Government Conference Centre (Union Station) renovation | Completed - Page 3

Uhuniau · #41 Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 2:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACmodels

uhh abolish the Senate now so the Government/we does not have to pay for this.

Uhh, no.

1overcosc · #42 Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 2:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACmodels

uhh abolish the Senate now so the Government/we does not have to pay for this.

And reopen the constitution?

Aylmer · #43 Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 2:56 AM**

We could save a cool Billion if we got rid of Parliament alltogether, plus more if we did away with the public service

Dado · #44 Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 3:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACmodels

uhh abolish the Senate now so the Government/we does not have to pay for this.

Yes, because the governments of the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta of the last couple of decades have shown how much better government we get with unicameral legislatures.

1overcosc · #45 Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 3:33 AM**

The Senate doesn't really have a useful function the way it is. If you think about it, throughout our history, it's supposed role as the HoC's 'sober second thought' has really been filled by the provinces and more recently by the Supreme Court & the Charter.

That said, that doesn't necessarily mean that abolition of the senate is the solution... it could just mean the Senate needs reforming/altering of its composition, powers, election/nomination process, etc. to be able to actually fulfill its role.

Admiral Nelson · #46 Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 4:27 AM**

The likelihood of the senate being abolished is virtually nil given the level of unanimity the constitutional change would require.

This discussion is off-topic.

Uhuniau · #47 Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 4:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aylmer

We could save a cool Billion if we got rid of Parliament alltogether, plus more if we did away with the public service

Keep it up, and you'll be Deputy at Treasury Board.

Well, until you abolish it.

rocketphish · #48 Posted **Jul 18, 2015, 6:47 PM**

They've got a crane up now:

July 15, 2015
Photo by me

danishh · #49 Posted **Apr 20, 2016, 6:15 AM**

anyone have any info on any sort of public/community consultations on this project? I was told that there was an event last month by a resident of 700 sussex (they're annoyed by the view, and also want to know if there is any way to have input on the exterior design/plan), but cant seem to find any details on the internet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

J.OT13 · #50 Posted **Apr 21, 2016, 12:16 AM**

The view of the side where the Corey Block used to stand?

kwoldtimer · #51 Posted **Apr 21, 2016, 1:27 AM**

Does anyone actually care if residents of 700 Sussex are annoyed by the view? Or by anything else for that matter.

danishh · #52 Posted **Apr 21, 2016, 3:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The view of the side where the Corey Block used to stand?

yeah, the side shown in rocketphish's pic above.

I was able to find some information in a PWGSC report (http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/rapports-reports/rpp/2016-2017/trs-tps-eng.html), but there doesnt seem to be much other public info available.

J.OT13 · #53 Posted **Apr 23, 2016, 8:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Does anyone actually care if residents of 700 Sussex are annoyed by the view? Or by anything else for that matter.

I don't care what they think, but I do agree with them on this point. They should seriously consider building something to replace the long demolished Corey Block. Ideas could include the usual like a high end hotel, office building, condo or a modern annex to a new usage for Union; Central Library, Museum of Canadian Railway History or, and bare with me... a proper CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION for the countries CAPITAL CITY.

kwoldtimer · #54 Posted **Apr 23, 2016, 10:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't care what they think, but I do agree with them on this point. They should seriously consider building something to replace the long demolished Corey Block. Ideas could include the usual like a high end hotel, office building, condo or a modern annex to a new usage for Union; Central Library, Museum of Canadian Railway History or, and bare with me... a proper CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION for the countries CAPITAL CITY.

This - in the form of a big, glass Winter Garden!

UrbOttawa · #55 Posted **Apr 24, 2016, 9:30 PM**

Very unlikely, but it would be very cool if they recladded it to match the canal side and resurrected the plaza idea from a few years back (minus LRT of course).

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6002/5972203546_a3f167fb03_z.jpg

http://i2.wp.com/westsideaction.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/rideau100-plaza.jpg

Aylmer · #56 Posted **Apr 24, 2016, 10:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't care what they think, but I do agree with them on this point. They should seriously consider building something to replace the long demolished Corey Block. Ideas could include the usual like a high end hotel, office building, condo or a modern annex to a new usage for Union; Central Library, Museum of Canadian Railway History or, and bare with me... a proper CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION for the countries CAPITAL CITY.

That's dangerous thinkin', boy.
As I was waiting for a bus at Mackenzie to get to the train station today, I must admit that I was fantasizing about what it would be like to not have to make my way out to Ottawa's arsecrack to catch a train...

But one way or another, it will be very interesting to see what becomes of the station after the Centre Block renos - all of a sudden, it will be a freshly-renovated heritage building in the heart of central Ottawa. It will be 2028, so hey, perhaps we'll be talking about a downtown station back then, who knows?

rocketphish · #57 Posted **Apr 25, 2016, 2:37 AM**

Roughly the view from 700 Sussex right now:

April 24, 2016
Photo by me.

kwoldtimer · #58 Posted **Apr 25, 2016, 3:07 AM**

edit

eltodesukane · #59 Posted **Apr 25, 2016, 12:07 PM**

"a proper CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION for the countries CAPITAL CITY."
-- also needed: a proper CENTRAL BUS STATION for the countrie's CAPITAL CITY.

acottawa · #60 Posted **Apr 25, 2016, 12:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aylmer

That's dangerous thinkin', boy.
As I was waiting for a bus at Mackenzie to get to the train station today, I must admit that I was fantasizing about what it would be like to not have to make my way out to Ottawa's arsecrack to catch a train...

But one way or another, it will be very interesting to see what becomes of the station after the Centre Block renos - all of a sudden, it will be a freshly-renovated heritage building in the heart of central Ottawa. It will be 2028, so hey, perhaps we'll be talking about a downtown station back then, who knows?

Even if some level of government was willing to pay to pay the big bucks to run a train tunnel parallel to the LRT line (which seems unlikely), I don't think it is a very suitable location. It is a dead end and North American trains are not easily bi-directional (backing in or out in Montreal wastes a lot of time). They would have to build platforms to modern widths (and not the Edwardian widths that were there before) so they wouldn't be able to have many platforms, accessibility is an issue (although maybe the senate renovations may improve that) and it is quite small, particularly given Via's love of long lineups. Plus space is severely constrained by the buildings on the east side of colonel by and the canal.