Winnipeg Construction VIII

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by esquire

I noticed a crane drilling a giant corkscrew (is that the technical term?) into the SW corner of the Fortress site. It looked pretty much like what was going on at the "Project W" site a few months back... is this part of the geotechnical phase?

I would assume some type of geo-technical investigation. Maybe not to the extent of test caissons like at One and dCondo. But if you say giant corkscrew, then maybe.

[drew]

Originally Posted by esquire

I noticed a crane drilling a giant corkscrew (is that the technical term?) into the SW corner of the Fortress site. It looked pretty much like what was going on at the "Project W" site a few months back... is this part of the geotechnical phase?

Auger. The word you are looking for is auger..!

I would agree that it is likely part of the geotechnical investigation. They should be drilling more than one hole - hopefully.

If they are doing this, then design drawings are likely on the horizon...

[Flavelle103]

I'm surprised that the exterior cleanup of the Union Bank Tower was so half-assed. Seems like they cleaned up the limestone and the cornices (kudos) but didn't bother to sandblast the brick, as has been done elsewhere, as on Lombard Ave. The result is a dirty looking building with half of a royal bank sign still painted on the side.
I also wonder what the uptake by RRC students was on the units. I don't see too many windows lit up most of the time.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by drew

Auger. The word you are looking for is auger..!

I would agree that it is likely part of the geotechnical investigation. They should be drilling more than one hole - hopefully.

If they are doing this, then design drawings are likely on the horizon...

Impark had number of stalls blocked in different parts of the parking lot when I walked by at lunch, so I guess that means more than one test hole.

[ctochico]

Originally Posted by Flavelle103

I'm surprised that the exterior cleanup of the Union Bank Tower was so half-assed. Seems like they cleaned up the limestone and the cornices (kudos) but didn't bother to sandblast the brick, as has been done elsewhere, as on Lombard Ave. The result is a dirty looking building with half of a royal bank sign still painted on the side.
I also wonder what the uptake by RRC students was on the units. I don't see too many windows lit up most of the time.

the same look are on the lofts on james, not very appealing from the outside...very dirty and old, but yet ridiculously clean and beautiful on the inside.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

I like the looks, but still think that they are money wasters. As for the reason why:

I think the City should focus their efforts on the main reason that people don't want to go downtown, and that's the preceived safety risk. Increase funding to graffiti control, make it easier to report using the 311 app, increase funding to garbage collection, restore funding to the Downtown BIZ street patrol program.

After that, the City needs to make its streets more safe for pedestrians if they want pedestrians on them. Narrowing drive lanes, making non-collector streets 2-way again, and widening sidewalks. I think this would be great for Fort/Garry to move back to 2-way, keep Smith and Donald as 1-way, then Hargrave and Carlton to 2-way.

Others may feel they are a waste of money, as you say, (Don't know the cost/funnellator ratio), but they do increase the overall look and appeal in the area they are being placed in, (increased lighting in the core area creates a feeling of safety).

Could it be better spent on more policing,patrols, we may see that soon enough with increased presence when the WPS/HQ located next to the area is completed.

You make some great suggestions on street level traffic solutions, 1 ways to 2 ways, etc and pedestrian safety, widening sidewalks and reducing the level of auotomobile traffic in general.Good solid plans for the future.

[drew]

Can someone explain to me what a "funnelator" is?

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by drew

Can someone explain to me what a "funnelator" is?

If you're thinking it's somekind of evil device created by Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, you're not alone.

But its actually a series of art/kiosk installations in downtown Winnipeg:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/cool-new-core-133221798.html?viewAllComments=y

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by drew

Can someone explain to me what a "funnelator" is?

Defintion By CentreVenture CEO Ross Mc Gowan
Pics posted, as you've probably seen, last page of this thread.

The funnelators and the signature shuttle vehicle are the newest developments in the evolving SHED plan.

McGowan described funnelators as funnel-shaped "street features" that will vary in size and colour and serve as everything from media or information centres to outdoor heating stations. Or just somewhere pedestrians can go to get out of the rain or listen to a street performer.

"It's our understanding they will be absolutely unique to Winnipeg," he said. "They're being trademarked and copyrighted."

He said they might be made out of metal, polyethylene, or fibreglass. Some might be one storey tall and others two storeys tall.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/cool-new-core-133221798.html?viewAllComments=y

[Cyro]

^^ Cool multi explanations seconds apart...

[drew]

Thanks guys.

I actually thought these things "funnelated" conditioned air (hot) to provide some sort of outdoor kiosk that could be used throughout the year.

Guess I was way off.

[Flatland Metropolis]

Originally Posted by cheswick

If you're thinking it's somekind of evil device created by Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, you're not alone.

