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Pair of tower rezoning proposals heading to public hearing
Pair of tower rezoning proposals heading to public hearing

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Pair of tower rezoning proposals heading to public hearing

Two rezoning applications for highrise buildings that could add more housing near the University of Alberta and in the Rossdale neighbourhood are heading to a public hearing at city hall on Monday. A 27-storey apartment building planned for the Windsor Park neighbourhood is heading to a public hearing at city hall on Monday. The proposed tower, called the Windsor Heights apartment building, would feature a large four-storey base and contain 285 residential units, 250 underground parking stalls, and up to 24,000 square feet of retail space. That project is being spearheaded by the Edmonton-based development company Westrich Pacific. Abdul Abbasi is vice-president external with the University of Alberta Students' Union. He said having a new building near the U of A would alleviate student housing concerns. "Affordable housing is a big issue that we hear from students, and we have been having conversations with the city on that," Abbasi told CBC. "Our campus food bank usage has increased by over 600 per cent over the last five years, and the biggest reason has been rent increase." The building would offer units with two and three bedrooms which Abbasi said can help with affordability given the rental vacancy in some neighbourhoods like Garneau is as low as one per cent. "When you have two and three bedroom housing, students can share that … let's say $2,400 or $2,000 and share that within themselves, and the cost comes down. But at the same time, if students are not using it, it can also be used as family housing." During an open house in July, some residents voiced concern over the height of the building. Abbasi said the student union is hoping to continue conversations with the surrounding community leagues to approach the issue of affordable housing collaboratively. U of A urban planning expert Neal LaMontagne said concerns around building height can be addressed with more information being provided to residents. "With the individual project, it's really hard to say, well, it's going to have this big effect, right? They're all only individual projects. It's how they all add up that matters," LaMontagne said. "Overall, the more supply we have, of course, the better that is for general affordability. Highrises get a lot of efficiency out of the site, but they're also a little more expensive to build." Rossdale tower In Rossdale, Dub Architects plans to put a residential and commercial building on land that houses the old Rossdale Brewery. The development could reach 17 storeys, with a maximum of 490 dwellings. "We have thought, rather than build a 10-storey building that's conventional, we'd like to do something interesting, because it's such a prominent site," architect Gene Dub told CBC, noting adjustments like setting the site back 90 metres after hearing concerns from residents on the risks of flooding due to being on a lower lying part of the city. "We have a building that's a series of sloped terraces, so that it's three stories at one end and 17 stories at the other end, averaging 10 stories. We think it's warranted to go through the expense to have an extraordinary design on such a nice site." Rossdale community league president Uzair Ahmed said there has been a preference for an older design of the project. "It was medium density, and the style and the heritage of it, and just ... looked a lot better in my opinion." Members of the public will have an opportunity to share their views on both projects to city council on Monday.

Pair of tower rezoning proposals heading to public hearing
Pair of tower rezoning proposals heading to public hearing

