For starters, I can’t imagine anyone on the planet paying an additional 20 grand for a year at the U of M when it would be cheaper to take the same cash and fly to, say, the U of S for roughly the same crappy quality of schooling.

And being the green hip environmentalist that you are, you would have your frucken kitchen ensemble or sofa set delivered to your home for a nominal fee. But if you are only buying some forks and knick knacks, surely, you don’t need a car to tote that home.

I know I know, its such a big inconvenience.

Right because that is what I want. Go to IKEA downtown. Fight traffic. Navigate our ridiculous mess of one way streets. Pay to park. Then be told I have to drive to Centerpoint to pick up my Kittenhoffer magazine stand. Yeha that will work.

This tiny gesture makes everyone all look like heroes now. Already, all the parties involved are starting to change the rules, after the big announcement. Get them here first at all costs, and then figure out how to make it work. Typical Winnipeg. Didn’t city council learn anything from the other big box situations from years ago?

IKEA is probably still smiling though. Put in some more trees you ask? Not a problem. This is a tiny gesture, in comparison to what will be given back by the citizens of this city. Not complaining, just noting.

Having IKEA finally arrive here is a good thing for this city, but don’t for a minute think that this is all peaches and cream. IKEA management strike me as a very shrewd business group and who blinked first, the city or the province? It wasn’t IKEA.

Sorry, this pegger will keep shopping at Superstore on Portage and Polo Park, both comfortably suited to our winters.

On the other hand, I’ve written some predictably indignant, inner-city-dweller diatribes about big-box development hell.

The bigger issue: the city should probably amend its (relatively new) zoning bylaw to demand more aesthetically pleasing, if not outright greener parking lots. That may very well happen as part of Our Winnipeg.

bart

If I remember correctly it was Wyatt who applauded their lame attempt for greenery citing the lack of landscaping in other such shopping centres around the city and that they had been dissapointed with some other developments with respect to that.

The other thing is that the NIMBYs who showed up to voice their concern weren’t your typical NIMBYs. All they wanted was a sound barrier MADE OF TREES AND LANDSCAPING to buffer the space between the development and their houses. IKEA said no. So did EPC.

Cue applause.

Thats my beef. Warehouse can be an anchor tenant at Centreport, Sore can be an anchor tenant on Portage / Bay downtown.

I agree, IKEA will be very popular, even more reason to go downtown.