Saskatoon Construction

[Ruckus]

Group seeks input on River Landing project
The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2008

A local non-profit group with aspirations to build Saskatoon's most environmentally friendly residential and commercial development at River Landing is seeking preliminary design input from interested citizens tonight.

Prairie Ecovillage Development Corporation (PEDCO) has seating space for 100 people to attend a presentation on the design process by Elisa Campbell, an architect who specializes in sustainability, at the Radisson Hotel starting at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but because seating is limited, participants have been asked to pre-register online at www.picatic.com/ticket/event113197/index.php.

PEDCO hopes to build an "ecovillage" in the west phase of River Landing, consisting of 65 residential and 10 commercial spaces designed to be environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.

The project is intended to reach a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum standard -- the highest possible "green" certification -- by reducing non-renewable energy use and greenhouse-gas emissions by 70 per cent, as well as reducing potable water use by 50 per cent compared to conventional buildings.

Source

*****

Looks interesting, I'll be attending.

If any are interested, sign up quick as space is limited.

I am trying to develop some input/ideas that this project should incorporate, or strive to include in its final design. After looking at the initial proposal, I will have to give it more thought.

Originally Posted by RiverGreen Ecovillage November media release

Prairie Ecovillage Development Corporation (PEDCO), a Saskatoon not-for-profit corporation, is
planning to build a $21 million ecovillage at River Landing Phase II in Saskatoon.

RiverGreen Ecovillage will include 65 residential and 10 commercial units designed to achieve
environmental, social and economic sustainability. RiverGreen will include 10% affordable housing,
aiming for a diverse community with a range of income levels. The remaining units will be
competitively priced for the Saskatoon market. Retail and commercial space will be available to
environmentally-sustainable businesses. PEDCO welcomes enquiries; prospective buyers can
register interest at www.rivergreen.ca.

Using advanced building techniques and technologies, RiverGreen will reduce non-renewable
energy use and greenhouse gas emissions 70% and potable water use 50%, compared to
conventional buildings, making it among the most environmentally-friendly developments of its kind
in Canada. The ecovillage will be a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
registered project, targeting the highest “Platinum” level of certification.

“Our goal is to demonstrate that the overall environmental footprint of urban living can be
dramatically reduced, and at a reasonable cost,” said Rick Olmstead, Chairman of PEDCO. “We
have chosen a downtown infill site so ecovillage residents can find most services within walking
distance.” Local foods will be available across the street at the popular Saskatoon Farmers’ Market.

“Ultimately, we want to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Olmstead said. RiverGreen
Ecovillage will be “net-zero ready” and additional renewable energy will be added as solar PV panels
and other alternative energy technology becomes more affordable.

“This innovative green development is a welcomed addition to River Landing,” said Saskatoon
Mayor Donald Atchison. “It marks the first residential and the second commercial development to
take advantage of the new infrastructure and incredible park amenities being constructed in Phase
II.”

The Mayor noted that, pending City Council’s approval, the City and PEDCO will negotiate the sale
of the 1.2-acre site between Avenues B and C on 19th Street.

Source

[Ruckus]

Alright, well I signed up for tonights presentation but unfortunately can no longer make the 7:30 start time (going swimming ).

I hope some one else might be able to drop in, if not, the SP should hopefully post some of the highlights.

[joelpiecowye]

good job, i wish i could but i can't but at least someone will make it

[richmond]

Hi ... not sure how many made it to the Ecovillage presentation last night. It was alright, but I think the future ones will be better. This one basically described the framework that they will use. They are going to hold a series of workshops and design charettes to basically brainstorm goals & design ideas. I believe the first one will be held in mid-February. I'm on their email list so when I hear further I will post it here.

They are developing a website but it is pretty sparse right now:
http://www.rivergreen.ca/

[Echoes]

Thanks richmond, I'm glad you made it. I look forward to news of the first workshop and certainly hope it can be well attended by us forumers!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by richmond

Hi ... not sure how many made it to the Ecovillage presentation last night. It was alright, but I think the future ones will be better. This one basically described the framework that they will use. They are going to hold a series of workshops and design charettes to basically brainstorm goals & design ideas. I believe the first one will be held in mid-February. I'm on their email list so when I hear further I will post it here.

They are developing a website but it is pretty sparse right now:
http://www.rivergreen.ca/

Thank you for attending, and for relaying the information.

How many people were in attendance last night?

PedCo seems genuinely interested in developing this project as a showcase piece. Involving the public in the initial discussion should positively influence the final proposal.

I expect this to be an exciting and enlightening experience on how the City of Saskatoon can manage growth patterns more appropriately through refinement of policies that support sustainable living practices (Ecovillage will be the first of many such showcase projects ).

[macca]

Was there any timeline discussed for the rivergreen project?

[richmond]

A timeline was discussed, but they threw out so many dates it did get a little confusing. My understanding was that sessions, open to everyone, will be held in mid-February & mid-March.

The room was packed. If they had actually planned for the 100 max they listed on the invite, then they probably got it. Chris Dekker from the City was there. He's in charge of River Landing. He mentioned that cost-sharing negotiations are ongoing.

