Saskatoon Construction

[circle33]

Originally Posted by ninipanini

... Isn't it better to have nothing at all rather than an eyesore? ...

Yes.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by ninipanini

I definitely agree that we aren't going to get a CN or Calgary tower any time soon; honestly it would probably be a waste of money at this point to spend as much that would cost... What I was getting at is that if we aren't going to get a classy looking tower we should just forget about it. Isn't it better to have nothing at all rather than an eyesore? How long do you think it will take to gett rid of it are once people are sick of it?

Perhaps. Is SkyTower that repulsive? Is it the design, intended use, the fact that they have identical ones in Singapore and a few other cities around the world? What makes it so inappropriate for Saskatoon...or any city for that matter?

How long will the SkyTower remain a fixture of the Saskatoon skyline? Good question, and sorry, I don't have a definitive answer. I'll wager 15-20 years (it sounds like a DIY observation tower kit)...assuming regular maintenance...and no terrorists.

I don't find the design, or primary use off-putting...there are much uglier observation towers around the world. I think I understand the argument put forward by the naysayers, as it was only a few months ago when we were discussing the Remai proposal next to St. Johns cathedral. I recall some of you saying its better than nothing...and I felt nothing (aka parking lot) would be better than another disappointing design from Remai (I still hold that feeling).

Reasons why I think the SkyTower is a good (not great), appropriate proposal for Saskatoon; River Landing:

1. Entertainment value - lures tourists to the area...they see the tower from afar, from their airplane window

2. Height - As they say, taller is better (be it radio towers or smoke stacks, or in our case, an observation tower that dwarfs all other structures in Saskatoon...Saskatchewan?)

3. Cost - Private funds => no public funding required; self-sustainable business

4. Views from above - A small fee to ride to the top gives our citizens/community a better sense of place; instead of going to the Calgary Tower, we go to the Saskatoon SkyTower, its ours

5. Recognizing our past - Opportunity to explain/understand the history of Saskatoon from a new, big city perspective...

6. Design inspiration - A tall, thin, tower can impact design considerations for
future developments in the area seeking to complement or contrast the old with the new

........

It'd be great SkyTower went ahead, if it doesn't, oh well. The sun would still rise the next day, and the day after that...

[swilley]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Reasons why I think the SkyTower is a good (not great), appropriate proposal for Saskatoon; River Landing:......

I agree.

[midnightrambler]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Reasons why I think the SkyTower is a good (not great), appropriate proposal for Saskatoon; River Landing:

1. Entertainment value - lures tourists to the area...they see the tower from afar, from their airplane window

2. Height - As they say, taller is better (be it radio towers or smoke stacks, or in our case, an observation tower that dwarfs all other structures in Saskatoon...Saskatchewan?)

3. Cost - Private funds => no public funding required; self-sustainable business

4. Views from above - A small fee to ride to the top gives our citizens/community a better sense of place; instead of going to the Calgary Tower, we go to the Saskatoon SkyTower, its ours

5. Recognizing our past - Opportunity to explain/understand the history of Saskatoon from a new, big city perspective...

6. Design inspiration - A tall, thin, tower can impact design considerations for
future developments in the area seeking to complement or contrast the old with the new



It'd be great SkyTower went ahead, if it doesn't, oh well. The sun would still rise the next day, and the day after that...

You make a lot of good points with the sky tower. I think I will tend to agree that a tower enhances the city's skyline. Especially from the views posted. If I was on city council, however, I would like to see at least one other design option before I made a decision.

[prairieguy]

I am totally on the fence with the SkyTower (still a hypothetical discussion) proposal. I can see merit in both sides of this debate. I think what would be important to me is that an 'added' attraction would have to exist at the base of the tower (i.e. interpretive museum, science centre, whatever...I will leave that debate for another time).

Did anyone see the article in the Star Phoenix today regarding the city receiving NO proposals for a restaurant at the foot of the Traffic Bridge as part of River Landing concept plan? Are we once again facing this "prime real estate in all of Canada" failing to attract interest? I can certainly understand some of the points put forward such as high lease and waiting for RiverLanding(Lake Placid) construction. I just hope the city can make this package of land and recommended use enticing enough. I think a great restaurant with full floor to ceiling windows capitalizing on the river view, with option to open onto patio in summer months, would be a great addition to the site!

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

You make a lot of good points with the sky tower. I think I will tend to agree that a tower enhances the city's skyline. Especially from the views posted. If I was on city council, however, I would like to see at least one other design option before I made a decision.

I suppose... it's not the _concept_ of the tower I dislike, but rather the cheap-looking design. Last time I went up Calgary's tower, which is now completely dwarfed by other buildings, it had lots of displays up there explaining Calgary's history and development, which could be implemented in Saskatoon's design too. There can be assorted maps just pointing out other landmarks in and around town (somebody mentioned the probability that you'd be able to see other towns or mines nearby, or maybe the past and future of the river). And part of the draw is looking at your city from such an unlikely angle - which is why people hang out on Google Earth.