CBC

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • CBC

Pair of tower rezoning proposals heading to public hearing

Two rezoning applications for highrise buildings that could add more housing near the University of Alberta and in the Rossdale neighbourhood are heading to a public hearing at city hall on Monday. A 27-storey apartment building planned for the Windsor Park neighbourhood is heading to a public hearing at city hall on Monday. The proposed tower, called the Windsor Heights apartment building, would feature a large four-storey base and contain 285 residential units, 250 underground parking stalls, and up to 24,000 square feet of retail space. That project is being spearheaded by the Edmonton-based development company Westrich Pacific. Abdul Abbasi is vice-president external with the University of Alberta Students' Union. He said having a new building near the U of A would alleviate student housing concerns. "Affordable housing is a big issue that we hear from students, and we have been having conversations with the city on that," Abbasi told CBC. "Our campus food bank usage has increased by over 600 per cent over the last five years, and the biggest reason has been rent increase." The building would offer units with two and three bedrooms which Abbasi said can help with affordability given the rental vacancy in some neighbourhoods like Garneau is as low as one per cent. "When you have two and three bedroom housing, students can share that … let's say $2,400 or $2,000 and share that within themselves, and the cost comes down. But at the same time, if students are not using it, it can also be used as family housing." During an open house in July, some residents voiced concern over the height of the building. Abbasi said the student union is hoping to continue conversations with the surrounding community leagues to approach the issue of affordable housing collaboratively. U of A urban planning expert Neal LaMontagne said concerns around building height can be addressed with more information being provided to residents. "With the individual project, it's really hard to say, well, it's going to have this big effect, right? They're all only individual projects. It's how they all add up that matters," LaMontagne said. "Overall, the more supply we have, of course, the better that is for general affordability. Highrises get a lot of efficiency out of the site, but they're also a little more expensive to build." Rossdale tower In Rossdale, Dub Architects plans to put a residential and commercial building on land that houses the old Rossdale Brewery. The development could reach 17 storeys, with a maximum of 490 dwellings. "We have thought, rather than build a 10-storey building that's conventional, we'd like to do something interesting, because it's such a prominent site," architect Gene Dub told CBC, noting adjustments like setting the site back 90 metres after hearing concerns from residents on the risks of flooding due to being on a lower lying part of the city. "We have a building that's a series of sloped terraces, so that it's three stories at one end and 17 stories at the other end, averaging 10 stories. We think it's warranted to go through the expense to have an extraordinary design on such a nice site." Rossdale community league president Uzair Ahmed said there has been a preference for an older design of the project. "It was medium density, and the style and the heritage of it, and just ... looked a lot better in my opinion."

University of Regina terminates main lease agreement with URSU, effective immediately
University of Regina terminates main lease agreement with URSU, effective immediately

CTV News

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • CTV News

University of Regina terminates main lease agreement with URSU, effective immediately

A group of students are petitioning against the University of Regina Students' Union, calling for a temporarily dissolution of the union. (Angela Stewart / CTV News) The University of Regina (U of R) has terminated its main lease agreement with URSU, according to an update on social media on Friday. U of R president Jeff Keshen provided the written statement, noting that the university's loss of confidence in URSU's ability to serve and represent students is what led to the lease termination. This means URSU leadership will be required to vacate the office and commercial space it occupies on university campus, including office space, the multi-purpose room, and the Lazy Owl. According to Keshen's statement, the Lazy Owl will remain closed until further notice and bookings for the multi-purpose room will be managed by hospitality services. 'As previously communicated, the University will not be disbursing funds to URSU beginning this Fall semester and has processes in place to ensure core student services (including health and dental benefits, and U-Pass) continue without disruption,' the statement read. CTV News has reached out to URSU for comment. A Statement from President Jeff Keshen: — University of Regina (@UofRegina) August 15, 2025 -More details to come…

Photo gallery: When students went to ridiculous extremes to raise money
Photo gallery: When students went to ridiculous extremes to raise money

Yahoo

time09-08-2025

  • Automotive
  • Yahoo

Photo gallery: When students went to ridiculous extremes to raise money

It was a day of joyful chaos and charitable spirits as Brockenhurst College went to ridiculous extremes for a good cause. The Students' Union, a bastion of audacious ideas, pushed the limits of car-sharing to a comical level by somehow squeezing 18 students into a tiny four-seater Ford Fiesta. The festive atmosphere was infectious, amplified by a sea of flower-power fancy dress and a daring fire-juggling act. As baked-bean-flavoured gunge flowed freely and laughter echoed across the campus, the students and staff were put into a wonderfully giving mood, with cash raining into collection buckets. The fundraising efforts extended beyond the college grounds, too, as a team from the photography department raised more than £200 by snapping photos of shoppers in the nearby village centre. Jenny Jenkins, the Student Union administrator at the time, aptly summed it up: 'This is an annual fun bash.' She expressed hope that the November 18, 2000, event would surpass the previous year's £1,000 total, with the 2000 proceeds going to Children in Need charity.

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