Saskatoon Construction

[Echoes]

^ Good to know Wyku, thanks!

On a somewhat random note, I was on 3rd Avenue today and thinking about how River Landing Village, and the condo tower especially, would impact the street once built (*knock on wood*). Due to the nature of the Parcel 'Y' lot lines, and the way 3rd Avenue extends more to the southeast as it approaches the Traffic Bridge, the condo tower on that northeast corner of the parcel seems likely to create something of a visual terminus for 3rd Ave.

Of course, the tower would not create a complete and nicely centred visual terminus like the Bessborough does for 21st, but it should certainly contribute to closing off the view from the street, especially from further north up 3rd Ave.

With the streetscaping project done, and a nice curved glass tower helping frame the southern endpoint, 3rd Avenue is gonna look fantastic! *knock on wood again*

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Originally Posted by Caswellian

You probably couldn't pick a worse project than a stadium to plunk down on the existing railyards.

If and when (and from what I've been told and sought out, when is a long time and about a billion dollars away) the railyards move out I'd like to see high-density mix-use apt/condo/commercial/retail, not some concrete box with more surface parking.

Grapevine says the proposed Stadium would be closer to Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre near 33rd.

As I see it, if we are to get a new stadium or any big complex of the like lets NOT make like Saskplace and stick it in the middle of NOWHERE where you get in your cars, wait 30 minutes to leave and go straight home.
I still fantasize about being able to leave an amazing concert with the masses on foot and flood the nearby bars and clubs and give a night out in Saskatoon a major kickstart (not to mention some economic spinoff).
So yes I would definitely approve of this location.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Jerry

New home of Cava Wines & Spirits at 19th Street West and Avenue A. Across from the Farmers Market.
Sounds like it will be open May 6.

Take a picture nowww (the wooden hoarding is down and the sign is finished.). Very nice.

[dsim249]

Did I miss something about these stadium rumours? Where are they coming from? This is the first I've heard of it.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by Country

If Council’s decision works out in Lake Placid’s favour — and if all their money comes through — it seems that Saskatoon will get a smaller-scale Mariott hotel, with 150 to 200 rooms and some meeting room space. The “select service” hotel will not have a conference space or a restaurant, but there will also be a large parking garage, some retail space and condos on the highly-prized riverfront site.

Source

Don't know why this would be considered a scaling back of the hotel. The last version of the plans for the 12 storey hotel (up from the original 8 storey concept) called for 184 rooms and did include meeting room space with direct access onto the central plaza.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Jerry

I used Photoshop but no need to go to that expense as it can be done in any photo editing program.

Ahhh, gotcha. I downloaded the Suite but never got around to installing it. I'll do that later

Originally Posted by Country

^ Good to know Wyku, thanks!

On a somewhat random note, I was on 3rd Avenue today and thinking about how River Landing Village, and the condo tower especially, would impact the street once built (*knock on wood*). Due to the nature of the Parcel 'Y' lot lines, and the way 3rd Avenue extends more to the southeast as it approaches the Traffic Bridge, the condo tower on that northeast corner of the parcel seems likely to create something of a visual terminus for 3rd Ave.

Of course, the tower would not create a complete and nicely centred visual terminus like the Bessborough does for 21st, but it should certainly contribute to closing off the view from the street, especially from further north up 3rd Ave.

With the streetscaping project done, and a nice curved glass tower helping frame the southern endpoint, 3rd Avenue is gonna look fantastic! *knock on wood again*

Speaking of visual terminuses, here's one for ya

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

Grapevine says the proposed Stadium would be closer to Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre near 33rd.

As I see it, if we are to get a new stadium or any big complex of the like lets NOT make like Saskplace and stick it in the middle of NOWHERE where you get in your cars, wait 30 minutes to leave and go straight home.
I still fantasize about being able to leave an amazing concert with the masses on foot and flood the nearby bars and clubs and give a night out in Saskatoon a major kickstart (not to mention some economic spinoff).
So yes I would definitely approve of this location.

C'mon, really? I heard that rumor back in 2008. The location...I don't know who owns the land.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by dsim249

Did I miss something about these stadium rumours? Where are they coming from? This is the first I've heard of it.

Its likely that some folks in Stoon got the model of the stadium that the Govt of Sask was showing off at the UofS Huskies breakfast last weekend confused as that project is in Regina.

[RTD]

I think Saskatoon is the most picturesque city in Saskatchewan. However, the one thing that bothers me about the city is the fact that one of it's main downtown streets has slanted parking. I think it gives the city a very small town feel, like Moose Jaw or something. Perhaps as more development occurs in the city over the years, this will be eliminated.

Just my two cents.

[Devon]

I think downtown Saskatoon has more than a few parking issues if you ask me. Working there can be stressful If you have a vehicle. Thank goodness for bikes!

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

C'mon, really? I heard that rumor back in 2008. The location...I don't know who owns the land.

Was that directed at me? Haha. Like, I've heard rumours about a downtown stadium throughout the years, but I was just confused because everyone started talking about it randomly, as if something new had been announced/leaked.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Devon

I think downtown Saskatoon has more than a few parking issues if you ask me. Working there can be stressful If you have a vehicle. Thank goodness for bikes!

Oh you're right. We just need a few more Imparks to solve our "parking issues".

I've lived here my entire life, and I've never had an issue with parking. That's also the least of my concerns.

The only complaints I hear about (which are often voiced in the SP), are lazy people who are upset because they can never find parking immediately in front of the store/restaurant/business they are going to. Find me a city that offers that. People think it's a right to have parking immediately in front of their destinations, and it's not. It's a luxury.

Point is, we have tons of cheap parking. Some of the cheapest in the Nation. If that's not convenient enough for you, then too bad. Take the bus. Or like Devon said, thank goodness for bikes!

