Saskatoon Construction

[kiwi4life]

ok thats good to hear, and ya im not the most patient guy, must admit i need to work on that. so is the river landing project for sure going to start this summer? and will it be a little while before we see a crane?

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by kgc087

But with more cosmopolitan citizens calling Saskatoon home and demanding more cosmopolitan amenities we will witness Saskatoon become one of the next urban playgrounds of Canada.

Indeed! I'm one of "those" who moved back to Saskatoon a couple of years ago. In fact, I still work for a company in Calgary, but I spend all my money here! That's as big of a cash injection to the local economy as I can make!

And love em or hate em, many of those returnees are bringing a new culture to Saskatoon, one with experience in larger cities and an openness to development here.

In 2005-06, Calgary experienced a housing boom, which has flattened out, but before then, I noticed a following boom in commercial construction. Saskatoon's housing boom has happened as well, and I believe we're seeing our own construction boom. No, it's not all centered in downtown (in fact, downtown's lacking, relatively) but industrial construction in the north end, new facilities and upgrades at the University, retail in the south and west suburbs, progress on megaprojects like RL and the south river crossing... having grown up in Saskatoon (and having given up on it in favour of Calgary in 1998), I _know_ this is unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's a fantastic time to live here, despite that shtty winter we all just endured.

RL and the south bridge are jewels, not the only thing happening. Infill and densification would be another jewel, but if it comes right down to it, I'll even give a reluctant thumbs up to suburban sprawl, cause mid- to high-end homes generate good economic activity, and some growth is better than none.

[shmakim]

Incidentally, congrats to all of us for blowing past 300 pages.

It took about 2 years to accumulate the first 100 pages of talk, but less than a year for each of the following 100s - another indicator that there's more to talk about now than ever before.

[Wyku]

Does anyone know if there are people living in the houses where Station 20 West is/was supposed to be? I drive by there twice a weak around 6pm and I haven't seen a single car parked in front of those houses.

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by mjl

I work for Lake Placid and I can provide an update as a response to all of this cynicism. For all of those people that did not see our full page ad in the Star Phoenix on May 23, we will commence construction this summer.
People need to remember that a project of this scale requires months of planning before any execution can take place. We also needed legislative amendments to take place. We are now ready to begin, having already invested 10's of millions in this project, and you will see progress in the coming weeks.

We truly believe that once this project is built it will change the city of Saskatoon. Many of our believers have already put down deposits on residences in River Landing Village. Our early believers will be rewarded as the prices are subject to change as progress is made. Please stay positive and supportive as this monumental project moves forward!

Great cuz we've been hearing the same thing for six months now, 'just a few more weeks, we need to get the land back from the giant that someone sold for some magic beans' I think we all realize that it's a big project but it would be nice seeing some work get done. How hard can it be to get some earth movers out there pushing some dirt around and getting the site ready?

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

How hard can it be to get some earth movers out there pushing some dirt around and getting the site ready?

I am sure that if you went down to the sales office and put up a deposit, that might help...

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by swilley

I am sure that if you went down to the sales office and put up a deposit, that might help...

No I can't afford it, maybe I'll just go there with a shovel and get everything ready for them.

"No prob boys I'm on it"

[midnightrambler]

^^^^

Don't you guys know that this is Saskatchewan. Construction proccess explained below:

Construction Process on a standard road:

Step 1) Clear brush, grass, etc.. (5-10 weeks)
Step 2) Haul in Sand, Toping for new road (3-4 weeks)
Step 3) Tamp all the toping roll out etc... (5-10 weeks)
Step 4) Break for winter (6 months)
Step 5) Repeat step 3 (5-10 weeks)
Step 6) Pave road (5-10 weeks)
Step 7) Traffic Volume necessitates twinning repeat steps 1 through 6

Construction process on a standard 5-10 story building:

Step 1) Planning (Shouldn't take that long on a 5 story building) Say 1-2 years
Step 2) Government involvement, purposefully stalling progress, trying to accommodate everyone, land use bylaws etc... (say 2 months possibly low estimate)
Step 3) "Big Dig" (2 months)
Step 4) "Big Pour" (2 months)
Step 5) Break for winter (6 months)
Step 6) Construct (4-5 months)
Step 7) Finish Exterior (4-5 Months)
Step 8) Finish Interior (4-5 months although through winter)
Step 9) Realize you should have built a 20 story building and repeat steps 1-8


I think they had been planning river landing for close to 35 years.

