Regina Construction III - Page 17

Stormer · #**321** Posted **May 15, 2014, 11:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougler306

Just flat out embarrassing, might as well toss the stadium into this mix, with rumors floating around of cost cutting. I now expect the stadium to disappoint.

This gov sure knows how to screw up potential revitalizing projects.Were now stuck with a ugly looking, ground level podium, that is bland and serves no purpose other then a huge eye sore in are downtown.

I will even go as far as considering to vote for a new Provincial party if the stadium is a disappointment like this. SAD day in the QC......

I believe SGI was naïve about the cost of new office space in Regina. I think this is also why FCC elected to go with what is really an expansion of their existing building rather than a whole new building. It is all about cost, which is approaching $40 psf annual net rent for a new build and over $300 per parking stall per month.

Udon'tknow · #**322** Posted **May 16, 2014, 1:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

I'm looking forward to when the other side is completed. Will definitely make for a nice little alley between the buildings there.

I believe construction may start soon. They've staked out the ground and there is a backhoe and trailer now on site.

Here's an update on the office building going up beside the general hospital:

Udon'tknow · #**323** Posted **May 16, 2014, 1:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crisis

Here is the news release:

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2014/may/15/sgi-decision-on-hold

I kind of read this to say after the election we'll fire it up again. Spending money on new office towers doesn't resonate much with the voting public, putting money towards health care and infrastructure does. Maybe this is partly a symptom of the government gearing up for an election and diverting money toward more general public friendly endeavours..

Drofmab · #**324** Posted **May 16, 2014, 1:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest

In other words, you can't build an office out there. They're not bound by city bylaw, which is ridiculous and they never should have been made autonomous. But the rules are very strict on what you can and cannot do. Crowns, of course, are exempt.

Not what I said at all, no.

And not the reality, either...

The fact is the GTHA is a city from a legislative point of view. They're using the CoR's regulations at the moment, but can replace any or all of these with ones suitable to their needs very easily.

As I said, if a private sector business wanted to build a major office at the GTH, and it fit with the GTH's mandate, it would happen. Nothing preventing it.

I may be skeptical of the GTH, but autonomy was a wise strategic move. It is one of their key advantages over something like Centrepoint Canada.

Treesplease · #**325** Posted **May 16, 2014, 3:08 AM**

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f0f40...Q/DKJyrWsEM0c/w900-h600-no/cantebury.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon

This is (generally) the form I would be happy to see all of the citys infill take.

If by form you mean materials, design (although I haven't seen inside) and style - yes definitely. As for form in a downtown core area, new subdivisions in the outlying burbs have a greater density. For downtown its a less than optimal use of space. Put at least five or six more levels on it.

BrutallyDishonest · #**326** Posted **May 16, 2014, 3:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Not what I said at all, no.

And not the reality, either...

The fact is the GTHA is a city from a legislative point of view. They're using the CoR's regulations at the moment, but can replace any or all of these with ones suitable to their needs very easily.

As I said, if a private sector business wanted to build a major office at the GTH, and it fit with the GTH's mandate, it would happen. Nothing preventing it.

I may be skeptical of the GTH, but autonomy was a wise strategic move. It is one of their key advantages over something like Centrepoint Canada.

You're only proving my point. Offices are not their mandate. Unless you're SaskPower.

I don't see how you can be so blind to the issues with the GTH. It drives up land prices to a massive extent (100k+ per acre for ag land) then charges less than half the cost of serviced industrial land elsewhere. Plus it runs itself.

Yet none of this seems odd to you.

BrutallyDishonest · #**327** Posted **May 16, 2014, 3:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

I believe SGI was naïve about the cost of new office space in Regina. I think this is also why FCC elected to go with what is really an expansion of their existing building rather than a whole new building. It is all about cost, which is approaching $40 psf annual net rent for a new build and over $300 per parking stall per month.

Parking hasn't even broken $200 on average yet in Regina.

