Winnipegs needs a new PATH

Illustration from Number 10 Architectural Group on the latest section of the Winnipeg Walkway.



The completed Winnipeg Walkway via second floor of the Delta Hotel.



Map of the Toronto PATH underground walkway.

Winnipeg has recently filled in some of the last sections of its walkway system that traverses the downtown area via second floor overpasses. It has taken nearly 40 years of work to do and runs about 2 kilometers. Our system, modeled on the Minneapolis Skyway System developed in detail in 1959, began ten years after Minneapolis began their efforts to create a counter to the suburban movement of enclosed malls.

In 2010, Minneapolis (and St. Paul next door) have one of the largest skywalk systems in the world. The largest skywalk system could be Calgary's +15 system which runs 16 kilometers versus Minneapolis's 11 kilometer system.

The most recent expansion of the Winnipeg Walkway connected the existing walkway system through to the Winnipeg Convention Centre with an overhead passage from CityPlace Mall to 330 St. Mary, above Hargrave Street, and in front of the Delta Hotel connecting to the established links at the Convention Centre and 155 Carlton. It can be seen in this picture from earlier entry on the Walkway.

I have commented before about the ugliness of some of the second floor overpasses. The ones over Portage Avenue are particularly harsh. While I understand the intent of the skywalks, I often wonder how things might have been done differently.

While researching this article, I found this claim made about Winnipeg's skywalk system.

Wayne Bollman, supervisor of property management for the City of Winnipeg, said the first skywalk, which connects the Medical Arts Building, on the western edge of downtown, to its parkade, was built in 1973.

Clearly, the walkway from Eaton's to the Woolworth building was first as seen in this picture from 1969.

In any event, Winnipeg modeled its skywalk system on what Minneapolis was doing but one wonders if we mimicked Toronto with its PATH underground system.

The Toronto system has evolved into a "28-kilometre subterranean city, which connects more than 50 buildings and office towers, 20 parking garages, five subway stations, six major hotels and City Hall."

I included a picture above to show how extensive it is.

The Toronto PATH system wasn't planned but evolved from the tunnel Eaton's constructed in 1900 from its department store to The Annex, a 10 story office and discount store owned by the company. The next stage happened in 1927 and connected Union Station and the Royal York Hotel.

The linkages in Toronto resumed in the 1970s when some of the large banks were asked to consider underground shopping by planners to mitigate crowded streets above. Some people resisted the idea in favour of Jane Jacob's philosophy of maintaining a vital street level retailing presence.

It was the underground tunnel system that prevailed although the street level does not seem to have been devastated it as a result. Perhaps this has something to do with the densities in Toronto's downtown or the fact that it has multiple forms of well used public transit systems both underground and on the surface through subways and streetcars and trains. However it happened, the results are that the largest underground shopping mall consisting of 1200 stores.

Most of PATH in Toronto is privately owned with some key parts owned by the city. And the future looks bright for the system as even further expansion is planned.

So what bearing does this have for the city of Winnipeg? Well, it seems that our city has both the underground component and the second story component, both of which have had their share of problems.

The difficulties for the Winnipeg system is that downtown is so spread out and we have never had a subway system that would help feed foot traffic below grade as what happened in Toronto. Winnipeg's main underground components are the Civic Centre tunnel system built between 1962 and 1967 and the Winnipeg Concourse and Winnipeg Square built at Portage and Main in 1979.

The Civic Centre tunnels connect City Hall, Public Safety Building, Concert Hall and Manitoba Museum complex. There is no retailing in any of the tunnels between the buildings.

The Portage and Main Concourse, Winnipeg Square and Richardson Concourse are all tunnels built with retailing in the makeover of the famous intersection in 1979 that saw the building of the Trizec complex (now 360 Main Street).

There has been much debate, most of it negative on the coercive move to force Winnipeggers below Portage and Main. And the result has been a retailing experience in Winnipeg Square that is almost exclusively geared to supplying the offices above with quick service restaurants and supplies such as paper, pens and ink cartrides. There are no retailers selling clothes in the 40 plus stores in the mall. Also included in the retailing at Portage and Main is the Richardson Concourse which is undergoing a $10 million renovation along with the surrounding Richardson buildings. There are only 11 stores in this offshoot to the Concourse and they too are mostly retailing and restaurants useful to towers above. A small food-court also sits under the Canwest Tower.

Neither the Winnipeg Concourse or the Civic Centre look to be linked in the foreseeable future due to the distances involved and the amount of heritage buildings that might require quite a lot of work to make their basements suitable for a connection. Still, the idea out to be encouraged. My suggestion is that the Union Bank Tower where Red River College is building their culinary school should be connected to the tunnel system once completed. Likewise, the Pantages Theatre and Manitoba Theatre Centre might makes for another idea linkage in the space between the two buildings.

Winnipeg needs a more uniform plan on connecting buildings. The idea is a sound one although it is quite apparent that skywalks are wholly inappropriate for some sections of the city. Efforts should be made to slowly connect Exchange buildings with underground connections. The skywalk system looks to be the chosen system south of Portage.

