Saskatoon Construction

[prairieguy]

I have my doubts whether RiverLanding can really revitalize the Riversdale area. There are too many other social challenges that development alone cannot correct for this area.

That being said, I think Riversdale has an opportunity to 'cash in', or further enhance, its cultural diversity. There are a number of ethnic populations that live in the Riversdale area (Ukranian, Asian, Polish, First Nation, Phillipine, etc.). This is reflected in some of the businesses and restaurants that are along 20th street. Saskatoon may not have the numbers to have established 'areas' such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, etc. ...but, maybe the marketing of a multi-cultural business and restaurant/entertainment area could work???

Whether it's RiverLanding or something else...something needs to be done to attract people to this area and for them to feel comfortable and safe in doing so.

IMO

[Echoes]

^20th Street certainly is the closest thing to being Saskatoon's "multicultural" district as it already has a mix of ethnic influences/flavor on that street. Again the issue comes to making the area safe enough for residents and out-of-towners to feel comfortable walking down the street. I believe that 20th street does have alot of character in the buildings on that street and it is a natural extension of retail/entertainment and the arts from the downtown.

IMO the reputation/uses of the Barry Hotel is holding back progress in that area. It being a historic building in our city it should absolutely be kept but the bar needs to be closed. I can see the Barry being refurbished to possibly house artists studios and possibly condos. Hasn't the Barry been up for sale for some time now? Also, the Adilman bldg is up for sale and is no longer in use by the farmers market. What are some ideal uses of that building?

Ive heard from several people that investors are buying houses in Riversdale near River Landing to renovate them and sell them again as house prices are expected to rise there with the implementation of RL Phase 2. Perhaps 5-10 yrs down the road is it possible to see young families and professionals moving into this area? After all, these are character homes- a precious commodity in S'toon, location is great: downtown, river, etc. Condos and apartments are also planned for phase 2.. can this increased/more affluent population help to make 20th street a desirable destination and riversdale as a whole a place that people want to live in?

As for the social challenges present in that area, River Landing will certainly not solve them. All I can see is Phase 2 driving up housing prices, higher income families moving in and the poverty, crime and prostitution simply being pushed westward away from the river and more into pleasant hill.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I think Riversdale has an opportunity to 'cash in', or further enhance, its cultural diversity. There are a number of ethnic populations that live in the Riversdale area (Ukranian, Asian, Polish, First Nation, Phillipine, etc.). This is reflected in some of the businesses and restaurants that are along 20th street. Saskatoon may not have the numbers to have established 'areas' such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, etc. ...but, maybe the marketing of a multi-cultural business and restaurant/entertainment area could work???

Great idea. I think it will take some time, but it is possible. I am very curious to see what changes in the next 5 - 10 years in Riversdale. As for the poverty, I agree with Country. That problem is way to complex for a little 'prettying up' of the area. If more development comes that way, it will simply push the so called hood further west.

[molasses]

Originally Posted by swilley

Great idea. I think it will take some time, but it is possible. I am very curious to see what changes in the next 5 - 10 years in Riversdale. As for the poverty, I agree with Country. That problem is way to complex for a little 'prettying up' of the area. If more development comes that way, it will simply push the so called hood further west.

Amusingly enough there are some really tentative early plans for something like this, that would involve the barry hotel, we'll see what comes of it, I've heard a few too many big dreams for the barry in the last couple years, but the owner does really want to sell it and retire, so hopefully it can work out to turn into a multi-cultural villiage of sorts.

Also as I've mentioned before, there are already young professionals moving down there (hell I'm moving in next week!) and there are things going on there. I've been there both the last two weekends for concerts at the AKA and at the red shift gallery...and at the red shift (half a block from the barry) on Saturday night we left the door open the entire time (until about midnight) and people were hanging out outside and there were no problems whatsoever.

It's still not an downtown/broadway 'entertainment district' and I'm sure if you are looking for trouble you could find it in a hurry, but I know people who've left there for years and have yet to be directly involved in an problems (sure they'd see domestic disputes spill into the street, but nothing that affected their personal safety).....but that kind of a great thing because it allows for more eclectic intersting/edgy things to go on.