With of course a couple of failed attempts: (Clinskill manor and Toys R US). I am confident the cranes will go up, 275 second will start next year, lighthouse might fail, but there might be other proposals on the horizon. I'm not worried, it's going to happen.

It really is a damn shame it's taken 35 years to get a concrete plan.

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Originally Posted by shmakim

Indeed! I'll even give a reluctant thumbs up to suburban sprawl, cause mid- to high-end homes generate good economic activity, and some growth is better than none.

whoa, whoa now.
I'm definitely for construction and progress, BUT
I'd much rather keep this size and the way things are then damned suburban sprawl, traffic congestion etc just for the sake of construction / good economy.

Calgary happened for a reason...so when Saskatoon grows we DON"T end up like them. A smaller Calgary sprawl in Saskabush is NOT progress.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

whoa, whoa now.
I'm definitely for construction and progress, BUT
I'd much rather keep this size and the way things are then damned suburban sprawl, traffic congestion etc just for the sake of construction / good economy.

Calgary happened for a reason...so when Saskatoon grows we DON"T end up like them. A smaller Calgary sprawl in Saskabush is NOT progress.

I agree that Saskatoon can learn many lessons from Calgary's many urban planning disasters but having lived there I know that they have a FANTASTIC public transit system, a great downtown vibe with many, many amenities and well are going to be a city of the future with there new urban planning bylaws. When I was living there council passed a bylaw stating no developer can build a new neighbourhood, they can only build on th eland they already have and everything new MUST be infill. So in reality Calgary has the potential to become a gleaming densified city like Vancouver.

Unfortunatly Saskatoon is going to go through immense growing pains b/c the city knows density is key to a sustainable city but unfortunatley the public does not know or understand that and only demands suburban style homes. Saskatoon has two options: it will either be one of Canada's biggest little cities, meaning it will be a vibrant hub of culture and amenities for a small population or it will be just another sprawled out north american case.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by shmakim

Indeed! I'll even give a reluctant thumbs up to suburban sprawl, cause mid- to high-end homes generate good economic activity, and some growth is better than none.

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

whoa, whoa now.
I'm definitely for construction and progress, BUT
I'd much rather keep this size and the way things are then damned suburban sprawl, traffic congestion etc just for the sake of construction / good economy.

Calgary happened for a reason...so when Saskatoon grows we DON"T end up like them. A smaller Calgary sprawl in Saskabush is NOT progress.

I'm with EBP. Less of the standard (sub)urban development and more of the progressive (sub)urban development (Evergreen is a start, unfortunately it also means the north bridge will become a reality very quickly...and more cars).

But, the sooner (before the north bridge is designed) our streetcar/LRT network is unveiled the better off we'll be (e.g. not becoming another sprawling western city).

[Echoes]

I noticed this evening that the Arlington Art Gallery is now a pile of rubble. That's gonna be a nice and roomy parking lot while we wait for construction to begin.

On a more positive note I'm glad to read mjl's reassurances that Lake Placid is a go for this year. I know we've always assumed the worst when there's been inaction regarding that project, but that's because it's simply the most exciting development in a long time and we're all chomping at the bit to see it start rising.

By the way, how awesome is it to see 3 cranes on the U of S skyline?

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

First off I would like to say that I said what I said b/c the ignorant use of certain words can lead to very large problems, apology accepted. Second is that I have spent immense amounts of time around developers, architects, designers, contractors etc. to know that a project of the size of riverlanding is moving along just fine. Saskatoon will never build at the rate of Calgary, we do not have the skilled labour and sheer numbers of workers Calgary has as well our demand for luxury condos and a downtown urban living style is almost null compared to Calgary's.

