Saskatoon Construction

[socialisthorde]

I mentioned this a whiile back MS. I think it is pretty much a done deal. I atttended an open house where the neighborhood people were invited to hear the plan from Meridian and have input, and I think that of those at the meeting, the nearly unanimous emotion was gratitude, as there were great fears of plastic or stucco clad cheapo townhomes. Affinity appears very eager to please the neighborhood as does Meridian. They listened patiently and appeared to embrace most of the ideas for changes to the orignal plan (i.e. parking, entry etc.) They strongly encourage employees to use alternative transportation and were even considering staggered work hours to reduce traffic and parking impact. Unfortunately, the city has arcane parking requirements, which mean that the site has to retain a lot of parking (i.e. a lot of blacktop versus green space) no matter how many employees use it. They are also planning to keep the building as-is externallly, with a few changes to undo bad renovations (i.e. removing ugly piping for aircon), which makes the neighborhood (and heritage activists, and environmentalists) happy. They are proposing an architecturally sensitve addition on top, set back so as to not alter the facade and given Meridian's past work, I am confident that they will do a good job. They are also offering to keep green space and existing hockey rink and maintain it for the neighborhood and perhaps build other amenities (e.g. pathways). The meeting was a refreshing change from the NIMBYism vs. balls to the wall development arguments, that occur at such meetings, although there was a bit.

Overall, it is not ideal to have that many office employees driving through the residential neighborhood, but as someone who consistently argues for density, mixed use and desgning to reduce the need for car travel (i.e. work opportunities near your house), I think I have to fully support this move. The only thing I might have liked would have been some retail at the base, but I suspect most neighbors would not (as people here aren't used to much retain in residential neighborhoods and seem to fear it ) Ask me again a year after it is done though and you might get a different response.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Echoes

Devon, I think what you'll want is the Placemaker Public Art Program, which the City's Urban Design section oversees.

I see they have a little blurb about it on their webpage:
http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Community%20Services/Land/UrbanDesign/Pages/default.aspx

Also, there's what looks to be an outdated Call for Proposals posted there. Maybe give Urban Design a call for more info? 975-3278

Thank you very much.

[mmx]

Iconic skyscrapers in Saskatoon: projects that will alter the way people in Canada view this city. Kay Nasser, Bill Doyle. Bill Doyle, Kay Nasser.

It's high time I took some buildings off my list of top tens. Brutalism is bad.

[Jerry]

For those interested here's you chance to get involved !

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Call for Volunteers - Urban Quality Study in Saskatoon

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2010
CY10-402

The City of Saskatoon’s Urban Design Program, along with the Regional and Urban Planning Program at the University of Saskatchewan are seeking volunteers to conduct a pedestrian and cyclist count on Wednesday, November 10 at several points throughout Saskatoon’s city centre. Volunteers are required for various shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and measures will be in place to ensure safety and security during the evening hours. The initiative will take place outdoors, and will be straightforward observation work.

The purpose of this study is to measure the quality of our city’s public spaces and places from a pedestrian and cycling perspective, which will then be developed into a Public Spaces, Activity + Urban Form Strategic Framework. This pedestrian and cycling count is the second part to an earlier spring data collection that occurred in May of this year.

In addition to a letter of thanks for their role in this City of Saskatoon/University of Saskatchewan project, volunteer contributions will be acknowledged at an appreciation event at a later date.

To sign up, please contact Ryan Walker at the University of Saskatchewan by calling 966-5664 or emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.

Source

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Jerry

For those interested here's you chance to get involved !

--------------------------------------------------


Call for Volunteers - Urban Quality Study in Saskatoon

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2010
CY10-402

The City of Saskatoon’s Urban Design Program, along with the Regional and Urban Planning Program at the University of Saskatchewan are seeking volunteers to conduct a pedestrian and cyclist count on Wednesday, November 10 at several points throughout Saskatoon’s city centre. Volunteers are required for various shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and measures will be in place to ensure safety and security during the evening hours. The initiative will take place outdoors, and will be straightforward observation work.