[Echoes]

Seeing as we're vying for some "renewal" in this thread I thought I'd post the list of projects in Saskatoon. If I forgot anything please say so:

Recently Completed/Under Construction
-Renovation/expansion of TCU Place
-Affinity Credit Union on 22nd and 1st (3 floors)
-Infill retail space on 1st. ave.
-Riverfront Condos on 24th and Spadina (15 floors?)
-Farmer's Market at River Landing Phase 2 (business centre, restaurant, Isinger Park and market square to be completed in near future as well)
-Persephone Theatre at River Landing Phase 1
-2nd avenue lofts (old Bay building)
-Station 20 West and Pleasant Hill revitalization (medical/dental clinic, library branch, grocery store, cafe, affordable housing...)
-Eaton's Lofts on Ave. D
-Five Story office building at Innovation Place
Rumored/Approved/"On the Horizon"
-Water's Edge Condos on Sask Cres.
-Conversion of Rumely Tractor Warehouse into condos and office space
-Holiday Inn at 22nd and Pacific (at least 140 rooms= 10-12 stories?)
-Expanded food court and retail space including new entrance for Midtown Plaza
-Conversion of King George Hotel into condos and retail space by Meridian Developments
-Retail strip on 2nd ave. alongside galaxy cinemas
-Mixed use highrise on former Extrafoods site downtown
-Mixed use highrise on former Remai Hotel/spa site at River Landing
-River Landing Destination Centre
-Expansion of Mendel Art Gallery
-Condo/apartment towers in River Landing phase 2
-Possibility of Cameco building new head office in downtown
University
-Construction of "D Wing" of Academic Health Sciences building
-InterVac Centre
-Aboriginal Student Space
-College of Law Expansion
-Feed Technology Research Facility
-Griffiths Stadium Upgrades
-Aquatic Toxicology Expansion
-Western College of Veterinary Medicine Expansion
-University Services Building
-Canadian Light Source expansion
-University Residence Project
-Also planned for the U of S is a major re-development of the "College Quarter" including student residences, a new rink, performing arts centre, retail and a giant "moat" encompassing much of it
-The Saskatchewan Children's Hospital will be constructed in the coming years as part of Royal University Hospital
Other
-approx. 2,000 housing starts expected this year
-Expanded trade/convention space at Prairieland Park
-Renovations at Credit Union Centre: 24 Luxury Boxes, completion of upper concourse
-Condo conversions of apartment blocks/downtown highrises (i.e- Opus on 7th street)
-25th street extension to Idylwyld Dr. and consolidation of city yards allowing new residential development in warehouse district
-the opening of several new restaurants/bars/shops around the city
-South Bridge to complete Circle Dr.
-Construction of 2 high schools and Shaw recreation centre in new Blairmore SDA
-Future removal of city bus barns in Caswell Hill to allow for park/residential development

What did I forget?

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by molasses

Also as I've mentioned before, there are already young professionals moving down there (hell I'm moving in next week!) and there are things going on there.

Great news! Could you perhaps elaborate on your situation of moving there.. did you buy an old character home? for how much? how many other young professionals that you know of are moving in? Not trying to be nosy.. just great to hear news like this.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Country

Recently Completed/Under Construction
-Renovation/expansion of TCU Place
-Affinity Credit Union on 22nd and 1st (3 floors)
-Infill retail space on 1st. ave.
-Riverfront Condos on 24th and Spadina (15 floors?)
-Farmer's Market at River Landing Phase 2 (business centre, restaurant, Isinger Park and market square to be completed in near future as well)
-Persephone Theatre at River Landing Phase 1
-2nd avenue lofts (old Bay building)
-Station 20 West and Pleasant Hill revitalization (medical/dental clinic, library branch, grocery store, cafe, affordable housing...)
-Eaton's Lofts on Ave. D
Rumored/Approved/"On the Horizon"
-Water's Edge Condos on Sask Cres.
-Conversion of Rumely Tractor Warehouse into condos and office space
-Holiday Inn at 22nd and Pacific (at least 140 rooms= 10-12 stories?)
-Expanded food court and retail space including new entrance for Midtown Plaza
-Conversion of King George Hotel into condos and retail space by Meridian Developments
-Retail strip on 2nd ave. alongside galaxy cinemas
-Mixed use highrise on former Extrafoods site downtown
-Mixed use highrise on former Remai Hotel/spa site at River Landing
-River Landing Destination Centre
-Expansion of Mendel Art Gallery
-Condo/apartment towers in River Landing phase 2
-Possibility of Cameco building new head office in downtown
University
-Construction of "D Wing" of Academic Health Sciences building
-InterVac Centre
-Aboriginal Student Space
-College of Law Expansion
-Feed Technology Research Facility
-Griffiths Stadium Upgrades
-Aquatic Toxicology Expansion
-Western College of Veterinary Medicine Expansion
-University Services Building
-Canadian Light Source expansion
-University Residence Project
-Also planned for the U of S is a major re-development of the "College Quarter" including student residences, a new rink, performing arts centre, retail and a giant "moat" encompassing much of it
-The Saskatchewan Children's Hospital will be constructed in the coming years as part of Royal University Hospital
Other
-approx. 2,000 housing starts expected this year
-Expanded trade/convention space at Prairieland Park
-Condo conversions of apartment blocks/downtown highrises (i.e- Opus on 7th street)
-25th street extension to Idylwyld Dr. and consolidation of city yards allowing new residential development in warehouse district
-the opening of several new restaurants/bars/shops around the city
-South Bridge to complete Circle Dr.
-Construction of 2 high schools and Shaw recreation centre in new Blairmore SDA
-Future removal of city bus barns in Caswell Hill to allow for park/residential development

