Posts Tagged ‘Downtown’
Downtown Growth, Development
Policy Direction Framework, Strategies Set
This week City Council unanimously adopted the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, a conceptual development framework for growth over the next 20-30 years. It will also serve as a foundation for the development of Phase Two which is the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan that will provide detailed regulations and guidelines for development.
The Downtown Redevelopment Plan was identified as a Council priority and is the result of an extensive collaborative effort. In July 2008, Planning Services began the process by engaging city departments, City Centre Development Agency (CCDA) and other community stakeholders in an interactive and dynamic manner including preliminary information gathering/analysis, and a four day design Charrette that included a workshop and a public open house.
“This is a milestone for the city of Medicine Hat because the Downtown has never had a formal Plan to help direct its future development,” says Jeanie Gartly, Superintendent of Planning Services. “There appears to be broad support and anticipation for the implementation of the Plan while conserving the unique historical character of the Downtown.”
The Downtown Redevelopment Plan boundary is defined as the area from Maple Avenue SE to the east and Third Avenue SE to the west. The area is bound on the north by the South Saskatchewan River and Fifth Street SE to the south. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »
I just realized when we received a comment on our last years Midnight Madness article that this year’s event is quickly approaching. This year, Midnight Madness will be taking place on Thursday night (November 26th). Most of the deals and sales that most business owners promote will start at 6PM and last all the way till midnight. Some of the yearly events include Santa arriving at City Hall, a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas carols, ice sculptures, and the international festival of trees.
The Downtown Medicine Hat website has recently changed their page to promote the event as seen here which details, new comer to this year, The Monarch Theatre having free admission for Midnight Madness. Midnight Madness is primarily a downtown event, but I’m sure some other shops around town also take part. Or, in the case of the Medicine Hat Mall – they have their own event which is called Moonlight Madness which we also posted about last year – still waiting for some information on this one for this year.
Alternatively, for more information, there is a couple businesses listing their own events/information on the Shop the Hat website event list.
Thuy Tien is a Vietnamese restaurant located in downtown Medicine Hat. Taylor and I are no strangers to the restaurant staff, as I am sure we are no strangers to them. We first went there in the spring of 2009, and have been back numerous times since.
The restaurant offers a large menu, including about 75 different dishes, most of which include the best rice ever, which is then complimented by the best soy sauce ever. The dishes usually include chicken, pork or beef, but also branch out to some more interesting items, such as quail.
The decor of Thuy Tien creates a relaxing environment with comfortable chairs, large tables, interesting tapestries and artwork and soft music. There is also a large aquarium by the cash register that children seem to love, which also gives me an air of nostalgia as it reminds me of a Dairy Queen in Regina that also had a large attention-grabbing aquarium.
The food is good and the location is accessible. Check out Thuy Tien if you want to try something new.
Thui Tien is located in downtown Medicine Hat at #647 – 2nd Street S.E.
The United Conservatory of Music is the first musical destination for many, if not all, musicians in Medicine Hat and surrounding area. The Conservatory, or “UCOM”, as it is commonly called, started up in 1972 with only 25 students in its mix and 37 years later with hundreds of students, it is going stronger than ever.
The comfortable atmosphere is accentuated by the knowledgeable and friendly staff who generally greet you within minutes of entering the doorway. It is not uncommon to open the door and immediately hear guitar riffs filling the air.
The walls are lined with a wide array of products and brands, including Gibson, Ibanez, Tama, Sabian, Zildjian, and much more. The prices are usually the best you can find in town for brand name products.
I am no stranger to the drum section of the Conservatory, going there most often for new drum skins, sticks and the occasional piece of hardware. I am sure my face is not an uncommon one to see there after years of occasional visits.
The United Conservatory of Music is located in downtown Medicine Hat at #560 – 4th Street SE.
A couple of months ago in Veterans-Riverside Park there were a bunch of paving stones removed from around the tank area. These pavers were lifted and used to make a large fire pit. I couldn’t help but think how long it must have taken to construct this and the fact that nobody reported a fire going in the park.
Don’t know why, but I’m always surprised to see that there is a common problem of homeless and transients downtown. I’m never downtown in the Wee hours when I guess a lot of trespassing and vandalism occurs. I don’t think most people see this side of our City.
