Winnipeg Construction

[Riverman]

Every other city is looking to remove their elevated roads, and this clown wants to build one!

[Andy6]

Which year does the agreement to close Portage & Main to pedestrians end?

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by SKYSTHELIMIT

I can buy the lush garden at Portage and Main even all of the hot air balloons floating by but the most unbelievable is that Winnipeg would actually build an overpass.

Hahaha, nice.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by armorand93

Casino in Downtown? Tried that in SimCity, doesnt exactly work...

Arcologies work in Sim City though. When are we getting ours?

[DavefromSt.Vital]

Several sources say the Portage and Main pedestrian agreement expires in 2018

e.g. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2007/01/29/portage-main.html

[Bluenote]

I am sorry , but I am not for opening PnM, this would cause way to many accidents, we allready have way to many at that junction. If the city COULD come up with a proper overpass for ped traffic, then it would be great. But not sidewalk type when it says WALK.

Also you would totally KILL what lays under the pavement. I would be more for easier access to Winnipeg Square, and maybe some Heated walkways to augment the under ground ones to the MTS building, then to the Fairmont, and back all the way around.

I was around when Wpg Square was in its hayday, and then when it fell apart, and finally I see that people are setting up shop again. It just takes some good city planning and a Mayor that will listen to those planers and put it in place.

[The Jabroni]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

I am sorry , but I am not for opening PnM, this would cause way to many accidents, we allready have way to many at that junction. If the city COULD come up with a proper overpass for ped traffic, then it would be great. But not sidewalk type when it says WALK.

Also you would totally KILL what lays under the pavement. I would be more for easier access to Winnipeg Square, and maybe some Heated walkways to augment the under ground ones to the MTS building, then to the Fairmont, and back all the way around.

I was around when Wpg Square was in its hayday, and then when it fell apart, and finally I see that people are setting up shop again. It just takes some good city planning and a Mayor that will listen to those planers and put it in place.

I think there can be a compromise for this, and if I remember correctly, there were a few proposals a few years ago, before they got shot down by the folks at Trizec. You can't have one and then have the other.

I mean, look at our current situation of our downtown. In the summer time, there are plenty of people on the streets along the main drag on Portage. In the winter time, there are people in the skywalks. That doesn't mean that there's nobody walking in the skywalks during the summer time, or nobody walking in the streets during the winter time.

If planned right, tearing down the barriers and making Portage and Main open would be great. Hell, even planning it in a way where the central underground pedestrian roundabout is opened up in the middle, where the middle itself is the island of the roundabout on the surface street.

Of course, that's a crude proposal which needs further refinement, but it's a start.

But at the moment, I can see where you're coming from. With all the activity going on right now, what would be the point? 6 years from now however, all of this will be moot.

[Reed Solomon]

It's only 5 more years until the contract is complete. No need to rush. and break agreements. Let it pass and the day its done, bam, open it up.

The shops of Winnipeg Square doesn't shouldn't need people to be herded like cattle in order to be viable.

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Arcologies work in Sim City though. When are we getting ours?

HEY! I know what we can put on Portage and Main guys!!! LOL

[cheswick]

I think the concept that the shops of Winnipeg square's survival is dependant on Portage and Main remaining closed to pedestrians is kind of silly. The vast majority of people walking around the square aren't doing it to cross that intersection.

[dpenner]

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/new-apartments-in-core-181961331.html

Close to 300 more apartments will be coming onto the downtown market over the next 12 to 24 months as another highrise hotel converts back into an apartment block.
The 302-unit Place Louis Riel Suites Hotel at the corner of Smith Street and St. Mary Avenue originally was an apartment block when it opened in 1970, but was converted into an extended-stay hotel in the 1980s.

[JamieDavid Exchange]

Originally Posted by dpenner

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/new-apartments-in-core-181961331.html

Close to 300 more apartments will be coming onto the downtown market over the next 12 to 24 months as another highrise hotel converts back into an apartment block.
The 302-unit Place Louis Riel Suites Hotel at the corner of Smith Street and St. Mary Avenue originally was an apartment block when it opened in 1970, but was converted into an extended-stay hotel in the 1980s.

Speaking of rental shortages in the downtown, anyone know if the Avenue on Portage is a success story with it completely rented out?

[Jeff]

cousin of mine just went to look at a suite in the avenue. only had 2-3 suites left apparently...

