From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
Subject: Re: Transit Development Open House July 29
To: talk@kick.fm
Date: Monday, August 2, 2010, 5:26 PM
Hi Marty
On Thursday July 29th I attended an open house for the Transit Development in Fort Rouge for the BRT at the Lord Roberts Community Centre 725 Kylemore. This open house was put on by the developer Lexington Development Corporation which ran from 5:30-7:30p.m.
As I approached the Community Centre on Kylemore, I was stopped by a couple who lived only a few doors down from the centre. The couple were sitting out on their front steps watching all the traffic. They asked me what was going on, if it had anything to do with a potential closure of the centre. I informed them of the open house and asked if they had been informed of this event. The reply was "no, they hadn't heard about it". I was told they had not received any flyers, nobody had contacted them, nor had their neighbours heard anything about this open house, they decided to check out the open house.
I arrived at the Lord Roberts Community Centre at about 5:45pm and saw no signs advertising the open house. In fact, when I approached the community centre I didn't know which door to enter. There was not even a standard size piece of paper to indicate exactly where the open house was taking place. Many, including myself ended up in the day care until we were pointed in the right direction by the staff. I asked one consultant who was in charge of putting up signs and was told it was the Community Centre.
Number of people attending the event was likely somewhere between 50-70,
According to Lexington Development Corporation the purpose of this open house was gather input and comments from the community with regards to the preliminary plans for this area. The consultants on hand did indicate that these plans are open to change based on the input from the community. This development is set to take place between Argue and the rail yard with approximately 1150 units available.
These tentative plans include a row of three story apartment buildings followed by two fourteen story buildings and at least one twenty story building. These buildings will be multi-use, with the main levels being more commercial and will be built within an easy walk of the new BRT line. The plans for this area are designed to be pedestrian friendly, actively encouraging people to walk.
The current bike path on Argue will be moved to the front of the BRT station and according to Bill Menzies of Winnipeg Transit, the bike path will be owned by Transit. although that number is estimated as there was no sign in sheet and I could not get numbers.
On Thursday July 29th I attended an open house for the Transit Development in Fort Rouge for the BRT at the Lord Roberts Community Centre 725 Kylemore. This open house was put on by the developer Lexington Development Corporation which ran from 5:30-7:30p.m.
As I approached the Community Centre on Kylemore, I was stopped by a couple who lived only a few doors down from the centre. The couple were sitting out on their front steps watching all the traffic. They asked me what was going on, if it had anything to do with a potential closure of the centre. I informed them of the open house and asked if they had been informed of this event. The reply was "no, they hadn't heard about it". I was told they had not received any flyers, nobody had contacted them, nor had their neighbours heard anything about this open house, they decided to check out the open house.
I arrived at the Lord Roberts Community Centre at about 5:45pm and saw no signs advertising the open house. In fact, when I approached the community centre I didn't know which door to enter. There was not even a standard size piece of paper to indicate exactly where the open house was taking place. Many, including myself ended up in the day care until we were pointed in the right direction by the staff. I asked one consultant who was in charge of putting up signs and was told it was the Community Centre.
Number of people attending the event was likely somewhere between 50-70,
According to Lexington Development Corporation the purpose of this open house was gather input and comments from the community with regards to the preliminary plans for this area. The consultants on hand did indicate that these plans are open to change based on the input from the community. This development is set to take place between Argue and the rail yard with approximately 1150 units available.
These tentative plans include a row of three story apartment buildings followed by two fourteen story buildings and at least one twenty story building. These buildings will be multi-use, with the main levels being more commercial and will be built within an easy walk of the new BRT line. The plans for this area are designed to be pedestrian friendly, actively encouraging people to walk.
The current bike path on Argue will be moved to the front of the BRT station and according to Bill Menzies of Winnipeg Transit, the bike path will be owned by Transit. although that number is estimated as there was no sign in sheet and I could not get numbers.
There was no representation at this open house from the Active Transportation Advisory Committee as Kevin Nixon was on holidays.
Parking will be available both on and off-street. For the apartment buildings, there will be enough space provided for 1.5 parking spots per unit. On-street parking will be available with either paid parking or time limited unpaid parking available, however there was no representation from the Parking Authority to answer questions regarding permits, fees or time restrictions.
Parking will be available both on and off-street. For the apartment buildings, there will be enough space provided for 1.5 parking spots per unit. On-street parking will be available with either paid parking or time limited unpaid parking available, however there was no representation from the Parking Authority to answer questions regarding permits, fees or time restrictions.
According to Michelle Richard a Planner with the City of Winnipeg who indicated that a traffic impact study is to be conducted by Dillon Consulting. There were no consultants from Dillon Consulting available at this open house to answer any questions.
