Saskatoon Construction

[socialisthorde]

^^ Interesting. Thanks.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Jonitecture

I personally think it is a stupid idea to put a huge arena downtown. first of all, we could use the yards for more dense housing etc. also having a arena would need lots of parking, which agian, is just ugly and decreases the urban landscape

While I respect your opinion, I wholeheartedly disagree.

A healthy, liveable and attractive downtown is one that is an entertainment and cultural hub for the entire city, and as such, is home to a city's most important cultural amenities: theatres, concert halls, restaurants, shops, arenas, stadiums, etc. Arenas serve an important role as a host of various sporting, entertainment and cultural events including concerts, trade shows and special events. So, an arena is a major draw for people and would contribute greatly to our downtown's vitality. People attending sporting events and/or concerts would make use of restaurants, bars and shops located downtown that they might not usually visit. In addition, arenas and stadiums can be designed to be attractive landmarks that swell civic pride and serve as symbols of a city's prosperity and vitality.

In regards to the parking issue, *attractive* parkades, underground parking and increased transit/shuttle service can be made use of to accommodate parking needs.

Yes, land that could be used for high density housing must be "sacrificed" in order to build a downtown arena, but IMO the benefits easily outweigh the cons. Besides, what good is living downtown in high density housing if amenities like an arena are out on the urban fringe?

[kgc087]

I'm glad to hear that the Lighthouse tower is so focused on green development. I'd really love to see each terrace buldging with greenery, it would be stunning in the summer. I think this will really help boost the d/t population and hopefully encourage developers to build some larger condo complexes. I find it interesting that the airport was built in a way that the flight paths are almost over d/t, slightly bizarre. Could they not alter the flightpaths or the runways so that the paths do not cross over d/t, I feel there would be some stellar tall buildings built if that happened. Has the city addressed that issue formally?

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

So we do have an official restriction on downtown building heights, but it only applies to some sections of downtown...I wonder if the restrictions had anything to do with Cameco nixing their office tower, seeing as one of the possible sites would come quite close to the flight path (e.g. Block 146, next to Galaxy).

Hmmmm, thinking back to the Riversdale LAP map, I recall a reference to high density....


Source - Page 45

Some of the above lands are identified as having redevelopment potential with high density residential in mind, specifically the land directly west of the fire hall. Noting the flight path height restriction, what can developers and residents expect to be built...the flight path argument sounds like non-sense, or perhaps further information is required.

I wonder when/if Lawson Heights mall gets redeveloped to become a transit oriented development whether height restrictions will be placed on it as well. Definitely limits the potential for tall residential towers if flight path restrictions become an issue.



Here is Edmonton for reference, they have a height restriction for downtown buildings...can't recall the details.

Could they not mirror the runway that has the flightpath over d/t and make it so it flies over the west end?

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Country

While I respect your opinion, I wholeheartedly disagree.

A healthy, liveable and attractive downtown is one that is an entertainment and cultural hub for the entire city, and as such, is home to a city's most important cultural amenities: theatres, concert halls, restaurants, shops, arenas, stadiums, etc. Arenas serve an important role as a host of various sporting, entertainment and cultural events including concerts, trade shows and special events. So, an arena is a major draw for people and would contribute greatly to our downtown's vitality. People attending sporting events and/or concerts would make use of restaurants, bars and shops located downtown that they might not usually visit. In addition, arenas and stadiums can be designed to be attractive landmarks that swell civic pride and serve as symbols of a city's prosperity and vitality.

In regards to the parking issue, *attractive* parkades, underground parking and increased transit/shuttle service can be made use of to accommodate parking needs.

Yes, land that could be used for high density housing must be "sacrificed" in order to build a downtown arena, but IMO the benefits easily outweigh the cons. Besides, what good is living downtown in high density housing if amenities like an arena are out on the urban fringe?

Many factors worth considering, well said Country.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Could they not mirror the runway that has the flightpath over d/t and make it so it flies over the west end?

Yes..er, maybe???

I don't know how airports operate their runways, perhaps they already "mirror" their runway approaches. As well, I am sure all departures and arrivals operate according to the day's wind speed/direction

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Yes..er, maybe???

