Saskatoon Construction

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Country

That extension would be a great asset to traffic flow in the area, particularly with regard to the pressure it would take off Central Avenue and, to a certain degree, Attridge. I guess I always thought that extension would involve a flyover across the CPR yards. That would be notoriously expensive though, and the cost would surely outweigh the benefit.

Can't see CPR moving their yards any time soon either. We know how notoriously difficult rail companies can be to deal with. However, if they ever did re-locate their yards they'd be sitting on a veritable gold mine of residential and mixed-use redevelopment potential.

[...]

My thoughts exactly. Dreaming beyond that with Sutherland - Innovation Place - City Park/North Park - Warehouse District - Riversdale - Meadowgreen light rail stations. We'll make it happen Country

Originally Posted by prairieguy

This whole board has been a bit of a yawn this summer

For our peak construction period there is precious little happening outside of the U of S and a few isolated builds (i.e Holiday Inn. some low density commercial, and the usual housing construction) It has been a very disappointing summer given the hype that was on this board only a year ago...

[...]

Saskatoon's industrial land development has been expanding at an impressive rate over the last few years. Most of it is not photo worthy, but there are some 'exciting' projects underway.

Acklands-Grainger to build 117,000-square-foot facility in Saskatoon
The StarPhoenix August 3, 2010

Acklands-Grainger Inc., Canada’s largest distributor of industrial, safety and fastener products, has purchased 12 acres of land in Saskatoon to build a new 117,000-square-foot facility.

The company announced its plans Tuesday. The new building, to be located in Marquis Industrial Park, will replace the current 60,000-square-foot distribution centre on Quebec Avenue.

“Acklands-Grainger has been in Saskatchewan for more than 100 years and we’re committed to helping local businesses have the supplies they need to keep their facilities safe, efficient and functional and employees safe on the job. Our new space will help us do just that,” said Frank Murray, Acklands-Grainger’s general manager in Saskatchewan.

The distribution centre is expected to house more than 50,000 industrial, safety and fastener products. Construction is scheduled to begin in early-2011.

“Acklands-Grainger is an important member of the Saskatoon business community and we’re excited about the investment they are making in our province,” said Tim LeClair, chief executive officer of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Agency (SREDA).

Acklands-Grainger currently employs 220 team members in 24 branches throughout Saskatchewan, including three Saskatoon locations.
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Acklands+G...skatoon/3355629/story.html#ixzz0x4hYXo95

Originally Posted by ninipanini

I'm in Minneapolis right now, thought you might enjoy the view! There's some nice footage at the end of some waterfalls which has a hydro plant attached to it... maybe somewhat similar to what we can hope for at the weir?!?!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkun2fOs2dc

Cool vid ninipanini! Minneapolis shows very well. Haven't heard good things about the street level experience though.

Originally Posted by kgc087

So I got an email the other day from the Star Phoenix asking if I would like to be a blogger talking about the future of Saskatoon along with about 10 other people. Basically we are supposed to propose and discuss whether or not we think Saskatoon should go up or out, focus on roads or transit etc. Can't wait to post a few visionary replies!

Taking it the masses -- nice work kgc087! I wonder who the SP has in mind for advocating for the status quo? No one around here (SSP) I hope

Originally Posted by acron

do it. i agree with 75% of your views, at the same time your vision clashes with the status quo in the community. its a breath of fresh air. you've been talking about the green roof tops for a while. i thought that was rediculous at first, now i think its awesome. maybe you can change more people's minds?

also, supposedly riverlanding will break ground for the under ground parking in the middle of september....

I remember reading that, in an SP article...cannot recall the date.

[Ruckus]

More River Landing Phase II elements slowly emerging...




Holiday Inn crane


U of S student housing...official name?


Huskies clubhouse expansion

[Echoes]

"BHP Billiton touts city
Mining firm sees Saskatoon as potash centre"

A story from today's StarPhoenix explaining that if BHP Billiton is successful in its takeover of PotashCorp, it would establish its head office for its potash operations here in Saskatoon, and perhaps even its head office for all of Canada (currently located in Vancouver). They're touting Saskatoon as becoming a "global centre for potash"... but, aren't we kind of that already?

The story says that in such an event, BHP's staff in the Discovery Plaza (now called BHP Billiton Place, I think?) would swell to 200. However, what I'm confused about is if this employment level is on top of the existing PotaschCorp staff in the PCS Tower? What are they saying - that the BHP offices would grow in addition to the current PCS staff (net gain of downtown employment), or the PCS Tower would effectively empty out and just move to Discovery Plaza (basically no net change in employment levels)??? Can anyone clarify?

