Saskatoon Construction

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by Country

they're not flying that high... and if something were to happen, if they were to lose control or fly off course there could be some danger there. Sometimes the odd plane looks like it's going to smack into the Tower at Midtown, but of course they never do.

So yes, the air traffic is there. But, could building heights be relaxed in the more eastern portion of downtown? Absolutely, I think so.

Right well you run into that kind of risk when you have any air traffic over a large city. It's like saying you should have giant pillows that inflate out of the runway in case they crash, The probability is very low.

I'm sure there are many major cities in North America that have planes flying over their downtown. I know there are cities that actually have overpasses with cars driving underneath that are runways.

Also if you look at the map, near the Bess and River Landing, there's no way a plane would ever come close.

[drto]

Here is a link to Google Maps showing runway alignment. I know this has been posted on here before. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=117409636417702534504.00045a6708fcc42030c3a&ll=52.149712,-106.665916&spn=0.062356,0.131664&t=h&z=13[/URL]

[drto]

Sorry the map picture was supposed to load...oops!

[SaskArchGuy]

I know everyone thinks there is some magical presence by large skyscrapers, and i admit some are pretty attractive. but whats wrong with a dense low lying skyline? we have ample space that is not being utilized in the city's downtown core. there is no need to build higher. a prime example of nice design is discovery plaza. great looking building. have a downtown area that is spread out a bit more and does not block out the sun and cause windtunnels to be produced at ground level from really tall structures. The skyline of a city does not have to be an indication of its greatness, even though thats what we think in north america really. I'd rather Saskatoon not look like every other city.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by SaskArchGuy

I know everyone thinks there is some magical presence by large skyscrapers, and i admit some are pretty attractive. but whats wrong with a dense low lying skyline? we have ample space that is not being utilized in the city's downtown core. there is no need to build higher. a prime example of nice design is discovery plaza. great looking building. have a downtown area that is spread out a bit more and does not block out the sun and cause windtunnels to be produced at ground level from really tall structures. The skyline of a city does not have to be an indication of its greatness, even though thats what we think in north america really. I'd rather Saskatoon not look like every other city.

I have to some what agree with you on this one. Lower lying buildings make people still feel a part of their city b/c they are not so miniature compared to the cold glass 400m building beside them. Low dense skylines generally are a bit more romantic and can allow for the over embellishment of buildings b/c money is not all being spent on the bones of the building. Paired up with some fine streetscaping low density could be even more desirable then high density.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by SaskArchGuy

I know everyone thinks there is some magical presence by large skyscrapers, and i admit some are pretty attractive. but whats wrong with a dense low lying skyline? we have ample space that is not being utilized in the city's downtown core. there is no need to build higher. a prime example of nice design is discovery plaza. great looking building. have a downtown area that is spread out a bit more and does not block out the sun and cause windtunnels to be produced at ground level from really tall structures. The skyline of a city does not have to be an indication of its greatness, even though thats what we think in north america really. I'd rather Saskatoon not look like every other city.

I tend to agree with that line of thought. So, what you're saying is we need to keep the height restriction for some parts of downtown, while leaving other areas with no restrictions...or fewer restrictions

When I think of dense low lying skyline, I think Ottawa. I wonder how their downtown feels like to live in...this photo looks cold and it's a one-way ...(very few fresh gravel lots there I suspect).

Originally Posted by francely57

[...]

Albert Street, Ottawa, March 5, 2010

[Ruckus]

The Mitchell's plant is coming down fast. A good chunk of the south section is in a pile, and the overhead doors and other fixtures have been removed from the other parts of the plant. The aluminum siding from the 11th Street frontage has been peeled away revealing some interesting brick work. I say interesting because the size of the bricks and how they are layered looked odd (this was at night mind you).

The last remnants of Mitchell's will be gone within the next week or two. The City will then release the bridge design to the public, and all the self-serving politicians will have a nice photo op at the old Mitchell's site...haha

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by drto

Again, this is Don Atchison, and he does dream big! Does anyone on here remember the article in question? It was around Christmas. I also think relocating it seems to be a bit dramatic and a waste of $$ but if it were to happen, where would you guys put it?

I was thinking south west (Cedar Villa Estates and area). Perimeter Highway connection and quick access from Circle Drive on either side of the river. Second choice would be north, somewhere between Saskatoon and Martensville/Warman. It would be sited within the industrial zoned land that will come to dominate the landscape between Saskatoon and its bedroom communities. A serious drawback to a northern location is the flight path could potentially result in air traffic flying over Wanuskewan.