What did I forget?

Nice work, it is great to see all of them together. You forgot a few that I can think of.

New Children's Hospital @ U of S
Office building @ innovation Place, five-story 151,000 square feet, 25 mil. nearing completion.


Wow, this really shows that Saskatoon is miles ahead of Regina right now in terms of growth and development. That is if they are discussing ALL of the developments over on their thread.

[CCF]

Originally Posted by swilley

Nice work, it is great to see all of them together. You forgot a few that I can think of.

New Children's Hospital @ U of S
Office building @ innovation Place, five-story 151,000 square feet, 25 mil. nearing completion.


Wow, this really shows that Saskatoon is miles ahead of Regina right now in terms of growth and development. That is if they are discussing ALL of the developments over on their thread.

Yikes. We've been able to carry on with a friendly environment so far...why change that?

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by swilley

Nice work, it is great to see all of them together. You forgot a few that I can think of.

New Children's Hospital @ U of S
Office building @ innovation Place, five-story 151,000 square feet, 25 mil. nearing completion.


Wow, this really shows that Saskatoon is miles ahead of Regina right now in terms of growth and development. That is if they are discussing ALL of the developments over on their thread.

Not at all what I said.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Chaps

It's just that more appears to be happening in Regina right now. Hard as it may be for you to swallow.

^^ Sometimes a friendly reality check is in order, as hard as that is..........

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by swilley

^^ Sometimes a friendly reality check is in order, as hard as that is..........

Which of those under "Rumoured/Approved/'On the Horizon'" are rumours and which are appoved?

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by swilley

Nice work, it is great to see all of them together. You forgot a few that I can think of.

New Children's Hospital @ U of S
Office building @ innovation Place, five-story 151,000 square feet, 25 mil. nearing completion.


Wow, this really shows that Saskatoon is miles ahead of Regina right now in terms of growth and development. That is if they are discussing ALL of the developments over on their thread.

Thanks swilley! I added those to the list.

As for this minor scuffle some S'toon and Regina forumers are having, I wasn't trying to stir the pot with this projects list. I just thought it would be a good idea to put that friendly reminder out there to fellow S'toon forumers and those from other cities that there are some great and valid things going on in this fine city. I read a point on the Regina thread that I thought was valid.. we certainly dont seem to discuss all our projects like we should. So here's the list.. whats going on in S'toon is now out there for all to be aware of. People knowing about all the great things happening in our city can only help us

So in closing for this little rambling: theres no competition, no more argument, no hard feelings Everything's dandy... Now for the banana dance!

[CCF]

Originally Posted by Country

Thanks swilley! I added those to the list.

As for this minor scuffle some S'toon and Regina forumers are having, I wasn't trying to stir the pot with this projects list. I just thought it would be a good idea to put that friendly reminder out there to fellow S'toon forumers and those from other cities that there are some great and valid things going on in this fine city. I read a point on the Regina thread that I thought was valid.. we certainly dont seem to discuss all our projects like we should. So here's the list.. whats going on in S'toon is now out there for all to be aware of. People knowing about all the great things happening in our city can only help us

So in closing for this little rambling: theres no competition, no more argument, no hard feelings Everything's dandy... Now for the banana dance!

I think that's the point that was trying to be made. There are plenty of things going on in Saskatoon, yet very few seem to be discussed. Heck, I found the proposed U of S residences for you guys!

Glad to see you made the list, and I hope no one would see it as stirring the pot. Lets put the feud behind us. We don't want to have the relationship of Calgary-Edmonton!

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by Country

Thanks swilley! I added those to the list.