The Post is a non-profit, second-hand store located in Downtown Medicine Hat that primarily focuses on clothing and furniture. All proceeds that are made go to Metal Health organizations and The Post is primarily staffed by volunteers, some with health conditions who are getting experience to get back on their feet and perhaps find their way into the work-field. They usually have a wide selection of clothing for all ages and sizes and at least a dozen couches, chairs or tables at any time.
Other objects that can be found include lamps, footwear, sporting and fitness equipment, sometimes video games, board games, televisions and computer monitors and much more. They also offer a small section of VHS, DVD and CDs.
Some cool finds I have seen in the store include a bow and arrow set (which I accidentally broke and then fixed) and a couple archaic Sega Genesis games in their original factory sealed packaging which Vaughn bought (and were worth 3 or 4 times the amount he paid, I think).
Donations can be made in front of the store, which can be identified by the usual overflowing bins by the doorway.
The Post can be found at 410 South Railway Street SE.
Over the 5 or so years that Vaughn and I have lived in Medicine Hat, we have made a number of trips to the pawn shops of Medicine Hat. Two noteworthy shops include King of Trade and Mr. and Mrs. Pawn. I cannot count how much time (and money) I have spent in these places, let alone what Vaughn has spent.
King of Trade is an upscale second hand store in downtown Medicine Hat, and they have everything.
Their merchandise ranges from the typical stuff you would find in most pawn shops, like old board and video games, VHS and DVD movies, appliances and tools, to more extravagant items like full band instruments, including drums, guitars (acoustic and electric), some horns, amps, etc. Lots of televisions and cameras (both analog and digital), and a multitude of provincial, territorial and country flags.
Some other more rarer finds I have seen there have included a Sai, Templar Daggers, Scorpion Daggers, other types of swords/weapons, high end paintball guns and rare Nintendo and Super Nintendo games (usually purchased by Vaughn).
King of Trade is definitely the place to go if you are looking for cheap videos, flags, or any common thing you might find cheaper than anywhere else.
King of Trade is located at 645 3rd Street SE.
Mr. and Mrs. Pawn is a pawn shop located in downtown Medicine Hat that has more recently joined into one store (previously being two stores separated by a music store), and they have a wide array of this and that.
This new, fresh cafe located on 3rd street in downtown Medicine Hat is a welcome change from the regular hum drum of midday meals. Sean and I enjoyed lunch on their unique sheltered patio on Friday and we were not disappointed. Our server, Denai, was beyond helpful, even when we asked to switch tables. After informing us of the specials and quickly bringing us our drinks (which were served in glass coke bottles) our food was promptly delivered despite the lunch rush. For $8.95 each, Sean and I got more food than either of us could eat in one sitting and the quality was excellent.
The menu is quite large, including breakfast and lunch/dinner selections with standard dishes like soups, salads, sandwiches etc. In addition, all the meals appear to be within the $10-$15 range making for great value.
My only critique is the lack of music on the patio. As this is a new restaurant it may be a future addition but some tunes would have been nice to help drown out the inevitably loud road noise. But overall it was an excellent experience and I highly recommend The Patio Cafe for your next meal.
Medicine Hat’s 20th annual Chili Cookoff is coming up this weekend in Downtown Medicine Hat.
The event is on Saturday, July 18th, and kicks off at noon and runs till 4PM. Entry is $3. Team sign-up forms can be found on their website as well as pledge forms.
Everyone loves chili, check it out!
Snow, in June?
As if it was any wonder to most people, Spectrum 2009 has been officially cancelled. This morning I awoke to a delightful snowy day, well it would have been delightful if it wasn’t June and wasn’t Spectrum weekend. Although the yearly festival went ahead as scheduled on Friday night (with small attendance), it was cancelled on Saturday citing concerns for not only the weather, but for safety, as described in this Medicine Hat News article. The article also explains that it is not only cancelled, but it is really cancelled, as in, it’s not going to be re-booked or delayed because the money and planning has already been spent for this year.
It’s really a sad thing for the coordinators, the events planners, the entertainment and even the businesses; however, some shops downtown still had their pre-planned sales going on that were meant to bank off a steady stream of Spectrum go-ers. On the up side, a lot of people are happy about the move from Kin Coulee back into the downtown, hopefully it will stick for next year.