Every way I look at it I don't see a new office tower emerging out of this whole situation. (Unless BHP does put its Canadian head office here, and does in fact expand into gold, diamonds, uranium, and coal.... years down the road)

Meanwhile, John Gormley was harping in his column about how the potash execs - regardless of what company they might ultimately belong to - should work and reside here in Saskatoon. This is probably the 3rd Gormley column on the topic that I can remember, to him it's a crime that PCS CEO Bill Doyle and most of his executive are living and working out of suburban Chicago. But, I don't necessarily disagree with his sentiments. Column here:

"Potash execs should reside in province"

[kgc087]

I don't think the mention of a new office tower was there but one would assume if there employee capacity grew to 200+ they would consolidate and build one tower as the main identifier of the company. As well I think a new tower would warrant the relocation of their head office to Saskatoon. This would probably encourage other companies to set up shop in Saskatoon as well. Fingers crossed for their dream of Saskatoon being the global hub for potash to come true!

[Measuring Stick]

Originally Posted by Country

"BHP Billiton touts city
Mining firm sees Saskatoon as potash centre"

A story from today's StarPhoenix explaining that if BHP Billiton is successful in its takeover of PotashCorp, it would establish its head office for its potash operations here in Saskatoon, and perhaps even its head office for all of Canada (currently located in Vancouver). They're touting Saskatoon as becoming a "global centre for potash"... but, aren't we kind of that already?

The story says that in such an event, BHP's staff in the Discovery Plaza (now called BHP Billiton Place, I think?) would swell to 200. However, what I'm confused about is if this employment level is on top of the existing PotaschCorp staff in the PCS Tower? What are they saying - that the BHP offices would grow in addition to the current PCS staff (net gain of downtown employment), or the PCS Tower would effectively empty out and just move to Discovery Plaza (basically no net change in employment levels)??? Can anyone clarify?

Every way I look at it I don't see a new office tower emerging out of this whole situation. (Unless BHP does put its Canadian head office here, and does in fact expand into gold, diamonds, uranium, and coal.... years down the road)

Meanwhile, John Gormley was harping in his column about how the potash execs - regardless of what company they might ultimately belong to - should work and reside here in Saskatoon. This is probably the 3rd Gormley column on the topic that I can remember, to him it's a crime that PCS CEO Bill Doyle and most of his executive are living and working out of suburban Chicago. But, I don't necessarily disagree with his sentiments. Column here:

"Potash execs should reside in province"

Not sure the number of employees at PCS tower currently, but I can say that PCS Tower is double the size of the new Discovery Plaza. So simply shifting the staff to the new location is not an option.

At this point I don't even think BHP knows what they would do. They are just trying to blow a lot of hot air to push the cheap purchase of PCS through. If you tell the sky is green right now they will agree as long as it would help them buy PCS.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

Not sure the number of employees at PCS tower currently, but I can say that PCS Tower is double the size of the new Discovery Plaza. So simply shifting the staff to the new location is not an option.

At this point I don't even think BHP knows what they would do. They are just trying to blow a lot of hot air to push the cheap purchase of PCS through. If you tell the sky is green right now they will agree as long as it would help them buy PCS.

From an article in today's StarPhoenix, it reports that there are currently about 200 PotashCorp employees in the PCS Tower, and 66 BHP employees in Discovery Plaza (apparently Discovery Plaza could accommodate a max of about 200).

Today's article, again, stresses the importance of potash head office jobs to Saskatoon. A U of S prof, Eric Howe, comments how most of PotashCorp's decision making occurs in Chicago, and if a new owner were to base all operations out of Saskatoon, "the city will be better for it."

Article here.

----

In other news, the Uptown Market appears to be officially kaput.

[acron]

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

Not sure the number of employees at PCS tower currently, but I can say that PCS Tower is double the size of the new Discovery Plaza. So simply shifting the staff to the new location is not an option.

At this point I don't even think BHP knows what they would do. They are just trying to blow a lot of hot air to push the cheap purchase of PCS through. If you tell the sky is green right now they will agree as long as it would help them buy PCS.

I haven't posted anything here for a while, although been following along with everyone's posts. Great work everyone.... This BHP thing is so fascinating to me. This will be a little off construction topic, but if my speculation proves accurate it may lead to substantial developments in our city.

