[QUOTE=JHikka;7412595]I can think of three IOL buildings housing their employees that are within a five minute walk of the new HQ.
How? Will the employees be moving residential addresses because they've moved professional addresses? Perhaps, perhaps, we'll consider more convenience stores in the immediate area, but a grocery store can't be warranted without a large uptick in the population on the Peninsula. The IOLHQ does nothing to guarantee this uptick. Will there be brand new hires? Perhaps. What incentive is there for them to live in Uptown over anywhere in the suburbs?
As I note below, it will be a slow process but I do believe it will happen. We have 2 demographics at play as I see it - those 45-55 and the under 30 set. The older folks, who have the big house in QP have kids who are either gone or close to going - big house, no kids....lets downsize; cut the commute; be closer to restaurants etc etc. Those under 30 and single - like to be close to restaurants/bars/entertainment....To attract them we need good solid housing stock that is in good neighbourhoods with access to services/entertainment etc. We are already seeing a degree of this with the condo developments and Historica's many developments not to mention Waterloo Village improvements.
Again, how? If I work for IOL and live in Quispamsis changing office address in the Uptown doesn't necessitate a move to the Uptown any more than my current office address Uptown does. Gentrification is sort of a chicken and egg thing...do people come before services (higher quality housing, groceries) or do the services lead to the people?
I never said there were any guarantees; nor did I say a grocery store for example would be built. I am optimistic that this, along with other developments in the core could ultimately lead to services etc. You are right, it is a chicken and egg game but I did live in an area of Toronto for many years that experienced gentrification and ultimately lead to an increase in services or an expansion/improvement of services already in place. Yes, I know, this isn't Toronto but in the 8 years I have been here I do see some similarities - will it happen as quickly as it did in TO? Not a chance but it will happen (in my opinion).
I have no issue with optimism such as yours on a project because it's far better than the negative attitude that persists throughout the city; however, I can't sit on the sidelines and watch blind optimism run amok, either.
I don't believe my optimism is blind as I have lived this to some extent - again in a VERY different city and VERY different economic environment but I am confident that it will happen....eventually!
Agreed. Faith would be nice. Putting faith in a company that negotiated the City down to an embarrassing tax deal
so rotten that the City had to run to the Province in Fredericton for help? I'm a bit skeptical.
I am not here to judge any company for negotiating a business deal and for the record, I'm not an employee of this organization or dependent on them for my livelihood. That being said, healthy skepticism is never a bad thing. Are they looking out for their best interests - of course they are and they should be as any business should. It is up to our elected officials to look out for ours....and I know, there are gaping holes on that front - both local and provincial!!
As of now I see the new IOL as a great new building for the Uptown at the cost of consolidation of a lot of other office space in the immediate area.
Yes, it's consolidation but the little I know about any Irving Company tells me that there is a master plan somewhere - Irving in my opinion, sees this a one piece of a much larger strategic puzzle.
I enjoy the debate but on most issues I don't think we're that far apart - I'm probably just more optimistic. Like I've said before what I do know 100% is that if we do nothing; nothing will happen. Lets' chat in 3-5 five years and compare notes....
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