There will still be problems with the two approaches but if Winnipeg endeavours to make up a more comprehensive plan, it could attract people to live and shop in the area in a way that doesn't happen today.



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Rental and Housing

The numbers on Winnipeg rental apartments available is dismal and shows no sign of getting better.

The Spring Rental Market Survey Report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. shows that not only does Manitoba have the lowest provincial apartment vacancy rate in the country at 1.0 per cent, but the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment jumped by 4.5 per cent to $816 per month between April of last year and April of this year.

And for Winnipeg:

It had the third lowest overall vacancy rate among the 35 major Canadian cities surveyed, also at 1.0 per cent, the CMHC data shows. And the 4.6 per cent increase in the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Winnipeg was the fifth biggest increase among the 35 cities.

Landlords are realizing the only was to improve the return on their investment is to renovate and be allowed to exceed the rent control limits or to convert to condos. Hardly anyone is building. There are now 673 fewer units this year than last. Only 383 units were built last year. This year looks as bad with only 155 units built so far.

Manitoba will be unable to sustain the immigration growth is to have space for the new people to live. Last year 11,029 people moved to province, many to Winnipeg.

The last 20 years of rent control is failing. If the goal is to keep rent under control, it is failing. If the goal is to ensure supply of rental units, it is failing.

The Manitoba government had to change their tune on a tuition freeze because the universities were about to collapse from it. And so it goes with rent control.

No one is going to build if they can't get a return on investment. And Manitoba won't grow if it doesn't have places for people to live.

We have reached a crisis on housing and the government cannot say it is acting when the numbers are so poor and where it is shown that there are fewer units available on the rental market.



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Charleswood-Tuxedo Candidate Dashi Zargani

Thanks to the Dashi Zargani for his answers to the questions about his candidacy in Charleswood-Tuxedo for the upcoming city election.

Questions for the candidates for Charleswood-Tuxedo Ward

Question 1: What is your name?

Dashi Zargani

Question 2: What is your profession?

I am a Tuxedo businessman, and chef

Question 3: How old are you?

40 years old.

Question 4: Can you tell us about your family?

I have a wife and 3 children all living in the area

Question 5: Why are you running in Charleswood-Tuxedo?

Chareleswood-Tuxedo is my home. I know the people of Charleswood Tuxedo, and if elected, I would represent the people of Charleswood-Tuxedo. I would return every call myself, and hold regular hours in the ward.

Question 6: How long have you lived in the ward?

I have lived in the charleswood area for nearly a decade

Question 7: Have you had any past political affiliations in provincial or federal politics?

While I have most recently been active in Gary Doer’s new democrats, I have been politically active outside political parties most of my life. I would not consider myself to have a political affiliation, just a love for democracy.

Question 8: Who did you vote for in the last civic election both for mayor and councillor and why? How would you rate the last council and mayor?

I voted for Bill Clement for council and Sam Katz for mayor.

Question 9: Do you feel your political views are left, center or right? How would you describe your political views?

I consider myself to be a populist. I believe representatives have a responsibility to bring their constituents views to city hall, and not the other way around.


Question 10: What do you think are the major issues for the city of Winnipeg?

Crime is not a statistic. We need to tackle crime in communities. Community safety is the focal point of my campaign. We can get police into schools, patrolling neighbourhoods and making us safer.

Question 11: What do you think are the major issues for the ward of Charleswood-Tuxedo?

Community Safety, and community infrastructure. I will work with whoever is elected as mayor, and my colleagues in other wards to ensure that Charleswood will neither be taken for granted, or a roadblock to development. Charleswood will get a piece of the infrastructure pie, as well as our fair share of police and first responders to ensure the safety of the ward is second to none.

Question 12: Do you support a continued tax freeze or do you believe that taxes should go up to re-build infrastructure and support programs?

The tax freeze has not hurt municipal coffers. Winnipeg’s property values have skyrocketed. I am opposed to any increase in the mill rate.

Question 13: Do you support cuts in the city of Winnipeg budget? Where?

This city’s bureaucracy needs to start trimming waste. As any Charleswood-Tuxedo resident who has gone down to a permitting office will know, the place is a mess. We need to get our shop in order, and fast, so that money is spent on programs that benefit Winnipeg residents, and not the bloated bureaucracy.

Question 14: Do you support increases in the city of Winnipeg budget? Where?

Once we have cut down on waste, I would spend that money, as well as the increased budget from our growing population on fighting community crime and ensuring community safety. The city should ever spend in deficit, but I would fight to ensure that every new dollar is spent on ensuring the safety of my ward.

Question 15: Do you support an increase, decrease or a freeze in the city budget for police officers? Do you believe we need more police officers? If so, would you support a tax increase for it?

We can increase the number of police officers, as well as the budget that is behind them by cutting out wasteful spending, and putting the money where it counts.

Question 16: What is your view on crime in the city of Winnipeg and what can you as councillor do about it?

I trust our city’s police, they are doing the best they can with the resources we are giving them. The chronic underfunding of Winnipeg’s on the ground police is a wrong that must be righted.

Question 17: Do you support rapid bus transit or light rail transit? Do you have any other ideas for rapid transit? Do you believe Charleswood is well served for public transit?

