. Who cares."

WE need to find a way to make LEDCOR suffer until they back away from this clear act of greed.

wrenegade · #**2007** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 7:58 PM**

Does Ledcor own and operate the new terminal? No. The landing fee is being proposed by VHFC, Ledcor is just building the thing. The city wants it's land back for the park and moving the terminal east was never going to happen, I can't believe they actually thought it was a possibility.

With regards to the MLAs, I would have to imagine that for most it is actually easier to fly out of the terminal at YVR South as opposed to downtown, but I could be wrong. Airport Improvement Fees are common, it's just the cost of doing business. Perhaps they are a bit high in this case, but it does say that it will be a landing fee, so it should be $12 per trip, not $24.

I think that both this and the Marina will enhance VCEC West, the addition of more people and activity is a plus in my opinion. Plus when the city gets it's land back we can finally have the seawall connected and the Park's Board can get to work on their restaurant.

LeftCoaster · #**2008** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 9:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairbanks

I can hear the discussion in the LEDCOR boardroom in my mind.

"BC taxpayers will foot the bill for the bulk of the commuter surcharge so what the hell. Who cares."

WE need to find a way to make LEDCOR suffer until they back away from this clear act of greed.

What in the world does Ledcor have to do with this? They are the construction manager, they have absolutely no input on whether this project moves forward or not.

PaperTiger · #**2009** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 9:43 PM**

Ledcor and the Clarke group created a JV for this project. Ledcor will remain a partner after consruction. It is $12 for each passenger, each way. $24 round trip.

Fairbanks · #**2010** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

What in the world does Ledcor have to do with this? They are the construction manager, they have absolutely no input on whether this project moves forward or not.

This is the same type of corporate partnership as as we saw with the construction of the Coquihalla Hwy. A joint venture between the BC gov and the builder. Once the bills were paid plus a lil profit the toll booths were removed.

The Golden Ears Bridge will continue to collect tolls until such time as the builder has earned back it's investment in the project.

The New Port Mann Bridge will toll in the same arrangement. A partnership between the BC Gov and the builder.

The "toll" or what VHFC is calling a surcharge of $12 each way will continue until Ledcor and The Clarke Group earn their investments back.

Is that enough of an answer to your question?

officedweller · #**2011** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 10:49 PM**

I think the difference is that the VHFC is a for profit private business and will continue to charge the $12 even after their capital costs are paid. There's no government entity involved in VHFC that will cancel the fee once capital costs are paid.

LeftCoaster · #**2012** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 10:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairbanks

This is the same type of corporate partnership as as we saw with the construction of the Coquihalla Hwy. A joint venture between the BC gov and the builder. Once the bills were paid plus a lil profit the toll booths were removed.

The Golden Ears Bridge will continue to collect tolls until such time as the builder has earned back it's investment in the project.

The New Port Mann Bridge will toll in the same arrangement. A partnership between the BC Gov and the builder.

The "toll" or what VHFC is calling a surcharge of $12 each way will continue until Ledcor and The Clarke Group earn their investments back.

Is that enough of an answer to your question?

No its not, becuase it is wrong. First, as OD pointed out this is not a government service, this is a business, the parallel between toll roads is not apt at all.

Second, Ledcor is an equity partner, they are not an operator, and as such have limited interest in the continuing operations. Ledcor is interested in getting their principle back with a couple of points tacked on. Their position as a JV perticipant is merely a product of the private company's sizable capital reserves and a desire to move the project forward.

Third, its $24, really who gives a damn... It represents what maybe 1/1,000,000 of the MLA's expense budget? I'd be more concerned with the possible damage it would do to business and recreational travelers.

Fairbanks · #**2013** Posted **Jan 18, 2011, 11:48 PM**

The notion of the general public footing any surcharge at all is out of the question. Big deal, so it's 1/1000000 of their total expense budgets. It goes without saying that business travelers and tourists will be put off by this surcharge.

Tolls, surcharges... no matter what you call them, what's the difference? I was simply giving examples.

Why would LEDCOR partner up with Clarke if there wasnt something to be gained financially. Maybe they are just "moving it forward" because their nice folks.

That's gotta be it.

LeftCoaster · #**2014** Posted **Jan 19, 2011, 1:19 AM**

They are moving it forward because they wanted the construction contract... its really not that complex.

Government pays surcharges every single second of every single day, its called capitalism. Those firms charging surcharges and fees then pay the government taxes. Its all one nice big happy circle...

The fact that this has to be explained is absolutely asinine.

Locked In · #**2015** Posted **Jan 22, 2011, 9:55 PM**

My photos, today. I really don't see how this 'ruins' the view from the plaza - to be honest, that type of thinking reminds me a bit of the anti-building anything downtown crowd who rant and rave about any possible intrusion into any mountain view. But each to their own I guess..

Full Size

SpongeG · #**2016** Posted **Jan 23, 2011, 2:04 AM**

the illusion is ruined - you could stand south of the fountain and look like you could run of the edge of the plaza as if there were no barrier to the north

Yume-sama · #**2017** Posted **Jan 23, 2011, 2:07 AM**

NIMBY

Vancouver is a functioning port city. Vancouver is a functioning port city.

Write that on the chalkboard 100x lol

Canadian Mind · #**2018** Posted **Jan 23, 2011, 2:36 AM**

I think it adds an interesting dynamic.

Millennium2002 · #**2019** Posted **Jan 23, 2011, 9:30 AM**

Nargh... only half-height glass!? did the convention centre people even consider like... what kind of weather we often have on the west coast for two-thirds of the year? That's like denying that we get rain and wind at all. ><

hollywoodnorth · #**2020** Posted **Jan 23, 2011, 5:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

NIMBY

Vancouver is a functioning port city. Vancouver is a functioning port city.

Write that on the chalkboard 100x lol

LOLZ