Sinclair Centre Redevelopment

[jollyburger]

Nothing new but this Linkedin post attached a 2 billion dollar figure to the development. Was a design manager at PSPC

With a 2 Billion dollar federal financial support, a high-rise tower will be developed at the Sinclair site preserving the existing heritage building, meeting the highest standards for sustainability, and making reconciliation possible.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurav-s...alSubdomain=ca

[madog222]

Two billion seems extremely excessive, even if that is including the 25 year PPP operating costs.

[jollyburger]

Forgot there was a 500 million figure for a redevelopment in 2021

https://www.urbanyvr.com/sinclair-centre-redevelopment/

Maybe the 2 billion dollars was attached to some other aspect of the transportation hub.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

or its just someone padding their resume on linkedin. we are talk about a pspc employee after all. and the feds arent known for good procurement.

[jollyburger]

Not reading too much into it but every other major project in other regions seems like it was kept "as is" in the most recent update. Sinclair got replaced by a renovation on the Surrey offices. And the head of the redevelopment at PSPC recently moved onto another role inside the department.

2023-2024

While taking into consideration the impact of the post-pandemic environment on the future of work, PSPC will advance several transformative projects that are central to its Office Long Term Plan (OLTP). For example, PSPC will focus on advancing the shared workplace project at 599 Tremblay Road, as well as the major recapitalization projects at Les Terrasses de la Chaudière, Place du Portage III and 879 Heron Road in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Within the Pacific region, PSPC will rehabilitate and redevelop the Sinclair Centre in downtown Vancouver to consolidate federal departments into a modern, accessible, sustainable and cost-effective hub.

In the Western region, PSPC will continue the implementation of the multi-phase Winnipeg office strategy, which is focused on the consolidation, modernization and greening of PSPC’s portfolio by leveraging existing Crown assets, including heritage and special-purpose buildings. This strategy will improve the condition of PSPC’s portfolio; support PSPC’s sustainability efforts; reduce operating costs; improve accessibility; and, offer procurement opportunities to Indigenous Peoples.

In the Ontario region, PSPC will complete the rehabilitation of the Government of Canada building at 25-55 St. Clair East in mid-town Toronto and will continue with the delivery of the Allen Lands development project to foster increased collaboration and deliver economies of scale through the colocation of security service organizations and consolidation of multiple leased locations into a new facility.

Within the Québec region, PSPC will continue the construction of the National Verification and Collections Centre in Shawinigan to provide a modern workplace better aligned with the current and future space needs of the federal departments housed on-site to optimize space occupancy. It will also advance the new Montreal justice complex construction and fit-up project under the national accommodation strategy for federal courts and tribunals, which will demonstrate the benefit of consolidating judicial operations to ensure the long-term viability of court premises and amortize the fit-up costs over a maximum period.

Finally, within the Atlantic region, PSPC will advance the Moncton Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre project, which will provide facilities to enable world class multidisciplinary research and science programs, as well as the St. John’s Tax Centre accommodation project, which will address Canada Revenue Agency’s increased space requirements for its National Verification and Collection Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Work will also progress on the Daniel J. MacDonald building modernization project in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, which aims at updating the building, its systems and the work spaces.

In 2023 to 2024, PSPC will also advance the rehabilitation and restoration of places and buildings of national significance, such as the Lester B. Pearson building, the West Memorial building, the National Printing Bureau and the Connaught building. These projects will incorporate sustainability and accessibility elements and contribute to the greening objectives through reduced office footprints and energy-efficient spaces while also conserving the historical value of the buildings.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-serv...abilities.html

2024-2025

PSPC will continue advancing several transformative projects central to its overall office portfolio strategy and government-wide objectives. Investments in key strategic assets from coast to coast to coast will lower operating costs and provide federal public servants with workplaces that are modern, sustainable, healthy, safe, accessible, and collaborative while preserving their national significance and historic character at the same time.

