Saskatoon Construction

[lbird]

I went for a walk around Hampton Village this weekend (sorry, no pictures). I was unpleasantly surprised to see that they have built a big wall on 37th St. to separate the neighbourhood from Westview, across the street. I don't like seeing nieghbourhoods artificially partitioned like that.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

I'm diggin' this proposal!

Need to rid the area of those auto-oriented businesses in the south east corner


Source

Three concept plans on the city's website, have a look at them...

Concept 1
Concept 2
Concept 3

EDIT: There is 7 concept plans in total...

Concept 4
Concept 5
Concept 6
Concept 7

I like Concept 5, Ed's Vision..."no fast food because too much garbage"

I personally feel each plan is a bit off. I really like the idea of closing off 24th to allow for maximum pedestrian usage, as well I like the idea of exclusive and shared bike lanes. As well I think really greening the area with a well designed modern park with lots of play space would help bring the community together. As well being an old area I think community gardens are a necessity b/c it is just not possible to grow specific things in yards with a canopy of trees. As well this really helps foster a strong sense of community and will bring people together. I like the idea of integrating a live work development into the area as well as reconfiguring the streets. I think more medium density housing should be created b/c the increased population density will help support the idea of pedestrianism as well as the businesses that open up in that area. I do not think any space should be made for parking b/c that goes against the whole point of developing this place for pedestrians.

[kgc087]

Here is an updated pic that i shaded. The extra orange spots are additional medium density areas, the pink are live work areas, the extra dark green is additional park space, while the lighty minty green are trees along the road. The brown spot is a community garden. If the city is going to remake an area why not go all out and literally revamp the whole community, every corner? With the additional population density, larger more elaborate commercial endevours may be sustained here, as well this will aid in the downtown life. Let me know what you think.

[kgc087]

fyi...this is my first time posting so if the pic doesnt show up someone fill me in on how to do it. I loaded it to photobucket then loaded the link under image while creating the message.

[Ruckus]

Hey kgc, I can't see your pic???
_________________

I too re-envisioned the concept plan. Bottom line, more density, more mixed use (ideally). However, I remain uncertain on the local and surrounding population's ability to sustain the local businesses, hence why the push towards more density. I positioned an additional pedestrian walk diagonally because I wanted to experiment (in time, 24th Street could become pedestrianized too).

The city yards/warehouse district could evolve similarily; it's unfortunate that we haven't seen a land use plan. Perhaps the city yards redevelopment is being held back in favor of the Caswell Hill redevelopment.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Here is an updated pic that i shaded. The extra orange spots are additional medium density areas, the pink are live work areas, the extra dark green is additional park space, while the lighty minty green are trees along the road. The brown spot is a community garden. If the city is going to remake an area why not go all out and literally revamp the whole community, every corner? With the additional population density, larger more elaborate commercial endevours may be sustained here, as well this will aid in the downtown life. Let me know what you think.

Fixed the image for you. Something just wasn't working.

[kgc087]

Thanks for fixing the image! I was debating about putting housing right by the tracks and I opted not to b/c it will be so undesirable for people to live near them. I could see maybe mid density office space?

[taguy]

Originally Posted by lbird

I went for a walk around Hampton Village this weekend (sorry, no pictures). I was unpleasantly surprised to see that they have built a big wall on 37th St. to separate the neighbourhood from Westview, across the street. I don't like seeing nieghbourhoods artificially partitioned like that.

Is this a new wall? What block on 37th street? I live in the area and have not seen any wall on 37th street. There is however the god-awful yellow wall on McClocklin Rd.

[toontownguy]

HOTEL DEVELOPMENT Proj: 9099635-3
Saskatoon, Division No 11 SK WORKING DRAWINGS
Holiday Inn, 101 Pacific Ave, S7K 1N8
$1,130,000 est
Start: December, 2009 Complete: June, 2010
Note: Working Drawings are ongoing. Scope of work has changed and may change in the future. Total area has been determined, however was not available for publication. Construction schedule has been tentatively set. Further update Fall 2009.
Project: cast-in-place concrete structural frame, electric heating system, fuel fired heating system, construction of a 159-room hotel.
Scope: 11 storeys; 1 storey below grade; 159 units
Development: New
Category: Hotels, motels
Architect Complete information is available to subscribers. Click HERE to find out how to subscribe.
Structural cons eng Complete information is available to subscribers. Click HERE to find out how to subscribe.
Mechanical cons eng Complete information is available to subscribers. Click HERE to find out how to subscribe.
Electrical cons eng Complete information is available to subscribers. Click HERE to find out how to subscribe.
Owner's representative Complete information is available to subscribers. Click HERE to find out how to subscribe.
First report Tue Apr 21, 2009. Last report Wed Jul 15, 2009.
This report Mon Sep 21, 2009.



