Saskatoon Construction

[kgc087]

Wow this all looks fantastic! I'm really excited to see what the year will bring for new projects and project progress, hopefully the next few years will be just as promising. As well I just had a thought of hopefully the public will pressure Remai into building either a STELLAR complementary building or a post modern tower which in my opinion is stunning when next to historical architecture, really makes you think about buildin achievement and evolution.

[circle33]

Good to see the temp wall (what's do you call those things anyway?) going up around MOB site. I was getting sick of looking at that hole.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Wow this all looks fantastic! I'm really excited to see what the year will bring for new projects and project progress, hopefully the next few years will be just as promising. As well I just had a thought of hopefully the public will pressure Remai into building either a STELLAR complementary building or a post modern tower which in my opinion is stunning when next to historical architecture, really makes you think about buildin achievement and evolution.

I know not everyone would agree, but we could really use some bold post modern in Saskatoon, a fitting mark for the city's current outlook.

Either option will suffice, but I will contain my optimism until they release a rendering or more information.

[Ruckus]

Saskatoon's Economic Engine is Going Strong
Tuesday, 15 April 2008

Saskatoon's economy continues to outperform in almost every sector.

That's why the Conference Board Metropolitan Report for Spring 2008 reflects some re-jigged numbers.

The 2007 GDP growth rate numbers were adjusted from 4.9 to 5.5%. The difference between the two numbers is about 50 million dollars. Service sector output drove a majority of the growth. And for 2008, Saskatoon's potential growth in gross domestic product has been increased from 2.9 to 3.5%.

On the construction scene, the Conference Board has raised its 2008 housing starts forecast to 24 hundred units - equal to what we saw in 2007.

Manufacturing output stalled last year but this year, thanks to demand from agriculture and mining, its expected to increase by 3.6%.

However, the Conference Board believes employment growth will slow down from 5.9% last year to 2.5% in 2008 while unemployment will remain at the 4 percent mark. But its not because there isn't enough jobs, but because there aren't enough people out there to fill the jobs available. (vmf 04/15/08)

Source

[Jonitecture]

somethings brewing, i bet by summer, our dream downtown tower will be announced!

[Ruckus]

Developer plans new four-storey building downtown
Murray Lyons, TheStarPhoenix.com
Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2008

One of the gravel parking lots in downtown Saskatoon will soon disappear, with a new office building rising on the site of the former Extra Foods store on Third Avenue.

The 50,000-square-foot office building, to be built and owned by North Prairie Developments Ltd., will be the first new office space constructed in the downtown since 1993 when T&T Properties completed a six-storey building on Third Avenue North now occupied by the Canada Revenue Agency.

In an interview Tuesday, North Prairie president and co-owner John Williams said Graham Construction has been chosen as the contractor for the $16-million, glass-faced building. He said the structure will meet LEED certification standards for energy efficiency. The building was designed by the Stantec architectural group.

Williams said the investment is going ahead even though he has no firm commitment from a tenant. The building should be ready for occupancy by June of next year.

"We've been talking to a few people, but we don't actually have a firm lead client at this point in time, so we're still working on a spec basis," Williams said. "But we think the market's there."

He is hoping to land one or two lead tenants and leave about 40 per cent of the space available for smaller tenants.

An analyst who follows the Saskatoon office space market said Williams is betting right and North Prairie probably would have had clients moving in if they had started the building a year earlier.

"The lack of space in the Saskatoon market has caused an extreme drop in the vacancy rate to the point where it's no longer at a level where people can move around freely and acquire the kind of space they need," said Cameron Walker of Brunsdon Junor Johnson Appraisals Ltd.

That firm's annual office space study for Saskatoon, which Walker co-authored, shows in January the vacancy rate at 'A' category office buildings in downtown declined to about 2.5 per cent.

The lack of action in building new downtown space is one reason other developers are building suburban office space, including a new three-storey office building south of the new Stonegate shopping centre, Walker said.

"Parking is the other thing in short supply in downtown where we're looking at increased rates as well," he said.

The North Prairie proposal will see 64 heated underground spots under the four-storey office, plus 32 parking stalls off the back lane.

In the downtown, Walker said the North Prairie office will have a leg up in being completed well before the River Landing office space proposed by Calgary's Lake Placid Group as part of a major hotel and condo project on the former riverbank site of the technical high school and Royal Canadian Legion.

"River Landing is a little bit more of a specialized development and it's being done by an out-of-town developer," he said. "North Prairie is local and they have a labour base and the same with Graham Construction, which has a local office and labour base."

North Prairie, a private company wholly owned by Williams and his wife Bernice, bought the former Extra Foods building after grocery chain Westfair Foods closed what had been the last downtown grocery store.