When asked about consulting the neighbourhood, Bryan Ward a Planner with the City said "3000 letter were sent to residents by the developer." When asked about the people a few doors down from the Community Centre, I was told that Canada Post delivers those letters and they may not have arrived.
Ruth Marr of Marr Consulting was also at the event, I asked about the bike path slated for Jubilee and if it was going to meet up with the new path planned for the BRT Line. The Jubilee path has changed, the path will now run from Cockburn to around the Argue lights where the trail ends.
When asked about consulting the neighbourhood, Bryan Ward a Planner with the City said "3000 letter were sent to residents by the developer." When asked about the people a few doors down from the Community Centre, I was told that Canada Post delivers those letters and they may not have arrived.
Ruth Marr of Marr Consulting was also at the event, I asked about the bike path slated for Jubilee and if it was going to meet up with the new path planned for the BRT Line. The Jubilee path has changed, the path will now run from Cockburn to around the Argue lights where the trail ends.
When asked about expropriation on Jubilee, I was told by Ruth Marr that "no one on Jubilee is being expropriated" and that "you've been given false information."
Some residents in the area had been asking about the capacity at the schools to handle and influx of new students. I attempted to ask David Marsh a planner with the City of Winnipeg. I was told to speak to media relations and he had no comments for me. He felt I had been unfair in my previous interview in April at the BRT open house.
I spoke with ten or fifteen of the area residents, some of the questions they are asking is "where is Gerbasi?". The residents noted Councillor Gerbasi had not put in an appearance at this open house. Other questions were being asked about how parking was going to affected, will they have restrictions put onto their streets? These questions went unanswered.
Other comments were about the 20 story apartment building being planned. Concerns about the shadows it's going to cast as well as privacy. Some residents saying "it's too much".
One resident Peter, a transit driver with 33 years of service believes that these plans are "not put together properly". He was wondering about how the community is going to be affected with a few thousand extra people brought into an already high density area, going so far as to contact Councillor Gerbasi along with two others, he is awaiting a reply. He was quite adamant about not liking these plans at all. The residents did say they liked the idea of the BRT Line in their area.
Some other comments from the residents was about their area being under pressure, that "it's an island trapped by transit and rivers". The overall expression from the residents with whom I spoke was dissatisfaction, in fact some people indicated they never usually vote, but are considering getting out for this election to cast their ballot.
I departed the open house at about 7:30, headed back up Kylemore and found the same couple a few doors from the Community Centre sitting on their front steps.
They had attended the event and were not happy with the idea of this development as it stands. Some concerns they presented had to do with issues on Kylemore and additional traffic pressures. These people would like to see speed bumps put in because of speeding traffic, I was told they'd even be happy with photo enforcement the problem is that bad.
As I stood talking with these people, a half ton truck came around the corner at a high rate of speed, the driver didn't slow down. This couple are also re-thinking their views on voting.
Many people I spoke with said they'd like to see a park or dog park, some facilities for the kids perhaps a large outdoor swimming pool, overall the residents did not welcome the idea of this development. Lexington Development Corporation was quite clear that these plans are preliminary only and are subject to change. I was told several times that they were looking for the input and comments of the community.
The next open house for this project is scheduled tentatively for sometime in late September.
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Kim's Thoughts:
The community centre was easy to find, the open house not quite as easy. There were two doors beside each other, one led to the day care, the other to the open house. There was a 50/50 chance you'd get it right, I didn't. Ended up in the day care. Not even a piece of paper on the correct door to let people know where to go. But we are told it was the community centre who was responsible to put up signs.
On Apr. 7th at the Jubilee/Hay open house I asked about the Argue bike path, asking why not use the path at Argue and connect the two (Jubilee bike path and Argue paths). I was told it was unknown if the path on Argue was going to be kept. Now it's not. I don't know how much money was spent on that path, but it's being moved to the BRT Line. Parking is now going to be allowed on Argue.
I asked if Argue is part of the development and if it would be the Winnipeg Parking Authority who enforced the area, I was told by Larry Carter of the Lexington Development Corporation that technically Argue would be their property. yet when I spoke with one of the City planners asking the same question, I was told that it is a public right of way. Contradictions.
Some residents in the area had been asking about the capacity at the schools to handle and influx of new students. I attempted to ask David Marsh a planner with the City of Winnipeg. I was told to speak to media relations and he had no comments for me. He felt I had been unfair in my previous interview in April at the BRT open house.
I spoke with ten or fifteen of the area residents, some of the questions they are asking is "where is Gerbasi?". The residents noted Councillor Gerbasi had not put in an appearance at this open house. Other questions were being asked about how parking was going to affected, will they have restrictions put onto their streets? These questions went unanswered.
Other comments were about the 20 story apartment building being planned. Concerns about the shadows it's going to cast as well as privacy. Some residents saying "it's too much".
