Biggish Dig - 3

Big, big developments on the worksite.

As of yesterday, they have begun to actually deliver construction materials to the site.

Similarly, though this thing arrived a few days ago, it seems that each day more equipment has been showing up on the work site.  At the moment I'd say that most days are averaging almost ten pieces of equipment and about seven pick-up trucks.

This guys are making very quick work of the remnants of the foundation.  Much to my surprise they made quick work of the foundation floor.  At this rate they will have completed the demolition by the end of the week.

Presumably once the demolition the excavation will extend beyond this kind of thing.

Really don't quite get this point of this kind of activity.

Biggish Dig - 2

Somewhat surprisingly, given the history of the project, excavation has continued at quite a pace.  Even with just a single digging tool good progress was being made.

Of course, there was a hell of a lot of work to do.  And on the educational front, who knew that there was so much rebar hidden in the basements of old buildings?  This must be what they mean when they talk about re-inforced concrete?

Eventually a second digging tool, though smaller, was added to the mix.  This little guy's now been going at it hard for days.  Unfortunately, because I don't get a chance to watch them in action for much more time than it takes me to walk past the job site, I can't say how much of a contribution this guy is making to the original machine.  Presumably it's doing something useful?

Maybe it helps sort the rebar from the cement?

Maybe even more significant than the ramping up of the excavation of the old foundation is that the pile driving/drill has been moving around the work site and fitted with a drill attachment.

In a few instances I've even been lucky enough to see it actually drilling into the ground - suggesting that the project is working on tasks parallel to the foundation excavation.  Sadly, despite the use of this machine on a least a few of the last few days, I still haven't seen much evidence that it's digging/driving efforts extent much past the first few inches of top soil.

Then a few days ago this pile of dirt seemed to come from nowhere.  Weird.

If they're not careful they'll end up with a perfectly manicured cement floor six feet below ground level.

Of course, while I don't get to see all of these exciting developments as they happen I am starting to get the sense that I am at least getting the chance to feel some of the more significant developments.  With increasing frequency I am starting to feel a variety of vibrations as I pass my time working at my desk.  I am worried that if the shaking and jiggling is this bad without pile driving, I could really be in for a treat once the pile driving starts.

A Few Quick Notes - 626

-It seems we've finally begun to move towards late Fall and then Winter.  A few days ago we had our first flurries of the season and we've not had a real snowfall enter the forecast (though I'm not completely convinced it will materialize).

-I guess that means it's finally time to start thinking about putting the snow back on the car?  It feels as though we only took them off a few weeks ago.  Bummer.

-Much to our surprise we ended up with about 72 Trick or Treaters by the time we made our way across town for a party.  Had we stayed we surely could have broken 80 as the streets were still teeming as we pulled out of the driveway.  At least from the candy perspective it was good we left when we did - we were basically on empty.

-As we spoke to a neighbour and her son just before we left we were informed that one of our other neighbours (on the de classe side of the street which isn't technically even on our street) was jumping out and chasing kids with a real chain saw.  Maybe this had a negative impact on our numbers?

-To attend our Halloween party I dressed as a Saturday morning hockey Dad.  Of course, because I have no idea what a Saturday morning hockey dad really looks like I just wore my paint and tar stained jeans (they're my only jeans), a tee shirt, a flannel jacket/overshirt, and a toque.  Of course, I also grabbed the largest size coffee available from Canada's favoured coffee retailer.  I'm not really sure if I looked like a hockey dad at all, but at least I got to look like a dirt bag for a bunch of uncostumed people at the party.

Biggish Dig - 1

One of the most prominent intersections in Regina is where Albert Street and Victoria Avenue cross.  Not only is this intersection significant because it is the meeting point of two of Regina's most important thoroughfares, but also because it, more or less, marks the centre of the city.

Since before we moved to Regina in late 2012 this intersection has been notable for another reason, one having nothing to do with its significance as the meeting place of Regina's major north/south and east/west routes, but that for years one corner of this intersection has been nothing but a vacant lot.

Of course, for years there was talk of a major condo/hotel development.

For years nothing happened.

Eventually they swapped out the old fence surrounding the site for a new see-through fence.

Progress!

Then in September it was announced that in October real would start on the development.  Finally.

Of course, the real work wasn't scheduled to begin until after Thanksgiving.

When a single backhoe and dump truck showed up and seemed to move some old pavement around for a few days I wasn't particularly convinced the project was really a go.

Of course, after quite a number of days of similar action/equipment my hopes weren't much lifted.

Eventually, in time for the October 28, 2015 photo op this pile driver was delivered.  Aside from its use as a backdrop for the photo op I don't get the sense that this has done anything much yet.  And as my understanding of piles is that they aren't driven until excavation has been done, that six levels of parking excavation are still incomplete/not started I can't see how this thing is going to be of much use for the next few months.

Of course, it wasn't until yesterday/today that I've really started to have any faith that the project is really going to move forward.  Finally, for as far as I can tell, the first time obvious attempts at excavation were in the works.

Of course, what this excavation seems to show is that the hotel that was previously on this site was only partially demolished.  The top was knocked down while the foundation was left to rot/be dug out years later.  Now that I see how much demolition is still required before true excavation can start I am worried that much progress will be made before Winter sets in.

Of course, one of the real reasons I'm particularly interested in this construction site has nothing to do with the significance of the intersection or it's impact on the re-development of downtown Regina - but because my new job is located in the building next to the construction site.  

Days after I arrived is when they years delayed project finally started.

Even though we're only a few days into real work transpiring the sidewalk I pass along to get to work is already covered with mud - a problem that is only likely to grow worse with continued excavation.

So I guess at the heart of it I'm really just another NIMBYer, or at least a LMSTPPACSWRINer (Let's Make Sure This Project Proceeds According to Code and Schedule and With Respect for Its Neighbours).

I'll do my best to keep you updated until this whole thing is complete, which should be some time in 2018.

Hooray for timing!