Saskatoon Construction

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by swilley

In other words, would a Calgary developer with lots of money please build something for us!

How much are we talking? At least as much as Lake Placid (125M), maybe 125-250M? More??? Reference to Calgary mega projects: The Bow = 1 billion, Penny Lane = 1 billion.....a scaled down Bow 300-500 million.....or one scaled down Penny Lane tower.....I'm using my imagination, obviously something of style (not that The Bow or Penny Lane are lacking) and or significance to Cameco would be best.

[Ruckus]

2007 property assessment for Cameco's current property - Property fair value of 4,970,400 with an approximate parcel area of 272,681 sq feet.

I'm not sure how you interpret those numbers, the parcel area is the size of the land, not the building itself. That building could sell for 30 M easily.....with the right sales pitch

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by swilley

I find it weird that they would be willing to spend 15 - 20 mil on a temp. solution. put that towards a new tower!

Perhaps its not a temporary solution , or maybe they know they can break even when they decide to sell the property so the cost is justified

Now a fun question:
If they are willing to pay 20 million for an addition, how much are they willing/able to spend for a downtown head office?

[molasses]

Originally Posted by ReginaGuy

Seems like a cool idea, but no matter how they design the subdivision, people will still drive unless everything (grocery stores, work, etc) is within walking distance. So I like the concept, but the location doesn't make any sense.

I think the location is somewhat irrelevant. Yes, it would be great to create this sort of development somewhere in the urban core, it would require a fair bit of work consolidating land and inevitably get flak from people who don't want to see their drive to work, walk to the store, neighbourhood park etc. change, but it could make sense and many cities are looking at the possibility of removing cars from their inner city (London and Paris being the prime examples).

But as for the location making no sense, I'd have to disagree, we are building new neighbourhoods on the edge of town and people will have to drive from them to reach many services/jobs/schools etc whethere they are a boring low desnity suburb with stripmalls (hello Arbor Creek etc.) or a new urbanist neighbourhood (like Willowgrove) or this potential development, so why not build a pedestrian oriented neighourhood, that once you get home is pleasant to walk around and does have some basic services (and may even have some jobs allowing people to walk to work). It would be a safer, healthier (see todays Star Phoenix article on neighbourhood design being directly linked to obese children) place to raise children, which is a big motivator for people to move to the suburbs (only to be let down when they realize no one is around during the day, so the few kids not in day care don't actually have piles of kids to play with in the park down the road).

All that being said a higher density, more pedestrian oriented neighbourhood makes public transit and bicycle corridors more economical and a more likely choice for residents, so the furdale neighbourhood (or willowgrove for that matter) has more options in that regard as well.

So yay Michael Arth, you should all try to make it down to the Broadway Theatre on October 14th. It should be a very interesting show and will hopefully inspire some intersting discussion.

[macca]

Rumor has it that Sobey's is looking at 2 locations for a new grocery store downtown for spring 2008.

[Echoes]

Anyone want to speculate on those possible locations? New construction or use of existing building? I wouldn't be surprised if they plan to set up on the ground floor of a loft project.. 2nd Ave. Lofts perhaps? Any other guesses??

[swilley]

2nd ave lofts ground floor would be my guess, however, what would they do about parking?

[Jonitecture]

ya, i thought thats what they were using it for. parking.

[circle33]

I believe the basement is earmarked for parking. The ground floor is to be for retail.

It could work at that spot. They'd have to be creative. Sobeys is big on service, so they would probably offer carry out (to the IMPRARK across the street)? Maybe a drive up pick up could be implemented. It's also right at the transit terminal. I know carrying a load groceries on the bus is about as fun as going to the dentist, but there is probably some demand for picking up something quick on the way home, Sobeys being big on ready to eat 🞵🞵🞵🞵 and all.

I'm drawing a blank on other existing buildings that could house a grocer.

[jaysfan99]

That would be a great location. Any kind of retail would bring life to that area. Right now it is kind of dead there. If Sobeys does go downtown, it could open a smaller version of it's other stores. Makes me think of a grocery store I saw in Toronto. It was in a mall called College Park Mall, downtown Toronto. People would pick up food as they ran to catch the subway. I can see people in Saskatoon picking up some groceries before catching the bus home. It would be nice to have.

Originally Posted by circle33

I believe the basement is earmarked for parking. The ground floor is to be for retail.