If it takes off, this project would be good for downtown. I would've been happy with any sort of multi-family housing going in, but a sustainable showcase would be good.

[Wormo]

I have it from a pretty reliable source that Cameco is going to be building a ~30 storey tower downtown. I'm not sure if it's true but he seemed pretty confident.

[joelpiecowye]

IF that is true that is huge news it is gonna accually true, if you could please tell the source and any info you can

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Wormo

I have it from a pretty reliable source that Cameco is going to be building a ~30 storey tower downtown. I'm not sure if it's true but he seemed pretty confident.

That is very exciting news and I hope there is truth to it!

What line of work is your source involved in?

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Wormo

I have it from a pretty reliable source that Cameco is going to be building a ~30 storey tower downtown. I'm not sure if it's true but he seemed pretty confident.

Any details on a timeline?

[Wormo]

He's a ventilation company manager and he was talking about how he didn't know if they had chosen any locations yet but apparently he knows somebody who has talked with some of the head Cameco guys and they seemed like they were planning something for downtown. Again he's not sure of this, but there's a rumor.

[Wormo]

He doesn't know too much yet but if he finds out anything else i'll definitely post it.

[swilley]

Hmmmmmm.... Interesting...

Fresh from the Star Phoenix. I just posted the interesting part of the article as I am sure we all don't want to hear about how sprawl is making our property taxes go up!

State of the city
Mayor Atchison addresses local business leaders
By Lori Coolican, TheStarPhoenix.com
Published: Thursday, January 24, 2008



.....Atchison said the city is expected to develop 2,500 new residential lots this year, "and there's been lots of discussion around council saying that perhaps 10 per cent of all those doors should be affordable housing, because our goal is to build 500 affordable housing units every year for the next 10 years."

Suburban growth should be balanced with "smart growth" by increasing the density of the downtown core, he said.

"We need higher buildings downtown. And wouldn't it be wonderful to have Cameco downtown with a nice 30-storey building for us as well?" Atchison said, drawing a round of applause from chamber members.

That sounded like a hint of some pending announcement from the uranium giant, but Atchison later told reporters he doesn't have any new information about Cameco's plans. A 30-storey building would simply be the tallest in the province, he said.

"We certainly talk to them and we certainly encourage them to continue to look to move to downtown Saskatoon, but they certainly don't divulge their information on whether they're thinking of building or if they are still going to build. But I can certainly tell you that we talk to them on a regular basis and we certainly do encourage them to look at building in the downtown."

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by swilley

Hmmmmmm.... Interesting...

Fresh from the Star Phoenix. I just posted the interesting part of the article as I am sure we all don't want to hear about how sprawl is making our property taxes go up!

State of the city
Mayor Atchison addresses local business leaders
By Lori Coolican, TheStarPhoenix.com
Published: Thursday, January 24, 2008



.....Atchison said the city is expected to develop 2,500 new residential lots this year, "and there's been lots of discussion around council saying that perhaps 10 per cent of all those doors should be affordable housing, because our goal is to build 500 affordable housing units every year for the next 10 years."

Suburban growth should be balanced with "smart growth" by increasing the density of the downtown core, he said.

"We need higher buildings downtown. And wouldn't it be wonderful to have Cameco downtown with a nice 30-storey building for us as well?" Atchison said, drawing a round of applause from chamber members.

That sounded like a hint of some pending announcement from the uranium giant, but Atchison later told reporters he doesn't have any new information about Cameco's plans. A 30-storey building would simply be the tallest in the province, he said.

"We certainly talk to them and we certainly encourage them to continue to look to move to downtown Saskatoon, but they certainly don't divulge their information on whether they're thinking of building or if they are still going to build. But I can certainly tell you that we talk to them on a regular basis and we certainly do encourage them to look at building in the downtown."

Yes, this is very encouraging news all in one article; mentioning an increase in density for the core, higher buildings in the downtown, and Cameco building a 30 storey tower...damn, keep the good times rollin' 2008, 2009, 2010...

[Echoes]

Ah, the possibility of a new tallest for the city and the province makes me all tingly inside!!

IMO, Atchison really was dropping a hint. He just backtracked later when reporters questioned him about. At least that's what the optimist in me believes.

Saskatoon definitely deserves it!

[joelpiecowye]

i have a feeling 08 is going to be a good year for our downtown i bet we will have at least 1 new 20 story skyscraper proposal and mabey camecos new tower

[Migs]

It would be great if Cameco moved downtown as IMO Saskatoon's downtown really needs some glass towers (all you need is about 9 of em and your downtown will start to resemble Reginas ).

That said, with 2 new towers likely going up in Regina as well as possibly Cameco's and the Lake Placid in Saskatoon its nothing but good news for Sask as a whole.

[joelpiecowye]

i found this,
saskatoon's new library(not new downtown one)
http://www.saskatoonlibrary.ca/pdf/Newbranchon20thsiteplan.pdf

one their website it says they are going to show new design in spring for the expansion of downtown library.