Regina Construction

[Devon]

Originally Posted by urbanregina

Red circled "p's" wouldn't be so bad if they represented parking structures and not the big parking fields (sorry surface lots). Except for that one on Cornwall st. between 11th and 12th avenues, that one is just hideous!

...and the broad street crossing. mural and all could be demolished.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by urbanregina

I suspect the green square on Hamilton just behind Golf's should be one block to the east, on Rose. I'm pretty sure 2nd Sask Power bulding is only at the concept phase right now.

oops I will move Gardens on Rose east on next version. SaskPower's concept is actually straight south of the SaskPower building behind Blessed Sacrament Church. It is not where the old bus depot is.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Can someone post a link to the Saskpower Concept? I have never heard of it before.

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by Stormer

oops I will move Gardens on Rose east on next version. SaskPower's concept is actually straight south of the SaskPower building behind Blessed Sacrament Church. It is not where the old bus depot is.

There are 2 versions, one in the parking lot, and one accross the street at the bus depot site.

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Can someone post a link to the Saskpower Concept? I have never heard of it before.

Here you are http://www.sepw.ca/portfolio pages/saskpower facilities/saskpower facilities strategy.html

[North_Regina_Boy]

Thanks "urbanregina" for the link.

I would also like to bring up something that has been bothering me for about 8 months now. What is up with the lights on Winnipeg at Ring Rd? When are they going to be activated? Does anyone have a clue?

[Regina Boi]

Originally Posted by urbanregina

Here you are http://www.sepw.ca/portfolio pages/saskpower facilities/saskpower facilities strategy.html

Sorry guys,

I work at SaskPower, and I can assure you there are NO plans to build on the old STC lot. In fact, we've just finished renovating that building. Currently all of our resources are going towards replacing aging infrastructure, Clean Coal, and expanding power generating capacity.

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by Regina Boi

Sorry guys,

I work at SaskPower, and I can assure you there are NO plans to build on the old STC lot. In fact, we've just finished renovating that building. Currently all of our resources are going towards replacing aging infrastructure, Clean Coal, and expanding power generating capacity.

It's part of a 20 year facilities plan prepared by SEPW architects. They gave 2 concepts for an additional building to supplement the head office. One in the huge parking lot they have by Blessed Sacrement Church, and the other at the site of the former STC depot. The green square on Stormer's map corresponded to the latter concept. I believe that when they do get to the point where they build more office space I do think that they would go for the parking lot option of the 2. I would really like to see that parking lot disappear.

[urbanregina]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

I finally updated the Downtown section of my blog with the latest information. Let me know if anything is missing everyone. I didn't include the SaskPower expansion considering what Regina Boi said.

With their latest application for a rate hike even though they have been making a profit, I can't see them building anytime soon. It is part of a 20 year plan so maybe in another 10 years we'll be hearing something. Hopefully it will be something with active uses at street level, like retail, coffee shop or even a grocery store. (I've always thought that would be an OK spot for a downtown grocery store)

[Beadyeyez]

I noticed on my way home from work on Friday some survey stakes all over the NW corner of the old Superstore parking lot on Albert. Anyone know what that would be for? IIRC there was talk of a hotel going there...or am I waaaaay out to lunch?

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Beadyeyez

I noticed on my way home from work on Friday some survey stakes all over the NW corner of the old Superstore parking lot on Albert. Anyone know what that would be for? IIRC there was talk of a hotel going there...or am I waaaaay out to lunch?

Yes hotel. This was previously announced. I think they said 5 floors? They have an option to build a long term stay hotel next door.

there is a site plan here:http://www.centurywestdevelopment.com/im...gina/regina_centre_crossing_brochure.pdf

[ceedub1170]

Interesting...since they closed a store that was just a few blocks away only a couple years ago.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by ceedub1170

Interesting...since they closed a store that was just a few blocks away only a couple years ago.

I believe they had issues with the Golden Mile location. I also heard they are talking to large drug store chains like London Drugs and that Sport Chek might move from the back. A Winners with a HomeSense would tak a decent chunk out of that space.

[Stormer]

I just talked to someone who attended a Harvard/City info sessions for business affected by the City Square project. It sounds like this is an extemely ambitious project. Some Highlights:

1. 12th Ave to be shut down until Nov. for construction;
2. parking on Scarth and Lorne to be converted from angle to 90 degree - i.e. nose first;
3. a significant fountain structure convertible into a stage will be constructed in the middle of Cornwall St. facing the new plaza;
4. 2 new small but architecturally interesting structures, at the NE and NW corners of the park; NW will be security/equipment rental, NE will be food kiosk with a large square patio with tables;
5. The unusual twisted things in the renderings are actually pseudo-trees (sculptures) that will form the boundary between the street and the triple-width, north sidewalk on 12th;
6. Nearly every tree on the north end of the park will be replaced;
7. Paving stones are to be of the utmost quality;
8. pedestrians can cross at any point even when street is open;
9. gates at the east and west end will be employed whent the plaza is in use;
10. The things that look like L's below are benches with tall "lightsticks" that will be situated at the south side of the plaza where it edges the park;
11. 12th Ave will have a slight curve with the traffic area delineated with pseudo trees on the north and interesting light standards on the south.

[Regina Boi]

Can't wait!!!! Did they say when construction is supposed to start??

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Regina Boi

Can't wait!!!! Did they say when construction is supposed to start??

It was supposed to be the first week in May but they say the tendering process has been delayed (about $8 million) so it will be "sometime in May".

[Chaps]

Wow I thought this originally was just going to be a minor change but this sounds like it will actually be a huge project. I love the fact that they will be going to paving stones. I wish we had a more "inlcusive" render that showed the whole area. But I can't help but think that some pubs would love to get space on 12th ave right in the middle of this little area.

So construction of the whole thing will be done by November? Or just the roads will be re-opened then?

[Regina Boi]

Originally Posted by Chaps

Wow I thought this originally was just going to be a minor change but this sounds like it will actually be a huge project. I love the fact that they will be going to paving stones. I wish we had a more "inlcusive" render that showed the whole area. But I can't help but think that some pubs would love to get space on 12th ave right in the middle of this little area.

So construction of the whole thing will be done by November? Or just the roads will be re-opened then?

I recall reading somewhere that this is a three phase project, with only the first phase to be completed this year. I'm not sure what that entails though.

[Stormer]

Yes this is the first phase. It involves all the things I mention below and was supposed to be done by October, but they now say they might not quite have it all done. Grand opening is May 2011, but presumably it will be usuable, if not totally completed by November.

The other phases involve redoing the rest of park. The City said doesn't expect that to start before 2012 at the earliest.

A few other tidbits:

The buffalo sculpture will be moved from the F.W. Hill Mall to the NE corner of the park as part of the patio/food concession area. "Discussions" are underway about possibly opening up the F.W. Hill Mall to traffic in the evenings only, to encourage business at night.

Property owners such as Harvard will be opeining up their parking lots and structures to evening/weekend public parking.

Regina Transit is working on bus transfer infastructure adjacent to the library and City Hall parkade on 12th.

The summer stage will move to the north end of the mall for this year.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Chaps

I wish we had a more "inlcusive" render that showed the whole area.

They had many additional renders, including birds eye views. The City says these will eventually make their way to the website.