Saskatoon Construction

[Jerry]

Minister backs deal

Cheveldayoff among supporters of Lake Placid plan

By David Hutton, with files from by James Wood, The StarPhoenix, The StarPhoenix June 11, 2010 3:11 AM

The $5.2-million deal between city hall and the Lake Placid group for Saskatoon's most treasured piece of riverfront land is drawing support from a high-ranking government minister and some of the city's heaviest business hitters as the final council decision draws near.

City council has to decide Monday whether to enter into the sale agreement with Lake Placid Developments, in partnership with Victory Majors Investment Corp., for $5.8-million below the appraised market value of the land.

The developer plans to build a $200-million megaproject that includes a hotel, offices and street-level retail, a 700-stall underground parkade, a public plaza and a large condo tower overlooking the river.

The terms of the deal, released Thursday, say the developer has until a new deadline of Nov. 1 to come up with financing to bring the property back to grade level, estimated at between $50 million and $60 million.

An initial $250,000 deposit for the land has to be paid by Wednesday, if council OKs the deal Monday.

No work can proceed until the $50 million to $60 million is obtained to excavate, build the foundation and the underground parkade.

The remaining $5 million for the land does not have to be paid until that financing is secured and the deal is closed, the agreement says.

If financing isn't secured, the deposit is handed back to the developer.

A deal approved by city council to sell the land will allow the company to complete financing commitments, said Victory Majors' Karim Nasser.

"We need the land before anybody will say yes, 100 per cent," Nasser said. "Once the land title is in our hands, it should only take a couple of weeks."

Coun. Gord Wyant said the Nov. 1 deadline, which was negotiated between the city and the developer, is too lenient given the delays the project has already seen. The argument that the land sale is needed to get financing doesn't hold weight given that banks often approve financing on a conditional basis, he said.

"If (Lake Placid CEO Michael Lobsinger) can't get financing documents to us in a reasonable time, we have to seriously think about where we're going," Wyant said.

Lobsinger and several business groups circulated a letter soliciting support, a call that was met with dozens of letters to city hall, including one from Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff, who urged council to move forward on the sale, a rare move for a cabinet minister.

Cheveldayoff said Thursday it's entirely appropriate for him to throw the Saskatchewan Party government's weight behind Lake Placid Developments.

The Saskatchewan Party has railed against governments "picking winners and losers" among businesses, but Cheveldayoff said this is not a case of government picking sides.

"The decision was to go ahead with Lake Placid or to go back to the drawing board. It wasn't one company versus another company or anything like that," said the Saskatoon Silver Springs MLA.

"I want to see that development move forward and the discussion was whether to go back to opening it up to bids or to move forward with Lake Placid. I've had a chance to work on the project and I feel it's a very good one and I was just expressing support for it. And I think as minister of enterprise there's a role for me to do that."

Almost all of the 100 letters sent to council support the sale. Others urging council to pass the deal include a number of finance and real estate executives; the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 63, which has been promised a memorial on its former site; sports entrepreneur Al Anderson; former Mitchell's CEO Stu Irvine; United Cabs manager Scott Suppes; North Saskatoon Business Association director Keith Moen and North Ridge Development Corp.'s Wally Mah.

"I ask you, for what reason would you deny this application? We do not want to remain mired in the status quo of unrealized potential," wrote Mah.

[email protected]

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
Source

[Jerry]

Oops ! my bad, posted wrong photo see newer post above.

[kgc087]

Blueboots - I lived on the Dart 80 line and during Uni time there was a bus coming every 5 mins. that was stuffed to maximum capacity. What the articulated buses will do will remove the need for uni only buses and regular city buses. This will make more buses available to other parts of the city allowing for improved service on non Dart routes. This may even open up the option to additional routes with the available buses.

I'm still 100% in support of LP, they have an excellent vision which will alter Saskatoon forever. It will set new architectural standards and promote mixed use design and high density development throughout the city. As well this massive injection of high end homes into the area will continue the revitalization of the area and ensure the stability of phase 2.

[prairieguy]

The fire vessel is located almost immediately behind the concession pavillion (behind being in the direction of Persephone Theatre) From the photo posted by Jerry, to the right would be the spray park and then a staircase and the fire vessel is to the right of the staircase.

It is very uninspiring and is only slightly larger then a backyard fire pit. It has some curved concrete seating around it, but I can't imagine this can accommodate much more then 10-15 people. Hardly a 'meeting place' for the city. Sorry to be so negative, but I get frustrated when we micki mouse things along what is suppose to be our show piece. The Peace Tower in Rotary Park is far more impressive with far more seating and options as a gathering space. Too bad something similar wasn't done along River Landing. I would also like to see the Peace Tower lit more often, but I suppose that isn't very ecologicallly friendly. But it does seem kind of funny that a 'world peace flame' is seldom lit.

