Regina Construction

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by CCF

Another developer owns the Rose property, I can't see any incentive for said developer to sell to Harvard. Harvard is doing what makes the most sense for their company, hard to argue with that.

There is alot of empty property on Rose, you can´t tell me that it is all in the hands of another developer. And what about the property on Vic. between Hamilton and Rose?

Originally Posted by CCF

Again, I agree it's quite unfortunate that these small businesses are being forced to move, but I'm sure they will be able to find additional space elsewhere in the downtown. Think of the vacant retail along 11th Avenue in the Rose Street parkade or the empty retail on Hamilton Street near the Delta hotel. All of these businesses cater to the downtown crowd and setting up shop elsewhere in the city doesn't make much sense business wise.

A new tower that will bring hundreds of new employees to the downtown can't be considered a negative, considering the spinoff businesses it will create. The existing businesses are very suburban in that they are one story, single use buildings. If we can add to the downtown with new office tenants and new retail on the main floor, while at the same time retaining the existing retail being displaced we are much better off.

I wouldn´t call the businesses suburban. F.W. Menswear and NWL are clothing shops that cater to the cleintele who work in the nearby offices, The Green Spot and A Moment in Thyme are the type of small establishment that could only thrive in a downtown area and Comicreaders certainly benefits from it´s location. I don´t think Hamiltion by the Delta is viable for any of these businesses (it´s rather unpleasant at this time). I think most of these businesses need to find a location within a couple of blocks to survive.

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by CCF

There's nothing significant about any of the buildings being proposed for demolition, there is no heritage or architectural value. I suspect this as well as the other additions to Hamilton Street will bring back the vibrancy the street once had.

Sure there is... cheap rent. These types of locations such as the buildings being proposed for demolition often have better rates for rent which are beneficial for small businesses.(although I admit this is just a generaliztion and I wouldn´t know for sure regarding the sights in question)

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by CCF

A new tower that will bring hundreds of new employees to the downtown can't be considered a negative, considering the spinoff businesses it will create. The existing businesses are very suburban in that they are one story, single use buildings. If we can add to the downtown with new office tenants and new retail on the main floor, while at the same time retaining the existing retail being displaced we are much better off.

It can be negative if it is hurting our small businesses. If this project could be done with minimal harm to the small businesses in the area I´d be all for it, but at this time I can´t see it being that way. We can´t sacrifice our small local entropreneurs for the interests of big business in the downtown.

[Planner2008]

The new Harvard office tower is great news! The Loblaws warehouse at the IMF is awesome news as well! Good job to whomever deserves praise!

Here's some thoughts and wishes though:

1) Is Pinkie Road the only road slated for improvements? As the IMF amendment proposed in the Wed. July 23rd paper, places the IMF boundsaries very close to the village of Grand Coulee. 4 - 5 km West of Pinkie Road. Wouldn't that highway be improved too??

2) A new tower is really awesome news. And an interconnecing pedway between towers is great news too! (Hasn't been announced yet!) But let's make sure there's a ground level, or two shopping area. Let's have stops on our pedway, as well as outdoor mini alley shopping, dining and patio areas. The pedestrian the target in all climates and environments!

Regina's old alleyways, could be an area to focus on, for climate controlled pedways to mini alley passageways, with shopping, tourism and dining destinations iterspersed!

3) And what about a downtown observation tower??? Come on none of you have ever responded to this idea at all....

[HomeInMyShoes]

I remember people laughing when I said that the ideal spot for a new office tower was that corner on 12th Avenue.

It is true that there is nothing historically significant about the buildings, but streetscape, street interaction, and city vibe is not just about heritage buildings. It's about scale, type of business, the actual interface of building to sidewalk to street to other side.

I'm also going to point out that this isn't the first time that existing buildings are dumped by Harvard. Regina's first skyscraper was imploded for McCallum Tower I, the Capital Theatre for Crown Life. I hope the interface is good and there are spots for commercial, but the lease rates will mor than likely be higher in a new building.

As far as relocating for the existing businesses I will bet it will be the end of at least one or they will move out of the core. If you're a small business finding a new location is a lot of time and effort. Factor in at least minimal renovating of the new space, the cost and time of moving inventory, setting up the POS and communications again and the business interuption during all of this and having your lease unrenewable is not a situation I would like to have. Hopefully we don't lose the business, but I fear it might be more than enough for at least one.

The other problem, along with the mentioned precedent setting for developers is that as a small business owner maybe looking at space in the core I would be worried about the same thing happening again and maybe look to set up shop outside of the core in big boxland where you're fairly certain that your lease won't be nullified to build offices on top of it.

I would hope the city would step in help out these businesses with a relocation fund if they stay in the core. It's an opportunity for the city to at least say we care about the existing downtown businesses and those that may come in the future. But given the city's track record, my hopes are very low.