In 2024 to 2025, PSPC will progress on key major rehabilitation projects in the National Capital Region (NCR), including Les Terrasses de la Chaudière, Place du Portage III and Tunney’s Pasture Redevelopment. In addition, the department will continue to carry out its important work towards conserving Canada’s heritage by rehabilitating and restoring places and buildings of national significance. Ongoing projects include the Lester B. Pearson Building, the Supreme Court of Canada Building, the West Memorial Building and the Connaught Building.

In the Atlantic region, PSPC, through the Laboratories Canada Strategy, is redeveloping the existing Gulf Fisheries Centre, situated in Moncton, New Brunswick. Built in 1948 as the Collège Notre-Dame d’Acadie, the site has Acadian cultural significance as the first Francophone post-secondary educational institution for women in the Maritimes. PSPC is redeveloping this site over the next decade into a modern, leading-edge facility for Government of Canada scientists engaged in research in Atlantic costal aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the department will continue to advance an accommodation project to modernize the aging facilities and infrastructure and to address the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) increased space requirements in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Work will also progress on the Daniel J. MacDonald building modernization project in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, which aims at updating the building, its systems and the workspaces.

In the Quebec region, PSPC will continue the construction of the new Government of Canada building on the current site of the National Verification and Collections Centre of the CRA in Shawinigan to provide a modern workplace that is aligned with the current and future space needs identified by the federal departments housed on-site. The department will also advance the new Montreal Judicial Complex (Montreal Court House) construction and fit-up project under the National Accommodation Strategy for federal courts and tribunals, which aims to consolidate clients' activities with similar needs. Other projects include the pilot project at 1550 d'Estimauville Avenue, Québec City, as well as the Guy Favreau Complex revitalization project in Montréal.

In the Ontario region, PSPC will continue with the delivery of a Greater Toronto Area Government of Canada building project to foster increased collaboration and deliver economies of scale through the colocation of security service organizations and consolidation of multiple leased locations into a new facility.

In the Western region, PSPC will advance the implementation of the multiphase Winnipeg Office Strategy, which is focused on consolidating, modernizing, and greening PSPC’s portfolio by leveraging existing Crown assets, including heritage and special-purpose buildings.

Finally in Pacific region, PSPC’s King George Campus Revitalization will renew and optimize a key property in PSPC’s portfolio to keep pace with the federal demand in Surrey, British Columbia, one of Canada’s fastest growing cities. While supporting PSPC’s real property plans and the needs of federal clients, the site will integrate with the development of the surrounding community and align with the provincial and municipal priorities for the area that will benefit all Canadians.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-serv...2025-plan.html

And this:

In response to Budget 2023, PSPC will continue to work closely with client departments and central agencies to assess their needs for space in the context of a hybrid work model. The department will work to right size and modernize the real property portfolio with an overall reduction of the existing office space by 50% and identify savings estimates over the next 10 years. This reduction will be achieved gradually through a combination of strategies, including disposing of surplus and underutilized Crown-owned buildings and optimizing leases.

[madog222]

As if the writing wasn't already on the wall, that all but confirms this plan has been shelved.

[jollyburger]

125 E 10th Ave Harry Stevens Building is on their disposal list. Should be a good development site.

George Derby and Burnaby Lake (land)

https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/biens-...#disposal-list

[Vin]

I'm popping champagne as we speak....

Also starting to feel that decision makers do read this forum and the various development threads.

Within the Pacific region, PSPC will rehabilitate and redevelop the Sinclair Centre in downtown Vancouver to consolidate federal departments into a modern, accessible, sustainable and cost-effective hub.

If this does not involve the destruction of any heritage property assets and installation of a tower in the middle, then yes, please. That would be very nice.

[whatnext]

Given the recent Federal budget emphasized using government lands for housing, maybe the heritage facades should be incorprated into a residential rental building...

...Leasing out federally owned lands to build affordable housing
Mr. Fraser has outlined plans to build affordable housing on public lands, with Ottawa entering into long-term leases over the life cycle of the buildings that will be constructed.

In the budget, the Liberals say they will build housing on “every possible piece” of federal public land, from armouries to office buildings to post offices – a budget proposal that will reverse the long-standing policy of selling surplus government real estate for profit.