First, I think the current bid already greatly over values that actual intrinsic value of the company. I spent about three hours studying PCS's recent financial statements, and my assessment is that the company's intrinsic value is actually in the $90 dollar per share range, the rest of the stock price is good will, expected future earnings, hot air (aka la la land). However, I do think BHP will eventually fork out about $180-190 per share. But, that is pure speculation... no one really knows what will happen in the future. Right?

I assume BHP will buy out PCS, and I think it will be great for this city. If they are true to their word and make Saskatoon their global potash head quarters, the Chicago offices will be liquidated. I don't know how many people work for PCS in Chicago, but I would assume it would be three to four times more than Saskatoon (which I hear is about 60??). I may be wrong on that number. But if you have 2 execs working in Saskatoon with 60 people around them, and if you have 7 execs in Chicago, would you not expect to have 210 people working around them in Chicago??? If BHP follows through with their plan, they will liquidate the jobs in Chicago and would fill a major chunk of those jobs in Saskatoon. Thus, I could see 200 white collars being hired in Saskatoon in the next few years.

PCS only occupies the top couple of floors in the PCS tower. The rest of the space is leased out to other companies. I think Discovery Plaza will be BHP's head quarters for about five years, with PCS Tower being the sattelite office. In the mean time they would be looking to find another location (perhaps 275 Second?). Or build their own building. Given that BHP is swimming in revenue and appears to be more willing to pay huge permiums to buy bloated over priced companies, instead of paying dividends to their shareholders, it is not unlikely that pouring money into a new building in Saskatoon over the next 5 years is not unthinkable.

Just my thoughts... Sorry this was long. Thanks everyone.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by acron

I haven't posted anything here for a while, although been following along with everyone's posts. Great work everyone.... This BHP thing is so fascinating to me. This will be a little off construction topic, but if my speculation proves accurate it may lead to substantial developments in our city.

First, I think the current bid already greatly over values that actual intrinsic value of the company. I spent about three hours studying PCS's recent financial statements, and my assessment is that the company's intrinsic value is actually in the $90 dollar per share range, the rest of the stock price is good will, expected future earnings, hot air (aka la la land). However, I do think BHP will eventually fork out about $180-190 per share. But, that is pure speculation... no one really knows what will happen in the future. Right?

I assume BHP will buy out PCS, and I think it will be great for this city. If they are true to their word and make Saskatoon their global potash head quarters, the Chicago offices will be liquidated. I don't know how many people work for PCS in Chicago, but I would assume it would be three to four times more than Saskatoon (which I hear is about 60??). I may be wrong on that number. But if you have 2 execs working in Saskatoon with 60 people around them, and if you have 7 execs in Chicago, would you not expect to have 210 people working around them in Chicago??? If BHP follows through with their plan, they will liquidate the jobs in Chicago and would fill a major chunk of those jobs in Saskatoon. Thus, I could see 200 white collars being hired in Saskatoon in the next few years.

PCS only occupies the top couple of floors in the PCS tower. The rest of the space is leased out to other companies. I think Discovery Plaza will be BHP's head quarters for about five years, with PCS Tower being the sattelite office. In the mean time they would be looking to find another location (perhaps 275 Second?). Or build their own building. Given that BHP is swimming in revenue and appears to be more willing to pay huge permiums to buy bloated over priced companies, instead of paying dividends to their shareholders, it is not unlikely that pouring money into a new building in Saskatoon over the next 5 years is not unthinkable.

Just my thoughts... Sorry this was long. Thanks everyone.

acron,

I like your optimism for the potential for future office development as a result of this possible takeover. It is indeed an exciting story to follow, and a good sign for Saskatchewan no matter what way you look at it.

A few clarifications - there are currently about 200 employees in PCS Tower (floors 4-11 I believe?) as reported in today's S-P (link in my previous post). It's my understanding the Chicago office is comparatively smaller (containing several top execs and their supporting staff). I would be very surprised to hear that any more than 40 or 50 people work in the Chicago office. This is my estimation only, but I'm certain that Saskatoon still has the lion's share of head office jobs, even if the majority of the top dogs are down south.

[acron]

Originally Posted by Country

acron,

I like your optimism for the potential for future office development as a result of this possible takeover. It is indeed an exciting story to follow, and a good sign for Saskatchewan no matter what way you look at it.

