Ongoing Calgarians complaining about pedestrian bridges thread

[Muta]

Originally Posted by zztim81

one guy made a really valid comment :

Anyone that has walked across the bridges @ Prince's Island Park will notice the spikes on them to ward off the pigeon's who nest in the crevices of the bridge. This new bridge will be a wonderful testament to the Stampeders - red and white! The good ol' $hithawks will take over this bridge, and after a few months, nobody will want to go near the most expensive birdhouse in the city.

hes bang on... the pigeons by next spring will be all over this, there are tons of good roosts and its going to be a mess

So the pigeons are for sure going to poop on everybody when this bridge is up? Hahaha... okay, then. We should retreat into our homes and be vewy, vewy afraid of the real world out there (it's really scary!).

That's a nice crystal ball some people have got there.

Technically, you don't need a bridge for a pigeon to dump a mud monkey on you. Just ask Shia LaBeouf.

Haters still gonna gate, I guess. Anything to think negatively about a bridge that is miniscule in budget size compared to some of the other things this city builds on a regular basis as a result of irresponsible planning. But I digress.

[CaptainCrunch]

Peace (gag) Bridge Delay

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=CalgaryHome

Wonder if we'll suddenly find out about cost over runs after the election.

[CaptainCrunch]

[MrMastodonFarm]

Noticed a couple peices there this evening on my way home. It's a lot bigger then I thought for some reason. Going to look good spanning the river I think.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Noticed a couple peices there this evening on my way home. It's a lot bigger then I thought for some reason. Going to look good spanning the river I think.

You think? That is good news.

I have no problem with the fact that it is being built there, the cost or the process that as used to decide on the bridge.

However, I am slightly concerned it is going to stand out like a sore thumb.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Rathji

However, I am slightly concerned it is going to stand out like a sore thumb.

I'm not sure if that's a problem with the bridge or with the rest of the city.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Rathji

You think? That is good news.

I have no problem with the fact that it is being built there, the cost or the process that as used to decide on the bridge.

However, I am slightly concerned it is going to stand out like a sore thumb.

Yeah, we should have gone with the bland architecture that populates half of downtown. Why wouldn't you want a bridge crossing the river to stand out?

[SeeBass]

I saw it today I like it.

Big frill items is what seperates us from other cities like Edmonton

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by SebC

I'm not sure if that's a problem with the bridge or with the rest of the city.

Very true.

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah, we should have gone with the bland architecture that populates half of downtown. Why wouldn't you want a bridge crossing the river to stand out?

I am not saying it is for sure a bad thing, but that was the one thing that could possibly be a downside in my eyes. Since I rarely drive down there anymore, I am glad that it seems to be looking good.

[NiklasSundblad]

Originally Posted by fotze

Hopefully they are huge

So what you're saying is that you don't actually care about the money spent on this bridge, it's just a political issue.

[Burninator]

When it comes to big A Architecture (world famous or otherwise noteworthy) I would not consider myself an expert, but I have studied it somewhat and I have noticed a trend. For the majority of the time two things happened when an architecturally significant project is built in a city.

1. Enjoyed by all. "Everything went better than expected." Everyone is proud and enjoys to look at the project. This seems to be more common in areas where interesting architecture is prominent.

2. Laughing stock/whipping boy followed by gradual acceptance and leading into over whelming acceptance. People forget or over come political, budgetary, aesthetic concerns relatively shortly and appreciate the design and are proud of it.

I will guarantee that the latter will happen with this bridge project. People will rip on it and complain that it cost them an extra sammich this year. But most people will come around and accept that an attractive bridge design with some aesthetic in mind will be a point of pride in the city over the precast monotony and will point it out to new comers in the city and will go out of their way to enjoy it.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Burninator

When it comes to big A Architecture (world famous or otherwise noteworthy) I would not consider myself an expert, but I have studied it somewhat and I have noticed a trend. For the majority of the time two things happened when an architecturally significant project is built in a city.

