construction – Mack & Cheese

Episode 49: Salary Hikes & Cuts, Winter Cities Shake-Up, Rossdale Canal

mastermaq — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:26:20 +0000

In our forty-ninth episode we discuss the provincial MLA salary cuts and the City Council increase, the WinterCity Shake Up, the proposal for a canal in Rossdale, and an update on construction hoarding. This episode was recorded on January 30, 2015.

Very interesting timing for the Prentice announcement about a salary cut, just days after City Council approved an independent committee’s increase of their own wages. But is that really what the announcement is about, or is it more about the unions? What is going to happen with taxes in Alberta? Does our City Council need to make any symbolic cuts like the Province is? When might a provincial election be called?

We also discuss winter, from a variety of angles. People enjoy winter all over the world, why can’t we enjoy it here? Do we have to stay locked indoors during the winter? When can I get some mulled wine outside? Why is this canal idea for Rossdale coming forward now, if we already have Touch the Water? We agree Edmontonians should be able to enjoy access to the river, but what’s the best way to do that? With all the construction happening downtown, what changes are needed to improve construction hoarding? We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Thanks for listening!

Episode 36: Construction Season, Harbin Gate, Rexall vs. Rogers Place, Food Trucks

mastermaq — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:45:03 +0000

In our thirty-sixth episode, we discuss construction season, the underpass on 97 Street just north of 103A Avenue, Rexall Place vs. Rogers Place, and the return of food trucks! This episode was recorded at the end of April.

As you have no doubt noticed, there’s a bunch of road construction taking place all around the city (did it ever stop?). That’s part of the $404 million being spent on 125 arterial road, bridge, interchange, and neighbourhood projects. Are we investing enough in our roads? Why do they seem to be deteriorating so quickly?

What should happen with the underpass that currently serves as the LIVINGbridge? Should we move the Harbin gate from “old” Chinatown to “new” Chinatown? Can both Rogers Place and Rexall Place survive? Are we big enough to support two large arenas? Finally, spring is here, and we’ve got food trucks out and about! We discuss all of those topics and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Thanks for listening!

Episode 20: Condo Explosion

mastermaq — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 19:53:15 +0000

Can you believe we’ve done twenty episodes already? Time flies! In this episode we discuss Edmonton’s condominium explosion. Graham learned recently that there are an astounding 27 new high-rise condo towers in the design, permitting, or construction stages.

Whatever happened to “buy land”? Are condos worth the investment? What kind of architecture can we expect from all of these new towers? Why aren’t there more developers looking to operate rental buildings? Will the increased demand for condos last? Does car ownership have something to do with it? We discuss these questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Thanks for listening!