Saskatoon Construction

[gowest]

There was talk about Cosco in Stonebridge. This was passed over for a new store in Edmonton.

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by gowest

There was talk about Cosco in Stonebridge. This was passed over for a new store in Edmonton.

That's bullcrap, there's been so many times where I've walked out of Costco because of the ridiculous lines that is if I can even find a parking spot that's anywhere within a km of the entrance. That place is always just stupid piss me off busy.

We need another one.

[Echoes]

Some of you may have seen this already, but this is my first time seeing any type of map that shows a street layout. It's the Land Use Concept Plan for the proposed Kensington neighbourhood in Blairmore:
http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Comm...ents/Kensington_Website_Concept_Plan.pdf

Looks like 33rd Street is going to do quite the S curve. Instead of bisecting the neighbourhood I guess.

Happy Family Day everyone.

[Echoes]

OK, so I must really be bored today....

Source

Collective Coffee, the first tenant of The Two Twenty, opened its doors on the weekend. Haven't made it there yet, but it looks like a neat spot and a great addition to Riversdale. There's a short write-up about the place on Norm Fisher's blog:

http://www.teamfisher.com/saskatoon%E2%8...e-with-the-opening-of-collective-coffee/

There are also some more photos on The Two Twenty's facebook page showing progress on the project, here.

[kgc087]

This is a VERY bold proposal but do you think Saskatoon could nab up the possibility of constructing the new "provincial" stadium if Regina's proposal falls through?

[kgc087]

First, did city council actually pass some sort of proposal or project where they will pay the first 5 years of a mortgage for people within a certain income bracket to free up condo space for low income people?

Second, Saskatoon's urban planning really needs to shape up. If the above is true the city is creating a MASSIVE stigma towards density and promoting suburbanism. I don't think the dreams of a sustainable, somewhat dense, vibrant community will be realized if the city continues to build out. I understand each neighbourhood is more dense then the next but with each new neighbourhood the city should be redeveloping an older one and rezoning to allow for greater density. As we all know downtown is littered with parking lots that could be transformed into condos. Even reserving those for condos/mixed use would be an amazing first step towards securing the vibrancy of the city. I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I feel if the city doesn't act soon and change some of their long term goals it will just become a desolate panoramic of cookie cutter homes.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by kgc087

This is a VERY bold proposal but do you think Saskatoon could nab up the possibility of constructing the new "provincial" stadium if Regina's proposal falls through?

Nope. A new stadium needs the Riders as thier prime tenant and the Riders won't be moving. This isn't a case of "if you build it, they will come". The Riders are too deeply entrenched in the Regina culture (and vice-versa) for them to ever consider a move up here. And, no, I don't think we can support a second CFL franchise in the province. There's my two cents.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by kgc087

First, did city council actually pass some sort of proposal or project where they will pay the first 5 years of a mortgage for people within a certain income bracket to free up condo space for low income people?

Not exactly, but they are fronting people the money for the down payment for a home purchase at a very low rate. Here's a recent story about it from the S-P:
http://communities.canada.com/saskatoons...oon-s-mortgage-down-payment-program.aspx

I'm not a fan of the idea, though. My concern is that it is going to get people into houses that they can't afford and when mortgage rates move up, people will be losing their homes.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Crisis

Not exactly, but they are fronting people the money for the down payment for a home purchase at a very low rate. Here's a recent story about it from the S-P:
http://communities.canada.com/saskatoons...oon-s-mortgage-down-payment-program.aspx

I'm not a fan of the idea, though. My concern is that it is going to get people into houses that they can't afford and when mortgage rates move up, people will be losing their homes.

Yes it is pretty funny that the Feds are tightening mortgage rules to avoid this at the very same time the City is doing the opposite. Our governments at work!

[gowest]

I was at the Safeway in the Confederation Mall today. It has been totally redone. Even a Starbucks. Radio Shack or The Source is also completely redone as well. The mall is slowly under going a new look. Great to see. Can't wait to see the new Canadian Tire.

[ninipanini]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Yes it is pretty funny that the Feds are tightening mortgage rules to avoid this at the very same time the City is doing the opposite. Our governments at work!

I think you guys missed the point of the program... it is to give low interest loans for downpayments which will be paid off within 5 years to people who have the income to quality for mortgages! These are people who have enough income to make the payments, and who already qualify but just don't have the money to make a down payment. I was listening to a discussion of this a couple weeks back (or when ever the story broke) and the interviewee was saying that this is for middle income people, I believe their target was people with household incomes 60-80K annually. I think this is a fantastic idea! When rent can easily be $1000/month why not pay off a mortgage instead... that's how much my mortgage is!

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by ninipanini

I think you guys missed the point of the program... it is to give low interest loans for downpayments which will be paid off within 5 years to people who have the income to quality for mortgages! These are people who have enough income to make the payments, and who already qualify but just don't have the money to make a down payment. I was listening to a discussion of this a couple weeks back (or when ever the story broke) and the interviewee was saying that this is for middle income people, I believe their target was people with household incomes 60-80K annually. I think this is a fantastic idea! When rent can easily be $1000/month why not pay off a mortgage instead... that's how much my mortgage is!

