[TAS]

Residents are a big key, but as IanO mentioned, we need at least twice the amount, maybe even triple the amount. There's a critical mass that brings about more retail, and more retail brings more people into downtown and more people out of there apartments. More events is another thing, but I'm guessing it'll come with more people living downtown.
I know so many people who don't want to come downtown, even for events. The suburban folks' perception of downtown isn't a good one, but double the population, add retail, and things could change.

Certainly, we need to increase downtown population significantly. And continue with Wihkwentowin, too.
But what will also help are those communities nearby the core that have been stagnant for so long - Queen Mary Park, McCauley, Westmount, Inglewood, Grovenor, Crestwood, Prince Rupert, Spruce Avenue, Alberta Ave, Parkdale, Central McDougall etc. - along with those nearby communities south of river.
Since my friend moved closer to downtown in Ritchie, he's been downtown a lot more often - usually on his bike.

 

[thommyjo]

Certainly, we need to increase downtown population significantly. And continue with Wihkwentowin, too.
But what will also help are those communities nearby the core that have been stagnant for so long - Queen Mary Park, McCauley, Westmount, Inglewood, Grovenor, Crestwood, Prince Rupert, Spruce Avenue, Alberta Ave, Parkdale, Central McDougall etc. - along with those nearby communities south of river.
Since my friend moved closer to downtown in Ritchie, he's been downtown a lot more often - usually on his bike.

Infill, bike infrastructure, and improved transit 100% helps the catchment area grow for downtown vibrancy. The more people who are 10-15 minutes from downtown by transit and bike will help a lot. Significant infill in all these areas is certainly happening. The quarters being the biggest issue still…

 

[constance_chlore]

We all talk about more residents being the solution for downtown, and I agree. But, I always found paradoxical, after living in 104st and walking on a Sunday, how empty and desolate it feels, even with all the tall apartment towers there.

I know we already have 10-20k residents living in downtown, so adding 20% or more will really make the difference? I hope yes, and our downtown enters into a virtuous cycle, specially with all the exciting projects before the decade ends.

Even downtown, and even when it's not -20, a lot of folks will just drive from one parkade to another without really stepping outside. It's terrible for street life. This is why I'm glad Westrich and others are beginning to experiment with reduced/no parking.

 

[archited]

beginning to experiment with reduced/no parking

I believe this has much more to do with bottom line savings otherwise one would expect to see improvements in other areas -- simple areas like better overall design.

 

[constance_chlore]

I believe this has much more to do with bottom line savings otherwise one would expect to see improvements in other areas -- simple areas like better overall design.

Oh, I'd totally believe that the reason is economic, but that doesn't mean that there won't be benefits for downtown to having a large number of new car-free residents.

 

[David A]

Even downtown, and even when it's not -20, a lot of folks will just drive from one parkade to another without really stepping outside. It's terrible for street life. This is why I'm glad Westrich and others are beginning to experiment with reduced/no parking.

Perhaps that is partly why older cities that have more warehouse loft conversions with limited parking have more vibrant downtowns. While it is nice to have heated underground parking, it sure doesn't help downtown vibrancy.

 

[archited]

Oh, I'd totally believe that the reason is economic, but that doesn't mean that there won't be benefits for downtown to having a large number of new car-free residents.

Gotcha! One would think that a conscientious developer nonetheless would work to put some street-activators into their design to enhance the pedestrian realm, especially if they were saving money on parking -- maybe work to provide some retail or hospitality instead of excusing it saying that downtown retail is DOA.

 

[Gronk!]

Glass Cafe still hasn't opened yet. I hope it will happen sometime this year.

Nearby, opening soon in the NE corner of Jasper Ave and 101 Street

 

[Markyeg]

What a waste of space at one of downtown’s most prominent corners. We needed a cafe/restaurant in this space to help create foot traffic, not a nail salon.

 

[IanO]

Beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Oilguy]

Beggars can't be choosers.

True, but hard to see this being a success as well. Just a weird location for it.

 

[Gronk!]

What a waste of space at one of downtown’s most prominent corners. We needed a cafe/restaurant in this space to help create foot traffic, not a nail salon.

So would I, however a beauty salon would be far better than an empty CRU.

https://www.instagram.com/malva_beautycenter/

 

[johnnyboy]

I hope their clients are strong active or public transit proponents.

 

[arhinosaurus]

K - I'm a longtime lurker - but this lamenting a nail salon forced me to join. What is wrong with a nail salon? I love to hit up the local salon when I go travelling as a treat for myself. Maybe not on par with a resto/cafe - but a successful nail salon will generate good traffic.

 

[David A]

K - I'm a longtime lurker - but this lamenting a nail salon forced me to join. What is wrong with a nail salon? I love to hit up the local salon when I go travelling as a treat for myself. Maybe not on par with a resto/cafe - but a successful nail salon will generate good traffic.

Given there is a coffee place supposed to be opening just a few doors down, a Tim Horton's less than a block away and a Starbucks in nearby Commerce Place, it makes sense for something else than a cafe to be here now.

While you can argue about their quality, our downtown does have quite a few cafes and restaurants already, what we seem to lack is other things.