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Miscellaneous

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On the agenda: LRT cell service, derelict properties, St. Anthony School

This week, council returns from the holiday break to discuss installing cell service in underground transit areas, taxing derelict properties at a higher rate, and the redevelopment of St. Anthony School.
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  • Eins Development Consulting has applied to rezone a lot in Garneau at 10948 89 Avenue NW, which currently has one single-family house, to allow for a taller multi-unit building. The lot is zoned to allow for a three-storey building with at least 1.2 metres of space on each side. The proposed zone would allow for a building up to five storeys if there are three metres of space on each side. However, given the small size of the lot, it’s more likely the development would be four storeys with 1.5 metres of space on each side, administration said. The lot had previously been part of the city’s priority growth area rezoning project in which administration identified properties that are ideal for increased density, but the property was removed from the project following neighbourhood engagement. Now that it’s up for rezoning again, some neighbours oppose the application because it was removed from the city’s project. Council is scheduled to vote on the rezoning at a public hearing on Jan. 24.
  • The Arabian Muslim Association, which owns the Edmonton Islamic Academy, has applied to rezone an industrial lot in the city’s northwest to build a private school. Administration said it supports the application but noted the project would erode industrial land, which could undermine the recently adopted Industrial Investment Action Plan. The site is considered highly valuable because of its size, about 14 hectares, and contiguous nature; it is one of three remaining large parcels in the city, according to the rezoning report. It’s also located with ease of access to Anthony Henday Drive and 142 Street NW and far from commercial and residential zoning, limiting off-site impacts and nuisances. Council is scheduled to vote on the rezoning at a public hearing on Jan. 24.
 
This is for sale AGAIN? I thought some QC school accommodation builder bought it years ago?

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BP for Lauren McDavid's ventures in the Canada Permanent Building:

To construct Interior Alterations. Demise main floor into separate suites (2 hour demising wall). Suite 100 (tenant improvement) for a bar / lounge (main floor). Suite 200 main floor and second floor for furniture retail store in an existing commercial building (Canada Permanent Building). "Trove"
2025-01-17
100, 10126 - 100 STREET NW
Commercial Final
 
^ yup classic Tessco build issues. Looks like a pretty extensive job too--new windows, vapour barrier, stucco, probably balconies as well.

Shame because aside from the build quality issues (and junk elevators), they're actually a nice change from the usual lowrises. I rented in one for a spell and really liked it. Spacious, well laid out, big windows, forced air heat, and the novelty of the open air hallways never wore off even in -30.
 
What are the "Tessco issues"? Something that affects all of the various "gates" style buildings?

I also find them quite interesting and might consider living in one at some point. Something to avoid if one was looking for a unit to buy?
 
degrandprix said:
What are the "Tessco issues"? Something that affects all of the various "gates" style buildings?

I also find them quite interesting and might consider living in one at some point. Something to avoid if one was looking for a unit to buy?
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Someone else will know the story better than I. But Tessco was the developer and builder of all the Gates style lowrise apartments that are all around the city. Lots of build quality issues on basically every single one that have incurred significant special assessments. The developer’s nephew also died at one of their sites due to lack of guardrail on a roof and the scumbag owner was heard on the 911 call telling the super to put up a guard rail before OH&S showed up.

Here’s a good story on the issues faced at Rossdale Court, another one their buildings: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.1050482
 
Nearly every single Tessco project had partial or full envelope repairs within 5-10 years, often sooner, burdening the owners with 20-50k of assessments.

Thankfully new home warranties, building codes and condo acts are improved to help address these issues in a more fair fashion.
 
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IanO said:
Nearly every single Tessco project had partial or full envelope repairs within 5-10 years, often sooner, burdening the owners with 20-50k of assessments.

Thankfully new home warranties, building codes and condo acts are improved to help address these issues in a more fair fashion.
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On paper perhaps…. In the real world the actual quality of construction in the field seems to be worse than the previous lows in the early 2000’s. The proliferation of fly-by-night trades who can’t read or simply ignore design drawings and the willingness of some generals (who can be just as bad) and some owners to accept them based on price alone is not just disheartening it’s scary.

Municipalities don’t assume responsibility for what they’ve permitted, contract out and shift what staff they manage to keep around like crazy. Most people who have had any experience with them will tell you that home warranty programs are really in place and managed to protect the builders, not the purchasers.

The Condo Act might provide some recourse but it won’t provide for quality and that recourse will be after the fact, expensive and time consuming to pursue.

There have been some high profile disasters in the news recently both large and small demonstrating how most failures end up getting fixed by the owners if it doesn’t bankrupt them first.
 
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