It could work at that spot. They'd have to be creative. Sobeys is big on service, so they would probably offer carry out (to the IMPRARK across the street)? Maybe a drive up pick up could be implemented. It's also right at the transit terminal. I know carrying a load groceries on the bus is about as fun as going to the dentist, but there is probably some demand for picking up something quick on the way home, Sobeys being big on ready to eat 🞵🞵🞵🞵 and all.

I'm drawing a blank on other existing buildings that could house a grocer.

[macca]

I'm happy as long as they don't take an empty lot (or worse yet, tear something down) and build a typical big box, suburban, one storey store. Not appropriate for downtown. Main floor of 2nd Ave Lofts is a great location, and integration with another use is a must (condo, office, whatever).

[jaysfan99]

I agree. The Galaxy should of had a few floors built above it. Maybe a bookstore, office space, or a mix of condos with office space. It would look more cosmopolitan. One storey buildings are a waste of space.

Originally Posted by macca

I'm happy as long as they don't take an empty lot (or worse yet, tear something down) and build a typical big box, suburban, one storey store. Not appropriate for downtown. Main floor of 2nd Ave Lofts is a great location, and integration with another use is a must (condo, office, whatever).

[swilley]

New Website that might be of interest....

http://www.lakeplacidsaskatoon.com/

[circle33]

Yes, that might be of interest.

Good find.

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by circle33

Yes, that might be of interest.

Good find.

I don't suppose there has been any discussion of proposed modification to the original proposal? Of all the positive and negative I heard, poring through the huge amount of comments on the S-P soundoff page, the only valuable concerns about its current design are:

1. Restaurant should have an outdoor terrace, overlooking the river. Nice idea, even if seasonal, I think it'd make the restaurant a greater place, esp if the restaurant is located 2-3 storeys above ground to give a nice view. (I'm unsure where it's currently located)

2. Plaza between buildings is 2 storeys above ground and only has one access point (southwest corner by the waterfall feature). This one presents a problem in my mind. I understand it's raised to contain the parkade, but how much effort and cost would be required to drop the plaza's height to half (i.e. dig the parkade one storey deeper), and add 2 more access points, so it actually can be crossed to get to/from the riverbank? Is this even a feasible suggestion? Even at its current height, it would be far more worthwhile with 3 access points than 1, on the far side.

[Jonitecture]

good points. i wonder when and if its going to be built.

[prairieguy]

Anyone else a bit disappointed with the exterior finish of the new Persephone Theatre at River Landing? As a key element of the Landing, it sure looks like the had to 'cheap out' on the exterior. The boring metal clad finish really looks pretty drab as you drive over the Idylwyld bridge. Even if they had chosen a shiney metallic finish to reflect light, that would have been better. I am sure costs were a huge issue for the Theatre, but it is still too bad it couldn't have been a more interesting design.

Still supporting it though...use to attend a few shows a year, but now we have season tickets and the location is a big factor!

[Dalreg]

Any recent pics of it? Last saw it in July so would be interested to see how it is coming along.

As for Sobeys coming to the downtown. I think it needs to be north of 22nd street for sure. Maybe on the old Bayside parking structure site.

[Jonitecture]

speaking of pictures...

[circle33]

Not real exciting for the urbanist, but I guess it's development and an indicator that the metro is growing....

SASKATOON, Oct. 5 /CNW/ - BizHub Developments is pleased to announce that the largest industrial park in the province's history is coming to the Saskatoon area. Containing elements previously unseen in this type of setting, BizHub Industrial Park includes paved roads, professional landscaping, as well as architectural controls and use restrictions designed to protect property values and enhance the park's design as a premier place for industry.
"BizHub is something completely new to the market," said David Dub De President and CEO of BizHub Developments, "lot sizes and a level of servicing that fits the needs of businesses requiring at least five acres in a professionally designed and landscaped industrial park. It's a perfect solution. This development is long overdue in the market and the reaction we've received so far proves it."

To date, over 25% of Phase 1 of the Park has been sold. With this announcement and with marketing efforts now underway, BizHub has fielded requests for information from across Canada.

BizHub Industrial Park is aiming to attract companies focused on transportation, manufacturing, distribution, agricultural retail and wholesalers. The 311 plus saleable acres of land are located west on Highway 16 and Beam Road (Marquis Drive) area, north of the city of Saskatoon. This access to major highways is just one of the key selling points for BizHub Industrial Park. Fostering new investments and economic growth, BizHub is offering opportunities comparable to similar sites in Western Canada, at competitive prices.

Lot shaping and site preparation begins next week at BizHub Industrial Park with the expectation that Phase 1 owners will take possession in the spring of 2008.



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