The debate should not be over what is a better form of transportation. What is needed is the federal dollars to get the project done. When it comes to an investment in the community or city, I wont play politics, ill get the job done.

Question 18: Do you believe a city should fund a zoo? If yes or no, please indicate why. Would you support closing or selling the zoo or ending funding of the zoo?

The Winnipeg Zoo is a treasure. The city of Winnipeg can work with the province and non profits to make the zoo a break even venture so that families will be able to
enjoy this asset

Question 19: Do you believe a city should fund arts and culture? If yes or no, indicate why.

Our community centres, cultural clubs and festivals are part of what make Winnipeg such a great place to live. The thousands of Winnipeggers that flock to the fringe festival, folklorama, jazz festival and hundreds of other events in the city are a market-case for why some funding to start new festivals, centres and groups is a valid use of the public dollar. Seed money should be available for cultural and community events to help them become self sufficient, so that our city’s diversity continues to be celebrated.

Question 20: Do you believe the fire department should have an increase, decrease or a freeze in their budget? Would you support a tax increase for the fire department?

Fire fighters and first responders deserve every dollar that they need to keep our city safe. Fire fighters are heroes, and I would vote for every motion before council that provided them with the things they need to keep our city running smoothly, because if my house catches fire, I don’t want the fire department to be a choked off resource. Fire and rescue services are not a political football. Firefighters know where the best places for stations are, what human and capital resources they need. Fire fighters are the only experts when it comes to fighting fires.

Question 21: Do you believe that roads, water and sewer should receive an increase, decrease or freeze in their budget? Would you support a tax increase for roads, water and sewer?

Winnipeg’s pothole problem is one that needs to be fixed. That being said, throwing money at a problem isn’t always the answer. I would support research and technology improvements to our roads. Russian infrastructure is under similar pressures and fares much better in the winters. It is time we look at why Winnipeg roads are being built on the cheap, and start building them to last.

Question 22: Do you support the present hotel tax?

The city’s tourism industry is incredibly important and if I was presented with a case that sold me that this tax was hurting our tourism industry, i would consider voting against it. However when I travel, Winnipeg hotels seem to be in line or more reasonable with other major cities, and currently I do not believe this tax is affecting our competiveness.

Question 23: Would you support the city of Winnipeg having a sales tax in addition to property tax?

I would never vote for a new tax without removing or reducing an old one. I would support a sales tax only if an equal amount was being taken off of property taxes. I believe that property taxes unfairly target seniors and home owners, and believe that a sales tax would be more fair.

Question 24: Do you think Winnipeg should have a tax cut? If yes or no, explain why?

The provincial and federal government need to give tax relief. The city of Winnipeg provides many of the basic services that people count on. I believe that tax relief has to come from the other levels of government at this time.

Question 25: Do you believe that the present city of Winnipeg budget is adequate for the city of Winnipeg? If yes or no, explain why.

The city’s budget isn’t the problem, its the way the money is used. I would not cut the city budget, but I would cut the city’s waste, and use that money for essential services, such as police.

Question 25: Should education be funded through property tax or through general funds from the province?

This is a question you should ask your school trustee and provincial MLA.

Question 26: Do you support term limits? Will you be serving a term limit even if there are no rules in place? How long will you serve?

We have term limits, they are called elections. I trust the residents of charleswood-tuxedo to decide who they want to serve them, and do not believe it is my place to limit their freedom to choose.

Question 26: Do you think housing should be allowed at The Forks? If yes or no, explain why.

The forks is an incredible development, high-rise condo development at the forks will serve to bring more people downtown, a key component in our downtown revitalization.

Question 27: What changes (if any) should be done to upkeep our city parks and recreation programs?

A strong community policing program will help make out parks safer, and therefore more utilized asset.

Question 28: What do hope to see in the Kapyong Barracks along Kenaston?

This is a key development area for Winnipeg. This housing needs to be turned over to the provincial government for development.

Question 29: Do you support a moratorium on development on old railway lines in favour of rapid transit and bike corridors?

This city needs a vibrant network of rapid transit and trails; the redevelopment of abandoned land is always a good thing.

Question 30: Do you support widening Kenaston to three lanes in each direction?

I absolutely do. With the upcoming IKEA there is going to be more traffic. Hundreds of charleswood-tuxedo resident’s use this corridor, and I believe they will support this project.

Question 31: Do you support the creation of service roads for any further shopping developments?

Shopping development send up providing the city with a permanent source of revenue for future development. We get great bang for our buck with a service road.

Question 32: What is your view on city taxes going to build a stadium for the Blue Bombers and Manitoba Bison?

The city got a great deal on the blue bombers stadium. We should thank the province on this one. I wouldn’t have supported a huge investment using city dollars, but the city’s investment in this project was reasonable.

Question 33: What is your view of a possible call for taxpayer help to expand the MTS Centre? Would you support it?

I support downtown revitalization. More events at the MTS is going to drive more growth in our downtown.

Question 34: What do you believe the city should do to ensure a vital downtown? Do you believe it is important as a councillor to support it?

My first goal as councillor is to fight for investments in my ward. My second goal as council is to take my constituents concerns and bring them to city hall.

