London Construction - Development News Thread #1

[ldoto]

Can you please give me the link to the State of the Downtown report!

Thanks

[ldoto]

Is this the report you are talking about?


A new city report on the state of the core notes a vacancy problem persists.
Downtown comeback a work in progress



It's made a big comeback, but London's core still has a way to go on the road to renewal.



That's the thrust of the latest report card on the state of the downtown, an annual update to city politicians.

The report effectively says private bucks are picking up from where the $100 million taxpayers have invested in the core left off, but that major problems -- such as high office and street-level store vacancy rates -- persist.

Turning that around will take a new plan, observers said March 15.

"Our grades are way better than last year," said Janette MacDonald, manager of MainStreet London.

"I'd give the downtown an A-minus over a B-minus last year. But we need to do more and it's going to take an enhanced suite of incentives to get it done," she said.

The incentives will be proposed soon, MacDonald added.

London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, preparing for a Taiwan business trip with other big-city mayors, hadn't seen the report March 15.

But Coun. Cheryl Miller, politically involved in the downtown for years, said city council has to stop wasting time and commit to solving the core's problems.

"We have to make sure it's not a push-pull kind of discussion at council," she said. "Everyone talks a good line, but talk is cheap. You can't be half in and half out."

The city has spent enough on the downtown, said Gerry Macartney, general manager of the London Chamber of Commerce.

What's needed now, he said, is a master plan to attract more residents to the core and fill its empty storefronts. He'd also like to see a cleaned-up core, making it more inviting.

"All the incentives in the world are not going to make a difference without people living downtown," he said.

"But once you get that critical mass, savvy retailers and investors will figure out quickly it's a good investment."

Over the last decade, taxpayers have put about $100 million in the core, mainly for mega-projects such as the $45-million John Labatt Centre, the Central Library and the Covent Garden Market.

But the report effectively says the private sector has also begun to put its money where its mouth is, with more than $130 million in core spending -- mostly on apartment towers -- since the JLC opened in 2001.

That works out to $216 in private money for every public dollar spent in the core since the JLC was built.

Prepared for city council's planning committee, the numbers contained in the report for last year tell both sides of the core's grades.

On the upside:



$70 million in apartment buildings with 550 new units, bringing the total to nearly 1,700 units and 3,000 new residents since 1998.


A $10.6-million office complex by Lerners law firm.


$345,000 in facade and building code upgrades.


On the downside:


Office vacancies rose to 18.4 per cent from 15.7 per cent, an increase attributed mostly to Bell Canada downsizing at its Dundas Street office tower.


Empty storefronts, especially along Dundas Street between Richmond and Clarence streets, and Richmond between King and York streets, with vacancy rates of 25 to 32 per cent.


Shmuel Farhi, downtown's largest landlord, with 80 core properties, praised the city's revitalization efforts.

But what's needed, he said, is a major development -- complete with parking garage, grocery store and apartments -- near the "inner-core" of Richmond and Dundas streets.

That, combined with more leased office space, would secure revitalization.

"If you have offices in many parts of the core, then you help force people to walk and shop," Farhi said.

But Farhi and others say a downtown parking garage is needed, since older office sites lack long-term parking.

Vic Cote, the city's finance manager and former planning boss, who oversaw most of the city's renewal efforts, said, "we've turned the corner," making core living attractive to the public.

Still, "we do have some trouble spots and the only solution is to go out and attract new head offices," he said. "We need to be more strategic and aggressive."

He estimated it could take 10 years to finish the job.

"As far as I'm concerned, the best is yet to come."

[ldoto]

Looks good to me!

London City Police have redesigned their new headquarters proposal in response to criticism that it function had completely dominated form.
The original design, in which the police stressed the practicality of efficient function, met with a public response suggesting London could do better.

So it was back to the drawing board.

And the new design is getting rave reviews.

Deputy Chief Brad Duncan admits there was a challenge in breaking away from the utilitarian look of the 1970's brick bunker, and developing a more community friendly look.

But the new design is so positive, there is hope is might encourage neighbourhood revitalization of the Old East area.

Here is a video of it!
http://www.achannel.ca/london/news_42171.aspx

[ldoto]

Gwen Stefani comes to London

Wed, March 28, 2007

By JAMES REANEY, SUN MEDIA



She's glamming up American Idol this week.

She's all over the charts with her latest hit single, The Sweet Escape.

And on June 7, Gwen Stefani will be at the John Labatt Centre.

