General Urban Kitchener Updates and Rumours

[Spokes]

Gee, I wonder if that means the broadcast antenna will come down and that a tower could actually be built on the Manulife Plaza podium without setting off a war like it did the last time it was proposed?

Go on....tell me more....

[Spokes]

Schlichter's is closing.  What will be the future of this property, just steps away from ION?

This could be an amazing site if paired with the property on Ontario st as others mentioned.  A podium that has access at two different levels, and from two different sides, very cool potential.

Can't help but wonder if they've already been approached about selling the lot and that prompted the closure.

[Spokes]

Queen has (partly empty) retail between this property and Charles, and across the street.  Also retail on the next block, between Charles and King, so adding so good retail here would strengthen the existing retail presence, too.

Ontario St ... it's hard to say how it will turn out.  Currently there are a couple of storefronts (apart from this property), but much depends on the future of the bus depot.  Ideally both sides would have street-level retail, though.

Ding ding ding ding!  Ontario has a ton of potential if you assume that this turns into something great that makes Ontario a priority.

[tomh009]

Schlichter's is closing.  What will be the future of this property, just steps away from ION?

This could be an amazing site if paired with the property on Ontario st as others mentioned.  A podium that has access at two different levels, and from two different sides, very cool potential.

It's a single property already, as shown on the map on the previous page.

The bus depot property is the #1 development potential in downtown in my opinion (even surpassing the multi-modal and King's Crossing, due to its location), and this one is not far behind.

[MacBerry]

Gee, I wonder if that means the broadcast antenna will come down and that a tower could actually be built on the Manulife Plaza podium without setting off a war like it did the last time it was proposed?

Today's article in The Record on the radio stations moving, mentions that the tower will be coming down. 

"No more 11th and 12th floor overlooking King and Water through cracked window panes. The old antenna tower atop the high-rise will come down. It's no longer needed."

[Square]

The land bordering Weber Street, Scott Street and Pearl place has a new owner. Drove by and checked the sign, no more for sale sign, new sign now says land can be developed by Globadigm Realty. Never heard of them, lol

[panamaniac]

The land bordering Weber Street, Scott Street and Pearl place has a new owner.   Drove by and checked the sign, no more for sale sign, new sign now says land can be developed  by Globadigm Realty.   Never heard of them, lol

They have the site (1.79 acres) listed for sale at $6,495.000,    

http://www.globadigmrealty.ca//property/...erty_id/88

[Square]

The land bordering Weber Street, Scott Street and Pearl place has a new owner.   Drove by and checked the sign, no more for sale sign, new sign now says land can be developed  by Globadigm Realty.   Never heard of them, lol

They have the site (1.79 acres) listed for sale at $6,495.000,    

http://www.globadigmrealty.ca//property/...erty_id/88

Thank you for the link.    Lol, how many different owners of this land are there?   From EIWO to CMA Realty now to Globadigm Realty!?

[tomh009]

Are those actually new owners, or just new agents for the same owner?

[panamaniac]

Or new agents for new owners! I think it's a requirement that the site have new owners every year or two, no?

[Square]

Or new agents for new owners!  I think it's a requirement that the site have new owners every year or two, no?  

Yes, I think so.  This story from 6 years ago already started this mess of owners : ``The property is owned by Inter-Building Investments Limited and Richard Altvater and Sons Ltd. Crosscan Investments Limited is acting on behalf of the owners.``

http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/25...-approved/

[GtwoK]

I don't believe there's a thread for this one, but I finally saw back hoes and other assorted large construction vehicles at the Joseph St Tannery site today. They may have been there before, but I don't think so. This is the site for the new Deloitte offices.

[panamaniac]

I don't believe there's a thread for this one, but I finally saw back hoes and other assorted large construction vehicles at the Joseph St Tannery site today. They may have been there before, but I don't think so. This is the site for the new Deloitte offices.

I noticed that today as well.  I'm assuming that the digging, on the "east" side of the building, will be for the sunken courtyard?

[Owen]

Everyone here should be quite interested in this:  New zoning bylaws now available in draft form on Kitchener's website:  http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhal...-Draft.asp

The new Urban Growth Centre (UGC) zones are designed to encourage the development that you all love - details here: http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhal...tion-6.pdf

And the onpoint mapping tool lets you see how these zones are mapped over the core - just visit onpoint website and turn them on "Comprehensive Review Zoning Bylaw" in the layers selection in the top right as per below image:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkit...apping.asp

[tomh009]

Too much there to quickly figure out what has changed in terms of density (FSR etc). Regulations in general do seem to be more clear.

The minimum parking requirement for the UGC zones is 0.9/unit (0.95/unit for PARTS) -- plus one bicycle stall per unit. Were bicycle stalls required in previous zoning bylaws?