I work for Mayor Nenshi, ask me anything!

[EYE_Overstand]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I lived in Victoria Park for 3 years (in the Arriva building) with my wife and then our newborn daughter (who was 2 when we moved out). We always knew what the entire area was like before we chose to move there, and we loved every minute of being down there. Just a matter of treating everyone with respect and keeping your situational awareness up, but I cannot remember a single time when I was concerned for my safety or that of my family (including multiple walk-bys of the Alpha House).

as i stated before... i don't feel unsafe... i just don't want to see these guys high/ drunk at 8am when I'm taking the train for work... I'm sure if we ask the women who live in the buildings around alpha house, they might have some concerns.

There is a School, a Casino, maybe 5-6 buildings within 3 blocks of the alpha house... all I'm saying is that it should be relocated. i understand the need to help those who have to get it... but lets move it to the industrial areas of town.

[Wormius]

I have a friend who lives across the street in Vetro. He has never had any problems with the people there, nor have I.

Downtown homeless people are the least of things to be scared about.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by tenyardrambo

how come city members are getting a raise and our infrastructure/schools are deteriorating?
http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/city+...563/story.html

A number of years ago, Council decided to put recommendations on Council pay into the hands of a citizen Compensation Review Committee.

Here's some info on the Mayor's position regarding Council pay from last year:

http://blog.calgarymayor.ca/2012/01/...n-council.html

That said, I should point out that schools and their budgets are not controlled by the municipality.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by EYE_Overstand

Ive been in Victoria Park for 5 years now, and before i lived in Yaletown Vancouver for 4. i just believe that they should relocate the Alpha house to the 39th Ave station area. its far less residential.

anyways... i don't care if its been here for over a decade or not... these are worthless individuals who are high and intoxicated at all times of the day... this is an issue every cities core has to deal with, and i understand this, but I'm just calling for its relocation.

We should move the drop in center too because it's going to interfere with all the high-end condos moving into the East Village and bug all the rich people who will want to live by the river walk.

In all seriousness though, you can blame all these problems on poor city planning in the first place.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by tenyardrambo

how come city members are getting a raise and our infrastructure/schools are deteriorating?
http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/city+...563/story.html

The media like to bring this up every year to try and whip the populace into a frenzy about Silly Hall. Let city council vote themselves raises? OUTRAGE! Don't let them vote themselves raises? OUTRAGE!

[Joborule]

Is there any progress on the plan for the downtown CPR rails? That area has a lot of potential that could become a special part of city if done right. Something like a greenway spanning from Fort Calgary to West Village, connecting both sides of the Riverwalk.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Is there any progress on the plan for the downtown CPR rails? That area has a lot of potential that could become a special part of city if done right. Something like a greenway spanning from Fort Calgary to West Village, connecting both sides of the Riverwalk.

The existing pedestrian underpasses will be upgraded. As to actually moving the tracks, the cost would be in the multiple billions of dollars, high enough that it will never happen.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Is there any progress on the plan for the downtown CPR rails? That area has a lot of potential that could become a special part of city if done right. Something like a greenway spanning from Fort Calgary to West Village, connecting both sides of the Riverwalk.

Has there ever been a plan? I have never heard about one.

Alot of people talk about protecting Historical buildings etc. There is nothing much more in Calgary with a Historical aspect that is still operating than the CPR tracks.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Is there any progress on the plan for the downtown CPR rails? That area has a lot of potential that could become a special part of city if done right. Something like a greenway spanning from Fort Calgary to West Village, connecting both sides of the Riverwalk.

It mostly depends on the land development (mostly privately held on most sides). It would be great to see these developments integrate with some public space on the podiums of the buildings linking together.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by speedog

Another Q for Bunk/Nenshi - why is the city plowing/sanding my gravel alley every week the day before garbage/recycling pick-up? They plow/sand even when there hasn't been any fresh snow down in the previous week and we've seen more plowing/sanding in our alley this year then all of the past 16 years combined?

Now the last time I checked, our alley is as flat and level as it's been for the past 16 years and city trucks using our alley appear to be just as capable as before in navigating our alley. That said, it would appear to the average joe blow that this is a rather extravagant waste of tax payer dollars and especially so when one considers that the pea gravel they're putting down in our gravel alley is not recoverable as compared to the pea gravel they spread on the paved streets which is swept up in the spring.

With this one I'd suggest calling 311 with your address and they can pass it on to the Roads Maintenance department.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Has there ever been a plan? I have never heard about one.

Never a plan, but IIRC, there have been concept workshops done in the past.

I figure to get the trains out of downtown would cost a ton of money. So much so it would be cost-prohibitive. Plus CPR may not want to move out anyway. So if anything were to done, it would probably be over the tracks.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Indeed - it's a strong strategy and the Mayor's a strong supporter of it. As with anything, it's the availability of funding (or lack thereof) that's the limiting factor. These facilities are competing with all other recreation and capital needs as well. The City has very few sources of funding for parks and recreation capital. We're hoping a new deal with the Province will alleviate that shortage of funding for these purposes.