The U.S. superstar brings her tour to the downtown London arena along with platinum-selling singer Akon, who also sings on and produced the Top 10 hit The Sweet Escape.

Also on the bill for the 7:30 p.m show is British MC Lady Sovereign.

“I'm excited to have this opportunity to tour with Akon and Lady Sovereign, two original artists that I have so much respect for,” Stefani says. "I can’t wait to get out there. This show is going to be spectacular!”

Stefani and Akon give a taste of the tour tonight on the American Idol results show (9 p.m., CTV, Fox) when they perform The Sweet Escape.

The 40-date tour starts April 22 in San Diego.

Tickets for the London show go on sale to the public on Saturday.

A pre-sale for members of Stefani's fan club starts today at 5 p.m.

Stefani's website guides fans to www.gwenstefanitourclub.musictoday.com for a preview and to pre-register memberships.

[MolsonExport]

^damn, I gotta do laundry that night.

[ldoto]

The Brantford developer says the plan offers the first "legitimate" public access to the area.

JOE BELANGER, SUN MEDIA
The LONDON FREE PRESS

A deal to build condominiums on the site of a former paint factory overlooking one of London's ecological and recreational gems could be done within weeks.

Brantford-based developer King and Benton is awaiting results of final soil tests before closing the deal with Minnesota-based Valspar Industries to buy more than 28 hectares at The Coves.

"I hope we'll be going to the public shortly with our plans," said Steve Charest, president of King and Benton.

"But the deal doesn't close until we're satisfied with the results of our final round of testing."

Charest said if test results are good, the deal could close within two weeks.

The company has met with community groups, city and provincial officials to reach agreement on the extent of a residential development.

Part of the land would be returned to its natural state.

But a key component would be providing the public its first "legitimate" access to the Coves, which is surrounded by privately owned land.

For environmentalists and neighbours, the Duke Street paint plant -- located off Springbank Drive near the idyllic, wooded flood plain -- has long been considered a thorn among roses.

The Coves are a series of landlocked ponds or lakes that once were part of a meandering Thames River.

Valspar bought the plant and adjacent orchard in 2000 and closed it a year later.

King and Benton specialize in developing so-called "brownfields," a term used to describe former industrial or commercial sites.

"This is one of the largest and most challenging brownfields in Ontario and, if everything goes well, we're hoping to do more business in London," Charest said.

"We've been treated very well by city officials, the neighbours, everyone."

Charest said the company hopes to use about eight hectares for low-rise condominiums, leaving the balance "for community enjoyment."

Overcoming constraints imposed by the flood plain will be the major obstacle, Charest has said.

A few years ago, Friends of the Coves got funding for a two-year study of the Coves subwatershed -- a 700-hectare, low-lying drainage area south of Springbank Drive and west of Wharncliffe Road.

The city has designated the Coves an environmentally significant area, so changing the landscape would require an environmental impact study.

[ldoto]

Provincial Dollars Solve Robarts Financial Woes

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty came cheque in hand to the rescue of the Robarts Research Institute.
The $23-Million solves the immediate financial problems of the Institute, and allows the incorporation under Western's larger organization to continue.

Some of the top scientific minds in the world we be able to continue their work at Robarts. The money problems began when Robarts was no longer able to cover it operating costs with research grants. So $10-Million will solve existing financial woes, and the remaining $13-Million will go toward cutting edge medical technology.

It is now hoped the new money and the partnership with Western will help draw new talent. The merger has to be approved by Western's Senate and Board of Governors.

Watch Video
http://www.achannel.ca/london/news_42234.aspx

[ldoto]

Here's more info from the Institute!

EllisDon has been awarded a $1.5 million Construction Management contract for the 6th Floor Fit-out of the Robarts Research Institute.
EllisDon continues a long and successful relationship with Robarts Research Institute that began September 2001 when we constructed the new facility which was then followed by additional projects and expansion. The 6th floor will be a 12,000 square foot tenant fit -out that will be dedicated to the Clinical Trials Division which will be mainly comprised of office space, in keeping with the previous floors.

[ldoto]

Robarts, UWO merger gets $23M

Fri, March 30, 2007

The provincial funding will help the research institute join Western.

By CHIP MARTIN, SUN MEDIA




Premier Dalton McGuinty announces the Ontario government will provide $23 million to support integration of the Robarts Research Institute with the University of Western Ontario. (Sue Reeve, Sun Media)
A $23-million contribution from Queen's Park has paved the way for the merger of the Robarts Research Institute with the University of Western Ontario.