Rant done....thanks.

One other item, the rendering for the proposed new Class A office building on Pacific Avenue by Pillar Developments was highlighted in the Star Phoenix. We have already discussed on this forum the horrible design of this building, so I won't go there. However, the article states that class A office space is at 0.59%! Surely this is low enough for projects like 275 Second to proceed??? I believe they were waiting to develop based on demand. A 0.59% availabillity must provide the right environment for development.

[Morogolus]

"The terms of the deal, released Thursday, say the developer has until a new deadline of Nov. 1 to come up with financing to bring the property back to grade level, estimated at between $50 million and $60 million."

Well at least something will be happening at the site in the next few months assuming everything gets approved. It's just depressing seeing that empty lot with nothing going on except some weeds growing.

[circle33]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Surely this is low enough for projects like 275 Second to proceed??? I believe they were waiting to develop based on demand. A 0.59% availabillity must provide the right environment for development.

The 275 people have stated they want a tenant signed on before they start building -- they won't be building on spec regardless of the vacancy rates.

[Jerry]

Ok just went through my photo's and have found one of the fire vessel taken back in April.

[Wyku]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Ok just went through my photo's and have found one of the fire vessel taken back in April.

Umm...wow? Am I missing the "stunning" part of this piece of artwork? I get visions of Spinal Tap and the mini-stonehenge picturing all of those officials standing around it haha.

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by circle33

The 275 people have stated they want a tenant signed on before they start building -- they won't be building on spec regardless of the vacancy rates.

And crap like that Pillar development being built on spec only tames the demand and delays potentially a much nicer project like this. sigh.

[Echoes]

^ My thoughts as well. I'm so disgusted by the Pillar project. Their earlier forays into downtown have been garbage as well. If Pillar is going to do a low-rise, would it kill them to do something that's at least reasonably attractive? Their design for this thing looks 25 years old already, and it's not even built yet.

Discovery Plaza is an example of a low-rise office development done right. It is an attractive and contemporary addition to downtown, and a complement to Third Avenue's rejuvenation.

Meanwhile, 275 Second can't seem to get anywhere. Grrrrr.

[Temperance]

Traffic Bridge to see streetcars?
City examining range of options for historic bridge
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenixJune 10, 2010

Consultant Doug Fast (from left), transportation engineer Dave Leboutillier, Stantec's Brad Cook and city bridge engineer Brad Walter on the Traffic Bridge
Photograph by: David Hutton, The StarPhoenixThe return of the streetcar to Saskatoon is among the options on the table as the city opens the future of the iconic Traffic Bridge wide open for ideas.

Everything from demolishing the steel truss bridge and building a new signature structure, widening the bridge, running a trolley or tram route from the Broadway area to River Landing or closing the bridge to vehicles is being explored, officials studying the bridge's future said on a tour Wednesday.

"We're putting everything on the table," said David LeBoutillier, transportation engineer with the city. "We've expanded it for a broad range of options to be examined."

Known as the "scary bridge" by some, the city's oldest and narrowest bridge, which opened in 1907, isn't in immediate danger of closure, but the city wants to decide its future as it nears its life's end.

The decision-making process will kick off later this month with an open house where residents will be invited to bring forward ideas and opinions. Further open houses with more concrete options and costs will be held in the fall before council makes a final decision on what to do with the 103-year-old bridge.

"It's an important part of our heritage, the city was established with this bridge," said Doug Fast, the consultant steering the public open houses. "There's a lot of ways this could go and we have to have the public's input on this"

Streetcars, once ubiquitous in North America, are an intriguing option, transit officials said, and have to be considered among the mix. Tram, trolley or streetcar systems, which typically run on tracks in streets, are experiencing a resurgence across the continent thanks to technological innovations that make them more cost-effective. Saskatoon had streetcar lines from 1913 to 1951, including one that ran along the Traffic Bridge, before they became redundant with the rise of the automobile.

Advocates say they help stir economic development along routes and work to encourage more walking.

"The bridge was used for street cars before and we have to explore the potential for using them again in the future," LeBouttlier said.

Stantec will first complete a technical assessment to determine the importance of the bridge in the roadway network and the effect of Circle Drive South, which is opening in October 2012, on its use.

The bridge averages 500 pedestrians and cyclists and around 7,500 vehicles daily, which is expected to decline sharply once the south bridge opens.