Saskatoon is at a pivitol point in it's development. Council can shape our city to become the next urban disaster of north america or it could shape it to become the next urban playground (fingers crossed). Hardly anybody born and raised in Saskatoon and SK for that matter has really experienced density which is the very base that is necessary in order to create a vibrant, sustainable and successful urban community.

With our constant population increase the city is changing. I personally hope traffic does worsen and rather then investing millions into wasted roadways, why not upgrade and expand the transit system. Downtown is horrid already for traffic, imagine throwing in another 100 000 people! But also imagine the possibility of having a train that would run say from broadway to downtown to the university. Innovative ideas like this is what will set Saskatoon apart from other cities in western Canada and will help create our own identity. Along with this density will come the highrises and the beautifully constructed office towers.

Our council moves at a snails pace for approving anything, as long as were known as the big city with the small town charm, I feel we will always bear the burden of slow, non inspiring development (minus a few current ones). But with more cosmopolitan citizens calling Saskatoon home and demanding more cosmopolitan amenities we will witness Saskatoon become one of the next urban playgrounds of Canada.

for more congestion!

Whenever I am stuck in traffic I am reminded of the possibility of higher density infill and improved public transit...ahhh, the possibilities

[The Bess]

kg087 the train idea is still one of the best ideas. maybe it could be along the lines of the one they have in Portland Oregon, which is at street level and from what I hear a little more cost effective. I also here that Vancouver is putting in some sort of streetcar system that runs from Granville Island to downtown Van. sort of the same idea as the Broadway to downtown Stoon thing.

[GTR200]

Originally Posted by Country

I noticed this evening that the Arlington Art Gallery is now a pile of rubble. That's gonna be a nice and roomy parking lot while we wait for construction to begin.

On a more positive note I'm glad to read mjl's reassurances that Lake Placid is a go for this year. I know we've always assumed the worst when there's been inaction regarding that project, but that's because it's simply the most exciting development in a long time and we're all chomping at the bit to see it start rising.

By the way, how awesome is it to see 3 cranes on the U of S skyline?

Where was the Arlington Art Gallery? Was it on Arlington?

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Originally Posted by The Bess

kg087 the train idea is still one of the best ideas. maybe it could be along the lines of the one they have in Portland Oregon, which is at street level and from what I hear a little more cost effective. I also here that Vancouver is putting in some sort of streetcar system that runs from Granville Island to downtown Van. sort of the same idea as the Broadway to downtown Stoon thing.

I am ALL for proper public transit.
One of the things I loved most about living in Europe, every city had fantastic public transit whether it was a rail system, metro, public bikes or all of the above. They simply have had cities around 100's of years longer than us so they can't afford to sprawl as much...not to mention all the centers/ majority of european cities were built around people first

It does seem like Broadway to Downtown is an obvious start, however, it really is a short walk, as well as a beautiful one! For me to personally use a future rail system it would have to incorporate the U of S in some way, downtown and out to Sutherland area, where I always seem to have to drive to which is the most 'out of the way'.

A rail system will open up a debate to where it should go, but i'd like to see a sutherland stop to access the 'east side' and a far 22nd west stop to access the 'west side'. That to me is worth using and practical and not just a pretty 'tourist rail car' that goes a few blocks downtown.

[circle33]

Originally Posted by GTR200

Where was the Arlington Art Gallery? Was it on Arlington?

It was on 2nd and 20th, right next to the Folk building. The Taj Mahal was going to move in there and had even started renovating before they signed up with the King George.

[circle33]

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

It does seem like Broadway to Downtown is an obvious start, however, it really is a short walk, as well as a beautiful one!

To further your point, there was a free shuttle that ran from Broadway to Downtown and Riversdale for a couple of seasons. The daily ridership on most days could be counted on one hand.

[The Bess]

So a route from confederation to downtown, then the university and on to sutherland or university heights would be a first priority for a line.

[WhereverIRoam]

Originally Posted by The Bess

So a route from confederation to downtown, then the university and on to sutherland or university heights would be a first priority for a line.

Anything to connect Sutherland and Attridge to the rest of the city would be a great start. I live in College Park with College drive right behind my house, and all I have to access Sutherland is that crappy bridge, or driving.