As for this minor scuffle some S'toon and Regina forumers are having, I wasn't trying to stir the pot with this projects list. I just thought it would be a good idea to put that friendly reminder out there to fellow S'toon forumers and those from other cities that there are some great and valid things going on in this fine city. I read a point on the Regina thread that I thought was valid.. we certainly dont seem to discuss all our projects like we should. So here's the list.. whats going on in S'toon is now out there for all to be aware of. People knowing about all the great things happening in our city can only help us

So in closing for this little rambling: theres no competition, no more argument, no hard feelings Everything's dandy... Now for the banana dance!

It had nothing to do with your list...I think it was just a misunderstanding about a comment I made earlier...which I only made to prove a point in the first place. I wasn't trying to knock Saskatoon.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

Which of those under "Rumoured/Approved/'On the Horizon'" are rumours and which are appoved?

thanks, I'll try and clarify:

APPROVED: Water's Edge Condos on Sask Cres. (units now for sale)
APPROVED: Conversion of Rumely Tractor Warehouse into condos and office space
IN DESIGN PROCESS: Holiday Inn at 22nd and Pacific (at least 140 rooms= 10-12 stories?)
APPROVED: Expanded food court and retail space including new entrance for Midtown Plaza
"ON THE HORIZON": Conversion of King George Hotel into condos and retail space by Meridian Developments (The sale of the KG is official and Meridian is quoted in an SP article as having these intentions for the building)
RUMORED: Retail strip on 2nd ave. alongside galaxy cinemas (the property owners have stated these intentions for their property-- nothing announced publicly in awhile)
RUMORED: Mixed use highrise on former Extrafoods site downtown
"ON THE HORIZON":Mixed use highrise on former Remai Hotel/spa site at River Landing (whatever it will be, something will inevitably be built on this site. I believe council is currently reviewing proposals)
"ON THE HORIZON": River Landing Destination Centre (again... something will inevitably be built)
"ON THE HORIZON": Expansion of Mendel Art Gallery (in fundraising and design process)
"ON THE HORIZON": Condo/apartment towers in River Landing phase 2 (the property destined for this kind of development may or may not be currently for sale by the city-- not sure.)
RUMORED: Possibility of Cameco building new head office in downtown (The Star Phoenix has confirmed on more than one occasion that Cameco and City Hall are in talks to re-locate their head offices to River Landing or possibly elsewhere in the downtown)

[Echoes]

^Agreed.. no need to have a Calgary/Edmonton feud going on. Instead let's link arms and sing Koom-by-ya ...LMAO

[Ruckus]

C'mon people, there's no benefit to argue over post counts/views which some equate to development/growth.

IMO, let Reginan's have their inflated post count/views, its the least Saskatonian's can afford after graciously accepting the provincial government proposal to develop the province's only Children's Hospital in the provinces only city to receive a North American top ten ranking for small city of the future, and ranked 1st for best economic potential (fDi magazine http://www.gdi-solutions.com/fdi_awards.htm)

Perhaps an illustration to put things into perspective
Saskatoon(leather clad dominatrix) ---> <--Regina(submissive male)

[BrannyMuffin]

Thanks for that...Do you have any idea what's going on with the corner of Broadway and 8th? There is/was (I didn't notice if it was still there last time I was in town) a sign up there about a future development and a number to call for enquiries or whatever. It was there for the longest time, though...my friends live right around the corner from there and the first time I visited them there was May long 2005 I noticed that sign and nothings happened with the space. It looked like it was supposed to be retail, I think?

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

C'mon people, there's no benefit to argue over post counts/views which some equate to development/growth.

IMO, let Reginan's have their inflated post count/views, its the least Saskatonian's can afford after graciously accepting the provincial government proposal to develop the province's only Children's Hospital in the provinces only city to receive a North American top ten ranking for small city of the future, and ranked 1st for best economic potential (fDi magazine http://www.gdi-solutions.com/fdi_awards.htm)

Perhaps an illustration to put things into perspective
Saskatoon(leather clad dominatrix) ---> <--Regina(submissive male)

No one said anything about post counts or views. It's the amount of projects being talked about in each forum that I was refering to, and it was to make a point about perception. Honestly, I don't know how many ways there are to explain it...if you don't understand by now, I give up. Maybe Swilley can explain it to you, I think he or she now understands the point I was making.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Perhaps an illustration to put things into perspective
Saskatoon(leather clad dominatrix) ---> <--Regina(submissive male)

LOL! Perhaps it's because I'm very tired but that sent me into a fit of laughter.

And yes Brannymuffin, I for one do fully understand the point you were making.