Saskatoon Construction

[Jonitecture]

uugh, i typed half of it because i couldnt find it onlinr, then byaccident i somehow erased it. so i will just sum it up.

Construction-
gives summery of river landing, talks about underground parking which will involve large amounts of underground infrastructure"We need to get started on digging a hole there this coming year". and first avenue and 19th street intersection was talked about, the over pass will be "reduced to rubble" through 2008. phase 2s river walk is mentioned to " bring people over the water". pocket park is mentioned, extentions of streets as well. then in a section about the barry hotel, Atchison says he thinks it should go. there is a section on pleasant hill and the housing crunch as well. and by the way, has anyone noticed that other than the nice glass front, the persephone looks like a crematorium from a nazi death camp? or a factory?

[joelpiecowye]

ya i agree with u about the persephone but mabey the many scupltures that are gonna be placed around it will light it up. was the article in todays newspaper?

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Jonitecture

uugh, i typed half of it because i couldnt find it onlinr, then byaccident i somehow erased it. so i will just sum it up.

Here's the full article you were referring to Jonitecture:

City in for busy year: mayor
Construction, police top Atchison's to-do list
ori Coolican, The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, January 02, 2008

New Year's Day was just around the corner when The StarPhoenix sat down with Mayor Don Atchison to find out what's on his agenda, and on his mind, for 2008.

Saskatoon's boom-driven metamorphosis will continue to alter the south downtown landscape and expand the city's borders, so he naturally expects to see lots of. . . .

CONSTRUCTION

At River Landing, the much-discussed Parcel Y will be a noticeable example.

An Alberta-based developer is slated to build a cluster of buildings on the site, including a hotel, condominium and office tower with underground parking. That means major underground infrastructure near the corner of 19th Street and Third Avenue. Let's hope it's a dry summer.

"We need to get started on digging a hole there this coming year," Atchison said. "We also need to get the 19th Street-First Avenue intersection -- that's going to be closed this coming year -- we'll have to get that done and open as well."

The existing ramp structure at that intersection will be reduced to rubble and trucked away over the course of 2008, replaced with an at-grade intersection.

On the riverbank west of the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge, crews will be at work this summer on a pedestrian bridge designed to bring people out over the water.

Workers will build pathways through the west River Landing site, and extend Spadina Crescent to connect with Avenue A. North of Spadina between Avenues B and C, more workers will construct a pocket park.

Atchison is proud of the plans for River Landing's west phase.

"I think it's going to look spectacular. All you have to do is look at River Landing Phase 1 right now, the change and with Persephone Theatre open now, the confidence that people have in the downtown area there."

He clearly looks forward to dramatic improvements nearby in Riversdale as well. The whole subject leads inevitably to. . . .

THE BARRY HOTEL

The city recently backed out of a deal to buy this notorious establishment after learning certain environmental facts that Atchison can't discuss for legal reasons. It's also behind in its taxes, leaving open a possibility the city could take over through tax enforcement proceedings -- if the current owner doesn't find a private buyer in the meantime. Maintaining the status quo appeals to no one.

"The Barry Hotel I don't think is going to go away," Atchison said. "I think that's something that still the city is going to have to deal with in the end. But we'll have to wait and see."

Local heritage conservationists who want the shell of the old hotel preserved are free to buy it, Atchison said.

"This is their opportunity to step forward. Myself, personally speaking, I am on the page of removing the building totally, and the reason is that people over in that area are so used to getting everything second-hand all the time. It's always, 'This isn't so good for me anymore, but it's good enough for you.' "

Speaking of fresh starts, in 2007 the city tore down 29 homes next door to Riversdale, to make way for drastic changes to another historic community. . .

PLEASANT HILL

"If you look at what happened there, that's another project that ties into getting more work done, getting a commitment from the provincial government for the school board, for a new school there," Atchison said.

"The vote of confidence in the community there . . . there were approximately, I think, 50 students that lived in those 29 homes, and (St. Mary Community School) thought their enrollment was going to decline this year. And, in fact, they have 100 more students in the school and they're bursting at the seams."

"People are asking why, and my own belief is that people are saying the rest of the community believes in this area and that good things can happen here. And now that the derelict homes are gone, people feel more confident and more secure that there's a safe street in the neighbourhood. So I think it all works together."