I don't know how airports operate their runways, perhaps they already "mirror" their runway approaches. As well, I am sure all departures and arrivals operate according to the day's wind speed/direction

Hmmm yah I wonder, it could def be a perminent fix to the situation but very costly, I'm sure good ol' Atchison is concocting some radical solution to the issue, we afterall do have canada's craziest mayor finalizing decisions for the city. Maybe this will prove to be beneficial?

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Hmmm yah I wonder, it could def be a perminent fix to the situation but very costly, I'm sure good ol' Atchison is concocting some radical solution to the issue, we afterall do have canada's craziest mayor finalizing decisions for the city. Maybe this will prove to be beneficial?

If we can't build tall towers downtown, where can we build them...the agriculture lands surrounding Innovation Place and University of Saskatchewan all look very appealing...we could have our very own miniature La Défense, Paris of Prairies

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

If we can't build tall towers downtown, where can we build them...the agriculture lands surrounding Innovation Place and University of Saskatchewan all look very appealing...we could have our very own miniature La Défense, Paris of Prairies

Sounds good to me! Downtown could be reserved for some high end shopping boutiques, lounges, resteraunts, nightclubs etc and all the corporate glory of the city could be in the fields! It's really win-win, the uni makes a large profit, the city gets some tall buildings and we increase office space! It would be a major undertaking, relocating an entire business centre about 2 km east....something to ponder about!

[joelpiecowye]

the light house project seems to get better and better each day, as for the stadium i believe a stadium should be downtown, underground parking can take most of the parking spaces so more dense highrises can be built, we also have midtown underground which is sask's biggest underground parking

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Sounds good to me! Downtown could be reserved for some high end shopping boutiques, lounges, resteraunts, nightclubs etc and all the corporate glory of the city could be in the fields! It's really win-win, the uni makes a large profit, the city gets some tall buildings and we increase office space! It would be a major undertaking, relocating an entire business centre about 2 km east....something to ponder about!

You know, I am sure many of our elected officials have thought about these possibilities...with a strong economy anything is possible

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

You know, I am sure many of our elected officials have thought about these possibilities...with a strong economy anything is possible

Very true, but it really would be the saddest thing to see the d/t relocated from the river front, that is what really makes it sensational! I just hope they reroute flights or change the runway configuration. The city will have to if they want to have continual economic growth!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by joelpiecowye

the light house project seems to get better and better each day, as for the stadium i believe a stadium should be downtown, underground parking can take most of the parking spaces so more dense highrises can be built, we also have midtown underground which is sask's biggest underground parking

Definitely, more underground parking for downtown and area is necessary, regardless of a stadium.

A few facts regarding parking capacity...

Credit Union Centre was opened in February of 1988 with a seating capacity of around 7,800. It was expanded to 11,300 for the World Junior Hockey Championships in 1990.

We have free parking on site with parking space for 4,000 cars on our property. For most publicly attended events we have transit service from the down town bus mall. For high attendance events we arrange extra transit services and advertise the originating locations.

Having hosted the performance of virtually every major act in North America and having been the site of numerous National and International events, Credit Union Centre's reputation as a world class venue, continues to hold true!

Source

PARKING

Midtown Plaza has the largest heated underground parking facility in the city with over 1000 surface stalls directly north and south of the plaza and 796 stalls in a heated, underground parkade.

Source

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Very true, but it really would be the saddest thing to see the d/t relocated from the river front, that is what really makes it sensational! I just hope they reroute flights or change the runway configuration. The city will have to if they want to have continual economic growth!

Ahhh the Bessborough will remain the iconic landmark for West City Centre, of course, we'd need something really contrasting for East City Centre, a super sleek metal and glass tower with a unique spire...or something, I'm no architect BTW

[Echoes]

Downtown height restrictions could have been completely avoided had that north-south-ish runway axis been built at a different angle as to not point right downtown. Unless there were conditions we're unaware of that necessitated that specific positioning of the runway, this was an incredibly shortsighted move when it was built.

Considering Edmonton's flight paths posted by SASKFTW, their city centre airport is much closer to the downtown than our airport is here in Saskatoon. I'm not sure what the height restriction in Edmonton is, but they obviously have an abundance of towers taller than anything here in Saskatoon. Couldn't the height restriction here be extended to accommodate taller buildings considering that our airport is a fair ways out? I watch planes flying over downtown all day from my office and they all pass overhead at a safe height.