Question 35: Do you believe that some city service should be privatized? What services (if any) would be candidates for it?


There is a medium ground. Corporate sponsorships, corporate partnerships and corporate opportunity all serve to get the city taxpayers more bang for their buck. That being said, if your water starts running brown would you rather be knocking on the door of your councillor, who needs you to elect him, or a corporate entity. Public corporations give the public the right to service that doesn’t exist in any other model.

Fun Questions for the candidates for Charleswood-Tuxedo Ward

Question 1: What is your favourite form of recreation?

I love to bike. This city has done great things expanding our bike trails, and biking has never been safer, but there is more to do.

Question 2: Do you have any hobbies?

As a professional chef, people assume I do a lot of cooking. I’m actually more of a builder.

Question 3: Do you support any charities?

I support united way and welcome place, a charity to assist new immigrants settle into Canada.

Question 4: What is your favourite book(s)?

The folklorama tour guide gets to be a pretty dog eared piece of paper right around this time of year.

Question 5: What is your favourite movie(s)?

All drama and family movies.

Question 6: What is your favourite TV show(s)?

I watch the news every night, but other than I keep the television on child friendly programming, and no one running for councillor is going to admit that their most frequented show is blues clues.

Question 7: What is your favourite sport(s)?

I support the bombers, and go to games whenever I can, I also love hockey.

Question 8: Who is the most important person(s) in your life?

My children

Question 9: What is the last sporting event in Winnipeg that you attended?

Baseball at the Goldeyes stadium.

Question 10: What is the last artistic event that you have attended in Winnipeg?

(i.e.: Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage, Plug-in Gallery)
folklorama

Question 11: What is your favourite type of music?

Country music

Question 12: Who is your favourite musician(s)?

Trisha Yearwood

Question 13: Who is your favourite author(s)?

Gordon Sinclair

Question 14: What is the mode of transportation you use daily?

Well being as Tuxedo residents will know, our options are limited. I drive to work every day.

Question 15: Who is the person you admire most outside of your family?

Silvano Platter

Question 16: What school did you graduate from?

Red river College

Question 17: What was the first job you ever had?

Operator of laser machine (cutting steel) at Buhler.

Question 18: What was your dream job growing up?

I always wanted to own my own business. I am so grateful to have been able to achieve that goal.

Question 19: What countries have you visited?

Germany, England, Netherlands, Italy, France

Question 20: Do you have a cottage?

I have tent for camping

Question 21: Do you have a second winter home?

As cold as Winnipeg gets, I’m here with the rest of you.

Question 22: Where was your last holiday and how long were you away for?

It was in England for two weeks.

Question 23: What would be your dream holiday destination?

Greek

Question 24: What languages do you speak?

I speak English

Question 25: What is your favourite dessert?

Ferreira Rocha

Question 26: What is your favourite food?

Seafood specially pickerel

Question 27: What is your favourite restaurant?

Cosmos restaurant at 5114 Roblin BLVD

Question 28: What radio stations do you listen to?

CJOB, Bob99 and Qx104.


Question 29: What local or national newscasts do you watch on TV?

CBC news and CNN

Question 30: What provincial politician do you admire the most?

MLA of Tuxedo Heather Stefanson for her great community work.

Question 31: What federal politician do you admire the most?

Justin Trudeau for bringing energy to federal politics again.

Question 32: Who in history would you want to have dinner with if you were to get the chance?

Sir John A Macdonald.

Question 33: Who is your secret celebrity crush?

Shania Twain

Question 34: Which are better dogs or cats?

Well dogs are loyal, which I appreciate. Loyalty is a two way street.

Question 35: What is your favourite season of the year?

Summer



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Manitoba Hydro

Manitoba Hydro's proposed line.

Manitoba Hydro has produced their choice for route for the proposed hydro line down the west side of the province.

A few NDP blogs have indicated that this is now the justification for going down the west side. It isn't. Manitoba Hydro indicated very early on their choice at the beginning was to build down the east side of the province.

The NDP government said that this wasn't going to happen so Hydro made its proposals for the west side. Much of this was motivated by the desire to get a UNESCO designation for the site. The problem is that the drive to produce a road through the area seems contrary to keeping the location pristine.

My guess is that the issue of the roads is going to be an issue as they ramp up in construction. If a road is permissible, why not the hydro line? Moreover, once the permanent road is built, it is easy to see eastern communities requesting hydro lines to connect to their now diesel fueled electric and heat buildings. What will the NDP government say to that? No?

The expense of the line will not go away. There will be some heated battles all along the private land to get right of ways.

The election will fought and won in Winnipeg. If people in Winnipeg think that the hydro line is on the west side for politics despite the cost, it will be hard for many to support it. And if people who are environmentalists think that the government is pushing a road that they believe is just as bad or worse, there will be a sense of betrayal for many who might have voted for them in the next election.



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Store and Restaurant Wish List

Victoria Secret.



Marshalls store coming to Canada soon.

The Free Press once did a wish list of stores and restaurants that Winnipeggers wanted to see in the city. Some of those wishes have been fulfilled, some have not. And in the last while, we have lost a few stores that people liked including the Disney store and Linens and Things.