The Saskatoon developer - better known for building single-family homes and larger condo developments in Regina, Saskatoon and Martensville - also bought a small retail building that housed a Bible store.

During the past two years, Williams said there were a number of options considered for the property including a plan to use the site for an extended-stay type of apartment-hotel.

"We looked at the hotel market quite closely, but we just decided we didn't want a 24-7 type of business there," he said.

Williams said his company also owns several commercial and industrial properties, but most of these are managed for him by a commercial real estate firm. He said the leasing and management of the new office building will be done by a third party as well.

There is an option on the main floor to have multiple retail spaces and Williams said there may be a demand for that as retail choices on Second Avenue are few and far between.

"I think there is a fair amount of potential on Third Avenue," he said. "We really like our location with its proximity to 21st Street and the corridor leading from the Bess(borough Hotel) to Midtown."

[email protected]

Source

[Ruckus]

Riversdale sets priorities
Stephanie Classen, TheStarPhoenix.com
Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Improving their neighbourhood's safety, infrastructure and reputation is the focus of the Riversdale Local Area Planning Committee's (LAPC) final report.

The committee - made up of more than 150 residents, business owners, property owners, community groups and other stakeholders - made several recommendations Tuesday to improve one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods as it unveiled the document.

The local area plan was broken down into nine categories: Land use, housing, parks and recreation, traffic and circulation, municipal services, economic development, heritage and culture, neighbourhood perceptions and neighbourhood safety.

Pat Lorje, a city councillor who represents Riversdale and was part of the LAPC, said the plan is exciting.

"It's a comprehensive plan and really it focuses on all aspects of things that are needed to make sure that Riversdale is the up and coming neighbourhood that all of us who really love Riversdale know it is," she said.

The report is in its final draft form and is expected to go to council for endorsement May 20.

The city held an open house Tuesday to showcase some of the changes proposed in the plan. Several local businesspeople, including Phillip Mark, who owns D & M Images on Avenue F, attended to get more information.

"Anything improved is good," he said about the report. "I grew up in the neighbourhood so I've seen a plateau so I think we need to do something with it."

Mark's family has had property in Riversdale for 40 years, and he believes in the area's potential.

"I'd like to see something improve for my kids," he said.

Ray and Donna Shirley, owners of Shirley's Service on corner of Avenue C and Spadina Crescent, said they are pleased with the committee's recommendations.

"It's going to do our area nothing but good, the sooner the better," Ray said.

Some of the initiatives the plan proposes include the creation of a vacant lot registry to help encourage development and measures to improve safety around places like Princess Alexandria School and the area near the Barry Hotel and the Salvation Army.

The need to encourage development on vacant residential and commercial sites is one of the LAPC's priorities.

There are currently 45 vacant properties in Riversdale, 16 of which are residential, according to the report. The idea of a registry, which would be available to the public on the City of Saskatoon website, follows similar programs in other cities. Currently in Saskatoon, vacant lot information is available from the city for $7 per inquiry.

Randy Pshebylo, executive director of the Riversdale Business Improvement District, said more people are expressing interest in developing in the neighbourhood - especially since the Barry Hotel is slated to be demolished.

He said the local area plan has engaged both businesses and residents to come together in an effort to improve their community.

"From a business standpoint, a lot more solid footing will come as a result of the (local area plan)," he said. "It may not happen overnight, but it's on the radar . . . and that sends a positive message to those that are potentially relocating to the area."

Another area highlighted in the report is safety. The LAPC completed five safety audits in September 2005, with 17 people participating. Several recommendations - including eliminating hiding spaces between buildings in and around school properties, adding signs identifying the area as a school zone and assessing if lighting in the area is adequate - were made around Princess Alexandra School, an area deemed in the audit to be unsafe. Audits were also performed around the Barry Hotel and Salvation Army, as well as the area bordered by the rail line, Avenue I and 20th Street.

The LAPC prioritized the recommendations and chose the ten most important goals. The priorities include improving pedestrian and cyclist pathways between River Landing, Victoria Park and the 17th Street Boulevard; strategies to ease traffic in congested areas; community clean-ups and a safety audit of Optimist Park.

[email protected]

Source

[joelpiecowye]

i like the idea that it is going to be a leed building but i wish that 4 story office buildin was a bit taller

anyways i checked their website and there is a lot of simple townhouses and such but nothing special. but t doesn't show any commercial so i better not put it down yet.

anyways for the 16 story building that macca said i would like glass, curves and a public area near the top

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by joelpiecowye

i like the idea that it is going to be a leed building but i wish that 4 story office buildin was a bit taller

anyways i checked their website and there is a lot of simple townhouses and such but nothing special. but t doesn't show any commercial so i better not put it down yet.

anyways for the 16 story building that macca said i would like glass, curves and a public area near the top

I am curious as to why they did not consider adding residential, too risky/unfamiliar for them perhaps? Maybe they don't have the resources to go bigger (after all, they are speculating), tis a shame.

