London Construction - Development News Thread#1

[manny_santos]

What specific cities outside Canada and the United States use Ontario-style zoning? Has anyone been to them personally to see this for themselves? I have been to at least two major cities outside North America and there were commercial establishments on otherwise residential streets. Not massive stores, just little stores selling bottled water, or vegetables, or a small menu of takeout food, or (gasp!) beer. Curiously, in the one city the unemployment rate is a fraction of London's. Locals I talked to couldn't comprehend the concept of having to "drive 10 minutes" to get some of these products. In such cities, owning a car is not a necessity, and public transit is of much greater importance.

Also, nobody has offered a reason why a nail salon is such a bad thing in a residential area. Seriously, the local people should have much bigger things to worry about in life. What about all the summertime pollution coming from the Ohio Valley? I'd get it if there was a strip club, bawdy house, or nuclear storage on the property.

Thankfully in Oakridge, nobody seems to complain about the picture framing establishment operating on a residentially-zoned property. Perhaps the people of Oakridge have their life priorities straight.

[ForestryW]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

What specific cities outside Canada and the United States use Ontario-style zoning? Has anyone been to them personally to see this for themselves? I have been to at least two major cities outside North America and there were commercial establishments on otherwise residential streets. Not massive stores, just little stores selling bottled water, or vegetables, or a small menu of takeout food, or (gasp!) beer.

I just got back from India two weeks ago and I can say that this is true. They do have some land use control mechanisms that could be called "zoning" but they are minimal and rarely enforced. The result is that almost every city is pretty much entirely mixed use. There are businesses on every block and that includes "noxious" industries like tanners and such. Yes it smells (in places) but overall it actually works quite well.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by van Hemessen

I just got back from India two weeks ago and I can say that this is true. They do have some land use control mechanisms that could be called "zoning" but they are minimal and rarely enforced. The result is that almost every city is pretty much entirely mixed use. There are businesses on every block and that includes "noxious" industries like tanners and such. Yes it smells (in places) but overall it actually works quite well.

The two major international cities I have been to are Guadalajara and Mexico City, and both were exactly as you describe. I was in a middle class suburb of Mexico City, and within a 5 minute walk you could buy bread and cake, beer and tequila, tortillas and salsa, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, toiletries, and orange juice. Within that same radius you could go to the bank, buy a television set, go to a take-out taco stand, grab a coffee, and get cigarettes. The suburb was lively. One of the first things that struck me upon returning to London's suburbs was how dead and void of humans and activity it was. It felt like a cemetery.

[haljackey]

Pics from today:







Why dig a hole when the ground is frozen? Wouldn't that be a much more difficult task?
-Or is it easier because the dirt clumps so it's easier to make piles / transport?

Wanted to get to the Renaissance II site today but it twas tough to walk in the snow. Too lazy.

[MolsonExport]

^Waterloo investor photos! RIM! He went absolutely apeshit over the 3 storey project in downtown Waterloo with Shoppers ugh fart as the mainfloor tenant.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

^Waterloo investor photos! RIM! He went absolutely apeshit over the 3 storey project in downtown Waterloo with Shoppers ugh fart as the mainfloor tenant.

eek... hope I'm not turning into him.

I guess if I were I would type in bold and caps and use overly positive sentences, accompanied by lots of etc.

[bolognium]

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2.../17162571.html


By NORMAN DE BONO THE LONDON FREE PRESS

An artists’ weekend market is coming to downtown London.

The former Red Apple store on Dundas St. will become the Metropolitan Market featuring London artists selling their wares every Saturday and Sunday.

“We are already seeing an Internet buzz about this new space. There has been a great response and it will be huge for artists,” and the downtown, said Savanah Sewell, who will manage the new market.

“It is very important to the artists’ community. Artists are always looking for a space to sell their work and this has been lacking.”

The market is expected to open in April and will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

For London’s downtown, it will be a unique space, offering more diversity to the core, said Janette MacDonald, manager of Downtown London.

“This is very cool. We are very excited about it. It is a great use of the space,” said MacDonald. “This is exactly what we are looking for downtown.”

The building was purchased in January 2009 by Chris Kirwin, vice-president and broker with Colliers International in London. He said he had an offer to buy the storefront, but turned it down for a chance to create something unique.

“This is going to be excellent for downtown London. I believe in the downtown and I want to contribute to it. This will become a destination location for downtown,” said Kirwin.

Along with the 10,000 square feet on street level where the market will locate, there is another 27,000 sq. ft. on the upper floors. Kirwin is looking at creating studio space and offices for the upper floors.

MacDonald praised Kirwin for turning down an offer to buy the space, saying he has “a vision” for the downtown.

“Good for him. He has a vision. It has been vacant a long time and that has been a financial burden for him,” said MacDonald.

The vendors will pay a monthly rental fee for their space. Kirwin envisioned the idea after seeing how the city embraced culture through Sunfest, Home County Folk Festival and other arts festivals in the city.

