Regina Construction IV

[The mayor]

According to the release, the city has focused on refining long-term financial management practices and sustainable infrastructure spending plans that ensure important capital projects are not delayed resulting in another AAA rating. Since 2011, the city has more than tripled its commitment to paying for infrastructure work like road rehabilitation from the General Operating Fund, allowing it to invest in current and future capital work and depend less on external funds or incurring more debt, says the release.

https://leaderpost.com/news/local-ne...7771f63cf/amp/ Broke I think not

[jigglysquishy]

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[StealthGirl]

Yet we can't find any money to deal with the lead pipes.

We're looking at all these luxury extras along with a lot of other recent big spend talk (Ring Road rail lines, SE/Arcola road expansion, homelessness). The timing seems odd.

[The mayor]

The city cannot afford not to move forward with these projects , it vastly improves the Quality of life and who wants to live in a city that has nothing a second class city even Moose jaw is better facilities Regina so you’re claim does not make any sense , Regina cannot afford to be a third world city in Canada

[esquire]

I can't speak to the finances of the project but the concept is fantastic. Regina would benefit from having a larger arena to replace the Brandt Centre.

I think any of the proposed areas would be fine, but really the Yards proposal would be the biggest game changer. It would revitalize a largely empty area, it would shore up the urban environment along Dewdney tying it more closely into the downtown area to the south, and it would have significant spinoff effects for downtown too.

That said, I am not thrilled with the concept for the area surrounding the arena. Too many plazas and too much wasted space. Fix that up a bit and it will be a winner.

I wonder if Brandt Centre would remain if a new arena is built? Could it be scaled down into a community-oriented venue?

[jigglysquishy]

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[The mayor]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Are you willing to step up to pay for it?

Council is going to need to pass some 10%+ mill rate increases to pay for these. They don't even commit to 5% as the public comes out angry at any tax increases.

Talk is easy, but they've consistently shown hesitancy to actually increase taxes to pay for it.

Now your talking like a old old grandpa we can’t have anything nice let’s be second class to all the other cities

[The mayor]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Are you willing to step up to pay for it?

Council is going to need to pass some 10%+ mill rate increases to pay for these. They don't even commit to 5% as the public comes out angry at any tax increases.

Talk is easy, but they've consistently shown hesitancy to actually increase taxes to pay for it.

Originally Posted by esquire

I can't speak to the finances of the project but the concept is fantastic. Regina would benefit from having a larger arena to replace the Brandt Centre.

I think any of the proposed areas would be fine, but really the Yards proposal would be the biggest game changer. It would revitalize a largely empty area, it would shore up the urban environment along Dewdney tying it more closely into the downtown area to the south, and it would have significant spinoff effects for downtown too.

That said, I am not thrilled with the concept for the area surrounding the arena. Too many plazas and too much wasted space. Fix that up a bit and it will be a winner.

I wonder if Brandt Centre would remain if a new arena is built? Could it be scaled down into a community-oriented venue?

Well said

[CCF]

Originally Posted by esquire

I can't speak to the finances of the project but the concept is fantastic. Regina would benefit from having a larger arena to replace the Brandt Centre.

I think any of the proposed areas would be fine, but really the Yards proposal would be the biggest game changer. It would revitalize a largely empty area, it would shore up the urban environment along Dewdney tying it more closely into the downtown area to the south, and it would have significant spinoff effects for downtown too.

That said, I am not thrilled with the concept for the area surrounding the arena. Too many plazas and too much wasted space. Fix that up a bit and it will be a winner.

I wonder if Brandt Centre would remain if a new arena is built? Could it be scaled down into a community-oriented venue?

Answers are in the report.

The Yards location is not being recommended as the final choice. One of the three downtown locations is what the committee is recommending. Although, they aren't specifying the details of the location because they need to avoid influencing any land speculation. I suspect 'Downtown Location 01' is the block between Rose/Broad and 11th/12th as it mentions the lowest demolition costs (and there aren't many existing buildings there). It's possible that one of the locations is the block where the Central Library is, as the report mentions coordinating this project together with "modernization of the central library branch." If I had to speculate on the third location, I'd say Broad Street on the block where the Traveller's building was, only because it seems to be one of the other larger sites where land assembly could happen relatively easy for such a large project.

Proposal is for the Brandt Centre to be repurposed for recreational or agricultural needs.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CCF

Answers are in the report.

