General Urban Waterloo Updates and Rumours

[panamaniac]

I have had a lot of dealings with sidewalk policy. The City of Kitchener has 5 policies stating sidewalks should be placed on both sides of the street during all road reconstruction yet councilors still vote on this type of thing. It is no end of frustrating trying to get people to understand and officials to follow policy.

Isn't the priority/points system that was recently adopted a few weeks ago supposed to put an end to that?  Nothing will stop a councillor from arguing against the policy on behalf of his constituents, but in future all the other councillors should be able to point to the "points" and say that settles the question.  Or am I too optimistic?

[kwliving]

Under ideal circumstances, counsellors would explain why sidewalks are important to their constituents at times that the entire counsel did not have to be present.

Hopefully the new system will work as intended, but it is politics and that sometimes can cloud procedure.

[Cmb]

What's everybody's favourite way of finding out what's going on around town? Twenty years ago, the go-to calendars would have been in the Record or the Chronicle for Waterloo events.  There are more than a dozen 'local events calendars', but I'm not sure that every event necessarily is featured in each one.

I think that's a big issue in Waterloo Region as a whole.  I think we do a good job of talking about events here, but there are only so many of us.

What's the solution?

I use the calendar on the City websites. They support community submissions.

http://www.waterloo.ca/en/calendar/Defau...1&Limit=25

https://www.kitchener.ca/en/calendar/Pub...mid_=28783

[Pheidippides]

Some work going on at the building at 19 Regina St N (The Royal Canadian Legion); there is a dumpster out back.

Building permit states applicant is Robertson Simmons Architects and the work is "interior work."

[Pheidippides]

Has there been any news about the proposed phase III (12-14 story tower (upper centre left)) and phase IV (3 story addition (middle right)) of the CIGI campus?
http://www.coopercon.com/newscentre/wp-c...campus.jpg

[panamaniac]

edit:  Wrong thread

[Spokes]

Has there been any news about the proposed phase III (12-14 story tower (upper centre left)) and phase IV (3 story addition (middle right)) of the CIGI campus?
http://www.coopercon.com/newscentre/wp-c...campus.jpg

I haven't heard anything.  I remember thinking when it was proposed, that it would be a long way away if it happened at all

[KingandWeber]

Has there been any news about the proposed phase III (12-14 story tower (upper centre left)) and phase IV (3 story addition (middle right)) of the CIGI campus?
http://www.coopercon.com/newscentre/wp-c...campus.jpg

It is my understanding (based on indirect sources, I'll admit) that they still have a ton of space to fill at the existing building. We likely won't be seeing new phases for many years I would imagine.

[Elmira Guy]

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the corner of Weber & Columbia where the Manulife building was torn down? Seems like a pretty good chunk of real estate to sit empty.

[chutten]

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the corner of Weber & Columbia where the Manulife building was torn down? Seems like a pretty good chunk of real estate to sit empty.

Currently there's a sign up calling it "Manulife Park." I think green space is a valid use of real estate.

[Viewfromthe42]

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the corner of Weber & Columbia where the Manulife building was torn down? Seems like a pretty good chunk of real estate to sit empty.

Currently there's a sign up calling it "Manulife Park." I think green space is a valid use of real estate.

The assessed (taxable) value of the land would have gone down with the destruction of the building. I wonder what the new, lower annual tax rate, multiplied by the number of years it remains unused, would compare to the cost of demolition.

[Elmira Guy]

I'm all for more green space. Seems a slightly odd place for a park, but I've no problem with it. Just curious.

[MacBerry]

I'm all for more green space. Seems a slightly odd place for a park, but I've no problem with it. Just curious.

I am in the camp of "Anytime you can get new green space in a city ... take it!"  Me

Hoping it will last as a park and Manulife donates it as park land to the City of Waterloo to be kept as a park in perpetuity. 

[Pheidippides]

Looks like a demolition fence is up around 72 Erb St E. Any details on plans for the site?

[Pheidippides]

The renovated garage out back of CoupalMarkou (150 King St S Waterloo) has been leased by "The Coach House Therapeutic Centre."

http://www.thecoachhousetc.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/coachhousetherapy?ref=br_rs