A few clarifications - there are currently about 200 employees in PCS Tower (floors 4-11 I believe?) as reported in today's S-P (link in my previous post). It's my understanding the Chicago office is comparatively smaller (containing several top execs and their supporting staff). I would be very surprised to hear that any more than 40 or 50 people work in the Chicago office. This is my estimation only, but I'm certain that Saskatoon still has the lion's share of head office jobs, even if the majority of the top dogs are down south.

thanks for the correction, i wasn't sure about saskatoon numbers for PCS. i heard on gormley that its around 200 as well. in any case, i don't know what will happen in the future and what BHP's plans are. but i don't see any reason for BHP to make such grandious public statements about its intentions for saskatoon if they didn't intend to follow through... saskatoon's public opinion makes no impact whatsoever on this takeover. PCS is largly owned by huge mutual funds from all over canada and the US. so the decision to accept any take over bid will be made in new york and toronto. BHP gains nothing from promising the moon to us locals. they would look like huge jack asses if they promised all this and instead cut jobs. lying to the citizens of a jurisdiction where you intend to have major operations would be too stupid of a policy for a company like BHP to follow. on the other hand, PCS and bill doyle have their livelihood at stake, so they are more likely to sling mud at BHP re: jansen project not going ahead, corporate jobs not being created by BHP after takeover, etc. ... you can count me in the pro BHP camp at this point. but if the takeover bid fails, and PCS sells a major chunk of the company to a chinese company, i don't think it will be bad for saskatoon either. foreign companies will be developing our potash reserves in the coming decade no matter how this falls out... its will be great for local development, job creation, etc. go saskatchewan!

[acron]

oh and i still think most of the corporate jobs with PCS are in the US right now, and saskatoon office is a tiny fraction... its not possible for a 44 billion dollar company to operate on a couple of hundred white collars... just not possible. i suspect the chicago office is a least twice the size of saskatoon... but again, just speculating. i mean, think of suncor... that company is worth 12 billion and they have they have a whole 40 storey building in Calgary (if not two since the merger). PCS is worth four times Suncor at 44 billion! you would think a company four times the size of Suncore should have at least the same amount of white collars???? again, i'm just speculating... but i do think the saskatoon PCS office is a tiny small fraction of PCS's corporate apparatus.

[macca]

http://www.manta.com/c/mmlbvpk/potash-corporation

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by macca

http://www.manta.com/c/mmlbvpk/potash-corporation

Estimated 200 employees? Ha. Wonder if that's accurate then.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by macca

http://www.manta.com/c/mmlbvpk/potash-corporation

Nice find macca...

Acron, I have been happily proven wrong! An estimated 200 employees at the Illinois office, and 200 here in Saskatoon... Wow. Imagine if all 400 of those head office jobs were in one place (that being here, of course). A tower to accommodate 400 employees, and some extra floors thrown in to address downtown's Class A office shortage, and we've got a 20-30 story office tower easy!

I'm in Gormley's camp on this one, get these execs runnin' back to Saskatoon!

Not going to happen, but it's a nice thought...

[swilley]

I think if potash corp wanted the public side, they better announce that all of Chicago's jobs are moving back here. Doyle's press releases and statements issued from the Chicago office are certainly ironic to say the least.

[acron]

Originally Posted by Country

Nice find macca...

Acron, I have been happily proven wrong! An estimated 200 employees at the Illinois office, and 200 here in Saskatoon... Wow. Imagine if all 400 of those head office jobs were in one place (that being here, of course). A tower to accommodate 400 employees, and some extra floors thrown in to address downtown's Class A office shortage, and we've got a 20-30 story office tower easy!

I'm in Gormley's camp on this one, get these execs runnin' back to Saskatoon!

Not going to happen, but it's a nice thought...

aahhh you never know how things will play out.... i was just thinking with BHP there is a "chance" of major corporate expansions in saskatoon, with PCS it will be the same old. and yeah, i was off too in my estimate, i thought chicago office was bigger. thats the fun of lobing these things in the air, and have someone else get the facts out for us lol. also, my blurb about suncore being worth 12 billion, that was just their net tangible assets. i'm sure the company is trading at at least double that... anyway, its going to be neat to watch this over the next six months - the biggest corporate takeover in canadian history. and concerns saskatchewan ... not toronto, calgary or vancouver! who woulda thought that ten years ago? lets see where saskatoon will be in another ten years...

[gowest]

Work has started in the river on the west side for the new bridge. As well large steel pilings have been driven in to west shore. Circle and 11th is probably the biggest part of the project and massive amounts of earth have been moved for the new road and rail lines. Looking good, let's hope the weather holds.

