What do you think of this project?

  • Total voters
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Another twin tower project in Calgary? They really do like to build in twos!

Good on Cowtown to be expanding its skyline in a major way after a slow 5 odd years. I don't think Edmonton should focus on trying to compete in the 200 meter + tower category, we just don't have the corporate base to do so. And for me, I think a series of mid rise buildings with good street interaction does much more for a neighbourhoods vibrancy than a one or two behemoth towers would. If Edmonton continues to densify with infill, build quality mid rises, it will greatly improve the central neighbourhoods of the city.
 
Which is great to see coming, but there is a very real challenge before us in terms of accelerating significant/transformational projects in the Downtown core.
 
IanO said:
Which is great to see coming, but there is a very real challenge before us in terms of accelerating significant/transformational projects in the Downtown core.
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I think the city is putting $30M into Winspear, $40M into Warehouse Park, plus the money into Beaver Hills/MPhair Parks, plus 10s of millions into new Event Centre plus a new dt LRT to Westend.

Is that what you are referring to?
 
Warehouse Park transformational, but i'm talking about major commercial or residential projects.

Those are all positive and a step forward, but at this pace it's going to take another generation before Downtown has anywhere near a critical mass.
 
Edmonton definitely takes the slow and steady approach when it comes to progress. The Ice District and Stationlands finally pushed Edmonton forward but we need to maintain momentum. Our core has so much potential but I think there needs to be a bit more ambitiousness. At least more developers willing to try things. We have some of those but we also have the ones that are willing to see our city stagnant with their big promises but very poor follow through.
 
Calgary is corporate O&G on steroids and their skyline is abnormal for a city of that size. I think Edmonton's skyline and facilities also punches above our weight and having a building as tall as Stantec and the JW is impressive. I'm not really into all the "yahoo" stampede vibe - that type of stuff suits Calgary and their never ending boosterism which is symptomatic of their corporate identity and ranching history. Edmonton should focus on what it does well - the summer festivals and strength of its communities, its public education, support for the arts, UofA etc. However, city admin and developers need to try harder to raise the bar on public safety and making downtown a safer and more engaging place. Also, find out how the downtown library was approved and make the changes needed to ensure something like that is not repeated.
 
Here's the reality: unless downtown is cleaned up and kept clean and does not look like Zombieland, then 'revitalization' will never ever happen. This council and the previous one dropped the ball by not being more assertive in condoning social disorder. This is not an attack on the vulnerable. But with the lack of rules and the free-for-all that was enabled, those who preyed on the vulnerable moved in and claimed the DT prize.

City hall was more worried about appeasing social justice advocates than ensuring the core remains a place for business and entertainment, ensuring the transit and pedway systems are not a 'shelters' for people to consume drugs etc.

Even if we started today, we're looking at least another 20 years before it's the DT we all dream about. But unless there is a more business-oriented council elected, I'm afraid we will be stuck in a vicious circle. (Like, seriously, from a biz perspective, who gets rid of the ability to pay for parking at machines?!)
 
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^ Disagree completely. Very few people are pro-social disorder -- the real debate is how to deal with it. The problem with a get-tough approach downtown is that it simply moves the problem elsewhere. Have you been down Stony Plain Road lately? Social disorder is on the rise and the area is a complete mess, but few seem to care because they don't live there and don't see the human suffering up close.

Downtown needs whole lot more work, but tired solutions based on outdated tropes are not the answer.
 
LOL, ok. We don't have a 'shame' factor anymore in our society, which leads to a lack to responsibility. Listen, let me tell you, i LIVE a life of trauma. But I don't use that as a crux to do harm to myself or my city. And for those with addiction, what is human suffering is allowing an addict choose for themselves, if they want treatment. Of course they won't, they're addicts. If compelled treatment is a step that has to be taken, then so be it.

And it should be known, even among the vulnerable, there are people who are just plain ass.... Just like middle class or rich people can be ass..... My point is they don't want help, they don't wanna play by the rules. Take them away. I don't care what lemon life handed them. My time for compassion is over.
 
roe_ said:
^ Very few people are pro-social disorder
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I can think of at least two here in Vancouver. VANDU, who took government money to fund hard drug use. Then there's the Pivot Law Society, which recently released "Talking Back to the City: A manual for winning — and resisting — local drug policy."
 
The City of Edmonton should replace the high level bridge if it wants transformation. A modern bridge with two way traffic would link the north and south sides better and promote economic development. Right now there's basically a north side economy and a south side economy because of the poor north south transportation corridor. For many living on the south side it's too much of a hassle to get downtown. The mirror that's in use on the high level - that's from the farm isn't it? After the LRT expansion, maybe the bridge is next if the the money isn't squandered on bicycle paths that almost nobody uses for 8 months of the year.
 
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