Note this wasn't necessarily directed towards you Devon, unless you're one of those lazy people!

[swilley]

Originally Posted by dsim249

The only complaints I hear about (which are often voiced in the SP), are lazy people who are upset because they can never find parking immediately in front of the store/restaurant/business they are going to. Find me a city that offers that. People think it's a right to have parking immediately in front of their destinations, and it's not. It's a luxury.

Costco is bad for this. People drive around for 15 minutes looking for the perfect spot - then stop and block traffic while waiting 10 minutes for someone to unload their shit, pack up the kids etc. All for that nice 30 second walk to the front door. When about another 30 seconds down the parking lot there are plenty of spaces.

As for the new stadium talk, until I hear a valid source (not Gormley or someone here ) reveal that they are interested in loosing a billion dollars trying to make a CFL team work her, I think it is stupid to talk about in this construction thread. For fuck sakes, the Blades can't even draw more than 8 grand for a second round playoff game in our improved 15000 barn. And don't give me the regular Sask place is too far away crap - That doesn't stop thousands of people from coming. The Huskies draw around 5, but will the CFL brand draw another 15 - 20 thousand? Maybe for the first game. Anyone have attendance figures for the Huskies? Do they even sell out? We need to support the small guys a bit better before the big league is even feasible.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by swilley

As for the new stadium talk, until I hear a valid source (not Gormley or someone here ) reveal that they are interested in loosing a billion dollars trying to make a CFL team work her, I think it is stupid to talk about in this construction thread. For fuck sakes, the Blades can't even draw more than 8 grand for a second round playoff game in our improved 15000 barn. And don't give me the regular Sask place is too far away crap - That doesn't stop thousands of people from coming. The Huskies draw around 5, but will the CFL brand draw another 15 - 20 thousand? Maybe for the first game. Anyone have attendance figures for the Huskies? Do they even sell out? We need to support the small guys a bit better before the big league is even feasible.

I can't see Saskatoon getting a CFL franchise in my lifetime. Firstly, it would be a major hit to the Riders and that would be a very tough sell. Secondly, there simply isn't a big enough population base for a second team here. Even with the Huskies constantly putting a top-notch product on the field and providing a great game-day experience, they only averaged a little over 4,400 fans per game in 2009. That average includes 2 crowds of over 6,000 to start the year and 2 home playoff games.

As much as I love to see local football, a CFL team in Stoon just ain't gonna happen. We talk a good game, but football is not as ingrained here as it is in the southern part of the province. Last year Regina had approximately 3 times the # of minor football teams that Saskatoon had, while Moose Jaw had only 2 less teams than Saskaton, with one-sixth the population.

I'd love to see those rail yards redeveloped, but it's not going to be for a pro football stadium.

[Jerry]

Looks like we will be getting our 3 Articulating Busses this year.

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Forty buses... for the price of two

By davidhutton Mon, May 3 2010

One quarter of the city’s bus fleet will get a makeover this year as the transit department refurbishes up to 40 of its older models.

Instead of buying one of the five new buses this year the city’s administration and finance committee approved refurbishing 15 buses for the same price.

In total, the city will spend $1-million this year refurbishing up to 40 buses to make them look new, said Walter Pressl, transit’s maintenance manager.

“They’re going to have our new paint scheme on them and they’ll be structurally repaired,” he said. “We’re taking a proactive approach. We want to make sure our buses are top notch.”

The refurbishment, which will be done be done by Calgary-based Big Rig Collision, will help keep buses on the road that are reaching the end of their life, Pressl said.

The city has been working for several years to improve its aging bus fleet, which has an average age of 15 years compared to the national average of 10.

But the price of buses — averaging $450,000 — makes it difficult to increase the size of the fleet.

The city has added 49 buses since 2006. This year, the city will add seven new buses, including three articulating or accordion-style buses. There is funding to add 18 buses in the next three years.

The report will go to city council for a final decision.

Source

[Jerry]

Saskatoon Light & Power were on the Traffic Bridge yesterday surveying a location to run fibre optics cable across the river.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Crisis

I can't see Saskatoon getting a CFL franchise in my lifetime. Firstly, it would be a major hit to the Riders and that would be a very tough sell. Secondly, there simply isn't a big enough population base for a second team here. Even with the Huskies constantly putting a top-notch product on the field and providing a great game-day experience, they only averaged a little over 4,400 fans per game in 2009. That average includes 2 crowds of over 6,000 to start the year and 2 home playoff games.

As much as I love to see local football, a CFL team in Stoon just ain't gonna happen. We talk a good game, but football is not as ingrained here as it is in the southern part of the province. Last year Regina had approximately 3 times the # of minor football teams that Saskatoon had, while Moose Jaw had only 2 less teams than Saskaton, with one-sixth the population.

I'd love to see those rail yards redeveloped, but it's not going to be for a pro football stadium.

Exactly. This is likely why there is some confusion.

http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24920&Itemid=461

[lbird]

Originally Posted by Devon

I think downtown Saskatoon has more than a few parking issues if you ask me. Working there can be stressful If you have a vehicle. Thank goodness for bikes!

You should get a job with the city!

[kgc087]

Ideally all the street parking would be relocated into multi level parking garages that have an architecturally interesting exterior to make them look like a building, or perhaps they could be covered in greenery around the perimeter b/c there is available light. Then the bike lanes should be widened, or the sidewalks widened so perhaps restaurants downtown could have an appropriate patio. As well I still stand by my pedestrian road from the bess to midtown!

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by Stormer

only slightly nicer than Regina's...



photo: reginafooddude.com

The city rivalry has sunk to an all new low.

[Jerry]

Update on Mitchell's demo.





East side bridge site.


West side of river looking east at new south bridge site.