Ongoing Calgarians complaining about pedestrian bridges thread

[Bigtime]

I look forward to all the photos mentioned in the previous two posts.

On another note, all this white stuff falling right now should make that red look very awesome tomorrow, and since I put the Christmas lights up today I guess that means I have to walk over and get some pics.

[Kidder]

It looks like those translucent tubes that come out of the chests in Donnie Darko.

[Table 5]

Forget what the protocol is for posting Flickr images so I'm just gonna paste the link, but its quite a nice viewpoint from above.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_mil...n/photostream/

[Bunk]

Nice pic from above. I really like how they used fritted glass to give it a white tone. I was worried when they painted it all red it would be too monotone, but the glass balances it out nicely. It's a beaut.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Forget what the protocol is for posting Flickr images so I'm just gonna paste the link, but its quite a nice viewpoint from above.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_mil...n/photostream/

Oh, it's one of those flickr users that doesn't allow sharing of their images, even though the template comes complete with a clickable link back to the photo page plus the users photostream. Those guys grind my gears.

[Ducay]

Once this and the weir project are done, floating down the bow will be a real treat. All those temporary piers were the worst.

[Bigtime]

Not the best lighting but here you go:


Peace Bridge by BigtimeAa, on Flickr


Peace Bridge by BigtimeAa, on Flickr


Peace Bridge by BigtimeAa, on Flickr


Peace Bridge by BigtimeAa, on Flickr

[Bigtime]

From Druh's twitter feed this morning:

Peace bridge has been lowered onto abutments (whew!) and final steps have started to place structure onto bearings.

[Bigtime]

This may be the perfect rebuttal to all those bent out of shape that no local architects were given the chance to design the bridge. This article is written by one of the few local architects that probably had the chops to design something interesting on the site (Jeremy Sturgess):

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/to...877/story.html

I believe implicitly in the establishment of a set of procedures that ensures that all qualified have access to significant public work. But I also know that the best intentions in the selection processes do not always yield the most celebrated, appropriate or exceptional work. I also believe, that in the pursuit of excellence, the exception to the rule can raise the standard for all.

It is peevish to complain about a process not followed when the process followed yields a work of genius.


Such is the case with the only two bridges that Calgarians talk about - the Centre Street Bridge and the Peace Bridge.

[mykalberta]

That was written by an Architect in the Opinions section.

Its like asking a pilot for an unbiased opinion on the 787 or A350.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That was written by an Architect in the Opinions section.

Its like asking a pilot for an unbiased opinion on the 787 or A350.

LOL. Wut?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That was written by an Architect in the Opinions section.

Its like asking a pilot for an unbiased opinion on the 787 or A350.

I think it is completely relevant since one of the arguments detractors of this bridge bring up is that no local architect was even given a chance to design it.

Well here we have one of the BEST Calgary architects saying that this was a great thing, as it has elevated the bar for the rest of them.

Sturgess would be on my short list of local architects that I would have liked to have seen take a shot at designing this bridge.

So yes, his opinion as an architect is very valid in this.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That was written by an Architect in the Opinions section.

Its like asking a pilot for an unbiased opinion on the 787 or A350.

So people were bitching that the process didn't allow for locals to get in on the action, and now somehow we're not supposed to listen to a guy who could directly have been part of that action?

Who are we supposed to listen to about this then? Angry seniors and soccer moms who have no other insight or skills other than coming up with "clever" nicknames?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Table 5

So people were bitching that the process didn't allow for locals to get in on the action, and now we're not supposed to listen to a guy who could directly have been part of that action?

Who are we supposed to listen to about this then? Angry seniors and soccer moms?

"We like Roy! We like Roy!"

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That was written by an Architect in the Opinions section.

Its like asking a pilot for an unbiased opinion on the 787 or A350.

As everyone has mentioned; you're completely wrong.

Its more analogous to asking Airbus for an unbiased opinion on the launch of the Boeing 787, and then Airbus saying it was amazing and on-time.

It was a local architect (who you would expect to be angry at the sole-sourced design) who came out in favor of the design; not someone who you would already expect to be in favor of it.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That was written by an Architect in the Opinions section.

Its like asking a pilot for an unbiased opinion on the 787 or A350.

That's not even close to being the right analogy. Seriously, I read your post again, and the only way I could imagine you coming up with that analogy is if you just saw the word architect and skipped reading the article because you were in such a rush to use your awesome analogy.

[Bunk]

Sturgess did put an entry into the St. Patrick's Bridge design competition. A competent design, but not great. He's a much better architect of buildings.

It goes to show that the design of a bridge with such difficult constraints is not something any architect or designer (no matter how talented) can just do.

I'm not defending sole-sourcing as a practice (I like competitions) but if there were ever anyone to sole source this project to, it would be Calatrava - highly proven structural engineer and architect and designer of many bridges.

I think the result is something that, Sturgess correctly points out, is quite great.

[OldDutch]

I for one am happy the bridge has turned out so well (so far). It has silenced some of the critics, and the others are so deeply against it, they will never accept it. I can understand that.

I too was not happy with the process, and I am a bridge supporter. However, as Sturgess points out, in the end we have a great bridge for our city. It won't be a constant reminder of a Spanish designer who fleeced our city with an expensive eyesore. It really could have been much worse, than a small delay on opening the bridge, with no budget over run (Graham is on the hook, as I have been told).

I am also happy that this city is taking a step forward. Sturgess is right, we do have a fantastic skyline. This bridge compliments it. As I drive down Memorial or Centre Street, I do always notice what a great looking skyline Calgary has (for contrast please see Edmonton's downtown). I've been to many cities in the world and Calgary really doesn't get the credit it deserves.

Anyway, there will always be those "Silly Hall" folks who would rather have a "Fiscal Hawk" in charge. You know the guy who would poo poo the bridge, but then throw the savings at their developer buddies for free sewer and power hook ups in Cranston.

I really think this is something that will be money well spent, with tangable results that all Calgarians can see.

[SebC]

I'd like to remind you once again that when we did run a competition, the thing we got was kind of lame. Also, that the problems with this bridge stem from the "competitive" bid on construction. Sole-sourcing FTW!

[Hack&Lube]

The final product is much better than what I had anticipated.

Remind me again why this was built in Spain with crappy welding that had to get all redone over again though? We can weld locally at least right? (Oh wait, all those guys are too busy earning $80/hour up @ Fort Crack).