The city has offered the residential land for sale to developers at next-to-nothing prices, if their proposals meet certain criteria. Major infrastructure has to be installed, and designs finalized, before those investors start building, he noted.

"So do I see homes being built there this coming year? Maybe late in the year at best. I wouldn't be holding my breath on that."

Alongside a greatly expanded park area, affordable high-density residential with some retail and office space is what city planners envision.

"Perhaps there should even be a high-rise in the community there as well," Atchison mused.

"Maybe something for seniors, for the people that want to move back into the neighbourhood that have moved away over the years. There's lots of possibilities now that we own the property."

A public opinion survey taken just a few months ago found policing was the top area of concern for Saskatonians. Atchison said if the same survey was taken now, that issue would have been replaced by a new worry. . . .

THE HOUSING CRUNCH

"Housing is a huge issue, it really is," he said.

"It's the working poor that we really need to focus on -- and that might be the wrong terminology; maybe it should be low-income working people or something like that, because people today, even making $20 an hour, is that poor? That works out to $40,000 a year -- is that a poor person? But can they buy a house?"

Civic staff are looking into several potential programs to help first-time buyers whose incomes haven't kept up to the rapid explosion of house prices.

"Once we can get you into a home, what happens then is the increases in salary aren't as relevant," he said. "But today an increase is very, very important in order to get that house."

Administrators are expected to deliver a report outlining options that include a housing trust to help first-time owners get a foot in the door.

"I think that what's happened in other cities -- and I'm not going to mention any names because they're not here to defend themselves -- but what's happened is they've looked after the middle- and upper-income people, but have neglected the middle- to lower-income," he said.
Many of these same people are renters hit by skyrocketing rents. Displaced or uncertain because of condo conversions, they're confronted with a staggeringly low vacancy rate.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. found only 84 vacancies in multi-unit buildings city-wide this fall, the mayor noted.

"And if you only have 84 vacant apartment units in the city of Saskatoon right now, that would lead me to believe that there needs to be more built. But perhaps there needs to be some incentives given for apartments, like we have in the Enterprise Zone."

"Perhaps there needs to be some type of tax abatement as well, perhaps waiving of fees. Those are things that council is going to have to discuss . . . and can they be fast-tracked as well, to get them started?"

It's such a big-ticket item, and so perpetually high on the public agenda, no New Year's discussion of civic affairs is complete without . . .

POLICE

Atchison expects city police will bring in experts this coming year to help them identify possible locations and cost estimates for the future new headquarters. The goal is to move in by 2013.

Council recently committed to a $1 million tax increase -- about one per cent -- every year for the next five years to create a reserve fund that will ensure the city has a down payment to finance its debt for the new building.

Initial estimates peg the total cost at $91 million, to be paid off over the next 15 or 20 years.

"I think the misconception is that people think we're going to write a cheque for $91 million, and the answer is no, we're not, because we haven't got $91 million" he said.

"And so what we're doing right now is we're putting together the worst-case possible scenario for this police station. If we don't get any help from the federal government, if we don't get any help from the provincial government, what will it cost us to do it?"

The public outcry would be enormous if crucial evidence against some notorious criminal were contaminated because it's being stored in some improvised container due to a shortage of space, he said.

The yearly million-dollar tax hit for the police station will add a percentage point to the mill rate this year. This is brings up the dark cloud on the mayor's horizon. When asked if there's anything he dreads about 2008, he chuckled.

TAXES

"Last year the provincial government really helped us with keeping the mill rate under five per cent, and we're certainly going to need the help of the provincial government again this year, to keep taxes down," Atchison said.

"And we still need to get to a revenue-sharing formula with the province -- something that's permanent, that cities can then budget properly as well, for the long term. Right now we just don't have that."

Premier Brad Wall has promised a seven per cent increase to municipal funding in 2008, he noted, "but for the City of Saskatoon that equates to about $1 million, which is one per cent on the taxes. But we need much more than that."

Perhaps Santa left something under the tree. . . .

[email protected]

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

Source

It's good to hear that Atchison is optimistic that infrastructure work for Parcel Y will begin this year. However, this article from Dec. 24 suggests that it will be over a year before actual construction begins:

Major River Landing Project Still Waiting On Paperwork
Written by Evan Wright - 600 Action News-Local First
Monday, 24 December 2007

A major construction project at River Landing could receive official approval by early new year.