The cash, announced at Robarts yesterday by Premier Dalton McGuinty, came with a vow from UWO president Paul Davenport Canada's only independent research centre will keep its identity and build on its reputation.

Robarts, with a $55-million annual budget and 600 employed in medical research, was floundering financially.

It has been in talks with UWO for months.

The money is expected to make next month's UWO board of governor's final decision about a merger with the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry much easier.


Davenport told about 120 researchers, university and civic officials the Robarts name and "stellar" reputation will live on.

"We're going to keep the brand alive," he promised. "Robarts will thrive within the Western family."

The move will allow for "tighter (medical research) collaboration all across the city," Davenport told McGuinty. "This is a wonderful investment in the future. We will show you great returns."

Founded in 1986, Robarts conducts research into a range of medical issues, including cardiovascular diseases, immune-related disorders, brain diseases and cancer. It had no trouble attracting research money but was having difficulty funding ongoing operations.

Davenport said some of the money would go toward covering operations while new efficiencies are found within the university. The rest will go for research.

The university president paid tribute to just-retired Robarts scientific director Mark Poznansky for the tremendous growth in research in recent years.

"The research and innovation underway here is truly inspiring," McGuinty said.

The premier said he's trying to encourage a "culture of innovation" in Ontario and his government is allocating more than $1.7 billion over five years to stimulate research, commercialization and outreach programs toward that culture.

Dr. Cecil Rorabeck, a Robarts board member, orthopedic surgeon and medical professor at Western, also paid tribute to the growth at Robarts that was orchestrated by Poznansky. Rorabeck has been acting director of Robarts.

The money from Queen's Park, Rorabeck said, is vital and is an invaluable investment.

"This is an extremely important day in the future of Robarts and the future of the University of Western Ontario," he said.

[ldoto]

It looks like a new London city hall may soon be on the books for future projects. Controller Gord Hume thinks council should start planning for a replacement. Especially after council chambers had to be sealed off yesterday when insulation containing asbestos fell on the floor. Hume says it's just another sign the building is aging badly.

[FazDeH]

^^^ Wasnt this discussed before? and turned down because it would be to expensive, due to the fact that the city is leasing a lot of space as it is? and would need like almost 100,000 sq ft.? and the only way to get that much space would be to do a joint project with a developer/corperation, and no developers were biting.

[MolsonExport]

Great. Our property taxes will inevitably go up again (much higher than the rate of inflation, but with a corresponding reduction in services and maintenance).

[ldoto]

Mon, April 2, 2007

Expect a busy spring, summer and fall as the city spends more than $42 million.

By JOE BELANGER, SUN MEDIA

Yes, it's just about that time again -- road construction.

And Londoners can expect another busy spring, summer and fall as the city spends more than $42 million repairing and rebuilding roads, curbs, sidewalks and bridges and replacing sewer and water lines.

Oh, yes, and up to a dozen city work crews are already out there filling those menacing potholes -- now in full, bone-jarring season.

"It's not a big year like last year when we got that extra $11 million for roads from the province, but it will be above average activity for road works," said Dave Leckie, the city's roads and transportation director.


"There will be work that will impact every quadrant of the city."

Dozens of projects large and small are scheduled over the next several months.

First off the mark was the reconstruction of Heather Crescent, one of the smaller, local road projects that began a week ago.

But none is more expensive or more of a relief to Londoners than the notorious Western Road, ranked Ontario's fourth worst roadway last year, which will undergo an $8.3-million rebuild.

But there's some uncertainty about the project when the last of two tenders opened Wednesday offered a bid of $9.6 million.

City staff are reviewing the bids and are expected to go to board of control with a report Wednesday.

Assuming Western Road goes ahead, that may only draw more attention to Thompson Road, east of Adelaide Street, which made the list for the first time last year as Ontario's ninth-worst road, according to the informal poll by the Municipal Roads Coalition.

Over the next few months, drivers should brace for construction on many of the major roadways, including Commissioners Road, Oxford Street, Hamilton Road, Kipps Lane, Boler Road, Pond Mills Road, Huron Street, Clark Road and Adelaide Street North.

In recent years, the city has worked hard at reducing the impact of road construction, ensuring contractors stay on schedule and keep closures, mud and dust to a minimum.

"There was a time when (road) construction was king and everyone else (read drivers, pedestrians and neighours) were treated second-rate," said Leckie.

"We've made major strides in trying to address the impact on the public in terms of access, or using signs to warn them ahead of time so they can decide if they want to got through it. And we try to stay on top of the contractor to keep surfaces smooth."

