Saskatoon Construction

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Regina Boi

I had a chance to check out River Landing this fall, and it looks great. I wish Regina had something like that. Saskatoon is very lucky!

Glad you enjoyed your visit. Since moving downtown we having been enjoying River Landing on a daily basis. We do feel very lucky to have it and are glad to see its getting a lot of use. Aside from parcel Y the whole plan is coming together very nicely.

[kgc087]

I'm pretty shocked at how quickly everyone has turned on LP. Yes they have had some rocky times but come on people. Great cities don't pop up in a day. Mega projects like this take time and quite honestly to see just another generic condo, or even worse, more dreaded family oriented gathering areas would be such a disappointment. Saskatoon is ready for large upscale developments. Meridian is fantasitc but I don't think they could present something that large...yet! As well it is VERY VERY VERY refreshing to have something outside of the token Saskatoon style; stucco, brick with hints of glass. Lobsinger would not have come back so readily if he did not have financing secured this week.

Saskatoon needs to start thinking big. We always develop like were the little guy. Were now in the elite group of Canadian cities, we need to start planning like we are the next urban playground for the nation!

Moving on...It is VERY VERY concerning how the city continues to expand our borders. I really think they should have a 70-30 emphasis on infill-new development. It's hard to see the importance of density being such a small city but really can you ever start to early focusing on density!! Think of the econimic implications increased density would have. So much more revenue per sq. km, a shiny new rail system, and some swank gleaming skyscrapers and high rise condos. Now that would be an oasis in the prairies!

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Glad you enjoyed your visit. Since moving downtown we having been enjoying River Landing on a daily basis. We do feel very lucky to have it and are glad to see its getting a lot of use. Aside from parcel Y the whole plan is coming together very nicely.

Reading the reader comments of the Star Phoenix and CBC whenever there's an article about the River Landing, you think they decided to move the landfill there. It just blows me away how much they complain about it. The only thing they seem to think the city's money should be spent on is snow removal and potholes. Ugh, it just annoys me...

Anyways, what is that thing they are building on the west side of RL? Like some kind of viewing platform?

[milanboy]

Originally Posted by Wyku

From what I remember, SuperValu was in the old location where the wholesale club is and Superstore opened at it's current location, but it was awhile ago and I was quite young at the time heh.

You are correct. SuperValu started out as the smaller store where the wholesale club is. When it moved to the new location just down the street it became the first Real Canadian SuperStore. They wanted to build on the land between the Circle and College interchange and Sutherland but local opposition was so strong that they decided to build on 8th Street. They HAD to have the underground parking to fit a building of that size on the available property.

[kiwi4life]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I'm pretty shocked at how quickly everyone has turned on LP. Yes they have had some rocky times but come on people. Great cities don't pop up in a day. Mega projects like this take time and quite honestly to see just another generic condo, or even worse, more dreaded family oriented gathering areas would be such a disappointment. Saskatoon is ready for large upscale developments. Meridian is fantasitc but I don't think they could present something that large...yet! As well it is VERY VERY VERY refreshing to have something outside of the token Saskatoon style; stucco, brick with hints of glass. Lobsinger would not have come back so readily if he did not have financing secured this week.

Saskatoon needs to start thinking big. We always develop like were the little guy. Were now in the elite group of Canadian cities, we need to start planning like we are the next urban playground for the nation!

Moving on...It is VERY VERY concerning how the city continues to expand our borders. I really think they should have a 70-30 emphasis on infill-new development. It's hard to see the importance of density being such a small city but really can you ever start to early focusing on density!! Think of the econimic implications increased density would have. So much more revenue per sq. km, a shiny new rail system, and some swank gleaming skyscrapers and high rise condos. Now that would be an oasis in the prairies!

i agree with u man, always do, i think, LP is agreat project and for saskatoon size its would be normal to see these things have a little trouble, but i agree with u, and saskatoon is sure in for a big one.

[gowest]

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

does anyone know when the new south bridge is slated to start construction, and who mayby building it???

It may not be part of the actual bridge, but crews have started to tear down the south portion of the Intercon (Maple Leaf) building. The roadways off the bridge are coming thru there. It's a start to this hugh project.

