[Surrealplaces]

The political reality is that there are two choices for edge suburb development:
1) Denser with mixed use nodes and some nod to transit - eg Seton
2) 70s-90s style single family dominated

The idea that Alberta would implement a Toronto/Portland style greenbelt and halt all edge growth is a fantasy. So are massive increases to development fees. Maybe Calgary could pull it off for a few years but I just don’t see a sustainable political coalition at city hall or at the provincial level to pull it off.

I think Nenshi has smartly seen that an “all of the above” approach where we try to do both the densification in the inner city and some densification of the edge suburbs is the best politically feasible outcome from an urban design point of view. He’s suffering from the cost consequences of that path now but I still agree with the strategy.

I don't agree with massive increases either, but some increases would be good, and if done slowly and steadily without causing too much of an outcry it can be done. I'm not sure there's any way to slow down greenfield development other than to manage it and make that development pay more of its fair share. The city has done a decent job of increasing zoning densities in the inner city to allow higher density, and while the progress has been slower than many of us would like, it is at least happening. Having increases in development levies somehow go toward inner city development will help. Wouldn't solve the problem but it would help.

 

[Social Justice]

I agree. If we’re not getting a greenbelt, then forcing new developments to have inner-city level density is the way to go. Now we need to work on making the streets walkable. That will reduce gridlock within the neighborhoods, as more people will be able to make local trips on foot. As for gridlock during commutes, that will build support for more investment in public transit.

To me Seton always seemed like instant urbanism. The pieces are there, but just like you mentioned it isn't walkable.

It's kind of funny...AFAIK, since WW2, North American cities haven't been able to create a greenfield 'high street' that is organic and not faux-ish.

 

[MichaelS]

To me Seton always seemed like instant urbanism. The pieces are there, but just like you mentioned it isn't walkable.

It's kind of funny...AFAIK, since WW2, North American cities haven't been able to create a greenfield 'high street' that is organic and not faux-ish.

I think the high street in University District will turn out pretty nicely.

 

[retrofiturbanism]

I get your liking for low rise/mid rise buildings. I don’t get how you think any developer is going to build 4-6 story building any where in the inner city. The economics just aren’t there. Please explain if you were financing a project like that how you could justify it?

Outside of the Centre city, that is pretty much all that is built. Bridgeland, Crescent Heights, Marda Loop, Hillhurst, Mission, Centre Street North are all seeing lots of 4-6 storey mid rise.

 

[retrofiturbanism]

Five Eleven 6s
Catalyst 6s
Courtyard 33 6s
Avli 7s
South Bank 5s
Windsor 6s
Rhapsody 6s
August 6s
Anthem Memorial 5s
Archer 5s
Spider site 4s
Coco 4s
The Edward 5s
Irvine 6s
Marda 6s
Maple 4s
Mantra 4s
Grow 3s
Lyfe 5s
Radius 7s
Switch|block 4s
Infinity 4s

should I go on?

I was going to respond, but you did it better. Also, lots of condos under construction in the Beltline.

 

[CBBarnett]

I was going to respond, but you did it better. Also, lots of condos under construction in the Beltline.

Agreed - inner city multifamily remains popular. The ownership model is what shows the discrepancy: condos are currently less popular, but purpose-built rentals are huge right now (and account for the majority of current construction). Calgary would require some ~60,000 purpose-built rentals to hit the Canadian average of the 10 largest CMAs. Structural, historic and regional differences will likely prevent us from ever reaching that average, however if only half the gap was closed, and half of purpose built rentals were built inner city, that's 15,000 units (so another whole Beltline worth).

 

[retrofiturbanism]

I am happy this topic came up. Reminds me of how much inner city mid rise we got going on. Marda Loop especially. There are what, 8 buildings currently under construction there (including the 2 on 14th street): Coco, Marda, Spider site, Edward, Courtyard 33, the Certus development on 14th, the development on 34th and 19 street, the one at the far west end of 33rd (north side). And that is in addition to the 4 mid rise buildings built in the last 5 years or so.

Am I missing any?

 

[Surrealplaces]

I am happy this topic came up. Reminds me of how much inner city mid rise we got going on. Marda Loop especially. There are what, 8 buildings currently under construction there (including the 2 on 14th street): Coco, Marda, Spider site, Edward, Courtyard 33, the Certus development on 14th, the development on 34th and 19 street, the one at the far west end of 33rd (north side). And that is in addition to the 4 mid rise buildings built in the last 5 years or so.

Am I missing any?

Just Mantra I think.

Marda Loop's growth has been amazing lately. It feels like it's literally changing overnight.

 

[John Wick]

I’m not sure if it’s been mentioned yet, but the small city parking lot on 14st NW (south of the car wash) has been closed and torn up. This is to make way for a 4-5 storey affordable housing project. It looks like a pretty forgettable building but better than a parking lot I guess.
I really don’t know if 14th street will ever improve much. Perhaps when the project on the National Transmission site gets going.

 

[1875]

dont even think this is ironic

'Breaking point': Home & Away closing on 17th Ave, will relocate

Another Calgary watering hole on 17th Avenue S.W. is closing its doors due to construction woes and climbing property taxes, but the staff at

calgarysun.com

three levels of government putting their big brains together to make things worse while trying to make things better

three for lease signs on what should be one of the best intersections in the city and lululemon is moving as well, a block west two of four corners are basically wastelands. yeesh!

 

[1875]

here a project guaranteed to be finished on time

 

[cameronhowe]

here a project guaranteed to be finished on time

View attachment 191133

this is just the grossest.

 

[Mountain Man]

dont even think this is ironic

'Breaking point': Home & Away closing on 17th Ave, will relocate

Another Calgary watering hole on 17th Avenue S.W. is closing its doors due to construction woes and climbing property taxes, but the staff at

calgarysun.com

three levels of government putting their big brains together to make things worse while trying to make things better

View attachment 191132


three for lease signs on what should be one of the best intersections in the city and lululemon is moving as well, a block west two of four corners are basically wastelands. yeesh!

How the hell is there an asphalt curb and sidewalk there already, they just renovated this stretch of 17th!!!

 

[Surrealplaces]

Do we know what this project is?

410 - 6 St SW
DP2019-1631
2 buildings ranging in height from 44 to 55 storeys (up to 286 metres)
823 units total

This is what we've seen so far. There are some other renderings as around also. Looks like they've drop a tower.

Ah yes, looks like there has been an update based on their latest April 2018 Investor Presentation:
https://killamreit.com/sites/default/files/Killam April 2018 Final_1.pdf

Page 29 of the above document:
View attachment 144018

 

[Social Justice]

How the hell is there an asphalt curb and sidewalk there already, they just renovated this stretch of 17th!!!

I'm pretty underwhelmed with the way the 17th Ave reno's have gone so far.