As for the name, it is a nod to the building’s former life as the Metropolitan department store that stood on the same spot. Kirwin found the original Metropolitan sign in storage on the upper floors and will try use it to adorn the market’s exterior.

The building was built about 1890 and was the Canadian headquarters for the Metropolitan Stores Canada.

More recently it has been Bargain Harold’s, Saan and the Red Apple.

Meanwhile, Kirwin also brokered a deal that will see a 45,000-sq.-ft. plaza at 769 Southdale Rd. E. sold to an out-of-town investor. Now 80% vacant, the plaza was sold under power of sale, but the new owner, Hussein Ghaddar of Hamilton, is expected to move three new businesses into the plaza in the spring, said Kirwin.

“It’s a good story, an out-of-town investor believing in London and seeing an opportunity here,” said Kirwin.



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Damn artists. Rejuvenating our ugly, abandoned Dundas St.

I was kind of hoping the old Red Apple would house a downtown grocery store, but this is definitely neat too. One thing that interests me is that this building stretches all the way back to Carling. So fixing up this place will also have a positive impact on Carling's streetscape. And I completely approve of using the old Metropolitan sign. Very cool that this is announced right before Fanshawe's official unveiling of its arts campus.

Here's some pictures because we're on a forum dedicated to people who appreciate urban stuffs:

Metropolitan 1930

http://www.londonfuse.ca/blog/metrop...et-coming-soon

Metropolitan December 3, 2010

[MolsonExport]

Starving artists only have a half a block to cash their cheques at Tim Best's new payday loansharking emporium. They can then drown their sorrows on Best's patio at Friday Light Fights.

[ldoto]

It's official. A campus is coming the core.
Last night councilors agreed to provide Fanshawe College with $20-million for a new arts campus in downtown London.!!!!!!

[Kokkei Mizu]

Originally Posted by ldoto

It's official. A campus is coming the core.
Last night councilors agreed to provide Fanshawe College with $20-million for a new arts campus in downtown London.!!!!!!

That's awesome! Are there any plans as to where it will be yet? Or is that what the $20-million is for?

[MrSlippery519]

Originally Posted by Kokkei Mizu

That's awesome! Are there any plans as to where it will be yet? Or is that what the $20-million is for?

I wish there was more information, see the link at the bottom of my post. If there are more details I cannot seem to find them.

No plans yet to where it will be built or even how big, will they take over existing property and renovate? Build a new building on available land? Or tear down an existing structure to build?

Basically they say 1000 students, and a residence would be in future plans. Seems like they are going to need a pretty large space to me? Thats between 25-50 classrooms would be needed plus office space, etc

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/02/11/17245766.

[Simpseatles]

Wanted to know what you guys think of this new "urban" condo area going up in commie block central.

http://www.nuvocondo.ca/

[Wharn]

Originally Posted by Simpseatles

Wanted to know what you guys think of this new "urban" condo area going up in commie block central.

http://www.nuvocondo.ca/

That stucco concerns me. Other than that, the interiors look pretty nice. Do some of the girls on that website come with the apartments?

[MrSlippery519]

Originally Posted by Simpseatles

Wanted to know what you guys think of this new "urban" condo area going up in commie block central.

http://www.nuvocondo.ca/

Not bad actually, the stucco look could be worse I do not mind it when it's on smaller things like these.

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by Wharn

That stucco concerns me. Other than that, the interiors look pretty nice. Do some of the girls on that website come with the apartments?

I think that there is an "adult massage" parlour on the groundfloor, perhaps.

[ForestryW]

These actually look nice. They'd look even better along a main street.

[Wharn]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

I think that there is an "adult massage" parlour on the groundfloor, perhaps.

Which means we don't have to drive all the way to Toronto or Windsor for one of those anymore; that would make this the most important development since the Hale-Trafalgar overpass.

[sparky212]

News London
Only Fontana knows juicy details of $500M vision
Downtown

By Norman De Bono The London Free Press

But after dropping that half-billion dollar bomb Thursday, Fontana was short on details.

“You will have to wait,” he said at a news conference.

In another big-number moment for the big-numbers mayor — he’s pledged 10,000 jobs over five years, and 2.5% annual tax-base growth — Fontana said he wants to see private-public partnership drive new building in the core region, including the South Street Hospital area, to the tune of $500 million over the next five years.

“We will build the most transformational thing,’’ Fontana said.

“It will happen in the downtown,’’ the mayor said. “Let us define ourselves in a way we have never defined ourselves.’’

The number caught some political and business people by surprise, and reaction was mixed — from head-scratching, to praise.

“I have not heard a thing about this, not a word,” said Coun. Joni Baechler. “I do not know where you would put that much money. Maybe he is more of a visionary than I know.”

The city has already pumped more than $100 million in local tax dollars into the core area, with a mix of developments such as the London Convention Centre, Covent Garden Market, John Labatt Centre and the Forks of the Thames re-development, to name a few.

So what else is there to build? Baechler asked.

“If he can do that, I will be the first to pat him on the back.”

