Discussions

"Brandon University's downtown initiative is an exciting development that will be transformation for both the University and for the entire city."  
 
Read the full article here:  
https://www.brandonu.ca/news/2017/02/06/brandon-university-will-acquire-more-land-downtown/  
 
 
After reading the article of the future development of this site, I would like to say a little feedback. I would have to agree that the former strand theater should be demolished. However, I hope they consider keeping the facing wall intact yet renovated. We should do our best to preserve the culture and architecture of downtown Brandon.  
 
If you take for example, the Red River College in Winnipeg’s downtown, you will see the perfect example. You can still incorporate the front design into the new building, while having a modern structure inside.  
 
I have spoken to some of the directors that were organizing the Campus Master Plan, at the university cafeteria last year. They asked for my input as I was a student from ACC. I thought that there should be more integration. Hopefully students from ACC will be able to use this structure as well.  
 
What are your thoughts on this?

and all of Brandon. Mixed use space is fabulous. It meets several needs in Brandon. This development just could put some life back not just to the Towne Centre, but all of downtown.  
 
The biggest obstacle (opportunity) will be parking.

for downtown but some questions... where will BU get the cash for this endeavour?  
 
It would be nice to save the façade but I wonder why the public was told that the whole Strand building was viable? After all the group did ask for cash from all levels of government including the city of Brandon.  
 
It is refreshing to finally hear what most of us thought years ago that the building needs to be demolished.

Johnbisonbear said "for downtown but some questions... where will BU get the cash for this endeavour?     It would be nice to save the façade but I wonder why the public was told that the whole Strand building was viable? After all the group did ask for cash from all levels of government including the city of Brandon.     It is refreshing to finally hear what most of us thought years ago that the building needs to be demolished. "

That part should be interesting for sure considering they are still waiting for funding to build the family housing from the province on the land off of Victoria ave.  
 
All that land for $3 seems like a great deal! Should be interesting what they have to pay for the other land based on the ongoing negotiations.  
 
With the news that the old strand is not viable to salvage Ren Brandon wall they paid for at about $100,000 will be lost money. Now BU has to tear down the building at what cost? Who will payd for that?  
 
One question that the city has never released information on is what if any contamination they found on the sites of the old hotel and Brandon Real estate building ? If BU is going to take over any liability with the purchase that may be a good move for the taxpayers of Brandon.  
 
How much tax will the city see from such a project? Are Educational institutions not exempt from taxes?  
 
Edited by Oh Canada, 2017-02-07 21:18:17

Correct me if I'm wrong. B.U. picks up the Strand for free basically. Everybody is happy for B.U.  
Guess what? All that happy is going to cost taxpayers from Education, Municipal, Provincial and Federal depts. and somebody is going to be saying hahaha.

It is always interesting when groups such as the city and BU want to "sell" their ideas and how information is projected.  
 
The questions is what is the real cost of the redevelopment of that land . As stated in the Brandon Sun The cost of the clean up of the old hotel site was over 1 million dollars. There was loss of taxes collected on that site as that was the way they inherited that property. Ren Brandon and the Province bought the Real estate building and barber shop and the parking lot north of the parking lot. Ren Brandon spent over $100,000 to sure up the wall on the strand. If you add all this up I would suggest you are at over $2 million dollars to date. It was suggested at one point that the corner market value was over 1.5 million .  
 
So what it the real cost to taxpayers that paid for all this directly or indirectly?? 2.5 million to date? Is the end ? I would suggest no.  
 
 
Hopefully BU plans proceed as they are projecting it to happen . If it does it will be a benefit to downtown. Anyone thinking that the cost have stopped with the sale of the land is drinking the lemonade that is being giving by the people serving it.  
 
Some will see these statements and info as being a pessimist. The way I would suggest it as being a realist . There will be much more needing spend to bring this project to the point of breaking ground on the development and being a realist there will be a lot more tax dollars but up to make it a reality.  
 
Hope it happens especially as all parties have agreed this is the road we are wanting to pursue as the savor for the downtown. Time will tell.

I can't see the province opening their bank account like the previous government would have. So that leaves the Feds and the city of Brandon? Haven't we taxpayers paid enough for these properties?

downtown has been in trouble for years , it is going to be what it will be , more tax dollars dropped into the bucket will not make it vibrant not enough people support the establishments already down there , i will be opposed to the university becoming a commercial landlord using tax money to finance all or part of the project . if the university can fund the project without more tax dollars or tax concessions for a commercial/resdidential development then fine,otherwise use the property for a parking lot

the Strand has to be torn down, most of it is built with Brandon Sand Bricks and they have passed there life cycle by several decades. But their is more alligator pits then that like the demolition of the underground bowling alley and parking