Capital hotel on hold over parking problem DAVE STEWART The Guardian
The vice-president and general manager of Dyne Holdings said Wednesday they are putting plans to construct a hotel in downtown Charlottetown on hold until issues around parking are solved.
Tanya O’Brien said the city and Charlottetown Area Development Corporation are still looking for more parking.
Dyne Holdings wants to build an 85-room hotel that will tower above the Confederation Court Mall. Part of the new hotel concept will make use of the vacant lot on Queen Street with the remainder of the hotel extending over the top of what is now the Bookmark store.
“They’re looking for more parking and that hasn’t been settled yet,’’ O’Brien said. “Until that issue is settled, then we can’t start on the hotel because there isn’t any parking for the hotel.’’
The parking issue seemed to have been settled in late April when city council approved a fourth parking garage. However, that may not be the case.
The Guardian learned Wednesday that CADC has engineers looking at the issue and there are at least two options in play. One is to go ahead and build a new parking garage while the other may be expanding the Pownal Parkade.
The city has completed a parking study and has publicly stated the downtown area is roughly 300 parking spaces short of what is needed.
Dyne Holdings wanted to begin construction of the new hotel in April.
“We thought we were going to be in the ground back in April, which would have allowed us to be finished of the hotel in time for the Canada Games in 2009, but because of the delays we’re now about two months behind.’’
The delay means the hotel won’t be ready in time for the Games.
O’Brien said the best possible scenario now is to shoot for October of 2009, but
that isn’t exactly considered prime tourist season.
“It may mean pushing
the schedule back to spring of next season,’’ she said, referring to spring of 2010.
O’Brien said most of the design work — interior layout and room finishings — will be completed by mid-July.
That will leave only the actual construction.
“We’ll finish our negotiations with the city and when that’s finished we’ll evaluate where we are in a timeline with the project.’’
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Incredulous from pei writes: They still don't get it , do they? Another hotel is not needed, and higher buildings are not condusive to Charlottetown's cityscape and there isn't enough parking. It will be a monument to those who are out of touch with reality. sorry....can't be positive on this one!
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Downtown from PE writes: At least the proposed solution to the parking issue is not limited to tripling fines. I assume the projected hotel is an attempt to get tourists into the downtown area for a stay. That could help fill up some of the empty storefronts.
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My 2 Cents from PEI writes: Parking a problem in downtown Charlottetown?!? GO ON!!!
Our city was built in the horse-and-buggy days and hasn't changed much at all. Narrow streets, potholes, and really no need for parking.
And because of a really far outdated idea that little old PEI should remain a gem in thw world's eye, actual real development in the downtown core has been denied again and again.
If there had been any forethought into the design of the downtown, those in power would have realized we would need large buildings and wide streets and smartly utilized land.
But no.....leave it just as it was in the early 1800's. And just like back then, no large business will ever plant themselves in the downtown because there is just no room. And we wonder why PEI is a HAVE NOT province.
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RG from PEI writes: Another parking garage won't help out the hotel anyways.
If I'm a tourist and I'm coming to PEI for the weekend, I don't plan on parking at a parking garage that's a block or 2 away from my hotel.
I want to have parking at the hotel.
Add to the fact that with the parking problems we already have, those parking garages will be filled with people working downtown, so only the crappy spots way at the top will be left making it even worst.
If they want to build a hotel and have it be successful, they need to find a place where they can get a parking lot just for the hotel.
Otherwise, tourists will just choose a different hotel.
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PFA from Charlottetown, PE writes: What is the plan for downtown, from a high level? If it is to attract tourists, then, in my experience, tourists want a walkable, clean, vibrant downtown core with most, if not all, amenities accessible without having to hop in their car.
If the plan is to make Charlottetown a more livable and accessible city to all its' residents, then, again, walkable and accessibility is key. Factor in the rising cost of fuel, the trend toward alternative transportation (pedestrian, cyclist, mass transit, etc.) and growing desire to make some headway on our carbon footprint, and we realize that making more parking available will not solve our problems, only give us rotting monoliths to deal with 20 years from now.
