Regina Construction IV

[Udon'tknow]

@gecho111 any chance you can get drone footage of the work on 11th Ave? Not sure drones are allowed in that area but thought I'd ask. I walk along their often but some higher up shots would be nice. Also some newer shots of the Dewdney avenue work would be nice. Thanks.

This project seems to be taking for ever as well but should be a big improvement once done. Does anyone know if there is a third phase to this next summer. For the businesses downtown I sure hope not. Downtown has really gone down hill in the last few years and this ongoing construction is not helping. The market is sad as well now with way less vendors and the use of Scarth Street is just not as good. Hopefully next summer they will be fully back on the plaza.

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by Udon'tknow

@gecho111 any chance you can get drone footage of the work on 11th Ave? Not sure drones are allowed in that area but thought I'd ask. I walk along their often but some higher up shots would be nice. Also some newer shots of the Dewdney avenue work would be nice. Thanks.

This project seems to be taking for ever as well but should be a big improvement once done. Does anyone know if there is a third phase to this next summer. For the businesses downtown I sure hope not. Downtown has really gone down hill in the last few years and this ongoing construction is not helping. The market is sad as well now with way less vendors and the use of Scarth Street is just not as good. Hopefully next summer they will be fully back on the plaza.

11th Ave is a 4 year project

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by pappcam

11th Ave is a 4 year project

They installed curbs in front of the Cornwall main entrance yesterday and it looks likely are ready to pave. Paving is complete around Rose Street. The street looks much narrower. Current planners' obsession with walkability to the detriment of traffic and parking is going to be a disaster in my mind. Downtown needs suburbanites. They all hate coming downtown and this is not making it more attractive.

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by Stormer

They installed curbs in front of the Cornwall main entrance yesterday and it looks likely are ready to pave. Paving is complete around Rose Street. The street looks much narrower. Current planners' obsession with walkability to the detriment of traffic and parking is going to be a disaster in my mind. Downtown needs suburbanites. They all hate coming downtown and this is not making it more attractive.

I work down there and noticed that. Traffic already sucks down there and this won't help in the least.

[gecho111]

Originally Posted by Udon'tknow

@gecho111 any chance you can get drone footage of the work on 11th Ave? Not sure drones are allowed in that area but thought I'd ask. I walk along their often but some higher up shots would be nice. Also some newer shots of the Dewdney avenue work would be nice. Thanks.

I'll try to get over there on the weekend.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by pappcam

I work down there and noticed that. Traffic already sucks down there and this won't help in the least.

From what I can tell, there will be no bus lanes and no turning lanes, just a single traffic lane in each direction. I do not see any street parking, just some mid-block bulges which may just be bus stops.

https://www.regina.ca/transportation...roject-renders

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by Stormer

From what I can tell, there will be no bus lanes and no turning lanes, just a single traffic lane in each direction. I do not see any street parking, just some mid-block bulges which may just be bus stops.

https://www.regina.ca/transportation...roject-renders

Well at least there's more room for the meth heads to lay around in

[Festivus]

Originally Posted by PrairiePrince

I shouldn't be, but am surprised that council approved the Namerind project on 11th Ave. They could have at least asked for a couple more floors and retail on 11th. This project would be great in many parts of the city, but just is not dense enough for downtown and is not a good use of that land.

https://www.sasktoday.ca/regina-toda...c027-298423851

Ugh, yeah, that's not good. Like you said, it would be great in some other areas (even within 1km), but it means that block will never get any denser. Not a huge surprise, and Regina's mantra seems to be "the more development (any development) the better," despite context or conditions.

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by Festivus

Ugh, yeah, that's not good. Like you said, it would be great in some other areas (even within 1km), but it means that block will never get any denser. Not a huge surprise, and Regina's mantra seems to be "the more development (any development) the better," despite context or conditions.

Maybe market studies show that the demand isn't there for a larger higher density build at this time. If there was more money to be made at that location I don't see anyone passing it up.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by pappcam

Maybe market studies show that the demand isn't there for a larger higher density build at this time. If there was more money to be made at that location I don't see anyone passing it up.

The economics/market for high-rise concrete residential in downtown are terrible. It is even terrible for low rise, but not as bad because it is cheaper to do stick-built - see Remai Broad and College, although not really downtown. This is only being considered because it is government subsidized.

[The mayor]

Originally Posted by Stormer

The economics/market for high-rise concrete residential in downtown are terrible. It is even terrible for low rise, but not as bad because it is cheaper to do stick-built - see Remai Broad and College, although not really downtown. This is only being considered because it is government subsidized.

That’s kind of odd since in Saskatoon. They’re building multiple high-rises so it doesn’t make any sense.