[Echoes]

While I'm encouraged that construction on a *GLASS* office block downtown will soon be underway (this first since '93? Yeeesh) I can't help but think of this as somewhat of a lost opportunity for that lot. With it lying so close to "central" downtown (Saskatoon Square and area) I had hoped for something taller and a bit more ambitious.

Oh well, this project may serve as a "testing of the waters" and may convince other developpers to dive in with bigger projects.

Regardless, this is a welcome project. It will fill in that gaping hole on 3rd ave and with some street level retail it will be a bustling place! The LEED standard is encouraging too.

Also, great to hear from macca on that proposed 16 storey condo. What a great spot for a tower! Very exciting possibility.

And thanks SASKFTW for the great photo update. With all these pictures and rumours comin down the pipe I am excited!

[swilley]

Not much room for a condo, Maybe it will look stupid squeezed in here


-Google Earth

[Ruckus]

Hehehe, here she is...a rough draft utilizing the best of MS Paint and MS Word

I am not totally set on the criteria for listing the projects, other criteria worth considering: units, sq feet, cost, developer's name...

I reviewed the format Boris used for listing Calgary projects (very well done), and thought with Saskatoon having fewer projects perhaps it is not entirely necessary to categorize to the same extent. However, I think I will categorize "building type" after I re-order the numbers in the photo of downtown. Updates will be messy using MS Paint with the photo and number method, maybe I'll look for some more useful software.



I also intend to include links/photos/info for each project (see Calgary first page for reference). Gathering all of the links and information will take me some time, but it will be nice to have it all at the fingertips once completed

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

I am curious as to why they did not consider adding residential, too risky/unfamiliar for them perhaps? Maybe they don't have the resources to go bigger (after all, they are speculating), tis a shame.

I like the possible resedential idea, and the idea of adding a few additional floors. But we have to remember that some of the most beautiful buildings in the world are on a smaller scale. Hopefully they will utilize details and impressive exterior architecture in a modern stance to create a truly unique addition to the city without being on a large scale. Maybe they will construct it to allow for the later development of additional levels?

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by swilley

Not much room for a condo, Maybe it will look stupid squeezed in here


-Google Earth

At 16 floors and 1-2 units per floor, this rumored project should make for an interesting design next to the Renaissance and Radisson towers, I'm imagining a funky and slender glass/steel/box structure...

Originally Posted by macca

A new rumor:

A proposed 16 story condo on Spadina Cres beside the Radisson. This is the gravel parking pad that was formerly two old houses. Apparently it will be an interesting looking design, with only 2 condos per floor.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

At 16 floors and 1-2 units per floor, this rumored project should make for an interesting design next to the Renaissance and Radisson towers, I'm imagining a funky and slender glass/steel/box structure...

I'm thinking futuristic cubes which blend into the existing surroundings, almost like you don't notice the structure until you are driving up to it. A unique jewel which will help extend the modernism of the riverlanding into central downtown.

[Boris2k7]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Hehehe, here she is...a rough draft utilizing the best of MS Paint and MS Word

I am not totally set on the criteria for listing the projects, other criteria worth considering: units, sq feet, cost, developer's name...

I reviewed the format Boris used for listing Calgary projects (very well done), and thought with Saskatoon having fewer projects perhaps it is not entirely necessary to categorize to the same extent. However, I think I will categorize "building type" after I re-order the numbers in the photo of downtown. Updates will be messy using MS Paint with the photo and number method, maybe I'll look for some more useful software.

I also intend to include links/photos/info for each project (see Calgary first page for reference). Gathering all of the links and information will take me some time, but it will be nice to have it all at the fingertips once completed

Nice. Glad to see that my first page is still influential, even though updates come even further apart right now (I have probably a dozen projects to add not to mention DP info and renderings and such, and my master listing only gets updated a few times a year now).

I might suggest Paint.net. It's similar to MS Paint, but way more functional.

By the looks of that air photo, theres lots of development potentional in Toon Town.

[macca]

I'm really surprised a condo developer like North Prairie doesn't see an opportunity for a condo component for their office building. I'm also discouraged by his comment in the article that they didn't want to create a "24/7" type of development. 24/7 is exactly the type of development downtown needs. A mix of office, retail and the hotel/apartment idea would have made for an ideal project for that area.