I'd move it somewhere in the south west. Actually, the deep north east may work as well.

The boundary changes make things difficult though (not impossible, just difficult).

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

When I think of dense low lying skyline, I think Ottawa. I wonder how their downtown feels like to live in...this photo looks cold and it's a one-way ...(very few fresh gravel lots there I suspect).

I visit Ottawa often, and that picture you posted gets its right... some of the streets in the downtown are just downright stark and forbidding. But that's not necessarily due to the nature of the low-rise high-density built form, but because some of the office buildings are just fug-ugly... lacking street appeal and do nothing to animate the street or mitigate for the sheer scale of the built form there.

There are ten-story canyons on pretty much every street just as shown.... great density there, but quality of the urban environment is lacking. That's not to say Ottawa doesn't have some great looking streets... overall, it's a gorgeous city.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Country

I visit Ottawa often, and that picture you posted gets its right... some of the streets in the downtown are just downright stark and forbidding. But that's not necessarily due to the nature of the low-rise high-density built form, but because some of the office buildings are just fug-ugly... lacking street appeal and do nothing to animate the street or mitigate for the sheer scale of the built form there.

There are ten-story canyons on pretty much every street just as shown.... great density there, but quality of the urban environment is lacking. That's not to say Ottawa doesn't have some great looking streets... overall, it's a gorgeous city.

I agree, but are 20-40 storey canyons much different from a 10 storey canyon, especially with narrower streets? Canyons can be dressed up with streetscaping, sidewalk cafes, and ground level retail, but they're still cold canyons.

I think our downtown could be punctuated by taller towers without serious detriment to livability. Architects can reduce wind tunneling through the building's design and planners can mitigate wind tunneling with windbreaks. Avoid canyoning if possible, if not, mitigate it.

I say all of this having never lived among tall towers on a daily basis

[drto]

I think you guys are making some really good points however I don't think downtown Saskatoon will ever see "skyscraper canyons" that block out the sun per se. Going out 50 years I think we will see 10-12 mid- and highrise office towers and several more low- mid- and highrise residential towers built. The thing is though is Saskatoon's downtown footprint is so large, it can easily accomodate all of these new towers without creating immense dentisty, just a skillfully balanced skyline that remains welcoming and livable. As for the airport, if they need a runway design that allows planes to land and takeoff heading into the wind, and the prevailing winds in Saskatoon are from the NW, then realignment in its current spot isn't feasible and relocation is the only option. Personally, assuming the Perimeter highway gets built with a north bridge as well, then I'd like to see it NE of the city, out beyond the intersection of the Humboldt and Wakaw highway. Being on the north side still makes it attractive for people coming from PA and NB. I doubt if this will ever happen though in our lifetimes.

[milanboy]

I don't remember seeing anything about this here, but there now appears to be a tower crane at the Diefenbaker Park side of the new Circle Drive bridge location. I must admit it looks cool out there without any buildings nearby. Oddly enough it appears to be green in colour. Odd for a crane. Perhaps it is an environmentally-friendly non-urban crane.

[jrm857]

Originally Posted by drto

I think you guys are making some really good points however I don't think downtown Saskatoon will ever see "skyscraper canyons" that block out the sun per se. Going out 50 years I think we will see 10-12 mid- and highrise office towers and several more low- mid- and highrise residential towers built. The thing is though is Saskatoon's downtown footprint is so large, it can easily accomodate all of these new towers without creating immense dentisty, just a skillfully balanced skyline that remains welcoming and livable. As for the airport, if they need a runway design that allows planes to land and takeoff heading into the wind, and the prevailing winds in Saskatoon are from the NW, then realignment in its current spot isn't feasible and relocation is the only option. Personally, assuming the Perimeter highway gets built with a north bridge as well, then I'd like to see it NE of the city, out beyond the intersection of the Humboldt and Wakaw highway. Being on the north side still makes it attractive for people coming from PA and NB. I doubt if this will ever happen though in our lifetimes.

saskatoon actually has a very small downtown footprint

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

The Mitchell's plant is coming down fast. A good chunk of the south section is in a pile, and the overhead doors and other fixtures have been removed from the other parts of the plant. The aluminum siding from the 11th Street frontage has been peeled away revealing some interesting brick work. I say interesting because the size of the bricks and how they are layered looked odd (this was at night mind you).