In recent weeks, we have heard that several U.S. and international stores are looking to build in Canada or expand their locations in Canada. The latest is Marshalls, a fashion retailer.

They are not the only retailers indicating that they are considering coming to Canada. Also planning to build in Canada are Target, Juicy Couture and Victoria Secret.

In recent months, Winnipeggers were teased by the story that H&M was coming to Winnipeg. The story proved premature.

Lowe's has announced expansion into every western province except Manitoba.

TGI FRidays opens at the airport this year.

I have no idea what people in Winnipeg want today but I will list a number of stores and restaurants and will include any others people throw out there.

Restaurants:

Outback (already in Alberta and in Ontario although many closed in that province in 2009)
Hard Rock Cafe (in some Canadian provinces)
Chili's (already in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta)
Rainforest Cafe (already in Ontario)
Ruby Tuesday (already in Ontario)
Sweet Tomatoes

Stores:

Target
Lowe's (in Ontario and soon to be every western province but Manitoba)
Victoria Secret
Juicy Couture
Crate and Barrel
J Crew
Brooks Brothers

I will add more stores and restaurants over the next days.



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Tuxedo Park Shopping Centre Part 3

It will be a sad day for some when Salisbury House restaurant closes at the Tuxedo Park Shopping Centre.

I have eaten there many times in the past but so often in recent years. The restaurant has been at its Tuxedo location for 27 years. I can imagine that some people are upset and with the closure, there will be very little in the way of eating establishments aside from Starbucks.

By all accounts it is a busy place but it wasn't enough to appeal to the managers of the mall who probably thought that a better class of clientele with a faster turnover of parking spaces lay in choosing the the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission's Liquor Mart expansion into the restaurant's space.

The 2,613-square-foot space will now be renovated into a full size Liquor Mart.

I can remember the petition several years ago that the MLCC undertook to get approved for a location at Tuxedo. There were some initial reservations. It looks as if those concerns have been swept aside in the last few years.

NewWest Enterprise Property Group has been upgrading the mall for some time. The Mac's store was discarded some time ago and now it will be followed by the Sal's in December.

The mall is filled to the rafters so there isn't a spot elsewhere that Sal's could move to. There is probably a need for place like Sal's in the River Heights/Tuxedo/Charleswood area given the seniors in the area but there is no spaces available until Charleswood. Senior's in Charleswood have been using the McDonald's at the Charleswood Shopping Centre Plaza for some time as a gathering spot.

It is possible that a Sal's could succeed at the Charleswood mall if the owner's of Sal's were willing to make that investment. My suggestion would be a restaurant in the parking lot.

Edit: Forgot to add that Salisbury House is building a 150 seat store in the former location of Longhorn's Texas Steakhouse (the Branigan's before that) on Leila Street in Garden City. It will also serve as their new headquarters as they move from St. James.



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Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport Part 5

The Grand Hotel to be built in 2012.



The future Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport



Arrivals area of Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport



Departures level of new terminal at Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

I've been to the airport a few times in the last months and each time there have seen the progress on the creating the new terminal. It won't be long before building opens to the general public.

The above pictures show what the layout and amenities will be for each floor.

I remember a time when I found the old terminal to be old fashioned with its modern art walls and limestone walls and floors. I still think the art takes getting used to but I've found the building is functional and efficient and the second floor retailing is fairly good. Overall though, given the needs of security and in the interests of comfort, the airport has been adequate although not particularly flashy or filled with some of the extras that some other airports have.

Over the last few years, a number of hotels have been constructed in the airport area to service as well as complement the Polo Park shopping district. The Sandman Hotel took an awful long time to build but came into service in 2007. It also came with Winnipeg's first CHOP restaurant and a return of Denny's to the city. The hotel sits along Sargent Avenue which to this day still have above ground hydro lines which mar the sight-lines of the street. One wonders why the city couldn't get developers like Rona, Superstore and others over the years to help pay to bury the lines.

I won't review hotels here. Everyone has different price points and looks for different amenities and service can be an issue so I will refrain from commenting. The only thing I will say is that newspapers stories and anecdotal evidence suggests that airports are often a target for car break-ins or thieves. The Sandman has been no different on this count.

The Greenwood Inn and Suites just north of the Sandman on Wellington has the benefit of being on the street that leads to the main entrance of the airport. It was built in 2000 and is part of a trend to place more suite hotels in the city for those who might be in the city for a longer stay and might require additional room services.

Also built in 2000 was the Four Points by Sheraton at the airport. It is presently the only hotel on airport grounds and is currently being expanded to service the new terminal.

All of the current construction at the airport has triggered construction of three more hotels in the area. The first is the MainStay Suites on Route 90 close to Sargent Avenue. It is scheduled to open in October. Construction has also begun on Marriot Fairfield Inn on Ellice Avenue. I haven't seen where this one is actually located but will check it out next time in the area.

The last hotel to be built is the Grand Hotel for 2012. This is supposed to be a boutique hotel of the highest level. The picture of what it is to look like appears above.

One hotel that still seems to be standing is the former Howard Johnson. It still has Howard Johnson signage on it. Hard to tell what is happening there.