But its actually a series of art/kiosk installations in downtown Winnipeg:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/cool-new-core-133221798.html?viewAllComments=y

Certainly some interesting things going on in the Shed hopefully the vision for them can come to fruition as imagined otherwise its the whole lipstick on a pig thing. Would really help if we had more residents downtown (this means you Fortress and Glasshouse).

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by Flatland Metropolis

Certainly some interesting things going on in the Shed hopefully the vision for them can come to fruition as imagined otherwise its the whole lipstick on a pig thing. Would really help if we had more residents downtown (this means you Fortress and Glasshouse).

I pretty much think that's the one solution. Increased population density. If the people are there the services will follow. I think part of the problem of Winnipeg is downtown is kind of large for the city's size. I'd liek to see the population density happening more in the same area rather than all about downtown.

I think perceived safety is an issue, actual safety is not. Someone also mentioned grafetti downtown. What grafetti? I spend a lot of time in Montreal. The one thing I always notice whenever I go there is the sheer amount of grafetti compared to Winnipeg. Yet downtown Montreal is THE place to go shopping and out to eat and out clubbing.

[windypeg]

Originally Posted by cheswick

I pretty much think that's the one solution. Increased population density. If the people are there the services will follow. I think part of the problem of Winnipeg is downtown is kind of large for the city's size. I'd liek to see the population density happening more in the same area rather than all about downtown.

I think perceived safety is an issue, actual safety is not. Someone also mentioned grafetti downtown. What grafetti? I spend a lot of time in Montreal. The one thing I always notice whenever I go there is the sheer amount of grafetti compared to Winnipeg. Yet downtown Montreal is THE place to go shopping and out to eat and out clubbing.

Long-time lurker but first-time poster here. I wanted to chime in on this because it's very similar to a conversation I had just yesterday.

I live in Osborne Village and the amount of graffiti, litter, and panhandling in the village never ceases to amaze me. These are things people associate with downtown, but they are actually far worse in the village. Downtown is clean and tidy in comparison, yet people still seem to think of the village as a more appealing place to be because it has all the hip stores and restaurants. That would suggest that if we can get more residents downtown and that in turn continues to attract more businesses, attitudes about the downtown will change.

[steveosnyder]

Originally Posted by windypeg

Long-time lurker but first-time poster here. I wanted to chime in on this because it's very similar to a conversation I had just yesterday.

I live in Osborne Village and the amount of graffiti, litter, and panhandling in the village never ceases to amaze me. These are things people associate with downtown, but they are actually far worse in the village. Downtown is clean and tidy in comparison, yet people still seem to think of the village as a more appealing place to be because it has all the hip stores and restaurants. That would suggest that if we can get more residents downtown and that in turn continues to attract more businesses, attitudes about the downtown will change.

Whether warrented or not, there is a problem with the preception of safety in the downtown. As Cheswick said, it is a problem of preception, not of actual safety.

Many of the girls at my office don't feel safe walking around downtown, even at 4:30 in the afternoon to their cars.

[yellowghost]

Originally Posted by vid

Winnipeg seems to frequently be the first Canadian city to get many American chains and businesses.

I think thats a thing of past.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

Whether warrented or not, there is a problem with the preception of safety in the downtown. As Cheswick said, it is a problem of preception, not of actual safety.

Many of the girls at my office don't feel safe walking around downtown, even at 4:30 in the afternoon to their cars.

I *used* to think it was a perception issue however some of the women at work shared a few horrifying stories that happened to them when they were alone downtown. I think the problem is justified however I think it is at the same time not as big as people make it out to be. Most people leaving the Jets games at night will be walking with someone else, either directly or as an anonymous part of the crowd so the issue there is limited.

I do know that on several occasions when parking downtown I have needed to take direct action to fix what could be a situation leading to trouble in the parkade, most recently it was relocating a couple of empty beer bottles to the trash so someone did not smash them on the ground.

[Authentic_City]

A small but important step:


Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Millennium Library getting sidewalks

"Sidewalks are coming to the downtown Millennium Library.

Public works staff said today that a sidewalk will be constructed on the Donald Street side in 2014, with a sidewalk along the Smith Street side likely in 2015."

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Millennium-Library-getting-sidewalks-229758141.html

[Jeff]

"There are no sidewalks on either side of the library building south to the corner at St. Mary Avenue.

Pedestrians going south either cross the street or risk walking along the road."

or, they could take an extra 10-20 seconds and walk through the park on connecting walkways? me thinks this reporter has not gone to see the emptyful sculpture in person... maybe a few signs with arrows would be a more simple action!

[craner]

Originally Posted by cllew

Impark had number of stalls blocked in different parts of the parking lot when I walked by at lunch, so I guess that means more than one test hole.

This sounds promising for Fortress.