I doubt the proposed design would be large enough to include a restaurant or some other attraction within the deck. The panels make it look cheap, not to mention that inverted cone feature at the top - looks like that dated Kodak Tower (?) in Niagara Falls... kinda 1970's all over again.

If the facility itself is too small, it lacks space to reinvent itself to pull people back time and time again (like a restaurant or party space, perhaps available for rentals) but if it's large enough for that, I suspect it falls outside the scope and price they're currently proposing.

I may kick myself later for saying this but: Build it, and if people like it, it perseveres, if they don't, it'll probably get sold and come down.

Could a zip line across the river be feasible? How about bungee jumping? I'm concerned it may be visited lots in early years, and then drop off. But if it's situated in River Landing, which is intended to be a tourist draw anyway, maybe it can survive.

What company manufactures the towers again?

[exploration camper]

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/3529967/Sky_Tower_HUSS_Park_Attractions
http://www.hussrides.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=103

[Morogolus]

There was an article in paper this morning bout how they are trying to attract a restaurant for the River Landing but it has generated little interest from developers.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Riverbank+restaurant+site+attracts+little+interest/1171365/story.html

It's too bad, I hope they can find someone. I always thought the river bank would be a great place for an upscale restaurant with a large patio overlooking the river and the traffic bridge behind in background. I could definitely see an Earls/Moxies type place working very well there.

[shmakim]

Excellent shots of the tower in action! From that aerial shot, you can see that the passenger compartment is a ring, not a solid disk, likely preventing anyone from doing anything other than sitting or maybe standing while the ride is in motion. Can't walk across the middle of it....

[acron]

[swilley]

Originally Posted by acron

cameco will be building their new corporate head quarters where sheraton cavelier is right now. not sure when demolition and construction begins

And then I woke up...

[ReginaGuy]

Originally Posted by exploration

I love the confidence.. "Probably the best view"

[lbird]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Oh...but doesn't the city already distribute halfway houses throughout the city.

I recall a controversy with Egadz purchasing houses in Hampton Village and the immediate neighbors spoke out against it (declining property values was a primary concern ). Anyways, city council asked for a list of all the properties in the city, and questioned whether there was clustering, or a pattern of halfway houses being operated on the west side, and not the east side.

The conclusion arrived at indicated halfway houses were distributed throughout the city, and not concentrated in one particular area of the city.

Personally, I think the Lighthouse project will be a great addition to our downtown. Mixing socio-economic classes will ensure our city and its citizens remain cognizant of the issues affecting our community. To ignore, or avoid such methods of interaction will certainly create a more hostile, and divisive community = not healthy

Those articles really frustrated me - they stated that "all group homes" were distributed evenly throughout the city - that included residential care homes for the elderly and assisted living for mentally handicapped, etc.. No one cares about living next to an assisted living facility for the elderly, a lot of people care about living next to an Egadz youth home (all on the west side) or a halfway house (nearly all on the west side). The lighthouse project will cement the west side of the river as the location for all of these problem facilities. If you want to mix socioeconomic classes, why not put the Lighthouse in Briarwood? The downtown already has a large mix of classes, due to proximity of the bus mall, government services and the core neighbourhoods.


As a reply to SocialistHorde, you keep on talking about "perceptions" and using scare quotes to talk about "criminals". Here is a map of violent crime in Saskatoon (circa 2001, although nothing has changed). You tell me which areas you think are safest, regardless of the dangerous roving gangs of suburban teenagers you mentioned:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-561-m/2008012/maps-cartes/5200336-eng.htm

Again, I am not against halfway houses, Lighthouse projects and the like. However, to pretend that they are desirable neighbours, that they add enjoyable 'colour' to an area, or that they are necessary or desirable for a downtown area that has struggled since the 1970's and already borders one of the worst pits of urban poverty in Canada is ridiculous.

[Ruckus]

From the Regina thread...

Originally Posted by downtown regina

revealed today

here is the Sask list

http://dcnonl.com/fcmsk

Here's the rundown of projects and costs/full time employment creation

City of Saskatoon Pop: 202,340

Total funding = $241,982,000

Category: Water and wastewater

Build/Modify Water Reservoirs $21,000,000 240
Downtown Capacity water & sewer improvements $3,500,000 40
Major rerouting of Confed Dr sewer system $9,000,000 103
Brevoort Park holding tank (sanitary sewer) $2,000,000 23
Westview holding tank (sanitary sewer) $2,000,000 23
Early Dr and Tucker Cres - Storm Pond $1,500,000 17
Confed Dr & Laurier Dr - Storm Pond $1,000,000 11
23rd Street E & 2nd Ave N - Storm Pond $2,000,000 23
Junor Ave & Makaroff Rd - Storm Pond $700,000 8