As well, the city now offers incentives for contractors who finish ahead of schedule and penalties if they fall behind.

"By and large, we're not getting as many complaints as we used to," he said.

City council has been increasing the roads budget in recent years, using federal gas tax and surplus dollars to keep up with repairs on the city's 3,700 kilometres of road lanes.

Leckie said London -- like most others struggling to pay for downloaded social services and soaring emergency services costs -- should be spending about $17 million each year on widenings and extensions and another $13 million-plus on rehabilitation.

Instead, the city is spending $7 million on rehab projects, boosted by another $3 million left over from last year and some surplus money, and another $9 million on growth-related projects.

In recent years, the federal and provincial governments have provided cash to municipalities for roads and bridges and Leckie hopes that continues. If not, municipal roads could become nightmares for drivers.

"My concern is that the average age of roads is such that, if we don't have a more aggressive program, many roads will begin deteriorating to the point where they have serious pothole issues," said Leckie.

In London and elsewhere, maintaining roads has become a delicate balancing act -- delaying major projects by patching small sections; shaving and paving long stretches, such as planned for Oxford Street West this year; careful timing to rebuild roads when sewer and water lines need to be replaced; and, controlling growth.

"No municipality will ever have the budget to meet all their road needs," said Leckie. "No one can afford that."

MAJOR PROJECTS

Major commuter routes where drivers will see work crews either installing new sewer and water lines, laying down new asphalt, or fixing intersections include:

- Ridout Street, from the Thames River to Elmwood Avenue.

- Kipps Lane from Adelaide Street to just east of Arbour Glen Crescent, which is also being rebuilt.

- Hamilton Road between Hale Street and Pottersburg Creek and Rectory to Adelaide.

- Boler Road from Optimist Park to Wayne Road.

- Highbury from Dingman Drive south to Green Valley Road and from Huron Street north to Kilally Road.

- Huron Street from Sandford Street to Clarke Road.

- Pond Mills from Burlington Crescent to Thompson Road.

- Commissioners Road, including a rebuild at Snake Hill, rehabilitation between Wonderland Road and Crestwood Drive, along with a resurfacing and new watermains between Wonderland and Viscount.

- Viscount Road between Commissioners Road and Andover Drive.

- Oxford Street East between Second and Third streets and Clarke Road to Industrial Road.

- Oxford Street West between Hyde Park and Sanatorium Roads for a shave and pave.

- Clarke Road from Gore Road to Trafalgar Street.

- Adelaide Street north between Grenfell Crescent and Sunningdale Road.

- About 20 other projects that only impact local neighbourhoods.

- Intersections on Highbury Avenue at Wilton Grove and Sunningdale roads as well as concrete repairs from Highway 401 north to Hamilton Road.

- Bridge work at Adelaide over Bathurst Street and Highbury over the CP Rail line.

ROADS, PIPES, BRIDGES -- BY THE NUMBERS

Sewer, water and road replacement projects:

- Number: 15.

- Total cost: $14.8 million.

- Start/finish: Usually early May with October completion.

Road replacement and rehabilitation:

- Number: 23, including 14 major projects.

- Total cost: $10 million.

- Start/finish: June or early July/late fall, depending on size of project.

Major works:

- Number: 6, including the notorious Western Road.

- Total cost: $13.4 million*

- Start/finish: May/late fall (although some major projects can take more than a year, for example, for final surface and tree planting.)

Bridges:

- Number: 2.

- Total cost: $2 million.

- Start/finish: Late May (Adelaide Street), early June (Highbury Avenue) /late August (Highbury), late November (Adelaide)

Sewer and watermain repairs using new trenchless technology (such as liners):

- Number: 2.

- Total cost: $3.8 million.

- Start/finish: Not seasonal

- Tenders opened last Wednesday for Western Road came in about $1 million higher than expected.

ROADWORK ON WEB

- For more information visit the city's website at www.london.ca. On the home page, click on the link titled Road Construction for a list of all projects, planned or underway, work details and contacts.

[ldoto]

News Release

2007-04-03



March 29, 2007 (London, ON) - ESRI Canada, a leading geographic information system (GIS) software provider, has opened an office in London. It will provide new and existing clients with support including account management, consulting and training.

“We chose to open an office in London because of the proximity to our growing market in Southwestern Ontario,” says Alex Miller President, ESRI Canada. “We are impressed with the diversity of the London economy and the potential for growth is readily apparent.” Miller also cites access to skills through The University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College as an attractive asset for the company.

