Winnipeg Construction X

[Wpg_Guy]

Manitoba's largest mural unveiled at 444 Kennedy

[Hecate]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

since covid this has been happening allot

example the government budgeted 4million for a new water plant in lynn lake when the bids came in cheapest one was 7.5million and was as high as 15million. and then it was subed out to subs who subed it out to subs what a shit show though was absolutly no quality control province uped the budget to 7.5 million we were all surprized

This is 100% corruption.

[Hecate]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Manitoba's largest mural unveiled at 444 Kennedy

That’s a nice mural. Very colourful will be nice in the dreary winters

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by Hecate

So they just doubled the price??? And the city went… sounds good. lol

And you people wonder why we can’t have nice things.

In case you weren't paying attention, nobody else wants to do it. And who are "you people" and what exactly are these "nice things" we can't have? Geez...

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by pspeid

My take is that Gillingham just wants to get it done and not have to deal with P & M for the next 2 years. If he can do that, establish the BRT stop near that corner and start the transfer of bus routes from Graham to portage he can show some progress on the rapid transit plans before the next municipal election in, I believe 2026.

Add to that the progress that we'll hopefully see on Portage Place, Weweneh, and Sutton Place and Gillingham can, legitimately, point to progress during his first term as Mayor.

Yes, at least he's actively trying to get stuff done. Unlike previous gutless leaders who just tried to please everybody, which is impossible. People are going to complain no matter what.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by Hecate

This is 100% corruption.

absolute incompitance

would also help if we actualy required insturmentation guys on some of these projects
seen allot of things get done that pass engineers inspections as they dont know what theyre even looking at blows my mind

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by bon_vivant

Yes, at least he's actively trying to get stuff done. Unlike previous gutless leaders who just tried to please everybody, which is impossible. People are going to complain no matter what.

You're absolutely right. I'm actually quite happy with the direction Gillingham has taken in his first term. I don't think there's anything wrong with pointing out progress that has been made.

However, I'm a little bit wary of his asking the public for feedback on where new revenue for the city should come from. Winnipeg is kind of an island, and a lot of people don't bother researching what is happening in other cities with property tax hikes. I'm afraid the bulk of the feedback they will receive will be "no new taxes/fees" or "cut the fat at city hall", neither of which is productive, IMO. We'll have to wait and see, however. I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by bon_vivant

In case you weren't paying attention, nobody else wants to do it. And who are "you people" and what exactly are these "nice things" we can't have? Geez...

I'm not saying that public projects shouldn't be audited, but I'm not sure the circumstances in this case justify jumping to the conclusion that corruption or incompetence are to blame.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

absolute incompitance

would also help if we actualy required insturmentation guys on some of these projects
seen allot of things get done that pass engineers inspections as they dont know what theyre even looking at blows my mind

If its passing engineering inspection and you know for sure its incorrect /unsafe you should be contacting Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba 1-866-227-9600 and put in in a complaint about the person or company doing it.

The association takes very seriously engineers doing drawings, commissioning reports and inspection improperly and will fine / suspend big time if its proven they did not do things properly.

For example in April 2023 EG Manitoba posted there was a well known Manitoba engineer with around 40 years of experience that lost the ability to practice, and was fined $20,000 after being found guilty of a conviction on four charges of professional misconduct or unskilled practice.

If its a C.E.T. doing the acceptance work I believe their certification association also has a investigation / discipline process.

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by pspeid

You're absolutely right. I'm actually quite happy with the direction Gillingham has taken in his first term. I don't think there's anything wrong with pointing out progress that has been made.

However, I'm a little bit wary of his asking the public for feedback on where new revenue for the city should come from. Winnipeg is kind of an island, and a lot of people don't bother researching what is happening in other cities with property tax hikes. I'm afraid the bulk of the feedback they will receive will be "no new taxes/fees" or "cut the fat at city hall", neither of which is productive, IMO. We'll have to wait and see, however. I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

Having lived in other cities, I can definitely say that Winnipeg is an island. It's like we don't understand how cities actually work. We complain about how everything is broken but the second we're asked to help pay to fix things the answer is always "no". Cheapskates with no big-picture thinking, all we see is the dollar. Asking us for feedback is the last thing he should be doing because, frankly, we don't know what's best for us.

