Western Expresso

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by WildCake

I read that today and it got me thinking. Are there any malls in Winnipeg that could use a boost like that? I would have said the Fort Richmond plaza a few years ago but it seems like they're back up and running. Maybe across the street?

My guess is Garden City or area where there seems to be quite a bit of empty stores that could benefit from using up their land for residential

I'd even like to see that happen at places like st vital and polo park at some point.

Also that could happen at portage place. The pad sites haven't yet been developed. It would definitely give the mall a shot in the arm if they could pull that off.

[Wpg_Guy]

^ Eliminate the food court, replace it with a sit down restaurant or the base of a new tower

[esquire]

Originally Posted by WpG_GuY

^ Eliminate the food court, replace it with a sit down restaurant or the base of a new tower

The food court is the part of the mall that's thriving the most.

[joshlemer]

Can I ask what is the topic of this thread? When I go to the first page it just looks like the conversation was a continuation of a previous thread.

[esquire]

It's a catch all off-topic thread for topics that don't have a thread of their own.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by esquire

The food court is the part of the mall that's thriving the most.

Too much undesirable rift raft,

[1ajs]

also a place to self regulate ur self and move ur off topic discusions here or any chit chat

[esquire]

Originally Posted by WpG_GuY

Too much undesirable rift raft,

I'm sure they are deeply concerned that they don't meet your standards for what food court clientele should look like.

[optimusREIM]

Honestly the mere existence of residential towers on the pad sites at both ends would probably solve the problem of the so-called riff-raff organically. If FNP (if they still control those sites) could develop two 20-25 floor condo or apartment towers catering to mid-income earners, not only would it boost traffic through the mall but it would also push out people who use the food court currently for such purposes as controlled substance trading. This would be a massive leap forward into making the mall economically viable once more. Another thing that would help would be access on site or nearby to proper rapid transit (but that can of worms is not a place I care to go right now). I see so many cities with thriving downtown retail and the common thread seems to be the presence of a large residential population nearby, as well as one of means and not just those on pensions and collecting welfare, they're not going to revive any retail environment anywhere.

[windypeg]

Originally Posted by esquire

I'm sure they are deeply concerned that they don't meet your standards for what food court clientele should look like.

Look, don't get me wrong, I'm pretty left-leaning and consider myself progressive and compassionate and all that jazz. But that food court is a disgrace. Last time I ate there, a couple of street people sat down at my table with me and asked for some of my food. I offered my bread and instead of gratitude, they seemed disappointed as I guess they had their hearts set on other parts of my meal - which I paid for, with my money, and was trying to enjoy in the 20 mins of free time I had between meetings. Needless to say I have not been back and will not be back anytime soon. They need to clear those people out.

[esquire]

If someone is hassling you, next time just point them out to security, just as you would anyplace else.

I'm at the Portage Place food court on a fairly regular basis and in my experience it is a pretty normal food court... Get rid of "those people" and soon you will have an empty good court without restaurants.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by esquire

If someone is hassling you, next time just point them out to security, just as you would anyplace else.

I'm at the Portage Place food court on a fairly regular basis and in my experience it is a pretty normal food court... Get rid of "those people" and soon you will have an empty good court without restaurants.

That is an extremely uncomfortable situation, you wouldn't have to deal with that at St vital or Polo food court. If the hecklers are harassing paying patrons for food they are clearly not there to contribute to the economic sustainability of the restaurants by purchasing their own meals.

[Jeff]

I would really like if kennedy and Edmonton streets were thrust back through that mall and it was segmented up into more manageable parts for redevelopment. connecting kennedy back to ellice would probably discourage the crime that haunts that disgraceful promenade as well. the mall is a private business on private property so I never understand people when they say that it should be left as a romper room for the vagrants in the area.

[esquire]

^ If the landlord didn't want the food court and rest of the mall, it would be gone tomorrow. Public sentiment doesn't play into it.

[1ajs]

kennidy would not work theres high rise building in the way

[optimusREIM]

I wonder if there was more going on to the immediate north of portage place and if there were higher end residential around there, would that help solve lots of the "issues"?

[1ajs]

behind portage place is prolly 1000 people problem is was never managed proper

[jmt18325]

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/m...ther-1.4501229

This story is about my younger sister in law.

[drew]

^ that's horrible - very sad.

I read that article this morning before seeing your post. My condolences, I can't imagine how hard this must be for your family.

[jmt18325]

None of us knew her that well. My wife/gf/fiancee only met her a couple of years ago. She has too many regrets right now because of this.