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by Riverman

Every other city is looking to remove their elevated roads, and this clown wants to build one!

LOL! First thing that came to me as well when I saw the drawing. His ideas would have been a big hit in 1960.

[Bluenote]

Further to the above arguments to open Portage and Main, look at this from a drivers view, that road is HEAVY traffic. There are way to many lanes to cross as a simple sidewalk, and do you, or have you even done a traffic study of how many cars etc actually hit those concrete walls? A LOT, so just picture a bunch of people there getting hit.

But Who really needs to use it????
What is one the other side???

Answer, nothing. You have a old bank, a hotel, and don't bring up the BB park as everyone usually drives there or parks in the parkades or lots at the forks. The only people that MAY use it are business people, and I think for them, since most park in the underground parking all ready would prefer to just stay there, who wants to sweat in the summer, get soaked in the rain, or freeze in the winter waiting to cross.

Now I agree they need to fix it up, but I totally am against it opening up. I am for more easy access 24/7 to get under the road, and I good idea was said up a few posts, was to make the center a round about, well why not a Skylight, make the venture down under exciting, a place to go again. It doesn't need to be just stores and concrete.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

Speaking of rental shortages in the downtown, anyone know if the Avenue on Portage is a success story with it completely rented out?

Originally Posted by Jeff

cousin of mine just went to look at a suite in the avenue. only had 2-3 suites left apparently...

One of my managers, who just moved in, got in only because someone gave up their spot. She'd mentioned the same as Jeff...I'd consider it a success. It's also making a really great impression on ppl who do visit the place

[inlp89]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

Further to the above arguments to open Portage and Main, look at this from a drivers view, that road is HEAVY traffic. There are way to many lanes to cross as a simple sidewalk, and do you, or have you even done a traffic study of how many cars etc actually hit those concrete walls? A LOT, so just picture a bunch of people there getting hit.

But Who really needs to use it????
What is one the other side???

Answer, nothing. You have a old bank, a hotel, and don't bring up the BB park as everyone usually drives there or parks in the parkades or lots at the forks. The only people that MAY use it are business people, and I think for them, since most park in the underground parking all ready would prefer to just stay there, who wants to sweat in the summer, get soaked in the rain, or freeze in the winter waiting to cross.

Now I agree they need to fix it up, but I totally am against it opening up. I am for more easy access 24/7 to get under the road, and I good idea was said up a few posts, was to make the center a round about, well why not a Skylight, make the venture down under exciting, a place to go again. It doesn't need to be just stores and concrete.

This is a perfect example of the old mind-set of Winnipeg. “Don’t make me get out of my car and walk” Drive everywhere… Imagine if Times Square was closed off to pedestrians, sure the traffic would flow better but thats not the point. I know Portage and Main is no Times Square but it is a pretty famous corner and when people look at it now, it is completely barren and kind of funny in a shameful kind of way. I don’t mean to call you out Bluenote, and I respect your opinion but pedestrian traffic is the heartbeat of any successful neighborhood/city and not underground, plus more visible pedestrians cuts down on street crime. Moving the barricades from P&M isn’t going to solve everything but it is a step in the right direction and maybe we could have a miniature “Times Square” of our own.

[JamieDavid Exchange]

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

One of my managers, who just moved in, got in only because someone gave up their spot. She'd mentioned the same as Jeff...I'd consider it a success. It's also making a really great impression on ppl who do visit the place

Originally Posted by Jeff

cousin of mine just went to look at a suite in the avenue. only had 2-3 suites left apparently...

Thanks guys. Its nice to hear there really isnt much hesitation to move downtown. So, lets hope that this momentum keeps getting stronger. So far, Glasshouse, dCondos, Heritage Landing, and now Louise Riel has gotten the ball rolling. Lets hope Fortress Developments sets a new precedence along with some others stepping up to the plate. Obviously there's a demand.

[headhorse]

... you just wait and see what else is coming.

signed,
trueviking

[JamieDavid Exchange]

Originally Posted by headhorse

... you just wait and see what else is coming.

signed,
trueviking

So he says. Just wish there was more merit behind his "stay tuned" statements. I bet the next big project will be announced via the media or twitter, like it always is. I don't see the reasoning in saying something but not coughing up any details. If you can't say something due to confidentiality, don't say anything at all. Just my opinion and not to be taken personally.