Saskatoon Construction

[gopher65]

Originally Posted by Country

I noticed some fresh framing up on my way past today.

Any explanation for the long halt?

I'm also curious as to why they halted construction *all summer long*. They worked straight through last winter and spring, and then just kinda... stopped on day in early summer. It seemed stupid.

[kgc087]

The new diversity: Saskatoon seeing unprecedented growth of new immigrants


By Rory MacLean, The StarPhoenix October 17, 2010 9:01 AM


English as a second language instructor Caitlin Mooney (standing), in class helping (from left) Galina, Nicolae and Nataliya at the Open Door Society

English as a second language instructor Caitlin Mooney (standing), in class helping (from left) Galina, Nicolae and Nataliya at the Open Door Society
Photograph by: Gord Waldner, The StarPhoenix, The StarPhoenix

Face the Future is a series that steps back to examine issues challenging Saskatoon in the decades to come. This is the second instalment.

- - -

It's hard to describe the sound of an economic boom, but if you go to one of the English language classes provided by Saskatoon's immigrant settlement agencies, you can hear the echoes.

"What is this word, mining?" asks Galina Rotaru, a student in one of the Saskatoon Open Door Society's biweekly English classes.

Rotaru came to Saskatoon from Moldova with her husband and three children just over a year ago so her husband could take a job as a bricklayer.

[...]

If she hadn't been educated and involved in her daughter's education, or if her English was poor, it's possible nothing would have ever been done about it, says Elabor-Idemudia.

But Saskatoon has already changed so much since she arrived in the 1990s, she says. The biggest challenge likely won't be racism, but how to make the city more culturally inclusive, bringing new practices and languages into the fold.

The Folkfest model is not working, she says.

"I don't believe in just having a three-day Folkfest. Multiculturalism should be an everyday celebration. We value each other, we respect each other, and don't impose one person's culture as the norm."
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix


Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/diver...igrants/3682223/story.html#ixzz12ddkveT9

_____________________________________________________
This is very good news for Saskatoon! Canada has no real net population growth besides immigration. Once immigrants begin to settle in Saskatoon the city can probably comfortably say that it will have a population boom. ~12 000 people/ year and about 75% of those people will most likely come to Saskatoon. This will not only fill jobs and allow for more jobs to be created it will be a huge boost to the economy. From a development stand point we can probably expect to see some higher density developments happen. Here's to a happy, dense and multicultural future Saskatoon !

[kiwi4life]

Downtown crane, extensions were put on this weekend, causing the crane to jump a little higher, hands together for the guys who put up cranes etc, for they do excessive amounts of dangerous work their lives are always at risk when doing this.

[kiwi4life]

Also noticed that the new subdivision evergreen has some freshly paved roads in there and what looks like they are close to being prepared foe the first set of houses to be built in the new neighbourhood

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

Downtown crane, extensions were put on this weekend, causing the crane to jump a little higher, hands together for the guys who put up cranes etc, for they do excessive amounts of dangerous work their lives are always at risk when doing this.

It has been a lonnnnng time since I saw a tower crane in Saskatoon. I know it hasn't been to long but for me almost 4 years.

Anyone have photos?

[TheCricket]

Did anyone else notice the backside of Midtown by the doors to the food court under a bit of construction? Wonder if it's just superficial work or something more extensive?

Also, the building on the corner of Broadway where the new Christies Bakery is going is apparently now owned by Gaby Ackl of EnzoGroup Realty. He and his wife bought the property and are now leasing it. Christies is going around the corner and in a bit on the end as oppose to facing Broadway.

[kiwi4life]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

It has been a lonnnnng time since I saw a tower crane in Saskatoon. I know it hasn't been to long but for me almost 4 years.

Anyone have photos?

It actually has been a long time, unfortunately I have no pics, sorry. Definately want to see a few more tower cranes in our downtown, as some of you can see, I'm one a those guys that's all for large buildings, skyscrapers, high rises, bridges, tower cranes etc, currently working on my. Journeymans certificate for carpentry, so I'd love it if we see more in saskatoon, I'm already liking those developers "Meridan" I wonder if their next project will be a high rise downtown, I don't know. But I hope, at least that's all I can do, if anyone has information on this stuff even if its just a rumour, please pass it on, ill be interested, thanks guys. Cheers to saskatoons future development!

[kiwi4life]

Originally Posted by TheCricket

Did anyone else notice the backside of Midtown by the doors to the food court under a bit of construction? Wonder if it's just superficial work or something more extensive?

Also, the building on the corner of Broadway where the new Christies Bakery is going is apparently now owned by Gaby Ackl of EnzoGroup Realty. He and his wife bought the property and are now leasing it. Christies is going around the corner and in a bit on the end as oppose to facing Broadway.

I'm pretty sure that backside piece at midtown is just a bit of a facelift, I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it is, that's my best guess

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

It actually has been a long time, unfortunately I have no pics, sorry. Definately want to see a few more tower cranes in our downtown, as some of you can see, I'm one a those guys that's all for large buildings, skyscrapers, high rises, bridges, tower cranes etc, currently working on my. Journeymans certificate for carpentry, so I'd love it if we see more in saskatoon, I'm already liking those developers "Meridan" I wonder if their next project will be a high rise downtown, I don't know. But I hope, at least that's all I can do, if anyone has information on this stuff even if its just a rumour, please pass it on, ill be interested, thanks guys. Cheers to saskatoons future development!

I do believe Meridian released a statement a while back saying they will no longer be doing large scale projects like they have been doing. I think their new offices are going to be their last big hurah for the city. I would like to see them contribute to the warehouse district. I think they would do an excellent job of it.