Special Projects Manager, Chris Dekker hopes the final sale agreement will be processed soon.

However, he says there's more that needs to be done regarding the official documents and contract.

Dekker says if there's a quick process of approvals, then construction on the condo, retail and public space could start in fall of 2008.

However, he says they're pegging the spring of 2009 as the date the first shovel will go into the ground.

[Jonitecture]

ya i agree with u about the persephone but mabey the many scupltures that are gonna be placed around it will light it up. was the article in todays newspaper?

well, there is space to build on either side is ther not? and i was thinking for the discusting back, local graffiti artists?

[Ruckus]

Cameco 11th Street head office expansion




Station 20 West affordable housing


River Landing Phase I


River Landing Phase II

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Jonitecture

well, there is space to build on either side is ther not? and i was thinking for the discusting back, local graffiti artists?

Yeah, Persephone really needs some color on those expansive grey...graffiti artists, now there's an idea

[joelpiecowye]

mabey they can hire some local artists to paint a giant mural on it, it needs something done fast. Smearing some glass on a grey box wont make it beautiful.

[Jonitecture]

if thy are noy building anything on the river side of the persephone, it may be one of the stupidest decisions i have ever heard of to not utilize that beautiful view, no windows AT ALL facing the river.

[Ruckus]

Regent Plaza




Jimmy Flanagan

Originally Posted by Hotel Senator

James (Jimmy) Flanagan was born in Middlesex County, Ontario. In 1881, he moved to Manitoba where he was initially a traveling salesman and later worked as a farmhand for $1.50 per day. In August, 1902, he came to Saskatoon and became involved in the livery business. He was so successful that at one point he owned all the horses in the village. Flanagan sold the livery business in December of that year and began building the Western Hotel. Opened in the spring of 1903, the building cost $15,000 and brought Flanagan enough revenue to build an addition in 1904. He sold the Western for $85,000 in 1907 and began construction of the Flanagan Hotel. He wanted to name it the "City Hotel" but residents insisted that he name the structure after himself.

Jimmy Flanagan refused to hold any public office but he contributed to many endeavors to develop local government and took a great interest in athletics. He was a strong supporter of the Conservative Party and an admirer of Sir John A. MacDonald. The legendary qualities of Flanagan are found in the anecdotes which his contemporaries repeated with relish. One story tells how a hardware traveler complained at midnight that his room was too small. Flanagan offered to give him a large airy room -- then escorted the traveler and his bags downstairs and out into the street.

Another anecdote tells how Flanagan received complaints that people walking in the corridors were making a lot of noise. A local furniture dealer quoted $600 for cork matting. Flanagan stated that he could put rubber heels on everyone in the hotel for less money - an early example of lateral thinking.

When Jimmy Flanagan died, his friends closed their businesses from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in order to attend the largest funeral ever seen in Saskatoon. Flags were flown at half-mast on all the public buildings. St. Paul's Church was thronged with mourners, including the Mayor and City Council. Flanagan was buried in St. Paul's cemetery.

Source



James Clinkskill

Originally Posted by Star Phoenix

Source




Throw some art on this building too





T. Eaton warehouse lofts

[Echoes]

Neat post SASK. The art on the side of Regent Plaza adds a much needed splash of colour and character. Though they'll have to take it down once a nice new tower is built on the parking lot next door or else it will be blocked from view!

Also, the Eatons lofts are coming along nicely. I wonder how the pre-sale and construction plans for the townhouses beside the warehouse by the same developer are coming?


Anyways, hurrah Caswell Hill!
I was thinking today about how all 4 loft conversions currently underway in Saskatoon are each fairly ambitious projects and seem to be in competent hands. I think it's great!

[circle33]

/\ Gotta love the car in the top rendering, but those birds are sort of menacing.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Jonitecture

if thy are noy building anything on the river side of the persephone, it may be one of the stupidest decisions i have ever heard of to not utilize that beautiful view, no windows AT ALL facing the river.

This is true- that great river view is a major selling point for River Landing and should be capitalized on. Aside from that, something needs to be done to fix the plain ugly that stares you in the face when crossing the Buckwold Bridge for example.

