Saskatoon Construction - Page 278

ninipanini · #**5541** Posted **Mar 19, 2009, 2:07 PM**

I was excited to hear about the funding for a children's hospiral next to RUH in yesterdays budget. Does anyone have any more information about when or exactly where it is slated to be built? I suppose it's a little early for a rendering... but has anyone seen anything?

EarlyByrdProductions · #**5542** Posted **Mar 19, 2009, 4:41 PM**

Hey all,
I was wondering if anyone knows if they plan on putting anymore metal art or any other kind, around the new river landing area.
After recent trips to Mexico I realized there is soooo much more you can do with a metal sculpture. In Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara they have metal 'chair' sculptures that are beautiful and very interactive. Instead of just ignoring a big hunk of metal people sit on them, get their pictures taken etc.
I know these are alot fancier but it would be nice to see something interesting that would actually engage people.

And I hope these images don't turn out too big, I had to scour the net to find some pics as you can't upload your own pictures?? Anyway these 2 should do the trick.

Cheers

atlas_inc · #**5543** Posted **Mar 19, 2009, 4:59 PM**

Hey Saskatoon!
Is that development listing on the first page of this thread up do date? Is there any new residential ones that would need be added?

prairieguy · #**5544** Posted **Mar 19, 2009, 9:04 PM**

RE: KG condos

The tarps along 2nd Ave have come down and it looks like they are starting to dismantle the scaffolding. You get a much better sense of what the building is going to look like. Interesting roof enhancements that appear to have spotlights highlighting them. If anyone is by there in the next few days, maybe they can post a photo??

I also heard they still plan to have a show suite ready in about 3 to 4 weeks. At least one of our many announced condo projects has moved along towards completion

Ruckus · #**5545** Posted **Mar 19, 2009, 11:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlas_inc

Hey Saskatoon!
Is that development listing on the first page of this thread up do date? Is there any new residential ones that would need be added?

Up to date as of February 1st. The recently announced student residences are not listed, although they're just off the map. I may or may not add them.

There might be other unannounced residential proposals, but, nothing I would know of.

Ruckus · #**5546** Posted **Mar 19, 2009, 11:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

Hey all,
I was wondering if anyone knows if they plan on putting anymore metal art or any other kind, around the new river landing area.
After recent trips to Mexico I realized there is soooo much more you can do with a metal sculpture. In Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara they have metal 'chair' sculptures that are beautiful and very interactive. Instead of just ignoring a big hunk of metal people sit on them, get their pictures taken etc.
I know these are alot fancier but it would be nice to see something interesting that would actually engage people.

More interactive pieces would be nice. There's a few around Saskatoon that I can think of off the top my head. River Landing has those metal chairs at river landing depicting various historic events. People climb on the John Lake/Whitecap statue, Gabriel Dumont on a horse in Friendship Park, and theres the sculpture with the people locking arms/feet at the termination of 23rd (or 24th) and Spadina. There's probably a few more sculptures that are decent for climbing on.

I can't really think of anything like those chairs from Mexico though. They're pretty cool though, thanks for sharing.

EarlyByrdProductions · #**5547** Posted **Mar 20, 2009, 4:55 PM**

Quote:

River Landing has those metal chairs at river landing depicting various historic events

I am not sure if I was aware of these ones. I just know alot of people I talk to are tired of the brown metal abstract work that seems to be everywhere here. Although I am also a huge fan of quite a few, namely 'Unfurled' at Spadina by the bridge and the pieces in front of the Bes downtown.

Saskatoon Business Magazine (thru the SP) is out and looks like they have switched to monthly issues rather than quarterly. Another great read regarding new business and construction startups in the stoon. I suggest everyone grab a copy.

Also, a new business in Saskatoon downtown on 2nd Ave called Willow Studio's kind of a Trendy House Goods store meets art Gallery is having an art opening today from 12.30 to 6.30. It just got recognized as an official art gallery i believe so tack that on with the rest of great culture downtown. Open wine and free music (which I'm apart of) all day, come stop by.

cheers to weekends

lbird · #**5548** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 1:39 AM**

One of the best thing about City Park is its simple layout for non-boundary streets: numbered avenues run north/south, streets, all named after royal titles, run west/east. All roads run straight, terminating only at parks or neighbourhood boundaries.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple:

Enter "Warburton St." and "Lauriston St." which are "stalleys" as my wife calls them: half street and half back alley crammed between the last official street in City Park, Duchess St., and the railway tracks that mark the north end of City Park. Not paved, or even recognized as streets, by the city, they nonetheless contain a large number of businesses:

Looking down Lauriston St. going west towards 2nd. Ave., the businesses on the south side use Lauriston as a back alley, the businesses on the north side front onto it.

To complicate the matter, some of the south side businesses use the Lauriston entrance as their main entrance, like the relatively recently opened Crossfit Saskatoon:

Warburton, which only runs east of seventh because of the curve of the train tracks, is even stranger, as it is a 'stalley' to Lauriston (a meta-stalley?). It has no store frontage, but is still heavily trafficked because it provides overflow parking to the large apartment complex at the end of Duchess St.

The ambiguity in the status of these roads means they are not paved or really maintained. One exception happened this summer when the stretch of 10th. Avenue from Duchess to Warburton was paved. The City Park Community Garden operates in Wilson Park, on the right, during the summer.

Another oddity in City Park: there is no 11th. Avenue, so what should be 11th is actually King Cr., which curves down from King St. to form the only non-boundary crescent in the neighbourhood. Backing onto Spadina and fronting two parks without much traffic, it is quietly one of the best streets on the west side of the river, IMHO.