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by pspeid

I'm not saying that public projects shouldn't be audited, but I'm not sure the circumstances in this case justify jumping to the conclusion that corruption or incompetence are to blame.

For sure, there needs to be accountability. But these typical knee-jerk reactions are often baseless. Peggers are hard to please.

[plrh]

Originally Posted by Hecate

So they just doubled the price??? And the city went… sounds good. lol

And you people wonder why we can’t have nice things.

It wasn't "the price". It was an engineer's estimate, likely from several years ago. The engineer hired by the city took a guess for budgeting purposes as to where the winning bid will land. If there have not been a lot of similar projects in the past (which is the case) and/or the number of capable contractors is limited (also true), then it is difficult to guess how the free market will dictate the price. Contractors only get 10 days to figure out how to build city projects and price hem accordingly. So sometimes we aim high. Because of the risk of potentially losing a lot of money is more motivating than the risk of not getting the job, and losing no money.

[pegster]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Manitoba's largest mural unveiled at 444 Kennedy

I've been watching this go up from my office for the last couple of weeks (they did it really quickly!).

Ever since spending some time in Detroit a few years ago and marveling at all the murals there, I thought that Winnipeg could do the same. We have a few cool ones already, up by Higgins, and this is a great addition.

[FactaNV]

My two cents on the outreach by City Hall on taxes is that it's to shut people up and give the city the chance to throw their hands up and say they did a public consult before doing whatever their intended taxation regime was at the beginning. As much as I don't like higher taxes, I like crumbling infrastructure less. I think the vehicle registration and delivery taxes are good ideas. Ideally a vacant property tax should also be levied at the same time the Act is open.

[cllew]

A vehicle registration tax would probably have to be applied province wide as I am sure that the other cities, towns and RM's in Manitoba could also use some money for road maintenance.

Then it becomes how much money is needed for each vehicle as not all areas have pavement to keep up, or would the tax vary maybe based on the MPI registration territory?

[Hecate]

Originally Posted by bon_vivant

In case you weren't paying attention, nobody else wants to do it. And who are "you people" and what exactly are these "nice things" we can't have? Geez...

lol bullshit. Or is it industry collusion? According to this article
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7151756
Council voted to approve the opening back in March of 2024 and that was a few weeks after a study and plan was put forward on what to do with the intersection, the article states another study would have to be done. So in less than six months the projects costs have doubled. And you think that’s all fine and dandy. lol.

[Biff]

I'm not sure where some of these numbers are coming from regarding Portage and Main.

The initial proposed budget was approximately $13m. The bid from the contractor was $16,144,035. Where did the $21m number all of a sudden come up?

[Biff]

Here it is on page 4 of the November 7, 2024 Standing Policy Committee on Public Works Regular Meeting Agenda

10. Award of Contract for Portage and Main Pedestrian Opening - Tender No. 675-2024

So it really has nothing to do with the tendering process and is not grossly over budget from a cost estimate and bidding stand point...other than only one contractor bid - which is unfortunate. In todays construction climate $3m over budget on a $10m+ project really isn't that uncommon. I am not sure where the rest of those cost came from and why they wouldn't be accounted for in the original $13m estimate.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Originally Posted by Biff

Here it is on page 4 of the November 7, 2024 Standing Policy Committee on Public Works Regular Meeting Agenda

10. Award of Contract for Portage and Main Pedestrian Opening - Tender No. 675-2024

So it really has nothing to do with the tendering process and is not grossly over budget from a cost estimate and bidding stand point...other than only one contractor bid - which is unfortunate. In todays construction climate $3m over budget on a $10m+ project really isn't that uncommon. I am not sure where the rest of those cost came from and why they wouldn't be accounted for in the original $13m estimate.

How dare you present tangible facts and figures? It's gotta be guv'mint corruption and there's gotta be fat cats involved somewhere!

[bomberjet]

lmao, with receipts!