http://www.journalofcommerce.com/cgi-bin/top10.pl?rm=show_top10_project&id=fa182aa2db371a4aee0ccf74ccbddacf37936104&projectid=9099635&region=western

[madsad]

From the StarPhoenix:

SASKATOON — This could be the day the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan stops being more than wishful thinking. The city’s River Landing Destination Centre, of which the gallery will be the main tenant, is expected to become a reality after funding commitments from Ottawa and the provincial government are made official Wednesday afternoon.

Article, by David Hutton, here.

[Wyku]

Originally Posted by taguy

Is this a new wall? What block on 37th street? I live in the area and have not seen any wall on 37th street. There is however the god-awful yellow wall on McClocklin Rd.

I would think it's the ugly wall on McClocklin as well since the only stretch of 37th that doesn't have houses is that small patch across from the park, which would be handy to have a road going through there so you wouldn't have to drive down to Junor to get between the streets. That of course would be accomodating the evil automobile though so it's probably not a good idea lol.

[Morogolus]

I'm not sure if this falls under the umbrella of Saskatoon construction but I read in the paper that Midtown is raising the parking rates to 25 dollars a day which is like anything over four hours. That is absolutely insane! How could they justify charging that much for friggin parking? I think that will really mess up parking downtown even more then it already is. Midtown may have just shot themselves in the foot with the xmas shopping season coming up. I hope consumers and the employees boycott that mall and don't stand for this flagrant greediness and price gouging. Why not just park in any of the IM Park lots and pay the ticket, it will be the same price. *end rant*

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

I'm not sure if this falls under the umbrella of Saskatoon construction but I read in the paper that Midtown is raising the parking rates to 25 dollars a day which is like anything over four hours. That is absolutely insane! How could they justify charging that much for friggin parking? I think that will really mess up parking downtown even more then it already is. Midtown may have just shot themselves in the foot with the xmas shopping season coming up. I hope consumers and the employees boycott that mall and don't stand for this flagrant greediness and price gouging. Why not just park in any of the IM Park lots and pay the ticket, it will be the same price. *end rant*

This is probably one of the best things that could ever happen to downtown. Maybe the city will now raise parking rates to about $5/half hour like Calgary did. Discouraging people from using their vehicle in the downtown will greatly increase the rate of public transit. This is one of the first steps towards making the city more sustainable! The only reason Calgary's transit system and many other cities transit systems are so successful is b/c of the obscene price to park. But implementing this will not only benefit transit but the city as a whole. Ideally the city would then begin to redevelop to accommodate the transit system rather then the road network. Maybe with the surplus of parking funds midtown will finally renovate or perhaps continue to expand. I say way to go to increased parking rates!

[kgc087]

Both the news of the hotel and art gallery are fantastic! I'm still a major supporter of the new and improved art gallery. I feel it will really help showcase the talent in Saskatoon and SK and will hopefully attract larger exhibits since we have larger and improved facilities. Also I the mendal building would not be the same with an expansion, perhaps it could be designated a cultural site or heritage site? I wonder if the city has looked the possibility of displaying a permanent Mendal collection there while having other art exhibits/shows at the Art Gallery of SK.

As for the hotel, hopefully they have improved on the retro drawing that was supplied a while ago. That idea could look pretty good but only if the proper materials are chosen. All in all it will be an excellent addition to the downtown area.

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

This is probably one of the best things that could ever happen to downtown. Maybe the city will now raise parking rates to about $5/half hour like Calgary did. Discouraging people from using their vehicle in the downtown will greatly increase the rate of public transit. This is one of the first steps towards making the city more sustainable! The only reason Calgary's transit system and many other cities transit systems are so successful is b/c of the obscene price to park. But implementing this will not only benefit transit but the city as a whole. Ideally the city would then begin to redevelop to accommodate the transit system rather then the road network. Maybe with the surplus of parking funds midtown will finally renovate or perhaps continue to expand. I say way to go to increased parking rates!

