Saskatoon Construction

[circle33]

Agreed. Blame the headline writer on that (don't blame the cut & paste artiste here). The vacancy rate is nearing zero because people want to be there.

I'm curious to see how things play out with Block 146. I would love to see that filled in as soon as possible. However, during show times that lot is jammed full (with far too many F350's among other ungodly metal beasts, but I digress). Saskatoon is, for better or for worse, a driver's town. Are people prepared to pay more than a buck an hour to park? Are they going to accept walking more than 2 blocks to their destinations? Here's hoping the answer is yes.

[macca]

Originally Posted by Stewie

Good Post Macca - that should also take the wind out of the sails of the anit-Walmart / BigBox camp (which is in fact what they threatened would happen). I am not a WalMart shopper and I think the existing Preston Crossing development is poorly designed; however, I believe in free enterprise, and as it appears, the third wal mart of the city hasn't yet scared off any core merchants judging by the vacancy rates downtown.

The return of Stewie! Good to have you back, though I was hoping for more insider Extra Foods site info . Also, you've somehow made it look like I'm against the people against Wal-Mart (ATPAWM, perhaps?). I'm all for free enterprise, but I am very much against Wal-Mart. I really don't want this thread to turn into (another) debate of this type, but my point is this: it's not really free enterprise when the city spends millions of dollars (on infrastructure like sewer, water and especially interchanges) for retailers to set up shop. This is certainly a debatable point, and I concede that there are good arguments in the opposite direction, that's just how I feel. Also, Wal-Mart has a proven track record of being despicable.

Anyway.... for those excited about Stonegate, today's paper also mentions some other tenants: Home Depot, Golftown, and Sleep Country Canada. Start your SUVs!

[Stewie]

I second that - what I was getting at is the NIMBY's saying that the world as we know it will cease to exist - and so on. I think that a city as vibrant as Saskatoon can withstand the onslaught of WalMart, as there is a large amount of consumers here that prefer a shopping experience more laid back then jousting for parking stalls and the trademark smashed knuckles from the narrow isles and inane shoppers. Now a city like P.A. well, we all know what their downtown looks like.

As for the Extra Foods site - let's hope for a 20 story office tower (Cameco?)with 20 stories of residential on top. :-)

Also on the radar - Conexus Credit Union is planning an entry into the saskatoon market; where they are building is anybody's guess, but they are building a branch here to include their Real Estate and Insurance business with a retail credit union branch.

Interesting... Maybe they will be bold and build on the empty corner lot between FirstSask Credit Union and Affinity Credit Union.

[circle33]

Originally Posted by Stewie

Also on the radar - Conexus Credit Union is planning an entry into the saskatoon market; where they are building is anybody's guess, but they are building a branch here to include their Real Estate and Insurance business with a retail credit union branch.

Will their space needs be similar to that of Affinity and First Sask?

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by macca

How this could be perceived, in any way, as a mixed blessing, is beyond me. Yes, the possibility exists that those looking for a retail would look elsewhere, but far more importantly, it implies that there will be NEW CONSTRUCTION downtown. Old buildings adaptively re-used, parking lots filled in, buildings renovated, giant theatre buildings sold almost immediatly... these are all extremely positive signs. There is nothing "mixed" about it. Sure, small business people who don't have the capital for new construction may be left out of the core (for a time), but the alternative is a barren ghost town where retail store fronts are cheap and plentiful, and there are no customers.

macca, you said it all.

So many positives packed into one article. I think we can anticipate an exciting summer for construction and development news.

Hopefully this will set things off with Block 146.. I would think that with news like this, the owners of the property along the galaxy will get their plans for retail space rolling as soon as possible

[swilley]

I would like to see some high-rise residential on block146 with retail on the bottom floor. The denser the better.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by circle33

The building went on the market in September and garnered much interest, which surprised McClocklin. He couldn't identify the purchasers because a third party acted on their behalf. He's not sure what the plan is for the building, but he's confident "there's going to be a lot of investment.

Oh boy, so we shouldn't expect the Pacific Cinemas to become just another parking lot?

[drm310]

I hope the new owners of the Pacific Cinemas keep the building and reuse it for some purpose. It's not that old and it has kind of a neat, neo-Streamline Moderne look to it. Reminds me a bit of the Adilman Building, which is itself a diamond in the rough.

On another topic, was the Continental Hotel across from the Galaxy Theatre sold? I'm usually in favour of keeping older buildings, but I wouldn't mind if it and the Capri Hotel had a date with a couple of tons of dynamite. Demolishing both would improve the south downtown, even if nothing took their place.