Regardless, the proposed Stoneset tower is easily out of any flight path. Stoneset wants to give the tower height. Atchison wants a new tallest (for the city and province). We all want height. So extend the height restriction and give us HEIGHT!

Other thoughts: I'm very excited by Stoneset's plans to make the tower as green as possible. I never thought that forward thinking such as this was likely to occur in Saskatoon! My opinion: Build it! Build it! Build it!

Also glad to hear that the Roxy is hanging on and plans to continue to do so. They just need to wait things out, let Riversdale continue to improve, let River Landing flourish and shift their focus to a more Broadway Theatre-type venue and they'll do well!

[jaysfan99]

Originally Posted by Country

Downtown height restrictions could have been completely avoided had that north-south-ish runway axis been built at a different angle as to not point right downtown. Unless there were conditions we're unaware of that necessitated that specific positioning of the runway, this was an incredibly shortsighted move when it was built.

Considering Edmonton's flight paths posted by SASKFTW, their city centre airport is much closer to the downtown than our airport is here in Saskatoon. I'm not sure what the height restriction in Edmonton is, but they obviously have an abundance of towers taller than anything here in Saskatoon. Couldn't the height restriction here be extended to accommodate taller buildings considering that our airport is a fair ways out? I watch planes flying over downtown all day from my office and they all pass overhead at a safe height.

Regardless, the proposed Stoneset tower is easily out of any flight path. Stoneset wants to give the tower height. Atchison wants a new tallest (for the city and province). We all want height. So extend the height restriction and give us HEIGHT!

Other thoughts: I'm very excited by Stoneset's plans to make the tower as green as possible. I never thought that forward thinking such as this was likely to occur in Saskatoon! My opinion: Build it! Build it! Build it!

Also glad to hear that the Roxy is hanging on and plans to continue to do so. They just need to wait things out, let Riversdale continue to improve, let River Landing flourish and shift their focus to a more Broadway Theatre-type venue and they'll do well!

I'm sure even a 40 storey tower wouldn't cause any problems with the flight path. I'm not saying that we will be getting anything that tall anytime soon, but would like to think someday maybe it's a possibility. I need to have hope!!

Not sure why the stupid person who designed the runways, made them face the downtown. Who is the genius behind that stupid move. Wouldn't anyone with an education realize that sooner or later a downtown might want to build something taller than 25 stupid storeys.

[Jonitecture]

I know every one was joking with the whole, downtown office towers in the fields out by innovation place. But just to let you know, my father was trying to get wind turbines on prestine across from innovation place, I wasn't supposed to talk about that because its secret, BUT since that project was cancelled because, get this, of height restrictions for planes! i guess i can tell you now

[swilley]

Right now the runways are getting a make-over, don't think they are moving them though....

More info HERE

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by Jonitecture

I know every one was joking with the whole, downtown office towers in the fields out by innovation place. But just to let you know, my father was trying to get wind turbines on prestine across from innovation place, I wasn't supposed to talk about that because its secret, BUT since that project was cancelled because, get this, of height restrictions for planes! i guess i can tell you now

Wow how unfortunate is that, that would have been magnificent to see some wind turbines there. I feel that the height could definatley extended, it's not like we ever have severe fog and even if we did the planes have radar specifying their location. I think the city will really work to get the height increased since the city could lose some possible stellar buildings. As well I just want to point out that it is quite unique to have a smaller skyline with stellar architecture. Nobody notices the architecture on the top of a building form close up just the bottom and Saskatoon is in a valley SO even if we had tall buildings you probably wouldn't notice much of the shape from afar. So if the height isn't increased it still doesn't spell disaster, the city and architects can focus on constructing stunning buildings which will make Saskatoon truley the "Paris of the Prairies"....but don't get me wrong I'd still love to see some taller buildings but their is always a positive to each side!

[Echoes]

Off topic question: Why was the parkade across 2nd Ave from the former Bay store ever demolished? I think it was around the time the Bay moved to Midtown but I don't remember for sure. Now it's just a surface parking lot... what good was tearing it down? Were there plans for re-development at the time that fell through?