[gecho111]

Regina and Saskatoon's downtowns aren't remotely comparable. Saskatoon's is close to the river and multiple shopping districts.

[gecho111]

Last of Imperial School gone. 3 more building permits for the Dewalt Ave project in Skyview in addition to the 4 story / 110 unit one from back in June. Newer permits are for smaller buildings. Avana doing its thing in Rosewood already framing up several buildings.

I noticed some earth moving equipment in the field on Courtney a bit north of Rink, 2 scrapers, a dozer and compactor. Maybe Coopertown servicing is about to begin.

Got videos of 11th Ave and Dewdney, mostly overcast so no harsh shadows messing up contrast. On Dewdney the south side has a wide asphalt path instead of a sidewalk, so I guess that will serve as bike / pedestrian (and e-scooter) use.
11th Ave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APJ5tYZPr_Y
Dewdney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js6gEvDg0DE

https://www.flickr.com/photos/reginaconstruction/

[Fjords]

I work downtown and regularly walk down 11th ave. The renders posted on the City's website are fairly accurate in terms of the trees, benches and planters that will extend the sidewalk out into what used to be the curb lane. What I don't think the renders capture is just how narrow 11th will be now. I expect the busses driving in opposite directions on this road nearly clipping mirrors as they pass. The road will be no wider than a crescent in Whitmore Park, for example.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Fjords

I work downtown and regularly walk down 11th ave. The renders posted on the City's website are fairly accurate in terms of the trees, benches and planters that will extend the sidewalk out into what used to be the curb lane. What I don't think the renders capture is just how narrow 11th will be now. I expect the busses driving in opposite directions on this road nearly clipping mirrors as they pass. The road will be no wider than a crescent in Whitmore Park, for example.

Thanks for your first-person account. All it will take is one person turning or loading, a fender bender or snow piles to tie up traffic.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by The mayor

That’s kind of odd since in Saskatoon. They’re building multiple high-rises so it doesn’t make any sense.

Saskatoon has always had many downtown residential high-rises. Demand and prices are much higher there. I do not believe any have been built in Regina in the last 50 years between 13th and Sask Dr. other the Palliser seniors residence that was 100% government funded. There have been a few conversions including the Motherwell Bldg, old CIBC tower, top half of the TD Bldg, Derrick Bldg and now the one on 11th and Albert (Metro 1827)

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by gecho111

Possible 3 story multi-unit infill by the General Hospital. At this time it is just a rezone application.

https://www.regina.ca/export/sites/R...ohn-Street.pdf

Building Permit was just issued for this. Lots of residential infill east of Broad. This one is 8 units on an empty lot. Most of they are greatly increasing density by a factor of 4-8 units from what was there before.

[Kegger]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Saskatoon has always had many downtown residential high-rises. Demand and prices are much higher there. I do not believe any have been built in Regina in the last 50 years between 13th and Sask Dr. other the Palliser seniors residence that was 100% government funded. There have been a few conversions including the Motherwell Bldg, old CIBC tower, top half of the TD Bldg, Derrick Bldg and now the one on 11th and Albert (Metro 1827)

The Gardens on Rose (Rose Street north of 13th) condo building was built around 10 years ago. That would be the most recent one I can think of.

[Kegger]

Originally Posted by Stormer

They installed curbs in front of the Cornwall main entrance yesterday and it looks likely are ready to pave. Paving is complete around Rose Street. The street looks much narrower. Current planners' obsession with walkability to the detriment of traffic and parking is going to be a disaster in my mind. Downtown needs suburbanites. They all hate coming downtown and this is not making it more attractive.

It is too early for me to say whether you are right or wrong about this so I won't do that. However, as someone who has worked downtown for 15 years and am walking on 11th regularly I do have an alternative opinion.

11th Avenue does have a lot of pedestrian traffic. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if it is in fact the street with the most in the city. This in addition to it being a major transit transfer place means it is also the only place in the city where I regularly think the sidewalk isn't big enough. Often one will have to walk through people waiting to get on a bus with a bit of difficulty getting around all the awkward placements of transit shelters and narrowing sidewalks in places. If there is any place in the city that could use better pedestrian infrastructure, this is it.

On the other hand parking on this street around the Cornwall Centre was already very minimal, very few people park on 11th avenue itself. My only concern with the change is really with transit a lot of people use transit in that area, far more than people parking, and I would be concerned about anything that would make it more difficult for buses to exit their loading area.

Long story short. Let's give a few years and report back here to see how opinions have changed for the better or worse.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Kegger

The Gardens on Rose (Rose Street north of 13th) condo building was built around 10 years ago. That would be the most recent one I can think of.

Yes that is correct. I thought it was south of 13th.

I do not believe it has been a success. Condos are selling for less than original prices.