The three hotels being built will join the 12 already in the airport/Polo Park area.



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Kraut King

Today was the last day for the Kraut King restaurant to operate downtown on Garry Street. Both owners complained about drunks and violence driving their business away.

From Global News

Co-owner Raven Thundersky tells Global News going to work can be terrifying.

“Having the phone to my ear, calling 911 and a machine kicking in, and seeing four guys from the hotel down the street coming towards us and thinking I’m dead, we’re dead.”

Even the Global News reporters had to call the police about threats when they were doing their reports.

One of the owners reported being assaulted and robbed. The other owner thought her own life was at risk.

It wasn't too long that Wild Planet was driven out of the downtown. It isn't acceptable that businesses are being driven out by danger.

This isn't the perception of danger either but actual danger that is not just anecdotal but shown in statistics.

All candidates in the coming federal, provincial and civil elections will have to address in specifics what they think should be done. Sam Katz has been mayor for a while. The problem is worse now. He can't simply pass the buck when Winnipeg stands out as trending in the opposite direction on crime. Greg Selinger can't ignore the situation either. No elected MLA or councillor in the city can say that they are doing all they can when things are said to be worse, not better.

Results are going to be the proof that people look for and we are not seeing that when hardworking business people and their clients flee and area of the downtown.



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Good Bye Lord Selkirk II

Lord Selkirk II rusting away.



River Rouge and it snazzy blue colours.



Paddlewheel Princess.



Paddlewheel Queen.



There was a time when you could watch the River Rouge, Paddlewheel Queen, Paddle Wheel Princess and Lord Selkirk II ply the Red and sometimes the Assiniboine Rivers.

The Lord Selkirk II has not sailed the rivers or Lake Winnipeg since 1986. The ship has sat rusting around Selkirk for ten years. Now, it has been announced that the ship that once carried the Queen will be scrapped and sold for its metal parts.

The ship, commissioned in 1970, cruised Lake Winnipeg for many years. It was a majestic ship but at some point, new owners decided to make a go of it in competition with the river boats that did short afternoon and evening tours around Winnipeg. It proved too hard a task to make money at and the ship was retired.

Now, the three remaining river boats in Winnipeg have had to contend with high waters that have made their seasons even shorter.

It has become a regular occurrence that the ships cannot even cruise through most of the city.

Let's hope that the fate of the Lord Selkirk II doesn't befall any of the others ships.

There is a site dedicated to the Lord Selkirk II here.



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Roblin Boulevard 6

The new company in the former Charleswood Technical Center is Sirius Benefits Plans



The Food Studio is now joined by Ethos Realty on the second floor



The former Charleswood Technical Center

The former Charleswood Technical Center underwent a makeover in the winter and spring of 2010 and the building appears to have one tenant called Sirus Benefits Plans.

It would appear that Sirius had previously occupied second floor offices in the Tuxedo Park Shopping Mall.

Ethos Realty now occupies the second floor of the Food Studio building that was previously occupied by a market research company.



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Main Street Part 1

Two pictures of the completed Winnipeg Regional Health Authority building on Main Street.






Two artists drawings of the United Way building being built downtown

Main Street has seen some large institutional organizations build storefront operation on the street. The first to go up was the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority headquarters. While the 219 workers to the area were certainly welcome, the final design of the $30 million building left many disappointed.

The initial design seemed to offer some hope that storefront commercial space would be available. However, when the building was constructed, the commercial space in the WRHA was gone and parkade entrances took their place. The project upon completion is a near city block of nothing for the average pedestrian. One wonders what the workers inside think about their prospects of sitting outside for their lunch. There are a few good restaurants about but none in a storefront on the building itself. The entire area of Main north of Logan is now a long stretch of walking to find a shop or a bite to eat.

It is no wonder that people often feel duped when they see the building now. For stories, 80,000 square feet of space and 219 workers feels like a squandered opportunity.

Still, I am convinced of the arguments some made for turning the old Epic and Starland theatres into artist or cultural centers. Winnipeg already had far too many theatre buildings starved for funds, attractions and artists to make that work. The buildings were slowly falling apart and to pedestrians and commuters alike, it seemed to emphasize the blight. I appreciate that artists were turning some parts of the area around but I don't think it was going to happen fast enough to keep those buildings from falling into the street.

The WRHA is an example of "woulda, coulda, shoulda." It could have been so much more.

Still, we are left with the hand dealt and the fact is that there are opportunities now for attracting the 200 workers in the building. Let's see if we can see a few business people capitalize on that.

The United Way building is now under construction. I'll reserve comment until the final construction but it looks good in initial design. Ir replaces a surface parking lot, Chinese restaurant and pawn shop. The location between Pacific and Alexander on Main Street. Only 20 parking spaces are going to be available for the site and the total cost of the move will be about $10 million. I'm not sure how many employees or volunteers will be using the building at the moment.

Tentative opening of the new location is July 26. I will post more information as it comes available.

One thing I can say is that the United Way building makes sense and seems to have been done with more sympathy and in concert with the surrounding area.