John Kime, President and CEO of the London Economic Development Corporation will officially welcome the company to London on April 2nd at the 2007 ESRI Regional User Conference at the Four Points Sheraton in London.

“We are pleased that ESRI has chosen London for its next regional office. Our city continues to be recognized for the skills it can offer to technology companies like this one,” says Kime, “Given the type of business, the potential for growth is tremendous.”

Established in 1984 and headquartered in Toronto, ESRI Canada provides GIS solutions, consulting, training, technical support and implementation for many industries including local government, utilities, public safety and defence, education and transportation. With the opening of the London office, the company has fifteen regional offices across the country.

For more information, please contact:
Larry MacKinnon
Director, Business Development, Technology
London Economic Development Corporation
519-661-5011
[email protected]

Heather Adams
Communications Specialist
ESRI Canada
416-386-6463
[email protected]

[ldoto]

Tue, April 3, 2007

By JOE BELANGER, SUN MEDIA



A plan to allow overnight parking on London's streets this summer is closer to approval but still no slam dunk.

A pilot project to lift the ban on parking between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. -- along with the $30 tickets -- is being recommended by city council's environment and transportation committee.

But the proposal could get a rocky ride once it goes to city council next Tuesday.

"There's really not enough evidence there for me to upset 99 per cent of the people in my ward to keep the other one per cent happy," Coun. 7 Walter Lonc said.

Lonc was the lone dissenting voice on the committee opposed to the plan pushed by Coun. Cheryl Miller and Controller Bud Polhill.

But Lonc was backed by Ward 3 Coun. Bernie MacDonald, who said the change will lead to chaos in areas dominated by student housing.

"This is going to turn into a nightmare," said MacDonald, adding Fanshawe will have about 2,000 students this summer while another 13,000 will attend the University of Western Ontario.

"The students will be parking in the streets and you won't be able to get ambulances up there, you won't get fire trucks up there."

The pilot project would begin June 15 and run to Sept. 4 during the height of the city's busy festival and tourism season.

In the past, city staff opposed lifting the parking ban, noting it would cost taxpayers upward of $100,000 in lost revenue.

As well, they said it would make street cleaning difficult and lead to a proliferation of tenant parking.

Staff now say the impact on operations will be minimal.

City police have said a ban on parking allows them to locate stolen and abandoned vehicles.

Police now say it would be more beneficial to allow the parking than have people who have been drinking driving their cars to avoid $30 fines.

Miller and Polhill argue it's unfair to visitors and tourists to be drawn to London for festivals and events and then face the fine for parking overnight.

They also say it's a safety issue because people who drink too much downtown may be inclined to drive.

Enforcement would be done on a complaint-basis only
__________________

[ssiguy]

I hope the ESRI office is downtown.
Any idea of the number of emloyees and the sq footage needed.

[ldoto]

London developing strategy to keep its
young people


London has been designated a Youth Friendly Community. The designation comes from Play Works, an independent group of organizations committed to helping young people by encouraging and promoting a greater investment in play.

So is that a big deal or what?

Well yes, says Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. The designation underlines the importance of investing in young people.

"As Londoners, we recognize play, sports and positive leisure-time activities as important factors in nurturing strong, healthy youth, within a well-balanced community," Ms. DeCicco-Best says. "As such, we're delighted to be named a Youth Friendly Community through our investment in a strategic parks and recreational plan to provide great community centres, libraries, ice pads, swimming pools, soccer fields and skate parks for our young people to explore."

For some taxpayers, the provision of recreation facilities is a costly frill - and it is costly. A new recreation centre planned for north London, to cite just one example, will cost more than $35 million.

But providing safe, well-equipped places for recreation and social interaction by young people is critical to their development, says the chairperson of Play Works.

"Play is arguably the most important activity through which adolescents learn how to interact socially and develop life skills such as leadership, decision-making and problem solving," Mary Gallop says. "Communities that support youth play are making an investment in a healthy, friendly, and more creative community."

And London, as it evolves a new youth strategy, is making serious investments. Besides money for new facilities, the city has also created a new department with the interests of young people at heart.

Lynne Livingstone is the director of what is called Neighbourhood and Children's Services. She started Jan. 9.

"We have a mandate to develop a strategy for strong neighbourhoods and a child and youth agenda," she explains. "The next steps are to move toward a concrete vision for children, youth and families and this designation (as a Youth Friendly Community) takes us in a very positive direction as a start."