[gowest]

Travelling around the north and east areas of the city your will find the new sound walls being constructed over the past few years. Recently, some residents backing Circle Drive south of 8th Street complained about building the walls behind their homes. The same thing happened along Lenore Drive in the north end. Like many of them, I wonder if the walls are required in some of these areas. Now take a drive north on Circle Drive from 11th Street West to Ave. C. north. Between Circle Drive and the houses on the East side is a busy C.N. rail line. Heavy Truck traffic is constant all day and into the night. No other area has this combination of sound creation. That seems to be a reason for heavy noise, but you will not find a sound wall along this area at all. I guess the amount of sound doesn't decide where the walls should go. Good planning?

[drm310]

According to the city's web site:

"Only existing residential sites with a rear or side lot abutting high traffic roadways are considered for a sound attenuation barrier. As per the existing policy, the outdoor area must experience a noise level standard of 65dBA Ldn or higher without a sound attenuation wall to be considered."

Source

Originally Posted by gowest

Travelling around the north and east areas of the city your will find the new sound walls being constructed over the past few years. Recently, some residents backing Circle Drive south of 8th Street complained about building the walls behind their homes. The same thing happened along Lenore Drive in the north end. Like many of them, I wonder if the walls are required in some of these areas. Now take a drive north on Circle Drive from 11th Street West to Ave. C. north. Between Circle Drive and the houses on the East side is a busy C.N. rail line. Heavy Truck traffic is constant all day and into the night. No other area has this combination of sound creation. That seems to be a reason for heavy noise, but you will not find a sound wall along this area at all. I guess the amount of sound doesn't decide where the walls should go. Good planning?

[kiwi4life]

Originally Posted by gowest

It may not be part of the actual bridge, but crews have started to tear down the south portion of the Intercon (Maple Leaf) building. The roadways off the bridge are coming thru there. It's a start to this hugh project.

ok cool, this one once its well underway will be awesome! thanks man.

[kgc087]

I think the south bridge will be very beneficial to the city. Hopefully it will help relieve traffic going into the downtown and make it easier to get around. It would be nice if the city would just focus on growing within its current boundaries and not consider annexing anymore land. It's so discouraging to hear the city say they do not want to fall into the same scenario as Calgary but all they do is build more houses!! Waste of space, waste of money, and waste of resources.

[WhereverIRoam]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I think the south bridge will be very beneficial to the city. Hopefully it will help relieve traffic going into the downtown and make it easier to get around. It would be nice if the city would just focus on growing within its current boundaries and not consider annexing anymore land. It's so discouraging to hear the city say they do not want to fall into the same scenario as Calgary but all they do is build more houses!! Waste of space, waste of money, and waste of resources.

I just never want to see another semi on Idylwyld ever again.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by WhereverIRoam

I just never want to see another semi on Idylwyld ever again.

We will probably see them since they will be transporting stock for Sears and the Bay mainly as well as other companies. I know they will be on Idylwyld b/c of the store I work at. Sorry to burst your bubble lol.

[Devon]

are there any renderings of what this bridge might look like when completed?

[dsim249]

Out and about today, and noticed that they finally took that wooden/plastic cladding (not sure what the technical term would be) off the Gathercole arch in front of the Presephone Theater. I think it looks pretty nice.

Also, Best Buy is starting to take shape. Not sure what there were waiting on all summer to just now have the framing up.

[Sjelle]

The following is posted on SP reporter David Hutton's city hall notebook. It pertains to Parcel "Y" and the city's looming betrayal of its August 19 resolution. If Lake Placid missed the October 30 deadline the agreement would be terminated without further resolution by council. In the mayor's words, "no more chances." In a recorded vote seven councillors, including the mayor, voted in favour of the resolution. Now they're prepared to ignore it.

http://communities.canada.com/saskatoons...-achs-letter-to-council-on-parcel-y.aspx

There was a number of letters from people both for and against the Lake Placid project.