Finally, the last non-conforming part of City Park is 3rd. Ave. north of Queen, which curves up to terminate at .... 2nd. Ave. Unfortunately this stretch is also probably home to the houses most in need of some serious urban renewal in the neighbourhood.

dsim249 · #**5549** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 9:02 AM**

No offense to you, but those pictures really make Saskatoon look like it was hit with the ugly stick, repeatedly.

lbird · #**5550** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 11:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsim249

No offense to you, but those pictures really make Saskatoon look like it was hit with the ugly stick, repeatedly.

Dirty snow and leafless trees don't make for the most attractive streetscape. Unfortunately this is how Saskatoon is for large parts of the year, there's no getting around it. This neighbourhood I'm taking shots of is one of the nicest during the spring and summer with mature trees and well-maintained character houses.

Stewie · #**5551** Posted **Mar 24, 2009, 7:38 PM**

Has anybody heard if the development on Spadina (Columbarium Site) is proceeding this year?

jaysfan99 · #**5552** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbird

Dirty snow and leafless trees don't make for the most attractive streetscape. Unfortunately this is how Saskatoon is for large parts of the year, there's no getting around it. This neighbourhood I'm taking shots of is one of the nicest during the spring and summer with mature trees and well-maintained character houses.

I agree that CITY PARK LOOKS nice in the summer, but NOT back alleys. Not much too see there.

drm310 · #**5553** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 5:58 PM**

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2009
CY09-081
OPEN HOUSE FOR 3RD AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

The public is invited to come view the proposed improvements to 3rd Avenue on Wednesday, March 25 at an open house hosted by the City of Saskatoon and The Partnership. Third Avenue has been identified as a key street downtown and is considered a streetscaping priority. Some of the improvements include:
• Planted centre median, street trees, and visual amenities
• Corner bulbing and extend bus bulbs
• Sidewalk improvements with amenity strip
• Heritage interpretation elements
• Pedestrian lighting and unique street furniture
• Two lanes of traffic with a shared bike lane in each direction
• Parallel parking
• Removal of overhead lines
• Resurfacing of 3rd Avenue

3rd Avenue Streetscape Open House
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
5 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (come and go)
Rembrandt’s in the Senator Hotel

Panels of the proposed design will be on display, and civic staff will be on hand to answer any questions and receive input. After the open house, plans will be finalized and streetscaping work will then start in summer 2009.

For more information, call 975-2689.

30 -

Media, for more information:
John Penner
Urban Design
975-2620

Source

kgc087 · #**5554** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 7:08 PM**

Anyone notice the new Saskatoon shines on the new overpass built on the east side over college drive? It's subtle and tastefully done I think.

kgc087 · #**5555** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 7:10 PM**

Just a random inquiry, but do you know for public art etc, if the artist has to pay for all the supplies used or if the city commissions them to do it? As well if it's possible to send a design in to the city and then they find someone to manufactre it?

gowest · #**5556** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 7:29 PM**

I read a news story yesterday that city council had approved a retail developement in the new Grasslands area of the south-east corner of the city. This would include two big box stores. In the article a couple of local real estate people rumored they would be Lowe's and Walmart. That is the same rumor which came up about a year ago regarding Blairmore. I find it hard to believe that Walmart would build a new store a couple of miles from two other recently opened stores. I hope this isn't just another, forget the west end rumor as these stores are badly needed in the Blairmore area.

circle33 · #**5557** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 7:51 PM**

The Grasslands project in Regina.

gowest · #**5558** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 8:39 PM**

Thanks Circle 33. After your posting I checked further. The story didn't mention the city but The grasslands is a Regina project. I had it mixed up with the Rosewood area in Saskatoon which contains "wetlands". Thanks

socialisthorde · #**5559** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 10:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowest

I read a news story yesterday that city council had approved a retail developement in the new Grasslands area of the south-east corner of the city. This would include two big box stores. In the article a couple of local real estate people rumored they would be Lowe's and Walmart. That is the same rumor which came up about a year ago regarding Blairmore. I find it hard to believe that Walmart would build a new store a couple of miles from two other recently opened stores. I hope this isn't just another, forget the west end rumor as these stores are badly needed in the Blairmore area.

I would argue that these stores are not badly needed anywhere. Retail may be needed in Blairmore and all over the West side, but big box is not the answer. As I understand it, the goal of Blairmore to bring more upper middle class people into the westside in order to help it regenerate. Big box in Blairmore will only result in Blairmore people staying in Blairmore rather than venturing into the rest of the west side to shop. While stores like Walmart offer the low prices which the less-wealthy westside neighbors of Blairmore might benefit from, big box is not freindly to those without cars. I think that Walmart right where it is in Confed mall works well for everyone but Walmart. For all the chatter from council about density, promoting downtown and saving the westside, they don't seem aware of the negative impact big box stores have on these issues.<end rant>

gowest · #**5560** Posted **Mar 26, 2009, 12:21 AM**

Well I can agree that big box developement can cause problems. In locations like the west end, there are not alot of retail outlets. As well Blairmore not only provides services to the residents of the west and growing end of the city, it will service people from farms, acerages and towns for many miles west and north of the city. If you look at Stonebridge it caters to many people from outside the city. The downtown has many speciality shops which people will go to when they need that type of service. Big Box stores are not something new. When I was a kid, my folks worked at Eatons on Third Ave. It sold everything from grocery to bone china. They also delivered your purchases within a day. Maybe not the same in size, but similar in idea. Hopefully the sign for opening soon will come up this spring.
Another thing which will happen is that people at swim meets in the new pool or staying at the proposed hotel, will have the conveniance of shopping close by. The old Walmart athough close in, is old and too small to provide enough space for all their products.