This includes, according to the budget, a $1.1-billion plan over the next 10 years to reduce the amount of federal office space by half, and prioritize that land for student or non-market housing. The budget says this equates to the 50 per cent of federal office space that is either underused or entirely vacant.

Mr. Fraser drew a contrast between that strategy and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s. “It’s fundamentally a different approach. Mr. Poilievre’s plan would simply sell off thousands of parcels of potentially high-value public lands to developers, without the federal government receiving an appropriate value,” Mr. Fraser told The Globe and Mail in an interview...

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busi...announcements/

[Migrant_Coconut]

“It’s fundamentally a different approach. Mr. Poilievre’s plan would simply sell off thousands of parcels of potentially high-value public lands to developers, without the federal government receiving an appropriate value...”

If the Cons win and sell it off, we're probably looking at the entire thing getting levelled, even the exterior.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

If the Cons win and sell it off, we're probably looking at the entire thing getting levelled, even the exterior.

Aren't there still legal issues presented by the First Nations with any federal land sales?

https://vancouversun.com/news/nation...20Crown%20land.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

If the Cons win and sell it off, we're probably looking at the entire thing getting levelled, even the exterior.

No, the lands would he subject to municipal heritage protections in that case. It would be more difficult to redevelop if it is sold and is out of federal hands.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by csbvan

No, the lands would he subject to municipal heritage protections in that case. It would be more difficult to redevelop if it is sold and is out of federal hands.

I think it was discussed before but my understanding that as the senior level of government, they are not under any municipal government's authority (similar to Senak'w).

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by whatnext

I think it was discussed before but my understanding that as the senior level of government, they are not under any municipal government's authority (similar to Senak'w).

Correct. If the feds propose a new development they can override lower levels of government in terms of regulation. However, the statement I was responding to was about the Cons selling the land. If they sell the land, it is then land held by a private landowner in the City of Vancouver and would be subject to the same regulations as any other parcel. This is comparable to Jericho and not Senakw.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by csbvan

Correct. If the feds propose a new development they can override lower levels of government in terms of regulation. However, the statement I was responding to was about the Cons selling the land. If they sell the land, it is then land held by a private landowner in the City of Vancouver and would be subject to the same regulations as any other parcel. This is comparable to Jericho and not Senakw.

Yes, sorry I thought you were referring to if they redeveloped it themselves as residential, which it sounds like the Libs prefer to do now.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by csbvan

Correct. If the feds propose a new development they can override lower levels of government in terms of regulation. However, the statement I was responding to was about the Cons selling the land. If they sell the land, it is then land held by a private landowner in the City of Vancouver and would be subject to the same regulations as any other parcel. This is comparable to Jericho and not Senakw.

As they were unable to sell the site to Larco because of a claim by the Musqueam, then presumably they would still have the same problem, unless they provide a financial payment acceptable to the first nation. If they did the same as Hudson's Bay did with their Winnipeg store, they could sell it to the first nation for $1. And heritage designation doesn't prevent the buildings being demolished, as we've seen in the West End on Harwood, or the RCMP Fairmont building.

[LeftCoaster]

My understanding is that this is still a project being pursued by the Feds, but that the architect selected through the competition may not be working out. It's all a bit murky at this point though.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by csbvan

No, the lands would he subject to municipal heritage protections in that case. It would be more difficult to redevelop if it is sold and is out of federal hands.

Yes, exactly. They should just sell it off to a private entity, and then CoV can designate the buildings as heritage. No one can rough them then.

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

If the Cons win and sell it off, we're probably looking at the entire thing getting levelled, even the exterior.

Nice try there, but nope. There is a reason why the Cons has the namesake.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Vin

Nice try there, but nope. There is a reason why the Cons has the namesake.

Nice try there: Con = "Conservative," not "Conservationist." Red Tories maybe, but Blue Tories DGAF.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Vin

Nice try there, but nope. There is a reason why the Cons has the namesake.

Have you read the CPC platform? They want to sell off a ton of government land.