Demolition 322 King Street North | 45 m | 15 fl

[WatDot]

Definitely these developments are simply accommodating increased enrollments at the universities. They aren't really doing anything good as far as urban sprawl goes, but they are preventing student sprawl into other neighbourhoods. Take it how you like, but that's the reality.

Some quick points:

• These developments on King Street and Spruce Street are attracting primarily Laurier students and majority walk to campus along Spruce, Hazel, Bricker, etc. but all developments do accommodate parking for students.
• GO bus ridership (commuters) continues to increase amongst the student population.

[BuildingScout]

I don't think I buy that these buildings are reducing traffic demand. They're being built as the universities increase enrollment, so the best you can say is that they help to not increase traffic demand, which is rather different.

Compared to building university-adjacent dorms, they're worse in that sense, because people are taking the bus to campus instead of walking.

Exact figures are hard to me by, but by my estimation they have exceeded the increase in enrollment and are pulling in students who used to live further away.

Compared to non-existent university-adjacent dorms which students don't want to live in in the first place, yes they are worse.

[Newgrad]

I don't think I buy that these buildings are reducing traffic demand. They're being built as the universities increase enrollment, so the best you can say is that they help to not increase traffic demand, which is rather different.

Compared to building university-adjacent dorms, they're worse in that sense, because people are taking the bus to campus instead of walking.

The buildings may arguably be reducing traffic demand in the direction of WLU, but it will create other congestion problems. None of these buildings are mix-use. Where are the job opportunities? Students are getting packed tightly into this corridor but there aren't any jobs (or very few anyways) for them. For the most part, they either need to drive or take a bus to Uptown or Conestoga Mall.

[WaterlooNative]

The buildings may arguably be reducing traffic demand in the direction of WLU, but it will create other congestion problems. None of these buildings are mix-use. Where are the job opportunities? Students are getting packed tightly into this corridor but there aren't any jobs (or very few anyways) for them.

Between the 200 and 201 Express routes, I expect planners hope to siphon students to other parts of the city.

I'd also be concerned about the heavy resident turnover at the end of August and early September each year. Will Columbia resemble the excitement that is Lester each year?

[WatDot]

I'd also be concerned about the heavy resident turnover at the end of August and early September each year. Will Columbia resemble the excitement that is Lester each year?

That's a reasonable concern. Although each development has its own parking, there may potentially be a whack of students moving around the same time. Saw another Schrembi Development sign up on Columbia Street today by the way. Second house West on the South side from Columbia/Hazel intersection. I've come to think these developers/planners have a sickness. Their fever has clouded common sense.

[markster]

The planners had a sickness; the developers are just making money doing what the planners wanted.

[RangersFan]

I see the construction fence has been setup around this development, must be getting ready to start demolition soon.

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 23, 2012

South Side












North Side

[RangersFan]

I see the construction fence has been setup around this development, must be getting ready to start demolition soon.

Thanks UrbanWaterloo for confirming.