One of the greatest downfalls of a city, any city, is the desire to pander to the automobile. If Charlottetown wants to consider itself progressive then give people a reason to get out of their cars and walk around downtown. Statistics (and I can quote them if needed) prove that shoppers on foot spend more money and time then shoppers in a car. In fact, the vitality of a shopping district is directly linked to the levels of pedestrian shoppers it can accomodate.
Free parking is a fertility drug for cars. Do we really want *more* cars in the downtown car, or just more people, spending more money, building better neighbourhoods and frequenting local businesses? I believe the real issue here is the problem of parking is actually a symptom of a greater issue - lack of defined vision for our urban core.
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pingu from pe writes: Charlottetown does not have a parking problem. The problem is that too many people take a car to work when they should not be. Those who live within a half hour walk to their workplace should be walking to work. Would free up spaces for others who need them.
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Mell from PE writes: PEI- EVER HEAR THE WORD PROGRESS!!??
SEEMS NOT!
When will this province ever get over the past and move on? The historical costumes are OK for Victoria Row, Founders' Hall and the Quay when the tourists and ships are here, but PEI and Charlottetown has to mature to the present day. The Confederation Mall should be expanded to allow a hotel with underground parking. The Confederation Mall should be open on Sundays- get with it downtown- how do you expect the downtown to be vibrant if it is half dead with closed storefronts and a mall that is not open. This mindlessness only drives the people to go to the places that are open, like the Charlottetown Mall, and force more people to go to Wally World and those other USA owned franchises. No whining about church or family days, please- people have to work to afford to live and buy gas and food. You have lots of options for going to church and family time. Most working folk appreciate the fact that they can shop on Sundays- it is the 21st Century.
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New building is being called Splendid Erection from those who like height and, great water views... writes: Does the Sky Dome in Toronto have parking? No.
Does the Metro Centre in Halifax have parking? No.
Why hold up construction of a building being heralded as the 'Splendid Erection' to secure a few warm and cozy parking spots?
If the 300% variance was approved by Council without any dissent or debate, move on with constructionn as it may spawn other life forms!!
(Anytime the Chair of Planning - Devine - approves of a 300% variance, GO For IT !!)
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Andy from Charlottetown, PEI writes: We don't need another parking garage. We need fewer cars coming into our city's narrow streets.
We need mobility created by a reliable public transit system, not parking lots for individual transport automobiles.
Want inspiration? Look at Portland, Oregon or even Toronto with the TTC streetcar system. We could have dedicated trams running on many of our streets (which are flat and level) and ditch the cars completely.
Start charging a toll for anyone who takes their cars to a big suburban parking lot such as the Wal-Mart, Sears, etc. Make it economically feasible for someone to use transit.
Once you ding people in the pocket book, they'll smarten up and stop using the car so much.
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islander from pei writes: If we cannot maintain the streets now --takin into consideration the present number of business and Government dept,s in the area whats it s going to be like after we built a hotel--plus the police are crying they are understaffed--plus the infarstucture needs to be upgraded to meet the demand--my recommendation is for the developer to buy some of the land from Agri Canada on University and built the hotel there --there done deal --no more parking problems
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Transplanted Islander from Calgary, Alberta writes: Parking in downtown Calgary $21 t0 $25 per DAY, you can get a deal on a monthly pass, around $500.
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To Transplanted Islander from PEI writes: How do you expect people to use public transit when the majority of people working in downtown Ch'town live outside of town where there is none?
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I am Sam from Ch'town, PE writes: I find it amusing to read the comments here suggesting the developer doesn't know what he is doing, another hotel is not needed, it should be out on University Ave somewhere, etc. Someone suggests it's just an attempt to get tourists into the downtown for a stay .
Folks, this is a private company, not the government. People around here assume the government has a hand in everything, which at times, is not unreasonable to assume, but this is private money. You don't think they've done their research on this? They're taking a big risk, but believe me they've calculated it sixteen times and sideways. But no risk... no reward. The developer owns the Confed Court Mall. You don't think a hotel attached to the mall won't create good business synergy ? Word is, the mall is due for a big renovation and image overhaul too.
Have any of you ever been to a hotel in the downtown of a major city that didn't have parking right on site? It's not uncommon. They offer VALET service, it's not a big deal.
If you're so sure about what a dumb idea it is now, don't start whining about big rich corporate bigwigs when the owners are hauling in the cash hand over fist. They'll have earned it.
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