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Fun Questions for the candidates for Charleswood-Tuxedo Ward

Fun Questions for the candidates for Charleswood-Tuxedo Ward

Question 1: What is your favourite form of recreation?
Question 2: Do you have any hobbies?
Question 3: Do you support any charities?
Question 4: What is your favourite book(s)?
Question 5: What is your favourite movie(s)?
Question 6: What is your favourite TV show(s)?
Question 7: What is your favourite sport(s)?
Question 8: Who is the most important person(s) in your life?
Question 9: What is the last sporting event in Winnipeg that you attended?
Question 10: What is the last artistic event that you have attended in Winnipeg? (i.e.: Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage, Plug-in Gallery)
Question 11: What is your favourite type of music?
Question 12: Who is your favourite musician(s)?
Question 13: Who is your favourite author(s)?
Question 14: What is the mode of transportation you use daily?
Question 15: Who is the person you admire most outside of your family?
Question 16: What school did you graduate from?
Question 17: What was the first job you ever had?
Question 18: What was your dream job growing up?
Question 19: What countries have you visited?
Question 20: Do you have a cottage?
Question 21: Do you have a second winter home?
Question 22: Where was your last holiday and how long were you away for?
Question 23: What would be your dream holiday destination?
Question 24: What languages do you speak?
Question 25: What is your favourite desert?
Question 26: What is your favourite food?
Question 27: What is your favourite restaurant?
Question 28: What radio stations do you listen to?
Question 29: What local or national newscasts do you watch on TV?
Question 30: What provincial politician do you admire the most?
Question 31: What federal politician do you admire the most?
Question 32: Who in history would you want to have dinner with if you were to get the chance?
Question 33: Who is your secret celebrity crush?
Question 34: Which are better dogs or cats?
Question 35: What is your favourite season of the year?



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Election 2010

I have collected the email addresses of the Charleswood-Tuxedo candidates and will be sending it to each of them in due course. I will also compile a lost of fun questions as well to see who they are as people rather than just as candidates.

I don't know who I will vote for in the election in the Charleswood ward. They are all new and deserve a chance to be heard. I will make my decision once I hear something about the candidates.

I don't know who to vote for in terms of the mayor either. I have not voted for Sam Katz in any of his campaigns for mayor. My reasons for this is that I didn't really hear a platform that gave me a sense of vision for the city. I am not rushing to Judy Wasylycia-Leis since I'm not hearing a platform from her either and I am concerned that she will be beholden to her NDP counterparts at the provincial level.

I am left bereft when it comes to mayor. I will wait to see what I see but it might be that I am left with no one to vote for.

In interest of disclosure, I ran as a Liberal provincially in 1988 and worked for the Liberals as an assistant until 1989. I have left my Liberal memberships lapse both provincially and federally but still donate monthly to the federal Liberals. My lapse is not necessarily a reflection of my lack of support but the fact that I am trying to establish myself in a new profession and don't have as much time. That, and a desire to have a family in the next while has limited a more involved political commitment.

I am centrist. I lean to a more fiscal conservative policy that asks if the taxpayer is being best served. I am a social Liberal in that I believe in a live and let live policy. I have an interest in labour and management working well together. I want to make sure that self interest doesn't derail initiatives that are good for the general public. However, I don't believe that a initiatives should be bulldozed through without consulting.

There is going to be some substantial changes in council this election. For many years we have had the same fights with the same people time and time again. It will be interesting to see what is in store for the city in the future.

I hope the questions I have posted and the answers that come give insight into the people we might choose to represent us.



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Questions for the candidates for Charleswood-Tuxedo Ward

Questions for the candidates for Charleswood-Tuxedo Ward

Question 1: What is your name?

Question 2: What is your profession?

Question 3: How old are you?

Question 4: Can you tell us about your family?

Question 5: Why are you running in Charleswood-Tuxedo?

Question 6: How long have you lived in the ward?

Question 7: Have you had any past political affiliations in provincial or federal politics?

Question 8: Who did you vote for in the last civic election both for mayor and councillor and why? How would you rate the last council and mayor?

Question 9: Do you feel your political views are left, center or right? How would you describe your political views?

Question 10: What do you think are the major issues for the city of Winnipeg?

Question 11: What do you think are the major issues for the ward of Charleswood-Tuxedo?

Question 12: Do you support a continued tax freeze or do you believe that taxes should go up to re-build infrastructure and support programs?

Question 13: Do you support cuts in the city of Winnipeg budget? Where?

Question 14: Do you support increases in the city of Winnipeg budget? Where?

Question 15: Do you support an increase, decrease or a freeze in the city budget for police officers? Do you believe we need more police officers? If so, would you support a tax increase for it?

Question 16: What is your view on crime in the city of Winnipeg and what can you as councillor do about it?

Question 17: Do you support rapid bus transit or light rail transit? Do you have any other ideas for rapid transit? Do you believe Charleswood is well served for public transit?

Question 18: Do you believe a city should fund a zoo? If yes or no, please indicate why. Would you support closing or selling the zoo or ending funding of the zoo?

Question 19: Do you believe a city should fund arts and culture? If yes or no, indicate why.

Question 20: Do you believe the fire department should have an increase, decrease or a freeze in their budget? Would you support a tax increase for the fire department?