The Yards location is not being recommended as the final choice. One of the three downtown locations is what the committee is recommending. Although, they aren't specifying the details of the location because they need to avoid influencing any land speculation. I suspect 'Downtown Location 01' is the block between Rose/Broad and 11th/12th as it mentions the lowest demolition costs (and there aren't many existing buildings there). It's possible that one of the locations is the block where the Central Library is, as the report mentions coordinating this project together with "modernization of the central library branch." If I had to speculate on the third location, I'd say Broad Street on the block where the Traveller's building was, only because it seems to be one of the other larger sites where land assembly could happen relatively easy for such a large project.

Proposal is for the Brandt Centre to be repurposed for recreational or agricultural needs.

Good news all around. I like The Yards site, but being downtown would be great too. The Rose/Broad/11th/12th box would be a perfect site, it would really shore up the urban streetscape around Broad, and it would be super convenient. I remember this site came up before in a discussion and I really liked it from the get-go.

I like the plan to keep the Brandt Centre around too. It's not so massive that it would become a money pit. You could reduce the capacity a bit and have a perfectly fine secondary venue for the city.

[jigglysquishy]

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[Stormer]

$32 million for a parkade for a $100 million building makes no sense to me. I realize the parkade may be used for other purposes, but it still seems ridiculous. I would make any parkade stand on its own financially. That is it must have enough revenue to pay for its operations and financing, perhaps not including land and property taxes. In the case of the railyards, it could be used for office workers during the weekdays or Casino patrons.

In the latter case, it would be nice to see Stanley Park restored where the Casino surface lot now exists.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

You don't own a house. These tax increases aren't coming out of your pocket.

We simply do not have the money. It doesn't matter how much you scream for other people's money.

This is a fallacy. Only a portion of City revenues come from taxes on houses. If you rent, the taxes are included in your rent. If you work for or patronize any business, property taxes that could increase wages or lower prices are paid by you. If you pay fees for use of city facilities, you are paying. If you are a citizen of SK or Canada, federal and provincial transfers that belong to you are going to these projects directly or indirectly.

This is why I always criticize the City's statements at budget time such as that it means only "$18 on the average home tax bill". The actual percentage increase in spending is never reported and is buried deep in the budget documents. In recent years it has been 7%+ even when inflation has been below 2%.

[CCF]

Originally Posted by Stormer

$32 million for a parkade for a $100 million building makes no sense to me. I realize the parkade may be used for other purposes, but it still seems ridiculous. I would make any parkade stand on its own financially. That is it must have enough revenue to pay for its operations and financing, perhaps not including land and property taxes. In the case of the railyards, it could be used for office workers during the weekdays or Casino patrons.

In the latter case, it would be nice to see Stanley Park restored where the Casino surface lot now exists.

Parkade won't be happening though, as that was only for consideration at the REAL or Yards site. If it moves forward downtown, then a parkade isn't being planned...because the downtown is already a big parking lot.

[Stormer]

Edit: only 3 sites are downtown. REAL says there are [5] potential downtown sites that could accommodate an Arena. They say 4 acres are required. That is one entire city block. Keep in mind that streets can be closed or moved. What are your top 5 choices? Mine are:

1. West side of Albert between Sask Place and SK Dr.
2. Capital Pointe block on Albert;
3. East side of 18 block Broad;
4. West side of 18 block Broad;
5. North side of SK drive between Lorne and Albert.

[thurmas]

Wow why is Regina so obsessed with putting all their money and resources in sports facilities ?

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by thurmas

Wow why is Regina so obsessed with putting all their money and resources in sports facilities ?

Nearly every city is the same.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by thurmas

Wow why is Regina so obsessed with putting all their money and resources in sports facilities ?

What an odd thing to say... maybe it's for the same reason we replaced our sports facilities? i.e. the existing ones are old and obsolete?

[CCF]

Based on the report that's going to Exec committee, I feel as if the favoured site is somewhere along Lorne. If you look at the map of 'trails' they've specifically highlighted existing and proposed conditions along Lorne. Some may recall years back that the Library tried to (but unsuccessfully) secure the block for a proposed new central library. I also feel like the talk about "modernizing" the central library in conjunction (as opposed to talking about a new build) is another clue. Now that being said, would the budgeted $24M for land assembly cover the costs of purchasing the other buildings on site.

[jigglysquishy]

Lorne and what? Between 11th and 12th? What about the Court house? Or on the east side you're now dealing with Sasktel.

Rose between 11th and 12th would be easier. Cheaper and fewer owners. Trying to buy out a crown is just asking to be told no.