The purpose of this study is to measure the quality of our city’s public spaces and places from a pedestrian and cycling perspective, which will then be developed into a Public Spaces, Activity + Urban Form Strategic Framework. This pedestrian and cycling count is the second part to an earlier spring data collection that occurred in May of this year.

In addition to a letter of thanks for their role in this City of Saskatoon/University of Saskatchewan project, volunteer contributions will be acknowledged at an appreciation event at a later date.

To sign up, please contact Ryan Walker at the University of Saskatchewan by calling 966-5664 or emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.

Source

picking up the phone in 5 minutes! : )

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Credit union may call campus home

Former FNUC centre to be developed at expense of Affinity's downtown location
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix November 5, 2010 2:05 AM


The former First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) campus may soon be Affinity Credit Union's headquarters.

Sale of the FNUC property in City Park is pending to Saskatoon-based Meridian Development Corp., with plans making their way through the zoning change approval process at city hall to allow for the conversion of the former school site into offices.[...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Credit+union+call+campus+home/3780773/story.html#ixzz14PGJxBP5

Hmmm. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

On the pro side, a heritage building is being preserved by a respected and competent developer. Great!

On the other hand, I assume this move will empty Affinity's buildings at 22nd and 3rd, as well as their 7 storey office on 4th Avenue. That is an appreciable exodus of employees from the core, and a potential glut of office space to come onto the market. That could mean another setback for a project like 2seven5 getting started. (That being said, this could present an opportunity for redevelopment of their 22nd and 3rd property, a building design that I feel is too "suburban" for a downtown.)

What does this move signal, if anything, about demand for downtown office space and underlying problems that may be holding the downtown market back? The City's Neighbourhood Planning section says demand is being eroded in the downtown, most principally by parking issues it seems.

Of course, this is by no means a death knell for downtown, but it's not a great sign when the head office of a local bank decamps for a residential neighbourhood. Meanwhile, Cameco is sitting pretty on 11th Street, and it's taking the provincial government and an attempted BHP takeover to coax the PotashCorp execs back to downtown Saskatoon.

The City Park community association is right, this city needs a strategy regarding head office location in our core. But in the end, Affinity is a free market enterprise and can locate whereever it pleases! (pending the zoning changes of course)

[Measuring Stick]

Hey Echoes,

While you can see from my earlier post I am against the Affinity move, there is more to this story than high downtown parking rates casugin this move. I am not at liberty to get into the details though. The main disagreement is that a company can encourage employees to use public transit all it wants but if there are 150 parking stalls outside of the new building they will be used, especially in winter. I think the City Park residents will regret this change to their neighbourhood.

But I do think the current parking rates for Downtown are somewhat of a deterent; however, you would think if anything this would be a better encouragement for their employees to get out of their cars and use transit than a move to FNUC with ample parking. I think some wool is being pulled over City Park residents eyes.

[prairieguy]

this is a bit hypocritcal of myself, but I wonder if part of the solution might be building a substantial (and esthetic pleasing - if possible) parkade on the periphery of downtown?? I fully support the encouragement and development of public transit and active transportation. However, I am VERY concerned about a head office moving out of downtown and comments like "demand is eroding for downtown". So far our downtown has been a relatively vibrant and energetic place (day and night). I would hate to think this is the start of ghettoing the downtown.

[kgc087]

I have to say that this is really strange what Affinity is doing. There are only two spots associated with major business in Saskatoon, the downtown and the university. To move away from either of those spots is a poor move. To base a move on parking availability is even more absurd! High parking rates are a good thing, the point is to encourage more use of public transit. I think Saskatoon really needs to smooth out some kinks in its planning so this does not become a trend with downtown businesses or new ones entering the city.

[socialisthorde]

I just want to say, that I share the concerns about traffic and people driving and this leaves me with some apprehension, but I'm not sure if I know of a better alternative that is viable. The community tried to put together a plan for a community centre, but that just was not economically possible. I also have reservations about office jobs moving out of downtown, but I think ( I don't know for sure) that some of what is being expressed here is innacurate. I don't think there are to be 150 parking spots, although there will no doubt, be too many. As Tom Wolff was quoted saying, this is a city requirement. Who knows if Affinity would want it anyway though. Also, I don't think all these employees are coming from downtown. Anyone with accurate details, please correct me if I am wrong. As I said previously, the other options appearing to come forward, were worse in many ways.