Question 21: Do you believe that roads, water and sewer should receive an increase, decrease or freeze in their budget? Would you support a tax increase for roads, water and sewer?

Question 22: Do you support the present hotel tax?

Question 23: Would you support the city of Winnipeg having a sales tax in addition to property tax?

Question 24: Do you think Winnipeg should have a tax cut? If yes or no, explain why?

Question 25: Do you believe that the present city of Winnipeg budget is adequate for the city of Winnipeg? If yes or no, explain why.

Question 25: Should education be funded through property tax or through general funds from the province?

Question 26: Do you support term limits? Will you be serving a term limit even if there are no rules in place? How long will you serve?

Question 26: Do you think housing should be allowed at The Forks? If yes or no, explain why.

Question 27: What changes (if any) should be done to upkeep our city parks and recreation programs?

Question 28: What do hope to see in the Kapyong Barracks along Kenaston?

Question 29: Do you support a moratorium on development on old railway lines in favour of rapid transit and bike corridors?

Question 30: Do you support widening Kenaston to three lanes in each direction?

Question 31: Do you support the creation of service roads for any further shopping developments?

Question 32: What is your view on city taxes going to build a stadium for the Blue Bombers and Manitoba Bisons?

Question 33: What is your view of a possible call for taxpayer help to expand the MTS Centre? Would you support it?

Question 34: What do you believe the city should do to ensure a vital downtown? Do you believe it is important as a councillor to support it?

Question 35: Do you believe that some city service should be privatized? What services (if any) would be candidates for it?



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Corner Cars

Corner Cars in Hoboken, New Jersey.

The first private-public partnership for cars between a municipality and a car-sharing company has taken off in Hoboken, New Jersey.

The objective is to get people in that city to give up their cars and their parking pass in favour of shared cars.

This is a program to watch and we should know how successful it is in the next months.



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Toews Lake

Cpl. Michael James Alexander Seggie.

There has been some controversy regarding the quick naming of a lake to honour Jonathan Toews for his Stanley Cup win.

While the province seemed quick to have politicians give out the honour, they are no where to be found now. Chief of protocol Dwight MacAulay is out there taking the heat from the family of Cpl. Michael James Alexander Seggie who are questioning why they have to wait so long to receive a similar honour.

McCawley on CBC Radio's morning program explained there was no double standard in giving Toews the award and said that the fallen soldiers will be honoured. However, he admitted the families had not been contacted about it. There was some confusion as to how long families have to wait for a geographical landmark to be named with the Free Press saying three years and McCawley saying five years on the radio. However, McCawley says the province is not bound by that timeframe.

McCawley went on to say on radio that he wished the families had come to him about what was going on before this controversy started. He backtracked though and said the province should have gone to the families instead and told them when honours were planned.

One interesting note was that McCawley said he doesn't know exactly how Toews came to be chosen quickly for a lake naming. He said he was "in the room." Think that was his way of saying the decision was made at the political level.

My thoughts on this: I have no problems with naming a lake after a sports hero. The problem I have is that the families of soldiers were not told when their sons and daughters would receive their honours. It looks bad and looks even worse when the politicians steer a civil servant out to explain that there is no fast track when it is obvious there is.

Greg Selinger is where the buck stops with this one and he should have called the families. Bad form.



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Beer Snake Boogie

The Winnipeg Blue Bomber beer snake.



Beer Snake from a cricket game in Australia in 2008

No, Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans didn't invent it. However, it is fair to say that they really have made it take off in Canada.

Beer Snakes have been around since 2004. They say some of the longest beer cup stacking snakes was around 23 metres. From what I saw on TV at the last Bomber game, I think they had the length beat.

It looks like Blue Bomber management will put an end to the fun.

Given the cups flying around in that section, I guess we shouldn't be surprised.

Section S had always been rowdy. My guess is that they will find something else to do that will bring attention of management. Some things will never change.



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Assiniboine Avenue

The artist drawing of Heritage Landing.



Outline of the new Crystal Developments property.



Blueprints of Heritage Landing.

It is no easy task being a developer when it comes to downtown development. If you express and interest in building some place, you have to jump through numerous hoops. And so it went with Crystal Developments who at first wanted to build at Fort and Assiniboine in 2008 but backed off when prominent citizens lobbied to have the land set aside for a historical park.

I felt it was a real shame that the only time that a group got together to protect the site is when someone expressed interest in it.

I had no problem with the idea of a historical park to represent Winnipeg's history from its origins at Upper Fort Garry. What is did have a problem with is how slapdash and late to the party it was.

Thankfully, Crystal Developers wasn't completely chased away but two years to be able find a project to replace what was lost is a little much.

The announcement of the a new highrise between the Midtown Bridge and Bonnycastle Park and bordering the Assiniboine Avenue is the first 20 story plus building built in the downtown in two decades.

The new project called Heritage Landing will rise 22 stories above the Assiniboine River. It will have eventually have around 300 people calling its 209 residential units home.

The project probably won't see any major work done till late 2011 based on some of the challenges presented by hydro lines and river location.

Let's hope that the every other project to bring residents downtown doesn't take just as long.



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