[babo]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

Industrial areas typically have large buildings. That's why these areas are zoned for industrial use. It's also the reason money is being put towards upgrading infrastructure in the area. You can't really "densify" industrial buildings as easily as commercial and residential so would you want to restrict industry which brings hundreds of jobs, no matter how much they pay because of how large it is? Speaking of how much they pay, how about you let the market decide how much is too little. If they don't pay high enough wages, no one will work there.

Distribution centres and intermodal facilities are more commercial developments, are they not? There will be nothing manufactured or processed, unless moving boxes of food from China falls under the under the loose definition of processing.

[someguy]

Originally Posted by babo

Distribution centres and intermodal facilities are more commercial developments, are they not? There will be nothing manufactured or processed, unless moving boxes of food from China falls under the under the loose definition of processing.

Warehousing is an industrial land use if you look at the Standard Industrial Classification manual. Commercial land uses are more oriented toward the end user (retail, restaurants, personal service, etc...).

I would expect that manufacturers will move in shortly adjacent to the distributors (Loblaw for now). With rising fuel costs, it makes alot more sense financially to relocate close to your customer/distribution centre.

The IMF and Loblaw coming here are huge for our city, economic spinoffs are huge. I would fully expect that there will be a huge influx of warehouses, manufacturing centres, and office space centres around the IMF. Huge things are happening.

[Stormer]

Apparently renos are underway at the former Caesar's Restaurant on Albert St. downtown. I understand it is to be an upscale resto-bar called Rooftops and will have, naturally, a rooftop patio.

[ReginaGuy]

I saw the new facade of Western Pizza downtown, what an improvement! Can't wait to see the final product

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by Regina Boi

I would also agree with this urbanregina. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication for a small business owner to build up their business. The Comic Store and F.W Barber are both prime examples of the kind of businesses downtown Regina needs. Chances are they will not be able to find appropriate space downtown once they are evicted. What message does this send to other entrepreneurs who are considering opening a business in the dontown? I would certainly be thinking twice about it.

It's great news that there is demand for class A office space, but why don't we fill up some of these parking lots, instead of forcing small business to close or re-locate. It doesn't make sense to tear down perfectly good usable buildings.

Like me? Oh...I think it's awesome. There's a huge opportunity as this will potentially bring a few hundred/thousand new workers (and possibly residents) downtown.

Yeah, I bet those entrepreneurs are just PISSED about an expanding client base. The thought of making more money must be just ripping them on the inside. :lol:

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by Nathan

What the heck did you think would develop from the IMF? Major warehouses are always large in order to make the investment worth it. People aren't coming to Regina to gawk at the Co-op Refinery or Ipsco, and those are definitely huge industrial developments. If we don't get this kind of development where do you think it will go? Superstore wants to have it close to a larger metro centre because this is what is most useful for them, and think of the tax benefits the city can get out of this development too. Money that can be spent on improving the downtown.

Yes not all devopment is wonderful tall urban buildings, but industrial development is necessary. I know it's not the best way to prove the point, but think about the good old game SIM city for SNES. You need to build industrial zones along with the commercial and residential for your city to grow properly.

This facility will enable Loblaws (a Canadian company) to compete better with other grocery/goods stores that have expanded into Canada from other nations, and I'm happy for that.

IMO this warehouse/distribution centre is a perfect beginning to the IMF. It shows that there is demand for the space, and such a high profile start bodes well from a marketing standpoint for getting other development in the area, thereby possibly necessitating the expansion of the airport, and maybe improvements to flight scheduling, which would definitely benefit Regina from a tourism and business standpoint.

Yes, there are some drawbacks to having industrial development (there always is), but it is also very necessary to have it. And as Saskftw pointed out, it will add some diversity to our economy, and a more diversified economy=a stronger economy.

Yeah..but...but...the building might be ugly and it will destroy 0.000000000000406% of the canola in the province!!!

[Regina Boi]

Originally Posted by Chaps

Like me? Oh...I think it's awesome. There's a huge opportunity as this will potentially bring a few hundred/thousand new workers (and possibly residents) downtown.

Yeah, I bet those entrepreneurs are just PISSED about an expanding client base. The thought of making more money must be just ripping them on the inside. :lol:

OK, I think it would be a great idea if you go visit all these business owners who have spent years building up their small business in those locations, and explain to them how this is great news for them. I'm sure once they hear from you, they'll be thrilled to have to find new storefronts (if they can find suitable locations), pay higher rents, and incur all the costs involved with moving.

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by urbanregina

Albert street, Victoria avenue, and Rose street are all good locations for a new building. There are many open lots in these areas that either have nothing on them or just surface parking and they won´t be displacing viable small businesses to spots with poor foot traffic.

I also think that the downtown skyline would look better with a new building a little further away from the twin towers, TD building etc.

Agreed on both points...but when are people on this forum going to realize that OUR interests on not on the top of the priority lists for these developers?