Total = $42,700,000

Category: Roads and bridges
Local Roads Preservation $2,700,000 31
Expressway Road Preservation - Circle Drive - Airport to Laurier $1,000,000 11
Collector Road Preservation $2,300,000 26
Sidewalk Replacement Program $2,000,000 23
17th Street Extension $5,500,000 63
Montgomery Place Road Improvements $2,500,000 29
Claypool Drive Extension $2,900,000 33
College & Central Geometric Modification $500,000 6
Boychuk and Highway 16 Intersection Improvements $350,000 4
Major Intersection Improvement - Ave P and 11th Street $425,000 5
Circle Drive/14th Street Southbound $532,000 6
Idylwyld Freeway/8th Street Exit Ramp/Overpass $2,900,000 33
Repair Cosmo Park Riverbank Slope Failure $2,600,000 30
Gravel Streets Upgrades $2,000,000 23
Bicycle Facilities $500,000 6 (Probably more lanes...we should really look at completing a city wide network of dedicated bicycle lanes)
Traffic Noise Attenuation $10,000,000 114
Twin Boychuk (8th Street to Highway 16) with noise attenuation $5,200,000 59
Wanuskewin - twin with noise attenuation $6,300,000 72
Victoria Avenue Retaining Wall Replacement $400,000 5

Total = $50,607,000

Category: Public Transit
Downtown Transit Terminal (second floor unfunded) $1,000,000 11
Complete Replacement of Bus Maintenance & Storage Facility $100,000,000 1,142 (Saaaaweet!)
Conventional Transit Vehicle Replacement and Expansion $13,500,000 154
Automatic Vehicle Location System for Conventional Transit Fleet $1,500,000 17 (I believe this is a GPS system that would provide passengers with the locations of buses throughout the city...minimizes uncertainty of when the bus may arrive...customers will appreciate it I'm sure)
Transit Priority Measures $300,000 3(I believe this is a traffic signal control system where the buses can change the lights from red to green making transit more efficient...I could be wrong, although I recall some talk about this before)

Total = $116,300,000

Category: Public Housing
250 government-supported affordable housing units $32,200,000 368 (a portion of this funding will likely go towards The Lighthouse project)
Capacity Building (planning, design and devlopment assistance for non-profit organizations and faith-based groups $175,000 2

Total = $32,375,000

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by lbird

Those articles really frustrated me - they stated that "all group homes" were distributed evenly throughout the city - that included residential care homes for the elderly and assisted living for mentally handicapped, etc.. No one cares about living next to an assisted living facility for the elderly, a lot of people care about living next to an Egadz youth home (all on the west side) or a halfway house (nearly all on the west side). The lighthouse project will cement the west side of the river as the location for all of these problem facilities. If you want to mix socioeconomic classes, why not put the Lighthouse in Briarwood? The downtown already has a large mix of classes, due to proximity of the bus mall, government services and the core neighbourhoods.
[...]

Ah yes, I forgot about that detail...I now recall my father making a similar comment (we live in Dundonald...I believe there are several youth homes along Hughes Drive, and then a few over in Hampton Village).

I'd like to find that report to council, but, its probably buried deep in the archived council agenda minutes...how long ago was this a front page controversy? Summer of 2008? It may be worth reviewing again.

Yeah, I'll admit, there may be a difference between assisted living and an Egadz home...but, I can't say my neighborhood has seen an increase in criminal activity due to Egadz youth homes. I drive past them occasionally and they look like your average Saskatoon suburban home; driveways and sidewalks shoveled during the winter, and grass is mowed during the summer. I have to say they're probably better than many family homes where the parents are rarely home and the kids have house parties every weekend (ahh, those were the days ).

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by ReginaGuy

I love the confidence.. "Probably the best view"

It should have read "Most probably the best view"...sounds more absolute without actually saying so

[ninipanini]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Bicycle Facilities $500,000 6 (Probably more lanes...we should really look at completing a city wide network of dedicated bicycle lanes)

Thanks for that, what an interesting breakdown. I've been really interested in the bicycle facilities network plan for a while now. Believe it or not the city has a really good plan ( http://www.city.saskatoon.sk.ca/org/muni...ils/plan/BicycleFacilityNetworkStudy.pdf ) but have been slow in implementing it! I've been in contact with Charlie Clark (my counselor) and he's been working to get some movement on this plan. I'm sure a few more letters to city council or your counselor couldn't hurt

[circle33]

Originally Posted by ReginaGuy

I love the confidence.. "Probably the best view"

Carlsberg's tagline is "Probably the best beer in the world", (which is kinda lame). They're no doubt playing on that.

[exploration camper]

I wonder which Credit Union will buy the name to the skytower? Conexus Credit Union Tower maybe?

[Sask]

Are you serious or just kidding around? I can't really believe that since the Sheraton is a nice hotel.

Originally Posted by acron

cameco will be building their new corporate head quarters where sheraton cavelier is right now. not sure when demolition and construction begins