Here's local developer Ken Achs, president of Midwest Development, with his take:

"I was very surprised and dismayed to hear that the City is now reconsidering going back on its word about a drop-dead date for the proposed hotel/condo/office project on the riverbank. I suggest that the City consider the negative effects of prolonging the proposed riverfront project:

1. It distorts the legitimate upscale condo market by continuing to create unrealistic expectations. Buyers attempt to compare what is built to the grandiose development the City tells them will be built. It is hard for legitimate projects to compare with that and is more than a bit discouraging for those who stepped up and did what they said they would do. No one minds legitimate competition as it is good for the City, but this is like competing with a ghost.

2. In order to finance such a massive project, any reasonable financial institution will require between 25 per cent and 40 per cent equity for a project like this. This means that any developer must have cash equity, not financing. Where is the equity? Ask any financier how this project can come together without equity from the developer. It just isn’t possible.

I bring this up to make you aware of how hard it is to finance such a project. A worse situation would be if this project starts and then stumbles and is left sitting.

Understand that I have no interest in this land. This letter is just my observation based on my knowledge of the real estate development business. I have no underlying motive but for the wellbeing of Saskatoon and its credibility. The City afforded this project every conceivable chance to go ahead and bent every rule to make it happen. You extended the time for payment and then excused missed interest payment deadlines. Finally, you emphatically set a drop-dead date. Now, it appears you may go back on what you said.

We all know that projects always seem to go over budget. Just look at the riverfront development. What will happen if this condo/hotel/office development is over budget and partly built?

The City needs to get more realistic expectations if it wants to encourage real development. I did enquire about the City’s land by the Farmer’s Market. I was shocked to hear the possible asking prices. At those prices, this west side land will have the same fate as the south downtown land and sit undeveloped for years.

As a Council, you should consider “the benefit” of having 100 per cent of nothing, or alternately, doing something to make all of this land attractive enough to have some construction start in 2010. I am not asking you to break rules for local developers, rather just to be realistic when pricing your land. Some developers just might jump up and actually build something most people will be pretty happy with.

Your truly,
Ken Achs
President
Mid-West Development (2000) Corp.

Here's Mayor Don Atchison's news release:

For Release: October 30, 2009
CM09-368

The City of Saskatoon did not receive payment from Lake Placid Developments for the purchase price of Parcel Y.

At the August 19, 2009 Council meeting, City Council passed a resolution indicating that if full balances owing were not received by 5:00 p.m. on October 30, 2009, then both the Parcel Y and the adjacent lane agreement would be terminated without further resolution of Council.

The balance of the purchase price for Parcel Y (River Landing Village) was $4,562,503.84 plus $480,965.65 for the lane adjacent to Parcel Y. Lake Placid forfeits its two deposits totaling $250,000 and the interest payment of $193,770.48 it made in August.

The City of Saskatoon retains ownership of the property.

-30-

Media, for more information:
Mayor Donald Atchison
975-3202

[kgc087]

Where is Best Buy going? For entertainment I emailed H & M asking if they would consider opening a store in Saskatoon and they replied stating that they want to have a presence in every major Canadian city within the next few years. SO I think Saskatoon can look forward to one of the best clothing stores to ever hit the Canadian market!

I really hope that Atch will go against his statement and that LP has the money. As you all know I am a VERY avid supporter of this development and hope the city realizes that we need to look into our future and build something we can grow with, not something that just fits us now and will not support larger scale things in the future.

[dsim249]

^ Best Buy is going in the Centre at Circle and 8th. Beside Safeway, where Zellers used to be.
That's awesome to hear about H&M! The Swedish have impeccable taste.
Now we'll just need IKEA.

[Devon]

I was in Moncton this summer which apparently has a metro population of 126,424 and they had an H&M in the mall I was at. Also a huuuge Tommy Hilfiger store. It kind of boggled my mind at the time but I am glad to hear that H&M is making it`s way to Saskatoon and hopefully Regina very soon.

[dsim249]

^ I also notcited Red Deer has one... :S
Winnipeg's hasn't even opened yet. Weird how that works.

[kgc087]

H & M hit the Calgary region on a very large scale, I think Calgary has 3 stores already, so it only makes sense that the rest of Alberta will be saturated with them. But it may not be the best to continue opening there since a lot of people from SK go their to shop and when we get our own they will lose that business.