1. Enjoyed by all. "Everything went better than expected." Everyone is proud and enjoys to look at the project. This seems to be more common in areas where interesting architecture is prominent.

2. Laughing stock/whipping boy followed by gradual acceptance and leading into over whelming acceptance. People forget or over come political, budgetary, aesthetic concerns relatively shortly and appreciate the design and are proud of it.

I will guarantee that the latter will happen with this bridge project. People will rip on it and complain that it cost them an extra sammich this year. But most people will come around and accept that an attractive bridge design with some aesthetic in mind will be a point of pride in the city over the precast monotony and will point it out to new comers in the city and will go out of their way to enjoy it.

Or the third one, we look at the chinese finger trap and thank god that Bronco and the rest of the city council are unemployed, then watch the bright red paint slowly fade to pink because maintaining just isn't worth it, then one day we look at this pinkish huge tubular shape and remark that it looks like a huge . . .

[SeeBass]

When the Eiffel Tower went up the vast majority hated it.

But I would imagine that is not the case now.

I look forward to showing guests from out of town an excessive but interestiing structure.
It is like getting a really expensive painting it may be a lot of money and a cheaper one would fill up the wall too, but isn't it nice that you treated yourself to something that seperates your living room from most other people.

This is a successful and wealthy city, lets show it off a little. I'm just grateful that it is not some stupid cowboy theme. I'm sick of being identified that way.

[Bigtime]

This is going to be one big bridge, when you see the pieces in person you really understand just how big it is going to be.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Or the third one, we look at the chinese finger trap and thank god that Bronco and the rest of the city council are unemployed, then watch the bright red paint slowly fade to pink because maintaining just isn't worth it, then one day we look at this pinkish huge tubular shape and remark that it looks like a huge . . .

lol, I'm sorry CaptainCrunch, but this is so stupid and just comes across as.. bitter?

If the City of Calgary can't keep up infrastructure, including paint on a bridge, we would be having bigger problems then a pink bridge.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

When the Eiffel Tower went up the vast majority hated it..

I really wonder about what the vibe was when the Calgary Tower went up, it was probably hated too I'd imagine, a parking garage would have been much more appropriate?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

lol, I'm sorry CaptainCrunch, but this is so stupid and just comes across as.. bitter?

If the City of Calgary can't keep up infrastructure, including paint on a bridge, we would be having bigger problems then a pink bridge.

Nope, I honestly don't think that the bridge is some beautiful or awe inspiring piece of bridge building. But I do think its a suitable and constant reminder of an out of control arrogant city council.

After looking at the bridge, maybe I'll go to out of the way city utility facilities and admire the art work.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I really wonder about what the vibe was when the Calgary Tower went up, it was probably hated too I'd imagine, a parking garage would have been much more appropriate?

The feelings around the Centre Street bridge were the same in the early 1900's. Famous designer, seemingly big money, other bridges close by. Husky Tower was a gift I believe but I am sure people complained.

This is just the latest cause de jour for calgarians. Something for them to complain about to make themselves look like they know what's going on in the city. By the time it's built, they will have something new to complain about.

Here are a list of items which they may choose from:

St Patricks Island Bridge - est. $25 Million
Cantos/King Eddy restoration - $25 Million
Underpass at 9th ave and 4th st SE - $70 Million
New Talisman Centre Roof - $41.5 million
Devonian Gardens - $31 million

Here's the most likely new complaint:
New Central Library - $235,000,000

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I really wonder about what the vibe was when the Calgary Tower went up, it was probably hated too I'd imagine, a parking garage would have been much more appropriate?

IMO those people were right; the Calgary Tower is ugly!

[driveway]

We're getting a 235 million dollar library? That's freaking awesome. One of the best things Vancouver has is that gorgeous 'coliseum' inspired library downtown. I remember the summer I lived there I used to just go hang out there and read books all day long (it was the summer of a bus strike and I was hella unemployed the whole time).