[Stewie]

I agree - both of those facilities don't exactly fit into the "meeting place" theme of the new south downtown. I for one am not about to meet for a beer at the capri before my movie (unless that beer comes with a tetanus shot).

[macca]

I think it is the use of those buildings, rather than the buildings themselves, that make them seem off-putting or out of place. The corner of 20th and 2nd was greatly improved by the addition of the Galaxy despite the fact that the theatre is a giant, ugl,y black and blue big-box from hell. It brings people to that part of downtown during the evening and adds safety and vitality to anintersection that used to be silent. Despite its hideousness, having something there (particularly something which generates foot traffic in the evening) is far better than an empty parking lot.

Similarly, I would much rather see the Capri and the Continental remain standing with their current use than have another surface parking lot. Also, it's possible those buildings could be restored/improved to some level of atractiveness with a little (or a lot) of investment.

[circle33]

Renovation would be my first choice, though the possibility depends of course on the current condition of the building(s). Either way, I love the sign on top of the Capri, so fitting to see especially when it's -20.

The hideousness of the Galaxy, at least along 2nd, can be greatly mitigated if the rumored retail strip gets built. The market conditions would appear to be right for that, and the revival of the other two mentioned properties, to happen in short order.

[molasses]

I'm with Macca on that one, sure the capri looks a bit dodgy, same with the continental, but if they were cleaned up a bit, they could be really nice and keep a slight urban feel to that area (to combat the gawdiness of the galaxy...even, though it's great it's there, it is still ugly as sin). In fact (the exterior of) the continental kindof reminds me of the silver dollar in Toronto, if it were cleaned up it could be a pretty cool, kindof seedy, but classy lounge.

[circle33]

Of course we wouldn't even be having this discussion if the Gathercole was still standing....

[swilley]

^Just when I thought we all forgot about that pile of bricks...

My idea for the continental and capri, knock em down, and build an IMAX/Science centre that connects to the Galaxy via a +15. Call it the Saskatoon Science Centre, and let the hoards of tourism begin.

[circle33]

Originally Posted by swilley

^Just when I thought we all forgot about that pile of bricks...

It's still there on Google Earth.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by circle33

It's still there on Google Earth.

Yea Google Earth's shot of S'toon is dated hey... not even the beloved Parkville was finished yet in Google's image

I like the IMAX idea, but I wouldnt be against restoring the capri/continental. If they were fixed up and put to better use then the south downtown wouldn't be completely gutted of oldish buildings.

[circle33]

There won't be any plus 15's across 2nd, though. It will interfere with the Prairie Wind sight lines (seriously).

Maybe IMAX bought the Pacific. I'm going to start that rumour, see how far it goes.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by circle33

There won't be any plus 15's across 2nd, though. It will interfere with the Prairie Wind sight lines (seriously).

If they built the Prairie Wind according to the original design plans, then sight lines wouldn't be (as much of) a problem. I had thought it was supposed to be over 35 meters.

[drm310]

This is kind of half-on, half-off topic, but there is a really cool Google Maps mashup called Wikimapia (Wiki + Google Maps). You can draw boxes overtop of features on the maps and add descriptions and photos. I've done quite a bit of work on Saskatoon, so if you're interested, check out some of our noteable buildings and landmarks. If you want to do the same, I suggest you register as a user (control panel in the top right). Registered users have more control than anonymous ones.

http://www.wikimapia.org/

[Ruckus]

Now that it's been sold, I'm quite curious to what will become of Pacific Cinemas. The building is quite large, and centrally located, with an abundance of foot traffic in the immediate area. So I asked myself, what is realistic for that building?

What about an indoor waterpark/fitness facility? I'm thinking with the sunken floor(maybe dig a bit deeper???), and enough height(raise the roof in some places?), all you need to do is bring down the interior walls and build the interior. But, another thing you could do is keep some or all the screens, and make the facility multi-use, play movies and swim, or just light up the screens and play in the water, there's definately some worthwhile experiences to be had in such a facility. Maybe they could sell alcohol too, have a licensed area for those of legal age. After experiencing Harry Bailey on Sunday evening(Free Public swim), Lakewood pool on a saturday afternoon, and Lawson on a Sunday, I am quite convinced Saskatoon could benefit from another indoor water facility, at least Blairmore is going to have a waterslide, but no sauna/steamroom? arrgghhhh

Blairmore Pool - Design Firm Website
http://www.watertechnologyinc.com/