Discussions

Interesting development announced today...  
 
https://www.brandonu.ca/news/2016/12/12/brandon-university-acquires-key-downtown-property/

I wonder if they plan on developing offices, residences or classrooms, or perhaps all 3?? It'll be interesting to see this all unfold. I'm personally glad to see something happen with the old strand.

It will be for the new school of business partnership between BU and ACC. Or did that get scrapped?

So......they couldn't raise the money to fix the old theater. So now the university gets a hold of it and will now what....use public dollars in funding now to bring it back up to a functioning level?

The artice (link provided in OP) makes numerous refrences to "the property" but only mentions the building when mentioning reviewing the results of an engineering assessment.  
 
The article does mention using the property for student residences, and student family housing. I'm not sure the building lends itself well to that sort of use. I wonder what sort of outcry there will be if and when it is determined the best use of that property is to demolish the building and starting from scratch.

I read the link.....Love the pretty picture they seem to try and paint. I am just waiting for the kick to the nuts with pricing to fix/rebuild that area. Give it time and it should be listed under Government waste and inefficiencies thread.

our city doesn't give any taxpayer cash towards this endeavour. Let's hope that the city gets some property tax from whatever the building becomes too.

I believe the study was to assess the building but more importantly was to confirm that they can tear it down without compromising the adjacent building that it shares a wall with. There will be no plans to restore the theater.

Johnbisonbear said "our city doesn't give any taxpayer cash towards this endeavour. Let's hope that the city gets some property tax from whatever the building becomes too. "

When the adjacent building was torn down . Ren Brandon (arms length of the city of Brandon ) gave a large amount of money to build a retainer wall on the south side of that building. Thought the cost was at least $75,000.

Oh Canada said "    Johnbisonbear said "our city doesn't give any taxpayer cash towards this endeavour. Let's hope that the city gets some property tax from whatever the building becomes too. " When the adjacent building was torn down . Ren Brandon (arms length of the city of Brandon ) gave a large amount of money to build a retainer wall on the south side of that building. Thought the cost was at least $75,000. "

different mayor now, hopefully different mindset too.  
 
BU in the Brandon Sun has stated that they will see about 'community involvement' whatever that means?

if Brandon history provides us with any prediction of what will happen to this building it will probably be torn down and replaced with a metal pig barn hockey rink.

One hopes that this was a good decision for BU . Would suggest those that think a $1 cost for such a building is a great deal may want to think again. There is a reason that the last group was looking at raising $3 million dollars to renovate the building. One would suggest that landmark got rid of a liability on their books with the transaction . No more taxes for them on the building and no future responsibility with the demolition or revival plus a good PR move.  
 
 
Thinking out loud one has to wonder if BU needs to focus more on education of people and less on housing and development. With the changes in the way people can get education ( on line from any place in the ) one has to wonder if focusing on revival of historic buildings is the best use of students fees and the money that the Feds and Prov give to them to offset there operation costs.  
 
Something to think about . Should be interested to see how things progress.

Johnbisonbear said "    Oh Canada said "    Johnbisonbear said "our city doesn't give any taxpayer cash towards this endeavour. Let's hope that the city gets some property tax from whatever the building becomes too. " When the adjacent building was torn down . Ren Brandon (arms length of the city of Brandon ) gave a large amount of money to build a retainer wall on the south side of that building. Thought the cost was at least $75,000. " different mayor now, hopefully different mindset too.     BU in the Brandon Sun has stated that they will see about 'community involvement' whatever that means? "

I hope this is a new beginning for downtown Brandon. Time will tell.  
 
I agree that the city should not contribute to this project with anymore taxpayer money.  
 
Yeah, let's keep hoping there's a different mindset on 9th Street.  
 
Some times in cases like this, everyone jumps on the bandwagon with support, support, support but few realize who's money goes toward the costs.

Oh Canada said "One hopes that this was a good decision for BU . Would suggest those that think a $1 cost for such a building is a great deal may want to think again. There is a reason that the last group was looking at raising $3 million dollars to renovate the building. One would suggest that landmark got rid of a liability on their books with the transaction . No more taxes for them on the building and no future responsibility with the demolition or revival plus a good PR move.       Thinking out loud one has to wonder if BU needs to focus more on education of people and less on housing and development. With the changes in the way people can get education ( on line from any place in the ) one has to wonder if focusing on revival of historic buildings is the best use of students fees and the money that the Feds and Prov give to them to offset there operation costs.     Something to think about . Should be interested to see how things progress. "

I agree with this completely. Landmark free and clear. BU responsibility and let's hope it's a good use of the monies.

I'm glad others see this for what it is, Landmark free'd this from their books and now the University takes on the tax burden.  
I can be 1% optimistic in hopes they come up with a decent plan but you better not ask for public funding as they know what they are getting themselves into when it comes to redeveloping the property.

Johnbisonbear said "our city doesn't give any taxpayer cash towards this endeavour. Let's hope that the city gets some property tax from whatever the building becomes too. "

I think the city will lose taxes. As an example Riverheights school is assessed at around $6million and pays $2700 in taxes. The Strand theatre currently assessed at a little over $200,000 and pays about $6000 in taxes. School properties like churches pay very little in tax so the city will probably lose $5000 in taxes on this deal.

Fishin Guy said "So......they couldn't raise the money to fix the old theater. So now the university gets a hold of it and will now what....use public dollars in funding now to bring it back up to a functioning level? "

I was thinking the same thing