The bridge's low use can at least partially be explained by how narrow it is, which deters those drivers wary about having their side mirrors clipped.

"We have to determine how important this (bridge) is in the future as part of the road network," said Stantec's Brad Cook. "The traffic analysis will show whether we keep it part of the road system or not. Once we get an answer to that, it gives us the flexibility to see whether it should stay as part of the road system or be converted into a pedestrian and cyclist bridge or a combination of pedestrian and transit usage."

Heritage groups in Saskatoon are looking for some guarantees that the bridge will not be demolished and that its importance in the city's history will be considered during the process, but taking the bridge down has to be part of the brainstorming phase, LeBoutillier said.

"We have to consider that maybe there's an option for demolition," he said. "I expect that's not where we're going to go, but it has to be on the table."

[email protected]

AMONG THE OPTIONS

- Reuse bridge

- Demolish bridge

- New two- or four-lane bridge with wide paths

- Transit-only bridge with wide paths

- Pedestrian/cycling bridge with wide paths

- Two-lane bridge with streetcars and pedestrian paths

Source: City of Saskatoon

Open house

June 22

Nutana Collegiate

Come and go

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
Consultant Doug Fast (from left), transportation engineer Dave Leboutillier, Stantec's Brad Cook and city bridge engineer Brad Walter on the Traffic BridgePhotograph by: David Hutton, The StarPhoenix

[Temperance]

The most interesting thing to emerge out of this discussion of options for the traffic bridge is the suggestion of building a streetcar line from Broadway to River Landing. I really like this idea and I think it could contribute a lot to the city. Maybe eventually the line could be extended to reach downtown or even the university? I think a streetcar/pedestrian traffic bridge could be great. Maybe with part of the bridge set aside for restaurants/cafes and concerts for the summer.

[kgc087]

This is really the best idea yet for the bridge. Street cars used to be in use in Saskatoon and if they redevelop some of the previous lines maybe demand will allow for more of the lines that were downtown to be developed. This would hugely increase pedestrian traffic on Broadway and in Riverlanding which would hopefully allow for more cafes etc (not only ground level but possibly multi level). We will have to wait and see what the report says!

[Ruckus]

Mmmmmm...street cars

[TheCricket]

So I was talking to someone today and apparently the old location of McKague's Funeral Home is going to be the new location of Positive Passions (currently on Broadway & 10th). They are opening in October and there will be retail on the main floor and a yoga studio above with high ceilings. Workshop space will be available and they are apparently in desperate need of space to expand.
From death to sex...

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by TheCricket

So I was talking to someone today and apparently the old location of McKague's Funeral Home is going to be the new location of Positive Passions (currently on Broadway & 10th). They are opening in October and there will be retail on the main floor and a yoga studio above with high ceilings. Workshop space will be available and they are apparently in desperate need of space to expand.
From death to sex...

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by TheCricket

So I was talking to someone today and apparently the old location of McKague's Funeral Home is going to be the new location of Positive Passions (currently on Broadway & 10th). They are opening in October and there will be retail on the main floor and a yoga studio above with high ceilings. Workshop space will be available and they are apparently in desperate need of space to expand.
From death to sex...

That is pretty funny!

[Ruckus]

One down, two to go

[Jerry]

Thought I would fill in the dead air space with a few photos.



^^ Fire Vessel at River Landing. I like the clean simple design.


^^ Seating capacity is limited but cozy.


^^ Fire Vessel Plaque


^^ Median planted on 3rd Ave. looking south.


^^ Median planted on 3rd Ave. looking north.


^^ Crews working on stairwell at River Landing leading to a parking lot.


^^ Not sure what the iron pieces are on the small pallet. Are they used in making the forms ?


^^ Sand bags that will be used to stop river flow from a small bay at River Landing to facilitate the addition of a water feature.


^^ Bay where the apparent water feature will go.

[kgc087]

The photos look great! I really like the fire vessel. If it were any larger it would be a major hazard. As well I think the seating is the right capacity, can anyone suggest any scenario where there would be more then 15-20 people there for an event? It's really public for family gatherings etc so it would be awkward if it were larger. The median looks fantastic! I always have loved how the city is completely inconsistent with the trees it plants in medians and along roadways. It creates a unique "manufactured wilderness". It has the randomness of nature but contained in a concrete box. FINALLY that weird bog is going to be completed, in the original plan it's supposed to be sort of a standing water pond or ecosystem, but so far it's just a smelly trash collector. Has anyone else noticed the shotty finishing in the water along the river bank on the west side of the bridge? So much garbage and the water doesn't flow properly so it has quite an odour.