But are there not mortgage rules that you are not supposed to borrow your downpayment? For example when young people get money from their parents, they have to sign something acknowledging it is a gift not a loan.

[prairieguy]

Photo request please and thank you)

For those of you that have been so good about posting photos to this thread, I was wondering if we could get some updates on projects that are progressing pretty well now:
- Vestel condos on 8th
- New student residences by Meridian
- Health Science building on Wiggins/campus
- JD Black estate condos
- Meridian head office/modern press building
- Seniors Complex on preston by Market Mall

It would do all of us followers some good in this frigid month to see some of the progress that is being made in the city with respect to some current construction projects.

[prairieguy]

Interesting article in business section of Star Phoenix today that talks about Saskatoon being primed to be the centre of Canada's resource sector. If his vision of the future is close to reality, that certainly bodes well for Saskatoon. Maybe two7five should get their cranes on site to have office space ready!!

read more here:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Mining+powers/4336927/story.html

[TheCricket]

The Regional and Urban Planning Program is pleased to launch the new U of S Planner in Residence Program.

Cynthia Nikitin, Vice-President for Downtowns at the Project for Public Spaces in New York, will soon be arriving in Saskatoon as the University of Saskatchewan’s inaugural Planner in Residence for 2011.

Nikitin is a renowned urban planner with a vast portfolio of more than 175 diverse projects, including the development of downtown master plans, [FONT='Trebuchet MS , sans-serif ]the development of public art master plans for major cities, [/FONT]transit facility enhancements, land-use strategies for highways and the coalescing of civic buildings. She is also a highly sought after public speaker, having delivered nearly 50 keynote addresses and training workshops around the world. She contributes regularly to the Public Art Review. She holds a MA degree from New York University in Arts Management and Urban Planning.

While in Saskatoon from February 28 to March 4, Nikitin will be providing lectures and workshops both on campus and in the community. Her public addresses will be as follows:

· March 2, noon to 1 p.m.: Nikitin will hold a presentation and discussion forum on the role of place-making in creating great heritage districts. This will take place at City Hall, in Council Chambers. The event is free of charge, and everyone is welcome to attend.

· March 2, 7:30 to 9 p.m.: Nikitin will give a public presentation and discussion entitled “Civic Squares and Downtown Parks” at the Broadway Theatre. This event is free of charge and open to everyone.

· March 4: Nikitin will be the keynote speaker at the Saskatoon Heritage Society’s annual fundraising dinner at the Delta Bessborough Hotel. Tickets are $65 per person, or $470 for a table of eight (contact Ryan Walker for tickets at 966-5664, [email protected]).

The Planner in Residence is a new program for the University of Saskatchewan, and was launched in the Regional & Urban Planning (RUP) Program thanks to a gift from Dr. H.D. (Dewell) Linn, one of the earliest promoters of the RUP program at the U of S in the 1970s. The 2011 Planner in Residence program is also being generously co-sponsored by Prairie Wild Consulting.

The objectives of the U of S Planner in Residence Program are to strengthen training and development of RUP students; training and development of the public on issues relating to planning; and training and development of planning professionals.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Interesting article in business section of Star Phoenix today that talks about Saskatoon being primed to be the centre of Canada's resource sector. If his vision of the future is close to reality, that certainly bodes well for Saskatoon. Maybe two7five should get their cranes on site to have office space ready!!

read more here:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Mining+powers/4336927/story.html

Interesting prespective from an industry "insider". Saskatoon's already a centre for the mining sector and it's only logical that as the sector grows so will its presence here in Saskatoon. The implications of this on development over the long term are nothing but positive!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

This is a VERY bold proposal but do you think Saskatoon could nab up the possibility of constructing the new "provincial" stadium if Regina's proposal falls through?

That is a definite no. The proposal will not fall through. Even if it did, the Riders are not a good fit for Saskatoon in my humble opinion.

Be patient. Our community is quite capable of establishing its own professional organization and requisite facilities to compete against any CFL franchise.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by TheCricket

The Regional and Urban Planning Program is pleased to launch the new U of S Planner in Residence Program.

Cynthia Nikitin, Vice-President for Downtowns at the Project for Public Spaces in New York, will soon be arriving in Saskatoon as the University of Saskatchewan’s inaugural Planner in Residence for 2011.
[...]

This is a great initiative! I hope our elected officials attend at least one of the events (some of them should attend all three).

[Ruckus]

EDIT: Moved to Western Expresso

[Jerry]

Police headquarters jumps in size

Parking, space additions due to population growth: Weighill
By David Hutton with files from Lori Coolican, The StarPhoenix February 24, 2011

Saskatoon’s new police headquarters will be far larger and likely more expensive than previously thought, police Chief Clive Weighill says.

The police service is less than two months away from unveiling the construction company and architect for the north downtown facility as the three bidding firms continue to prepare detailed drawings and cost estimates, Weighill told the board of police commissioners in an update Thursday.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/sports/Pol...ps+size/4343494/story.html#ixzz1Eyb4raFE