Also, I have my doubts about this project looking like anything special, based upon their other projects.

[Stewie]

^ The glass facade will be a stark contrast from the old Army & Navy building beside it... Either way, the added working class should bring new life to 3rd avenue, and hopefully spur some further development in the empty lot on the corner of 3rd and 22nd (perfect for Cameco).

[kgc087]

River Landing project faces flood of rising costs
Danielle Mario, The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Soaring construction costs have changed benchmarks for the completion of River Landing.

According to Meewasin Valley Authority and the city, the inflation of costs since the planning for the river's side development have caused them to re-evaluate the finishing dates on some of the construction, as well as the projected budgets.

"It's really been a perfect storm," said Lloyd Isaak, manager of design and development with Meewasin Valley Authority.

"With the fact that it's really unique work with high construction costs, and the limited number of labourers and contractors, it's had a fairly major impact."

Meewasin's chair, Richard Nieman, sent a letter to the provincial government, outlining the difficulties regarding costs for the project. He explained some of the bids for tender were 50 to 100 per cent over original estimates and the result will be a need for more money and time.

Isaak added building on a riverfront, where erosion and flooding must be kept in mind, can add to the difficulties.

"A lot of the work that's happening here is unique," he said. "It involves water channel work, a lot of regulatory requirements and permits . . . it has resulted in a premium of some of the bid costs."

Gwen Charman, director of operations for Meewasin, said they will wait a year before tabling any proposals to the provincial government for additional funding, when "everything is up and running." She said there is no urgency at this point because they are still under construction.

Meewasin is responsible for Phase 1 of River Landing -- which had its budget skyrocket by 20 per cent since 2003 -- now sitting at $14.82 million.

Despite the financial crunch, only the proposed boat dock will see a delayed construction date, with the pavilion and children's water features still slated to open this spring.

The city expected the dock to cost about $200,000.

"The dock is where we were seeing some really high prices when we first opened to tenders a year ago," said Charman. "Now we're looking to possibly scale down the design and make it less elaborate for a better price."

The dock will be re-tendered this year or next, she said.

A proposed north-south linkage for the riverfront trail along Buckwold Bridge has been also been delayed until 2009 to allow access for crews to other projects during construction in the area.

Chris Dekker, special projects manager for the City of Saskatoon, said the construction woes were taken to city council late last year, with the total cost of both River Landing phases now set at $43 million.

"It's a real issue out there, and as much as you try to change your estimates from the get-go and try to budget for things, there's always a surprise that comes around," he said.

Though still at early stages of completion, the city spent $174,600 from general property tax revenues towards the maintenance and operations of the development last year, with another $234,400 budgeted this year with the opening of the pavilion, water park, Isinger Park and new streets and streetscapes.

The city's contribution totals about $23.8 million. Contributions from the federal and provincial governments and private donations will make up the rest.

Charman said Meewasin Valley Authority has raised $1.6 million of the $2 million goal for donated Phase 1 funding, and have already had nearly 200,000 people enjoying the riverside trail, despite the fact that the second part of the path is not finished.

"It's going to take a little longer to get done now," said Charman. "But it's not stopping people from using the site. It's fully functional."

[email protected]

LANDING PROJECTS

RIVERGREEN ECOVILLAGE:

Status: Preliminary design

Construction: Begins spring, 2009

ISLINGER PARK:

Status: Mobilizing construction

Construction: Completed this fall

LIVE/WORK HOUSING:

Status: Proposals

Construction: Begins in 2009

PUB/RESTAURANT AND APARTMENTS:

Status: Proposals

Construction: Begins in 2009

PHASE I RIVERFRONT:

Status: Construction

Construction: Pavilion and water park completed this spring; boat dock tendered again in late 2008, early 2009.

PHASE II RIVERFRONT:

Status: Construction this summer

Construction: Summer completion.

URBAN VILLAGE:

Status: Re-design and permits

Construction: Begins in Fall, 2008

DESTINATION COMPLEX:

Status: Concept proposals

Construction: Completed in 2012

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

Hopefully the city learns from this, get there asses in motion and approve things before everything has to be redone b/c of rising costs.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by macca

I'm really surprised a condo developer like North Prairie doesn't see an opportunity for a condo component for their office building. I'm also discouraged by his comment in the article that they didn't want to create a "24/7" type of development. 24/7 is exactly the type of development downtown needs. A mix of office, retail and the hotel/apartment idea would have made for an ideal project for that area.

Also, I have my doubts about this project looking like anything special, based upon their other projects.

I couldn't agree more. 24/7 is what we want!!!! Anyway, here it is - hot off the digital press...



Source - Star Kleenex