Post by WpgJets2008 on Jun 24, 2008 10:07:43 GMT -5
A tale of two stadium sites
Bruce Owen and Bartley Kives
winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/story/4189605p-4780130c.html
In the latest wrinkle in Winnipeg's football stadium saga, politicians now say they like the idea of placing the new building downtown. There are two obvious inner-city sites: Each with its own upside and downside. There's no deal on the table, but here's what's being discussed:
POINT DOUGLAS
PROS
The new stadium would revitalize an undeveloped part of the geographic centre of the city.
The potential site borders the Red River and would extend the development of the city's waterfront.
Low property values would make a development attractive through increased tax revenues from the project and surrounding properties.
A new provincial funding mechanism called tax-increment financing would allow this increased to pay for some of the project SEnD and that could only work in this location.
Politicians appear to be favouring this site precisely because of tax and urban renewal benefits.
Other amenities, such as an indoor water park and hotel, could make it a year-round destination.
It could be partially covered to protect fans during the cold winds of November.
CONS
Land assembly: Some of the land remains in private hands and must be purchased.
Traffic: Access to the proposed site is restricted by the Red River, the two-lane Louise Bridge into Elmwood and two narrow connections to Main Street SEnD Higgins and Sutherland Avenues.
Seating: A schematic circulating right now calls for a 25,000-seat stadium. Could it be expanded for future Grey Cup championships or other large events?
Construction time: A site at Point Douglas will have to undergo some type of environmental review, which will include the potential impact on riverbank erosion. And, like The Forks more than 20 years ago, some attention must be paid to the historic and aboriginal heritage. That could mean archeological surveys and construction delays.
The CPR line cuts through the middle of the peninsula, restricting the shape and size of the new building and access to it.
Hydro, water and sewer infrastructure is not in place.
CONVENTION CENTRE
South of York Avenue, between Edmonton and Hargrave Streets
PROS
Provincially owned land is already assembled.
It would consolidate public assets in one area of downtown, rather than spreading them out.
It builds on the Doer government's push to revitalize downtown, most recently seen with construction of the new Manitoba Hydro building.
It would increase capacity of the Winnipeg Convention Centre by allowing it to host larger conferences or trade shows. Some trade shows bypass the city.
It would enhance and further encourage development of restaurants, nightclubs and hotels.
The environmental impact would be negligible.
Hydro, water and sewer infrastructure are in place, but capacity would have to be increased.
Access to downtown is easier than it is to Point Douglas, as routes are open in all directions.
CONS
There are many indications that this site is not in the running.
The space may be too small to house a football stadium.
To increase the capacity of the Winnipeg Convention Centre, it would have to be domed for year-round use. That could put it in conflict with the MTS Centre for certain concerts.
Parking: This may or may not be an issue as 15,000 parking spots are available all over downtown; it just might mean a longer walk to the game. MTS Centre has already proven parking concerns do not prevent people from attending events.
Chris
Bruce Owen and Bartley Kives
winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/story/4189605p-4780130c.html
In the latest wrinkle in Winnipeg's football stadium saga, politicians now say they like the idea of placing the new building downtown. There are two obvious inner-city sites: Each with its own upside and downside. There's no deal on the table, but here's what's being discussed:
POINT DOUGLAS
PROS
The new stadium would revitalize an undeveloped part of the geographic centre of the city.
The potential site borders the Red River and would extend the development of the city's waterfront.
Low property values would make a development attractive through increased tax revenues from the project and surrounding properties.
A new provincial funding mechanism called tax-increment financing would allow this increased to pay for some of the project SEnD and that could only work in this location.
Politicians appear to be favouring this site precisely because of tax and urban renewal benefits.
Other amenities, such as an indoor water park and hotel, could make it a year-round destination.
It could be partially covered to protect fans during the cold winds of November.
CONS
Land assembly: Some of the land remains in private hands and must be purchased.
Traffic: Access to the proposed site is restricted by the Red River, the two-lane Louise Bridge into Elmwood and two narrow connections to Main Street SEnD Higgins and Sutherland Avenues.
Seating: A schematic circulating right now calls for a 25,000-seat stadium. Could it be expanded for future Grey Cup championships or other large events?
Construction time: A site at Point Douglas will have to undergo some type of environmental review, which will include the potential impact on riverbank erosion. And, like The Forks more than 20 years ago, some attention must be paid to the historic and aboriginal heritage. That could mean archeological surveys and construction delays.
The CPR line cuts through the middle of the peninsula, restricting the shape and size of the new building and access to it.
Hydro, water and sewer infrastructure is not in place.
CONVENTION CENTRE
South of York Avenue, between Edmonton and Hargrave Streets
PROS
Provincially owned land is already assembled.
It would consolidate public assets in one area of downtown, rather than spreading them out.
It builds on the Doer government's push to revitalize downtown, most recently seen with construction of the new Manitoba Hydro building.
It would increase capacity of the Winnipeg Convention Centre by allowing it to host larger conferences or trade shows. Some trade shows bypass the city.
It would enhance and further encourage development of restaurants, nightclubs and hotels.
The environmental impact would be negligible.
Hydro, water and sewer infrastructure are in place, but capacity would have to be increased.
Access to downtown is easier than it is to Point Douglas, as routes are open in all directions.
CONS
There are many indications that this site is not in the running.
The space may be too small to house a football stadium.
To increase the capacity of the Winnipeg Convention Centre, it would have to be domed for year-round use. That could put it in conflict with the MTS Centre for certain concerts.
Parking: This may or may not be an issue as 15,000 parking spots are available all over downtown; it just might mean a longer walk to the game. MTS Centre has already proven parking concerns do not prevent people from attending events.
Chris