Although the difference between those cities and here is that we don't exactly have a reliable transportation system. The bus service after 9:30 and on weekends is shotty at best and some people don't like walking around the downtown bus terminal when the sun goes down. While I understand what you're saying, I doubt Midtown's intentions were anything but monetary and now many people will simply avoid going downtown.

[jas321]

Hey everyone,

I go to University and used to be a cashier at Midtown awhile back. From what I've heard, their reasoning for raising prices is that all the workers downtown (especially mall employees) park in the underground and it fills up before 10am. This is a bigger concern in the winter as everyone loves the heated underground to park in. Basically, mall shoppers try to come and park there but cannot as it is full. It made is really frustrating to work there haha, you would be surprised how angry people get when they cannot get their underground parking. I feel most sorry for the cashiers working there now...the sh*t storm that will ensue when someone loses their ticket after parking for 1 hour and has to pay $25...poor cashiers.

Regardless, I really hope this does discourage people from driving and maybe add a few more patrons to public transit. I imagine that once the new bus mall is created, people may feel more at ease at the bus terminal...let's hope..

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

I'm not sure if this falls under the umbrella of Saskatoon construction but I read in the paper that Midtown is raising the parking rates to 25 dollars a day which is like anything over four hours. That is absolutely insane! How could they justify charging that much for friggin parking? I think that will really mess up parking downtown even more then it already is. Midtown may have just shot themselves in the foot with the xmas shopping season coming up. I hope consumers and the employees boycott that mall and don't stand for this flagrant greediness and price gouging. Why not just park in any of the IM Park lots and pay the ticket, it will be the same price. *end rant*

Move your car every 4 hours if you want to park for 4+ hours and avoid the $25 charge (Midtown might find a way to prevent this).

Midtown is charging more because they want underground parking available for their customers, rather than mall employees and other downtown workers. Why can they do this? Midtown has a monopoly on underground parking in downtown Saskatoon and they are assuming some people will pay the $25 dollar fee. If workers don't want to pay $25 for 4 hours+, more stalls will become available for customers who are unlikely to spend more than 4 hours. Midtown's decision will retain current customers and gain new ones because those who are driving won't become frustrated looking for an open parking stall.

How does this parking price increase impact transit? Increased ridership among downtown and Midtown Plaza employees. As well, some people may consider living closer (downtown/inner city) to their place of work as they will be able to walk, bike, or take transit much quicker, more cheaply, and with less environmental impact than they would living on the fringes and driving alone in their car. Car pooling is a viable option for those who refuse or aren't served by transit.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Thanks for fixing the image! I was debating about putting housing right by the tracks and I opted not to b/c it will be so undesirable for people to live near them. I could see maybe mid density office space?

Yeah, I thought about that as well. I assume architects and engineers have the ability and technology to minimize the noise and vibrations associated with rail. Even the original concept plan has the townhouses labeled 'H' sited adjacent to the rail. Of course, instead of residential, a future LRT station could spring up there...ideally.

[kgc087]

New Infrastructure $ Announced
Wednesday, 23 September 2009

Representatives from the federal and provincial governments were on hand today to announce funding for infrastructure projects and tourism in Saskatoon.

MP for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, Kelly Block, and Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Municipal Affairs, along with Mayor Atchison announced that three projects will receive infrastructure funding.

The Water Reservoir project will receive up to a maximum contribution of 7-million dollars each from the provincial and federal governments.

The total estimated cost of the Water Reservoir is 21-million, 437-thousand dollars.

For the Flood Control project, the Government of Canada will be contributing up to a maximum of just over 2-and-a-half million dollars, and the same amount will be donated provincially.

The total estimated cost for the Flood Control project is 7-and-three-quarter million dollars.

For the Destination Centre, which will be a part of River Landing, the federal government is setting aside up to one-third of the eligible costs to a maximum contribution of 13-point-zero-two million dollars, and the provincial government has promised the same.

The total cost of the Centre is estimated at 51-million dollars.

Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently.

(ct/sept 23/09)
_____________________________________
Who thinks this confirms the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan?

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by kgc087

_____________________________________
Who thinks this confirms the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan?

I thought the title of the article kinda cleared that up didn't it??? "With $26M in provincial, federal funding, new art gallery on Saskatoon riverbank becomes official"