[Echoes]

Today was the grand opening of the Centro Office Lounge, located on the main level of the 2nd Ave Lofts.

They have a facebook page here.

What a great concept. I'm all for these creative spaces popping up throughout the city (im talkin' to you too, TwoTwenty!).

[kgc087]

Projects Underway For River Landing PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 05 November 2010
Image

Projects One and Two at the River Landing are close to being completed and should be wrapped up in the next couple of weeks if weather permits.

That's according to Susan Lamb, CEO of the Meewasin Valley Authority which held its monthly meeting today.

Lamb says project one is about 97 per cent complete with the only remaining aspect being the expansion of a water park just north of the restaurant area. In addition she says expansion of the MVA Trail west of the same area will allow users access to the Farmers Market at Avenue B.

She says in addition, work is proceeding on the MVA Rink just north of the Bessborough Hotel which will inlcude flush toilets, and an accessible trail which will stretch to the Hnatyshyn Statue to the north of the rink.
http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28559&Itemid=421
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This is so exciting to have this all coming together, I think once Nasser gets things rolling this area will really be secured as the most pristine spot in the province. I also have a feeling other developments that have not been able to secure tenants or financing etc may come through now once they see if this is successful or not.

[gowest]

The signs are up and the new Best Western Plus Blairmore hotel is now open. This will be a great addition to the Shaw Centre when swimming events are on. Directly across the street the new apartment complex is well underway. Two bedroom apartments which can be rented on a monthly basis. There are numerous construction workers who come to work at the two nearby potash mines for a few months at a time so this may draw some of them. A large crane similar to the one in the river is being assembled down the road at another development.

[Echoes]

Many of you may have noticed the new "Affinity Gallery" sign now gracing the Saskatchewan Craft Council building on Broadway.

It's quite a standout.


Source

[WoodlandCritter]

aside from the affinity writing at the top its got a little art deco flare to it...not bad.

[c@taract_soulj@h]

Thanks a bunch Jerry! I've been all across Canada but haven't yet set foot in MB or SK. Sometime soon though, I'll make it out there and take a gander to see what the boom is all about. Maybe a green light when River Landings all finished!

[prairieguy]

Heard an interesting comment this weekend from someone who seemed to be well connected with a number of developers in the city. We were discussing the number of empty lots with signs that indicate they are planned for development. The comment was, that a number of developers (re: condo and office) have been sitting on their property waiting to see what would be happening with the River Landing/Lake Placid development.

Their take, was now that this is officially proceeding (I guess still a few more hurdles before we know that for sure), it actually could further stall other new developments. As much as we all are relieved to see River Landing being developed, it will add a large number of mid to high end condos and office/commercial space on to the market. As good as this is, it also creates some hesitation for other developers to proceed.

Just one persons opinion, but as much as we hoped River Landing could spur other developments, there is the other side to this in that it could contribute to delayed projects.

I guess ultimately. the market demand will dictate the level of development that occurs.

[macca]

On the other hand, the River Landing project not proceeding could have been deemed as a sign that there is no market in Saskatoon for mid to high end condos, hotel and office space downtown, thus scaring developers away.

[prairieguy]

Just for clarification...I personally FULLY support the development of River Landing Village!! I also believe it is a demonstration of confidence in Saskatoon's economy and potential for growth. I just thought I would share someone elses' take on this...

[drm310]

LEED status sets precedent

On Campus News - University of Saskatchewan
November 5, 2010

The official celebration of the Law Building expansion’s gold status in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) on Oct. 29 marked the end of a long process that resulted in a precedent-setting decision in favour of the University of Saskatchewan.

At an event in the recently expanded building, Beth Bilson, acting dean of law, said the completion of construction "has provided our students and the college with much-needed space, technologically modern classrooms and a healthy environment in which to study and work." [...]

Read more: http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/10-nov-05/8.php