[CplKlinger]

What an interesting analysis/conclusion.

Manage your wholly owned assets until such time as they require significant investment to maintain and modernize, keep in good working order etc., all because you haven't been doing the appropriate maintenance and upgrades that should have been invested in them for decades. Then, to avoid those costs, sell the asset at the bottom of the market while accepting a further substantial discount so the purchaser can complete that work.

Maybe someone could use it as a case study to write a book about how not to manage either your real estate or your staff...

Previous councils chose to neglect CMR, and that is the consequence. Much like how the province has a ton of deferred maintenance because successive governments don't provide adequate funding. Part of the reason, in the city's case, is that per-capita infrastructure funding through MSI/LGFF has dropped from $420 in 2011 to around $150 in 2023, before slightly rising to $180 in 2024. While some of the gap has been covered by project-specific funding, that's exactly the problem: project specific funding has restrictions on how it can be spent, and is often for growth projects (ie LRT and road expansion). LGFF (formerly MSI) is unrestricted capital funding, meaning that municipalities have the flexibility to put it toward important CMR work.

My point stands either way; more office space = either more maintenance costs, or more renewal costs.

 

[Avenuer]

Let's have the City start with bringing workers back to their Downtown offices as that will do a world of good for this 'upswing' of a Downtown.

I'm usually in the office 4 out of 5 days a week (at least 75% of the time) but almost always bring a lunch from home and either bike or walk to work. Parking and lunch are two things I don't have to worry about paying for by doing this.

Am I contributing to 'downtown vibrancy' by going into my office and not leaving until it's time to head home?

 

[trevorhayden]

You are committing crimes against the economy lol

 

[policyenthusiast]

I'm usually in the office 4 out of 5 days a week (at least 75% of the time) but almost always bring a lunch from home and either bike or walk to work. Parking and lunch are two things I don't have to worry about paying for by doing this.

Am I contributing to 'downtown vibrancy' by going into my office and not leaving until it's time to head home?

You're contributing by being Downtown while (presumably) sober. Thank you for your service.

 

[constance_chlore]

It seems to me that what people are lamenting is not just WFH but the demise of a culture where people chat and get coffee/lunch/drinks with their coworkers. I think this is totally worth mourning! I love casually chatting with people at work and I've made a lot of friends through my jobs. These conversations have also inspired a lot of my best ideas. Unfortunately, this culture was in decline well before COVID and returning to the office doesn't mean it's coming back—not without a concerted effort. If people come in and do exactly what they'd do at home but from an office cubicle, it won't make the slightest difference.

 

[Avenuer]

You're contributing by being Downtown while (presumably) sober. Thank you for your service.

Fair point haha

I do go for the odd lunch walk or run to another office to pick stuff up, so during those brief times I guess I'm 'contributing to street vibrancy'...

 

[itom987]

The overwhelming majority of people don't work from home, it's not fair to them that document pushers get this privilege. Those that want to stay working from home should be prepared to accept a reduction in pay.

 

[constance_chlore]

The overwhelming majority of people don't work from home, it's not fair to them that document pushers get this privilege. Those that want to stay working from home should be prepared to accept a reduction in pay.

Some people make more money than me, and it's not fair to me than they get that privilege. Those that make more money than me should be prepared to accept a reduction in pay.

Seriously, this is a strange argument. Whether employees can work for home is between them and their employer. Why should you or I have a say in it? This kind of just feels weirdly resentful.

 

[buildings]

Does anyone have an exact number of the percentage of the entire work force that is still work-from-home? and what's the breakdown of 5/5 days home, 3/5 home, etc? Just seems like a lot of the arguments are based on feelings and perceptions.

 

[Greenspace]

The last I heard from the EDBA that on any given day about 50% of workers are still working from home.

That may have changed September onward. I'm not sure anyone has an accurate up-to-date figure unless they're canvassing all the employers.

 

[itom987]

It isn't fair for the tax paying store owner to be forced out of business because their tax dollars are allowing government employees to work from home. All of you that work from home took the poison pill and are now infected with hoarding hermititus. It is no surprise that you will do anything to keep your habit. No need to pay for clothes and deodorant etc., have everything delivered to you, hoard up your money to spend on vacations in Mexico.

 

[archited]

I think Amazon and the like are more responsible for business closures

 

[David A]

I think Amazon and the like are more responsible for business closures

There are many different reasons, of course it is also easier to get items delivered to your home during the day if you are working there and not in an office.

For some it is a very comfortable existence these days to have Amazon and Uber at their beck and call.

 

[Avenuer]

It isn't fair for the tax paying store owner to be forced out of business because their tax dollars are allowing government employees to work from home. All of you that work from home took the poison pill and are now infected with hoarding hermititus. It is no surprise that you will do anything to keep your habit. No need to pay for clothes and deodorant etc., have everything delivered to you, hoard up your money to spend on vacations in Mexico.

If you have such a probably with people working from home, take that up with the employers that allow it then. I

 

[Gronk!]

Whether employees can work for home is between them and their employer.

Full stop.