Perhaps some art such as on the Regent Plaza that SASKFTW photographed and posted today would do? A big mural of Atchie's mugshot? I kid.
If that side of the building actually had some structural features to show off, architectural lighting may have done the trick. But alas, what can you do with a plain gray wall??

I took a quick peek at the River Landing website regarding Phase I...



^The blue section represents Phase I's "Destination Complex" which includes Persephone in the northeast corner. However, as pointed out, there seems to be much space to the west and south of the theatre. Is this meant for a future development such as a First Nations museum, art gallery, etc. that many have suggested? The River Landing website says that the destination complex "is a concept that is designed to include a live performance theatre (check!), a landmark, a visitor attraction, and public spaces."

So, does Persephone Theatre on its own fulfill all these criteria or is there something more envisioned for this space in years to come? I certainly hope it is the latter. I don't want to stare at plain gray ugly every time I go there.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by circle33

/\ Gotta love the car in the top rendering, but those birds are sort of menacing.

Also, I had no idea that the hilly terrain in the background, which I'm assuming is Caswell Hill was so mountainous.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Country

This is true- that great river view is a major selling point for River Landing and should be capitalized on. Aside from that, something needs to be done to fix the plain ugly that stares you in the face when crossing the Buckwold Bridge for example.

Perhaps some art such as on the Regent Plaza that SASKFTW photographed and posted today would do? A big mural of Atchie's mugshot? I kid.
If that side of the building actually had some structural features to show off, architectural lighting may have done the trick. But alas, what can you do with a plain gray wall??

I took a quick peek at the River Landing website regarding Phase I...



^The blue section represents Phase I's "Destination Complex" which includes Persephone in the northeast corner. However, as pointed out, there seems to be much space to the west and south of the theatre. Is this meant for a future development such as a First Nations museum, art gallery, etc. that many have suggested? The River Landing website says that the destination complex "is a concept that is designed to include a live performance theatre (check!), a landmark, a visitor attraction, and public spaces."

So, does Persephone Theatre on its own fulfill all these criteria or is there something more envisioned for this space in years to come? I certainly hope it is the latter. I don't want to stare at plain gray ugly every time I go there.

I believe the City has said something else will be built as part of the "Destination Complex" (museum?), but are unsure what and when it will be built

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by circle33

/\ Gotta love the car in the top rendering

Targeting the upper class

[joelpiecowye]

anyway for the persephone i think that a mural would look nice, if the city hired some of the best artists it could look neat. Just an example i just chose a painting off the web.



another idea but probally expensive is that they could project images of saskatoon or small video clips from the concept y building (if built). that would possibly give a neat effect

[CtrlAltDel]

^That looks pretty good!

Here is the pano with Cameco and...take a guess!

[Jonitecture]

[IMG]persephone.[/IMG] im not sure if this worked, but i spent about ten seconds on paint using that picture taken by joelpiecowye. wish shows how you could have a small tower beside the persephone, that has a museum? i would prefer shops, put a museum some where else downtown. anyways, apartments or condos above. AND WINDOWS, lots of windows facing the river. im so mad at this city, i think it was smart to have a theatre down there, but really, look at how much land is taken up, for the amount of time people will go to see a play, at night, at the most once a week. why didnt they just make it one story taller with shops and restaurants on the main floor. people wont go outside in the winter to shop unless the stores are close to each other, they will go to malls if they arent. I personally think it was a waste of that side of the street.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by joelpiecowye

anyway for the persephone i think that a mural would look nice, if the city hired some of the best artists it could look neat. Just an example i just chose a painting off the web.



another idea but probally expensive is that they could project images of saskatoon or small video clips from the concept y building (if built). that would possibly give a neat effect

Great work JP Quite the job for any painter/muralist (and thats only one side!).

Projecting images would be cool too, and perhaps more appropriate because you could switch it up quite easily (although only visible at night).

A few years ago Midtown officials splashed color onto the CN Tower building from the Midtown Plaza roof, looked wonderful coming into Downtown on the freeway, definitely something Persephone should look into.

On a related note, I just discovered a website for Saskatoon's Crescent district. Very well put together, I'm still going over it though. Anyone else know about this?

The Crescent

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

^That looks pretty good!

Here is the pano with Cameco and...take a guess!

Shell?

Other hopes/possibilities include PotashCorp, Shore Gold, Federated Co-op....hmmmm, some kind of ag-bio tech firm