The major expenditure recently on recreation is on the four new regional recreation centres - 3 in the SE and one in the far NW. The programming for those rec centres are still being worked on, but perhaps there's an opportunity to include skate facilities on those lands.

Similar to how the Mayor is looking for smaller 'more bang for the buck' solutions to traffic issues, is he and his administration looking for these types of solutions in regards to recreational facility. In particular, I recently read that the City was going to provide funding for new permanent indoor soccer fields at the Subway Soccer Centre. However, it would be much more cost-efficient and effective (i.e. vastly improved player development) if we moved away from indoor soccer and started to promote futsal during the winter months.

It is a bit difficult for the City as these decisions should be made by the local sporting associations, but is the City looking at these alternative options?

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Never a plan, but IIRC, there have been concept workshops done in the past.

I figure to get the trains out of downtown would cost a ton of money. So much so it would be cost-prohibitive. Plus CPR may not want to move out anyway. So if anything were to done, it would probably be over the tracks.

Lots of people want to get rid of the CPR through downtown - but I don't mind the psychological break between the downtown core and Beltline. We need to think of the underpasses as public realm opportunities, rather than just ugly barriers. The Marc Boutin designs for the 1st Street SW underpass are pretty cool.

http://awards.canadianarchitect.com/...ss-enhancement

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Addick

Similar to how the Mayor is looking for smaller 'more bang for the buck' solutions to traffic issues, is he and his administration looking for these types of solutions in regards to recreational facility. In particular, I recently read that the City was going to provide funding for new permanent indoor soccer fields at the Subway Soccer Centre. However, it would be much more cost-efficient and effective (i.e. vastly improved player development) if we moved away from indoor soccer and started to promote futsal during the winter months.

It is a bit difficult for the City as these decisions should be made by the local sporting associations, but is the City looking at these alternative options?

I'm not sure I totally follow.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Bunk

I'm not sure I totally follow.

Essentially, they are looking to build brand new indoor soccer field but if they decided to play a different indoor version of the sport, futsal, these fields would not be necessary as futsal doesn't require special pitches/facilities. So instead of spending a large amount of money on facilities that cater to a few sports, the City could spend the money on facilities for other sports or new gymnasiums where they could play futsal and a variety of other sports. In addition, like the 'bang for your buck' roads projects futsal is a much more effective indoor version of footy in regards to player development.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Addick

Essentially, they are looking to build brand new indoor soccer field but if they decided to play a different indoor version of the sport, futsal, these fields would not be necessary as futsal doesn't require special pitches/facilities. So instead of spending a large amount of money on facilities that cater to a few sports, the City could spend the money on facilities for other sports or new gymnasiums where they could play futsal and a variety of other sports. In addition, like the 'bang for your buck' roads projects futsal is a much more effective indoor version of footy in regards to player development.

To my knowledge, the City has not investigated this option. It's more responsive to the needs/desires of the sports councils themselves, rather than trying to steer them toward a different version of the sport.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Bunk

To my knowledge, the City has not investigated this option. It's more responsive to the needs/desires of the sports councils themselves, rather than trying to steer them toward a different version of the sport.

Okay, that's totally understandable. The thing with this situation is that the City is basically going to be the financier and the route the local football community is heading is terribly inefficient and ineffective. It seems like the Mayor is someone who couldn't stand such inefficiency or ineffectiveness and would like to look at the larger picture. After taking a wider look, the City might want to say: "I don't want to show you how to do your job, but the path you are choosing is one we cannot afford to help pave.".

[GP_Matt]

I am not really sure I like the idea of the city deciding what sports I should be play. If there is demand for Futsal than the current players should lobby the city for space.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

I am not really sure I like the idea of the city deciding what sports I should be play. If there is demand for Futsal than the current players should lobby the city for space.

I know what you mean but the City does have the responsibility to ensure hard-earned taxpayer money is being spent wisely. In regards to the futsal community lobbying for space, it's not really futsal players versus indoor soccer players but a technology decision on the part of the local soccer associations. Players will play which ever game is on offer but it is up to the association to lead the players in the right direction, which it does not look like they are doing or even interested in examining.

The examination of options and alternatives is what I was interested in when I brought up this topic. Is the City ensuring that the local sports associations requesting funding are turning over every stone and exploring all avenues before coming to the City?

[morgin]

Is Nenshi a fan of the proposed design for the Brookfield development (225 - 6th Ave)? Can he use his Nenshi powers to require an additional 100ft?

(you don't have to answer my joke Q, but I did want to ressurect as I like this thread a lot).