The last remnants of Mitchell's will be gone within the next week or two. The City will then release the bridge design to the public, and all the self-serving politicians will have a nice photo op at the old Mitchell's site...haha

A couple of shots taken last week. Sure looks like the building was pieced together.
A big part of Saskatoon's history destined to be an off ramp.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by milanboy

I don't remember seeing anything about this here, but there now appears to be a tower crane at the Diefenbaker Park side of the new Circle Drive bridge location. I must admit it looks cool out there without any buildings nearby. Oddly enough it appears to be green in colour. Odd for a crane. Perhaps it is an environmentally-friendly non-urban crane.

Good eye...is this the same crane?

Where does this site fit into the south bridge project? Are they building piers and floating them down the river ??? (there's a concrete form poking up to the right of the crane).

Maybe this is some other project we're not aware of...

Camera phone shot from the west side next to SaskPower



_________________

Thanks for the photos Jerry. Never would have guessed there was brickwork beneath that skin.

[kiwi4life]

ya me and a former Graham worker, spotted that today too, both of us are former graham workers, so went to take a look, it will be a pretty choice project mates. looks pretty good so far.

[milanboy]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

Good eye...is this the same crane?

Where does this site fit into the south bridge project? Are they building piers and floating them down the river ??? (there's a concrete form poking up to the right of the crane).

Maybe this is some other project we're not aware of...

Camera phone shot from the west side next to SaskPower

...

Yes it is the same crane. I spotted it from the other side of the river just beyond the power pole park on the right in your picture. I couldn't see the base of the crane or the formwork from my vantage point. From where I was it looked like it was near the bridge crossing, but from your picture it doesn't appear to be as close. Perhaps this is part of the new water intake that the city is building. I had heard something about this a few years ago. Anyone know more about that project and whether it is what this mystery crane is all about?

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by milanboy

Yes it is the same crane. I spotted it from the other side of the river just beyond the power pole park on the right in your picture. I couldn't see the base of the crane or the formwork from my vantage point. From where I was it looked like it was near the bridge crossing, but from your picture it doesn't appear to be as close. Perhaps this is part of the new water intake that the city is building. I had heard something about this a few years ago. Anyone know more about that project and whether it is what this mystery crane is all about?

Yes this will be the new river intake and pump station for the water treatment plant. More Info Here

[kiwi4life]

ha thats sucks, your right it might not even be the bridge project, my dad is gonna ask the owner of Graham construction tonight bout it, bc they got the job, but now that u say this, that might not be it, plus that tower crane does not have a graham sign on it, its a diff crane company or construction company so, ya idk boys

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by drto

I think you guys are making some really good points however I don't think downtown Saskatoon will ever see "skyscraper canyons" that block out the sun per se. Going out 50 years I think we will see 10-12 mid- and highrise office towers and several more low- mid- and highrise residential towers built. The thing is though is Saskatoon's downtown footprint is so large, it can easily accomodate all of these new towers without creating immense dentisty, just a skillfully balanced skyline that remains welcoming and livable. As for the airport, if they need a runway design that allows planes to land and takeoff heading into the wind, and the prevailing winds in Saskatoon are from the NW, then realignment in its current spot isn't feasible and relocation is the only option. Personally, assuming the Perimeter highway gets built with a north bridge as well, then I'd like to see it NE of the city, out beyond the intersection of the Humboldt and Wakaw highway. Being on the north side still makes it attractive for people coming from PA and NB. I doubt if this will ever happen though in our lifetimes.

When you say Saskatoon's downtown, are you referring beyond the CBD, and including parts of City Park, City Yards, Riversdale, and Caswell Hill?

Is that what you were thinking jrm857?

I find those areas have much more in common with the CBD than they do with their designated neighborhood. I wouldn't be surprised if a large percentage of Saskatonians classified downtown as including some, if not all of the blue as being part of downtown.

Combined red and blue is around 580 acres



___________________

drto,

Yeah, the north east is a pretty good candidate. Improved access for northern residents, access to the Perimeter Highway, Circle Drive, and would not conflict with Wanuskewan. I'd have the south west as my second choice. The Airport, CN rail yard and VIA Rail station would complement each other nicely.

Thinking long term really puts things into perspective.

Originally Posted by Jerry

Yes this will be the new river intake and pump station for the water treatment plant. More Info Here

Cool.

So it's going to poke up above the water and has no direct connection to the land...

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

ha thats sucks, your right it might not even be the bridge project, my dad is gonna ask the owner of Graham construction tonight bout it, bc they got the job, but now that u say this, that might not be it, plus that tower crane does not have a graham sign on it, its a diff crane company or construction company so, ya idk boys

Does Graham need a tower crane to build the bridge? I thought they would do without.