People here expect that everything should be done exactly the way they think it should be done.

Who owns that other land? Who is going to be the main tenant of this new tower?

If you owned a lot in the city in a PRIME location that had a tiny little old house on it with a renter...and you were ready to build your new house...what would you do? Go spend a HUGE amount of money to buy a new lot from someone else in a less desirable location just because it's open? DOUBT IT.


No matter what...no matter what the development that happens in this city...there will ALWAYS be a more preferable option. It's pretty easy to demand that when your interests are not at stake in the development, and the only way it affects you is because it will look nicer.

Anyways, just a little rant on the constant moaning about everything that happens in the city. Especially about things that we have been pining for, for years.

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by CCF

Another developer owns the Rose property, I can't see any incentive for said developer to sell to Harvard. Harvard is doing what makes the most sense for their company, hard to argue with that.

Again, I agree it's quite unfortunate that these small businesses are being forced to move, but I'm sure they will be able to find additional space elsewhere in the downtown. Think of the vacant retail along 11th Avenue in the Rose Street parkade or the empty retail on Hamilton Street near the Delta hotel. All of these businesses cater to the downtown crowd and setting up shop elsewhere in the city doesn't make much sense business wise.

A new tower that will bring hundreds of new employees to the downtown can't be considered a negative, considering the spinoff businesses it will create. The existing businesses are very suburban in that they are one story, single use buildings. If we can add to the downtown with new office tenants and new retail on the main floor, while at the same time retaining the existing retail being displaced we are much better off.

EXACTLY. Maybe much more eloquently said that me, but this is exact what I was trying to say from top (especially) to bottom.

[Regina Boi]

Originally Posted by Chaps

Agreed on both points...but when are people on this forum going to realize that OUR interests on not on the top of the priority lists for these developers?

People here expect that everything should be done exactly the way they think it should be done.

Who owns that other land? Who is going to be the main tenant of this new tower?

If you owned a lot in the city in a PRIME location that had a tiny little old house on it with a renter...and you were ready to build your new house...what would you do? Go spend a HUGE amount of money to buy a new lot from someone else in a less desirable location just because it's open? DOUBT IT.


No matter what...no matter what the development that happens in this city...there will ALWAYS be a more preferable option. It's pretty easy to demand that when your interests are not at stake in the development, and the only way it affects you is because it will look nicer.

Anyways, just a little rant on the constant moaning about everything that happens in the city. Especially about things that we have been pining for, for years.

OK everyone, start acting like little robots, and toe the party line. Don't question or offer different points of views. If you do, you'll be classified as a moaner.

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by Regina Boi

OK, I think it would be a great idea if you go visit all these business owners who have spent years building up their small business in those locations, and explain to them how this is great news for them. I'm sure once they hear from you, they'll be thrilled to have to find new storefronts (if they can find suitable locations), pay higher rents, and incur all the costs involved with moving.

I didn't say those 3 would be pleased...of course they're not. But apparently you're more worried about these 3 small businesses that employ all of 12 people over the 500-1000 that will be employed in the new tower, and every other small business in the area that will benefit from having increased traffic downtown...oh and the other entrepreneurs who may get a chance to set up shop in the new tower.

Crappy for 12, amazing for thousands. Pretty simple.

The dress shop has relocated before (11 or so years ago) on their own accord. It's not like they have a historic presence at that location. I feel for them because it's going to be a stressful and expensive process...but in the end, the benefits far outweigh the costs.

And thinking something like this will deter entrepreneurs is the most shortsighted thing ever. And thinking that clearly shows you don't understand how an entrepreneurs mind works. You act like Regina is the first city to knock down a couple small buildings to build something big. Entrepreneurs must just hate bigger cities...especially in China and Japan.

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by Regina Boi

OK everyone, start acting like little robots, and toe the party line. Don't question or offer different points of views. If you do, you'll be classified as a moaner.

When you moan about EVERYTHING...yes, you will be.

If you can't see the forest for the trees...yes, you will be.

If you can't see the big picture, yes, you will be.

[Regina Boi]

Originally Posted by Chaps

When you moan about EVERYTHING...yes, you will be.

If you can't see the forest for the trees...yes, you will be.

If you can't see the big picture, yes, you will be.

Get a life dude, nobody on this forum "moans" about everything. Just because everyone doesn't agree with your point of view, doesn't mean we're not allowed to express our thoughts.

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Apparently renos are underway at the former Caesar's Restaurant on Albert St. downtown. I understand it is to be an upscale resto-bar called Rooftops and will have, naturally, a rooftop patio.

Damn, I was hoping that some developer was going to tear down that stripmall to build a new skyscraper.

[Regina Boi]

Originally Posted by urbanregina

Damn, I was hoping that some developer was going to tear down that stripmall to build a new skyscraper.

lol @ Urbanregina!