One resident Peter, a transit driver with 33 years of service believes that these plans are "not put together properly". He was wondering about how the community is going to be affected with a few thousand extra people brought into an already high density area, going so far as to contact Councillor Gerbasi along with two others, he is awaiting a reply. He was quite adamant about not liking these plans at all. The residents did say they liked the idea of the BRT Line in their area.
Some other comments from the residents was about their area being under pressure, that "it's an island trapped by transit and rivers". The overall expression from the residents with whom I spoke was dissatisfaction, in fact some people indicated they never usually vote, but are considering getting out for this election to cast their ballot.
I departed the open house at about 7:30, headed back up Kylemore and found the same couple a few doors from the Community Centre sitting on their front steps.
They had attended the event and were not happy with the idea of this development as it stands. Some concerns they presented had to do with issues on Kylemore and additional traffic pressures. These people would like to see speed bumps put in because of speeding traffic, I was told they'd even be happy with photo enforcement the problem is that bad.
As I stood talking with these people, a half ton truck came around the corner at a high rate of speed, the driver didn't slow down. This couple are also re-thinking their views on voting.
Many people I spoke with said they'd like to see a park or dog park, some facilities for the kids perhaps a large outdoor swimming pool, overall the residents did not welcome the idea of this development. Lexington Development Corporation was quite clear that these plans are preliminary only and are subject to change. I was told several times that they were looking for the input and comments of the community.
The next open house for this project is scheduled tentatively for sometime in late September.
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Kim's Thoughts:
The community centre was easy to find, the open house not quite as easy. There were two doors beside each other, one led to the day care, the other to the open house. There was a 50/50 chance you'd get it right, I didn't. Ended up in the day care. Not even a piece of paper on the correct door to let people know where to go. But we are told it was the community centre who was responsible to put up signs.
On Apr. 7th at the Jubilee/Hay open house I asked about the Argue bike path, asking why not use the path at Argue and connect the two (Jubilee bike path and Argue paths). I was told it was unknown if the path on Argue was going to be kept. Now it's not. I don't know how much money was spent on that path, but it's being moved to the BRT Line. Parking is now going to be allowed on Argue.
I asked if Argue is part of the development and if it would be the Winnipeg Parking Authority who enforced the area, I was told by Larry Carter of the Lexington Development Corporation that technically Argue would be their property. yet when I spoke with one of the City planners asking the same question, I was told that it is a public right of way. Contradictions.
So now more money will be spent in order to move the bike path, it's like a bottomless pit with these pathways.
I was given wrong information about Jubilee? I checked the report I filed and it clearly talks about expropriation and that letters had been sent to the owners. So it's not a matter of being given wrong information, it's a matter of plans being changed and nobody had any idea it happened.
I saw shades of the Disraeli open houses where the talk to the City person, get passed to the consultant and back again was in play. It's called the City to consultant shuffle.
Problem was, some of the questions couldn't be answered by the consultants and City people.
I was given wrong information about Jubilee? I checked the report I filed and it clearly talks about expropriation and that letters had been sent to the owners. So it's not a matter of being given wrong information, it's a matter of plans being changed and nobody had any idea it happened.
I saw shades of the Disraeli open houses where the talk to the City person, get passed to the consultant and back again was in play. It's called the City to consultant shuffle.
Problem was, some of the questions couldn't be answered by the consultants and City people.
Traffic information wasn't available, the firm doing the study wasn't even present. Can't ask questions about parking because the parking experts weren't there. These are issues which will affect all the residents. Perhaps the next open house will have more detailed plans and the people present who can answer those questions. But then again, seems this open house wasn't even deserving of a visit from the area councillor.
I don't know if this development is a good idea or not, I don't live in the community so I'm not affected. I do know the residents didn't seem impressed.
So unimpressed were some of these people they are actually thinking about voting in the October election. I would say Jenny Gerbasi is going to have her work cut out for her with these folks.
The open house which should be happening in late September should be interesting to see if and what changes have been made to the current preliminary plans. Will the residents be happy with the changes? If not, will that spur more people to get out and vote in October and will Jenny Gerbasi have a real fight on her hands for her seat? I'm kinda looking forward to finding out.
I don't know if this development is a good idea or not, I don't live in the community so I'm not affected. I do know the residents didn't seem impressed.
So unimpressed were some of these people they are actually thinking about voting in the October election. I would say Jenny Gerbasi is going to have her work cut out for her with these folks.
The open house which should be happening in late September should be interesting to see if and what changes have been made to the current preliminary plans. Will the residents be happy with the changes? If not, will that spur more people to get out and vote in October and will Jenny Gerbasi have a real fight on her hands for her seat? I'm kinda looking forward to finding out.