Treesplease · #**328** Posted **May 16, 2014, 3:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

I believe SGI was naïve about the cost of new office space in Regina. I think this is also why FCC elected to go with what is really an expansion of their existing building rather than a whole new building. It is all about cost, which is approaching $40 psf annual net rent for a new build and over $300 per parking stall per month.

There are stalled projects all over the city: Capital Point, condo on corner of scarth and 15th, SARM building, proposed office on corner of 14th and rose - have building costs just choked off all but the most determined and cost insensitive projects? If that's the case, maybe a little cooling of the construction market could only be good for the city and province.

SkydivePilot · #**329** Posted **May 16, 2014, 3:33 AM**

During the winter of '06-07, the SGI Building required Approximately $75-million-worth of refurbishing. Eventually though, those issues will need to be dealt with. (Plus the fact that the building is very overcrowded.)

And yes, it's an election year; the construction of a government-related project such as this would be an election-related faux pas.

Stormer · #**330** Posted **May 16, 2014, 3:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest

Parking hasn't even broken $200 on average yet in Regina.

Exactly my point. To justify constructing underground parking Developers need to charge >$300/mo. This just adds to the sticker shock.

Devon · #**331** Posted **May 16, 2014, 3:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treesplease

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f0f40...Q/DKJyrWsEM0c/w900-h600-no/cantebury.jpg

If by form you mean materials, design (although I haven't seen inside) and style - yes definitely. As for form in a downtown core area, new subdivisions in the outlying burbs have a greater density. For downtown its a less than optimal use of space. Put at least five or six more levels on it.

Yeah I was referring more to the fact that it's completely up to the street and quite pleasant to look at. It definitely didn't make the best of the space and location.

thefourthtower · #**332** Posted **May 16, 2014, 12:12 PM**

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Dan0myte · #**333** Posted **May 16, 2014, 2:00 PM**

Here's an early morning shot of the three cranes up in south Regina.

sask1982 · #**334** Posted **May 16, 2014, 2:06 PM**

^^ Great pic, thx 4 posting!

HomeInMyShoes · #**335** Posted **May 16, 2014, 2:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkydivePilot

During the winter of '06-07, the SGI Building required Approximately $75-million-worth of refurbishing. Eventually though, those issues will need to be dealt with. (Plus the fact that the building is very overcrowded.)

And yes, it's an election year; the construction of a government-related project such as this would be an election-related faux pas.

It's not just a faux pas, government agencies can't even really talk to vendors about anything during that time period from a projects standpoint. It's a reason that scheduled elections are great from a planning RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs standpoint. Election years always suck for getting things done.

sastaunik44 · #**336** Posted **May 16, 2014, 4:09 PM**

I see there is a fence around the old receiving doors of Vic Square Zellers. Hoping there is something going in there?

VANRIDERFAN · #**337** Posted **May 16, 2014, 5:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Udon'tknow

I believe construction may start soon. They've staked out the ground and there is a backhoe and trailer now on site.

Yes they are starting construction soon.

wacko · #**338** Posted **May 16, 2014, 7:02 PM**

Aside from it being an election year, there's also the fact the provincial government posted a thin overall budgetary surplus back in March, and that was mostly because of Crown profits, otherwise they would've been in deficit by about $106 million. Perhaps the government really can't justify spending money on a new building for SGI right now when there are other, more pressing concerns.

And speaking of spending, the government would also be putting $80 million towards the new stadium over four years, which would amount to $20 million a year.

Stormer · #**339** Posted **May 16, 2014, 7:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wacko

Aside from it being an election year, there's also the fact the provincial government posted a thin overall budgetary surplus back in March, and that was mostly because of Crown profits, otherwise they would've been in deficit by about $106 million. Perhaps the government really can't justify spending money on a new building for SGI right now when there are other, more pressing concerns.

And speaking of spending, the government would also be putting $80 million towards the new stadium over four years, which would amount to $20 million a year.

$50 million of it is in this year's budget.

wacko · #**340** Posted **May 16, 2014, 7:15 PM**

Putting a large chunk of it up front? Nice to see. Perhaps the focus of capital spending is on the stadium this year, and SGI can wait it out until next year.