[TAS]

When people voted for the 'River' design, these were the images:

Then there was this option:

And finally, this option

 

[TAS]

The original 'river' design definitely had larger rocks and the rocks were shown as water features. Neither of those two features are now the case.

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

Those concept renders are way more inviting than what was delivered, it was clearly value engineered. The "More Green Space, Less Concrete" as the reason to pick the river concept is hilarious in hindsight.

 

[MacLac]

"river" water feature still to come?

I’d presume there’s a dozen or so sprinkler heads buried in there somewhere? Akin to the north plaza? So really just a massive chunk of boring concrete? I’d take the rusty exposed-tetnus-shot-rebar anyday over this $20M slab

 

[Xtend]

How extremely underwhelming. A massive downgrade indeed.
Very on brand for the UCP.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

Well, at least it's basically done.

One less construction site at least.

It's ummmmm, new, that's a positive.

What other positives can I say about it?

 

[scyeg]

I had little faith in this project's ability to improve on what was already there. I wish they had just recreated the original design with all-new concrete.

 

[buildings]

a true fail in my opinion.

 

[Gronk!]

Is pretty much bang on from the final rendering, other than the time of year.

I wonder how it will be activated for the Christmas holiday season.

View attachment 610601

I'll wait until next spring or summer when the water features are switched on.

 

[scyeg]

I'll wait until next spring or summer when the water features are switched on.

It will probably be a lot better in the summer, but that's the problem. Why is a winter city getting designs for parks/public spaces that are only attractive and usable for half the year? Even the renders only ever showed it in the summer. Listen, I hate winter, but part of the problem as a city is we just give up when the snow falls. We lock ourselves inside and say, "see you in the spring!". The Legislature of all places should be embracing all seasons. Can you imagine bringing dignitaries here in the middle of winter and taking them on a wind-swept walk of barren concrete grounds. I guess instead you could take them on a walk outside city ha...oh wait. DESIGN FOR ALL SEASONS. The only place DT that has done this well is the privately-owned Ice District.

 

[IanO]

Maybe now is finally the time put the larger originally intended skating rink on the north plaza and add the Zamboni?

Also, how about that upscale restaurant and cafe to bring people and life to the area for other reasons all season long? It's all roughed in and ready to go.

 

[archited]

What is it about skyrise plebes that they can't wait until a project is finished before opining critiques.

 

[Gronk!]

Maybe now is finally the time put the larger originally intended skating rink on the north plaza and add the Zamboni?

Also, how about that upscale restaurant and cafe to bring people and life to the area for other reasons all season long? It's all roughed in and ready to go.

As long as they can retain the fountains on the north plaza, I'm good with the skating rink.
Where is the restaurant/cafe supposed to be located? I'm wondering if the Haultain building will include a restaurant/cafe space as part of the renovations?

 

[IanO]

^it was always for both uses. The little building on the north(east) side of the plaza has the OHD(garage) for the non-existent Zamboni and the little buildings on both sides are for state rentals and secure storage.

 

[CplKlinger]

^it was always for both uses. The little building on the north(east) side of the plaza has the OHD(garage) for the non-existent Zamboni and the little buildings on both sides are for state rentals and secure storage.

The building with the zamboni garage also has public washrooms and lockers, which are never open to the public. I believe those gatehouse costed $100,000, and the ice rink would have costed $1 million.