But others praised the notion, saying it’s achievable and about time the city started thinking big.

“it is exciting, we have someone that can at least dream of London reaching that grandeur,” said Jim MacKinnon, president of Labourers Local 1059, the building trades union.

MacKinnon also believes it’s achievable, considering eight apartment and condominium towers have recently been built in the core — $200 million alone in private investment.

“It is not pie-in-the sky,” he said. “Over a period of time, it is a reasonable development target for this city. Look at the South Street hospital — it is a huge asset.”

South Street is an aging hospital complex expected to be demolished, freeing up land south of the core.

If that area is rebuilt, with more residential building downtown, and development from Fanshawe College, the University of Western Ontario and other institutions, it just might happen, he added.

The $500-million vision came at a news conference where Fontana talked about input he’s had from the Mayor’s Economic Council — business and other institutions in the city he refers to as the 10 pillars — on how to grow the local economy.

George Kerhoulas, a commercial realtor with Cushman Wakefield LePage, who sat on the boards for the public library and Covent Garden Market when they were redeveloped, believes the city should look at any investment that creates jobs and grows assessment.

“That would be an enormous investment,” he said of the $500 million. “We should take a hard look at that. But we should only spend public dollars if we can grow assessment and create jobs. If it doesn’t, why bother?”

As for the economic council, the mayor heard from its “pillars” the city needs to make it easier for business in the city, and that all institutions must work co-operatively.

The city will submit a report at the end of April, with an implementation plan based on council suggestions, on how to attract and grow business.

In unrelated economic news, a Chinese delegation looking to locate a solar manufacturing plant in southern Ontario made a London scouting stop Thursday on its tour. “We are in competition, but we will give them a good package,” Fontana said of the meeting with the London Economic Development Corp.

About three other renewable energy businesses are eyeing London as a possible manufacturing site, he added.

“They like our geography, they like the city and we have space to accommodate them,” said Fontana.
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Hmmm I wonder what hes going do with it but half a bill. is always good

[FazDeH]

$500 Million, that's a new city hall and then some right there.

[bolognium]

London Mayor Joe Fontana calls together core stakeholders to brainstorm a big-ticket new vision for the heart of London

By CHIP MARTIN THE LONDON FREE PRESS

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A new city hall.

A new parking garage.

A bigger presence for ­Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario.

The topics will be on the table when Mayor Joe Fontana convenes a downtown summit next month to revive London’s core with potential spending in the hundreds of millions.

“This is a once-in-a-40-year opportunity for us to create something really transformative,” he said.

The core’s biggest landlord said Sunday he’s enthusiastic and wants to be part of it.

“I can’t wait to say ‘How can we help?’ ” Shmuel Farhi said.

The owner of 88 core properties added, “I have faith things will happen this time around.”

Farhi said he thinks Fontana can achieve what others have only talked about.

Fontana plans to bring together all core stakeholders in mid- to late-April to come up with a vision of what downtown can become.

Details will be disclosed closer to the event. The summit follows Fontana’s creation of the mayor’s economic council, the small business task force and his live and online town hall meetings.

Fontana has pledged to help create 10,000 jobs in the next five years and achieve an annual tax rate growth of 2.5%.

The mayor hopes to combine the city’s need for a new city hall, a new parking structure, upcoming private investment and the move of Fanshawe College to acquire core properties into a force for change.

“We have a unique opportunity to look at the public and private sector to bring tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars, to the table to create something we are going to be really proud of and is really going to define London over the next number of years,” Fontana said.

He predicts $500 million of investment is possible.

“The downtown summit is essentially to bring all the parties together to see what in fact we can create in a very, very big way.”

Fontana said he’s become aware of many projects afoot and this is the ideal time to get everyone around the same table.

Bob Usher, president of the London Downtown Business Association and general manager of Covent Garden Market, joined Farhi in welcoming Fontana’s initiative.

“We have to start thinking big,” Usher said, without getting tied up in small issues.

Usher said the core has needed someone to say ,“I have a vision.”

He said a core parking structure is a “key requirement” for revamping downtown because daytime parking is very tight. The market building has a waiting list with 180 names, he said, and he is constantly asked by employers “Can you help us out?”

“There is a real, serious problem with parking,” Usher said. “It has to be part of a downtown master plan.”

Farhi said Fontana’s talk is like a breath of fresh air for a downtown “far from healthy.”

He notes there’s 700,000 square feet of vacant office space of which his company accounts for 500,000 square feet. “That is nothing to be proud of.

“We need to do the right things and attract companies from Toronto, from out of town,” he said.

“He is definitely on the right track,” Farhi said of Fontana. “I believe in his vision. We are excited finally we have people with vision and people who talk the talk and are willing to walk the walk.”

He said previous councils poured about $100 million into the core with the John Labatt Centre, London Public Library and Covent Garden Market and this council can build on that investment.

“I want to be part of this,” Farhi said.

“I am very excited finally we have a mayor who is going to take us to the next level and I hope council will work with him.”