Tower proposal combines low-income, condo units
Developer pitches plan for 28-storey building on downtown location
Rod Nickel, The StarPhoenix
Published: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
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Originally Posted by swilley
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A plan to house low-income and disabled people in new units north of the police station has expanded into a proposed $66-million tower that would be among Saskatoon's tallest skyscrapers.
Calgary developer Stoneset Equities has sent a formal proposal to Saskatchewan Housing Corp. to construct a building that would include 120 units for people with long-term disabilities or low incomes and 20 shelter beds. Stoneset's proposal would also have 130 rental or condo units plus commercial space, pushing it to 28 storeys.
"We're well aware of what's happening in Saskatchewan," said Tony Argento, CEO of Stoneset. "(Saskatoon) is a dynamic town. We thought it worthwhile to get involved in the economy there."
Government and city officials announced plans in October for the assisted living units, to be managed by Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. That portion of the project is expected to cost $14.58 million, with the housing corporation contributing $11.5-million and the city $1.458 million.
There are still several steps to complete before construction begins. Sask. Housing Corp. has not yet chosen Stoneset's proposal, although city planning manager Lorne Sully describes it as the lead proposal at present.
"We've discussed it with all the parties and we're assuming we're the group selected but we haven't been given the formal green light yet," Argento said. A spokesperson for the housing corporation couldn't be immediately reached for comment Monday.
City of Saskatoon has already offered the police station parking lot on Fourth Avenue for the project, but it needs to first check for environmental concerns and address them if necessary.
Stoneset also needs to get city approval for 28 storeys, which would place it with Hallmark Place on Fifth Avenue and Luther Tower as the city's tallest buildings.
City council moved the project one step ahead Monday, authorizing the city to temporarily close 23rd Street East between Fourth and Fifth avenues to allow for environmental screening of the site. If the site is ultimately sold, the city will also reserve the north side of 23rd Street between Third and Fourth avenues for police parking during construction, which could take 18-24 months.
That will pose some difficulties for the force, but "we can make it work," said police Chief Clive Weighill. The service will run some type of fence around the street to discourage vandalism of its cars. The developer will have to figure out a way for officers to plug their cars in during winter, he said.
In the long run, the police service hopes to move into new headquarters with its own parking.
Coun. Tiffany Paulsen, a member of the Saskatoon police commission, said she supports the project, but not the plan to move police cars to the street, where they will restrict the public's access to parking meters close to city hall.
"I find the whole proposal ridiculous."
Twenty-four meters would be hooded during construction.
The two-block stretch of 23rd Street currently carries 5,000 vehicles per day, including a transit DART route.
"I don't think, logistically, it would present much of a concern because the vehicles are only a few hundred feet away from the building," said Mayor Don Atchison, chair of the police commission. "People want to have the change, but sometimes there's pain that goes with it. It's a project that's needed. It would be a building that once it's complete will be quite spectacular. People will certainly take pride in the community to have (it)."
Stoneset hasn't determined the market value for the condos. It hopes to start construction in January.
Lighthouse currently operates 64 units out of the former Capri Hotel at 20th Street and Second Avenue.
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. By the rendering, the building is 28 stories, with 2 1/2 stories of that glass atrium on top. So, in total we should get Saskatoon's first 30+ building. 
. Hallmark Place at 27 floors has the highest floor count in the province and is the city's tallest.
looks like we can finally go in the towercrane thread
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