The youth strategy Ms. Livingstone's department is now developing is to create an inclusive vision for London, in keeping with the Creative Cities report of 2005 that indicated London needs to do more to keep its young people once they complete school.

"Celebrating youth is only one component of the strategy," Ms. Livingstone says. "The other aspects are important too - they talk about involving youth; there are supports for youth frontline workers; and the last piece is connecting youth. It will help people know what is happening as well as give young people an opportunity for feedback about what else they need. We hope this will encourage youth to stay in London and they'll have roots here.

"If we can engage the 13- to 24-year-olds, they are going to stay and help create a sustainable community. The other benefit is that if you pay attention to children and young families then the long-term paybacks are there. It's doing up stream investment to prevent downstream cost. If you have youth who participate then they are less likely to be the ones using high-end services (like the justice system) later."

To achieve that objective she'll be building on the services are already available in London.

"There is a lot of great stuff to work with and build upon. We want to make sure every corner of the city has an opportunity for youth-friendly equipment. That means working with our community partners like neighbourhood resource centres and other youth service groups to ensure they are providing positive and progressive opportunities."

As an example of facilities geared to youth the city's application to Play Works for consideration as a Youth Friendly Community highlights the building of four outdoor skateboard parks since 1998 and development of a skate park strategy to guide the future development of skateboard parks.

Laurie Quinlan, a supervisor of recreation services in the new neighbourhood and children's services department, handles day-to-day operations.

"Play Works called us the most enthused group," she says. "We know that when you engage youth that the physical, emotional and social benefits are there."

The Play Works designation judged on 16 youth friendly criteria. Of 22 entries only London and Peterborough scored positive on all 16. The criteria included youth having options for play in their community; youth being formally connected to the community; facilities dedicated to youth play; youth easily find information about play activities; the community supports youth events; celebrates and recognizes its youth; commits funding for youth play; supports positive youth development; supports youth volunteerism and leadership development; has effective community partnerships; that youth activism and advocacy for play is nurtured; that youth feel comfortable in their own community; youth can get to the play programs that are offered; schools support the youth friendly approach; adults champion the need for youth play; and play is accessible to youth with disabilities.

Play Works describes play "as any non-school activity that has elements of choice, leads to satisfaction, and encourages progressive learning and enjoyment." For London's part, play also means more than sports, hanging out or making sandcastles - it's about a meaningful engagement within the community. It's a commitment that is evident in our municipal efforts to take the program to the next level, the only city in Ontario to do so, with its developmental strategy, an upcoming educational forum for frontline youth service providers, youth week activities and a website currently under development.

"The educational forum was born out of a meeting of London youth services providers regarding having needs and we found that there weren't enough opportunities to learn. We applied to the Trillium Foundation for a one-day workshop on May 2 at Huron University College. We're hoping to have about 100 staff from London and a few from around the region. We're hoping to have about 35 agencies there. The question then is what can we do next and we're looking to the fall," Ms. Quinlan says.

When the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association passed a resolution to make May 7 until 13 National Youth Week, "London jumped on it right away," Ms. Quinlan says. "We have about 50 agencies around the table. What we are asking is for patrons to run their own program that week. The most exciting thing is our wrap up event May 12 at the Western Fair. We have 42 youth on our youth planning committee."

Livingstone is also excited about the event designed to connect youth with each other and it includes some new partnerships with the London Public Library, the RCMP, MainStreet London, Covent Garden Market, Mindyourmind.ca, the Small Business centre, the Chamber of Commerce and Huron University College.

"Youth Week gives them an opportunity to come together in something positive. There are already youth connections existing across the city. As long as people talk it up and participate, youth will get connected. They're planning a huge citywide event," Ms. Livingstone says. "The central element is a web-based format. Through the London youth services providers the website is being developed by youth for youth."

As for what can be expected down the road, "I hope that we'll develop a vision of youth and families but that will be developed by the community. We won't do that on our own but with our partners," Ms. Livingstone says. "What we're bringing to it is hope and possibilities. It's a little different that what we've focused on in the past."

[MolsonExport]

"A new recreation centre planned for north London..."

Any clue on where this might be? Hoping it will be near my house (Hyde Park).

[LondnPlanr]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

I hope the ESRI office is downtown.
Any idea of the number of emloyees and the sq footage needed.

I believe the office is going to be downtown, yes.

Also, I think it will be starting with very few employees, then expanding as the business in the area grows.

I visited ESRI HQ a few weeks back, and that is what they said.

[QuantumLeap]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=127976
Where are our beautiful buildings?