[kiwi4life]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I do believe Meridian released a statement a while back saying they will no longer be doing large scale projects like they have been doing. I think their new offices are going to be their last big hurah for the city. I would like to see them contribute to the warehouse district. I think they would do an excellent job of it.

Alright thanks kgc087, oh well that's too bad, I still like em, there will be more developers soon to come, I'm sure to do large projects, and yes I believe Meridian would do an excellent job of the warehouse district.

[jrm857]

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

I'm pretty sure that backside piece at midtown is just a bit of a facelift, I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it is, that's my best guess

according to a friend of mine who works in midtown, he had said that the mall was no longer renewing some leases, as it was to become the "destination" mall for the province, so it would be the exclusive carrier if you will of such stores. So it may be the start of things to come that way.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by jrm857

according to a friend of mine who works in midtown, he had said that the mall was no longer renewing some leases, as it was to become the "destination" mall for the province, so it would be the exclusive carrier if you will of such stores. So it may be the start of things to come that way.

I still think it would be amazing to see a new level on top of the mall and then a couple condo towers on each side. The roof of midtown could become one massive green space with these beautiful condos on top. Building the condos would probably be able to fund an additional level to the mall. I think I've found my next blog entry! Innovative density.

[Measuring Stick]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I still think it would be amazing to see a new level on top of the mall and then a couple condo towers on each side. The roof of midtown could become one massive green space with these beautiful condos on top. Building the condos would probably be able to fund an additional level to the mall. I think I've found my next blog entry! Innovative density.

KGC its great you have such innovative ideas; however, the problem with that type of design in a place like Saskatoon is that it is much cheaper to buy more land in Downtown than to reinforce a building for additional vertical devleopment. Real increases in density and high cost additions like you speak of need to be cost effective in relation to the alternative. Saskatoon land prices are still far from encouraging this type of expansion. Not saying it wouldn't be great to see.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

KGC its great you have such innovative ideas; however, the problem with that type of design in a place like Saskatoon is that it is much cheaper to buy more land in Downtown than to reinforce a building for additional vertical devleopment. Real increases in density and high cost additions like you speak of need to be cost effective in relation to the alternative. Saskatoon land prices are still far from encouraging this type of expansion. Not saying it wouldn't be great to see.

I understand the cost of it all, but one can dream and have a vision for the city. Perhaps one day in my life I will see something like this materialize.

[Measuring Stick]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I understand the cost of it all, but one can dream and have a vision for the city. Perhaps one day in my life I will see something like this materialize.

I agree and not meaning to stop you from exploring new ideas for Saskatoon.

[Echoes]

You might have spotted these green poster directories popping up on Third Avenue:



Image source, and for more info: http://www.saskatooncitynews.ca/


What do you guys think about the colour?

I'm all for brightening up the street with some colour, and this could help give Third Avenue a lively, refresshing look on an otherwise cold and gray winter day. However, I worry about how this green will "age". Think of the awful blue light fixtures and street furniture along 2nd Avenue. In 20 years will these green coloured installations along 3rd Avenue look just as dated?

IMO, the black fixtures along 21st, 1st, Spadina, and Broadway are the most elegant and timeless looking. The gray fixtures at River Landing are pretty slick too.

However, these are just the poster directories. Still waiting on the lamp posts, benches, etc.... all supposed to have a heritage look IIRC?

[Ruckus]

^ nice! Let SCYAP do their magic with them? It's great to see a few 3rd Avenue businesses improving their facades as well.

[jrm857]

I do really like that green colour. My issue is the inconsistency throughout downtown. I understand the different lights and such at river landing as it is somewhat seperate, but the black on 1st and spadina, the awful blue on 2nd, the red on 22nd and the standard green on 4th and whatever we end up with on 3rd seem ridiculous. Personally i would like to see some consistency in downtown. I agree that the black on spadina and first are the nicest, anyways just a rant.

[kgc087]

I always have preferred the heritage lighting and black fixtures. I feel the electrical boxes are a colourful addition to the streets. They are just not mindlessly painted either, they are done by an artist which brings a whole new level of interest. I wish 3rd Ave. was getting the poster board holders like 21st street. They are robust and draw you in. I don't think the green will age well. It's not a timeless shade nor is it even very appealing right now. Nice try 3rd Ave. but I think just the traditional fixtures accompanied by interesting artistic additions such as murals and sculptures would have had more impact. As for cohesion downtown I really do think it should happen. Everyone has said our downtown is large enough to accommodate varying varieties of fixtures but it really looks sloppy and is poorly executed.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by jrm857

I do really like that green colour. My issue is the inconsistency throughout downtown. I understand the different lights and such at river landing as it is somewhat seperate, but the black on 1st and spadina, the awful blue on 2nd, the red on 22nd and the standard green on 4th and whatever we end up with on 3rd seem ridiculous. Personally i would like to see some consistency in downtown. I agree that the black on spadina and first are the nicest, anyways just a rant.

Yes, I agree with you on the inconsistency. A friend and I once identified 4 different types of light posts along 22nd Street between Idylwyld and Spadina: red, green, wood (!!!), and those black acorn types closest to the river. It only serves to give one of our principal downtown streets a fairly ratty, incoherent look.

It would be nice if some consistency was established. At the very least, get rid of the remaining wooden light poles! The Third Avenue project will remove a bunch, thankfully.

However, I do like the idea of slightly differentiating the look and style of one downtown street from another in order to give each one its own unique feel and identity. Unique design accents that are part of the 3rd Avenue project will serve to set it apart from 2nd, or 21st, or River Landing. This differentiation of streets can be achieved while still maintaining a level of consistency throughout the downtown. Consistency does not = uniformity.