[Morogolus]

Well looks like they had to close the Traffic Bridge. It seems like they have no intention of fixing it anytime soon. They're not even letting pedestrians walk over it so it must be pretty bad. Hopefully they try to fix it but it sounds like it's almost beyond repair. So allow me to be the first and express my condolences to the traffic bridge, I will always have fond memories of narrowly avoiding the edge of the bridge nearly knocking my mirror off or almost playing chicken with an oncoming truck.

Seriously that sucks on a lot of levels, from an historical perspective, in regards to River Landing and of course the traffic headaches are bad enough with Sid Buckwold Bridge closed. Traffic is a complete mess across that entire area. It took me half an hour to cross the Broadway Bridge yesterday, argh.

RIP Buddy

[circle33]

I know there's one of these around town. Time to look in to getting one myself.


Credit: goldmedal100.com

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

Well looks like they had to close the Traffic Bridge. It seems like they have no intention of fixing it anytime soon.

Wwwwhhhaaaaaa??? I thought that last estimate said it had another 20 years of life in it.

[drm310]

Traffic Bridge closes
Safety concerns spur indefinite shutdown of 103-year-old span

By David Hutton with SP files by Jeanette Stewart
The StarPhoenix August 25, 2010

Congestion on Saskatoon streets is going to get worse before it gets better.

The Traffic Bridge was closed indefinitely late Tuesday afternoon after inspectors red-flagged major structural problems in a preliminary inspection report.

The iconic steel truss bridge, which opened in 1907 to connect Victoria Avenue to downtown Saskatoon, was undergoing a comprehensive inspection that began Monday. At around 4 p.m. Tuesday, crews barricaded both ends of the bridge to traffic after city managers decided evidence of deterioration was strong enough that vehicles or pedestrians shouldn't be crossing.

"When you've got something open to the public you have to be able to make sure it's safe," said Mike Gutek, the city's infrastructure services manager.

"What I know now is that there's enough of a red flag that in the interests of public safety, we're closing the bridge indefinitely."

The bridge inspectors found corrosion and deterioration on the lower steel structure under the bridge deck. The extent of the deterioration is what prompted the closure, with concerns about the state of the support system for the bridge deck.

The bridge is having problems holding itself up, Gutek said.

The closure couldn't come at a worse time, Gutek admitted.

The Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge is already down to one lane in either direction -- forcing hundreds more vehicles and pedestrians across the Traffic Bridge during the last eight weeks. There's no access from the Idylwyld Freeway to Eighth Street and Lorne Avenue, and there are a number of detours in the Broadway and Nutana areas.

Many frustrated drivers spun in circles around the roundabout at the bottom of the Traffic Bridge after the closure Tuesday at rush hour.

"I'm pretty angry," said driver Dave Sosulski, who rolled down his window to talk to a reporter. A typical 30-minute drive was already 45 minutes long without even making it through the downtown. As traffic inched forward, he was honked at by impatient motorists behind him. Before he moved along he said the already bad traffic problem was only exacerbated by the closure of the Traffic Bridge.

The confusion caused evident frustration as drivers were caught unaware. Traffic on 19th Street leading to the Broadway Bridge was backed up to Idylwyld Drive and caused snarls throughout the downtown, including congestion on Third Avenue.

Driver Meghan Allen sat with her car idling on Spadina Crescent, which was at times backed up to 21st Street East with drivers trying to get onto the University Bridge.

"I've been stuck in traffic for more than an hour," she said at 5:30 p.m. Allen expected her usual 20-minute drive to take well over an hour and a half Tuesday.

Gutek wouldn't rule out the possibility of the Traffic Bridge's permanent closure -- or at least closure until a decision is made on the bridge's future.

The city will know more about the immediate future next week once the full inspection is complete, he said.

"Before I can let people back on it we need to (be) sure of its structural integrity," Gutek said.

The Traffic Bridge was closed in 2005 due to concerns about corrosion in the steel trusses. It reopened in September 2006 after repairs that were expected to extend the life of the bridge for 20 years, to 2026.

The city is examining the future of the bridge through a series of public meetings. 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.

"There's always been that possibility (of closing the bridge permanently) as we've outlined in reports over the years," Gutek said. "We were able to fix one element that was of concern in 2005, but the bridge is made up of a great number of elements.

"We know the bridge is reaching the end of its service life."

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