Saskatoon Construction

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by Echoes

I'm not going to bother posting an excerpt of the article here, but as we have been following the PotashCorp story on this thread, here's a link to a relevant article in today's StarPhoenix:

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Potash+pledge+reaction+mixed/4292518/story.html

In it, the CEO of of the Chamber of Commerce comments that the repatration of PCS jobs to Saskatoon bodes well for the "continued development of downtown office space."

Potash Corp executives are cagillionaires. They will definitely want snazzy new offices to suit their otherwise lavish lifestyles.

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by Echoes

I'm not going to bother posting an excerpt of the article here, but as we have been following the PotashCorp story on this thread, here's a link to a relevant article in today's StarPhoenix:

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Potash+pledge+reaction+mixed/4292518/story.html

In it, the CEO of of the Chamber of Commerce comments that the repatration of PCS jobs to Saskatoon bodes well for the "continued development of downtown office space."

I find it interesting that only 3 executives are to remain in Chicago, yet they require 100 support staff??? They move 6 exec positions, and promise to move just under 100 support staff?? If there are 200 staff in Chicago, as reported to the gov't during the BHP Billiton take over, I think there was some expectation that a majority of them would be moving to the Saskatoon head office. If PCS would have followed thru as anticipated, and I believe led the community to believe, there definitely could have been enough staff to warrant some new construction. Hopefully, we will still see either new or planned projects go ahead anyway.

[Yeff]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Potash Corp executives are cagillionaires. They will definitely want snazzy new offices to suit their otherwise lavish lifestyles.

Actually, the PotashCorp executives are all very down to earth people and although well compensated, are not spoiled brats. Some higher end people work in some not so lavish offices.

[Yeff]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I find it interesting that only 3 executives are to remain in Chicago, yet they require 100 support staff??? They move 6 exec positions, and promise to move just under 100 support staff?? If there are 200 staff in Chicago, as reported to the gov't during the BHP Billiton take over, I think there was some expectation that a majority of them would be moving to the Saskatoon head office. If PCS would have followed thru as anticipated, and I believe led the community to believe, there definitely could have been enough staff to warrant some new construction. Hopefully, we will still see either new or planned projects go ahead anyway.

PCS owns the entire tower and half of the Scotia Centre mall. They have options available to them that do not involve more construction. All of the Nitrogen and Phosphate operations run out of Chicago as well as the majority of the sales force since they hardly sell anything to Canada. They have plants in several US locations as well as field staff. There is Human Resources and a Legal department which deal with US laws and issues, a Finance dept for the US divisions (again, different laws), etc., etc.

Everything that has to do with Potash is in Saskatoon. That is all BHP promised, as they likely would have sold off the Phosphate and Nitrogen divisions anyway. Saskatoon is absolutely the head office, and all positions that should be at the head office, eventually will be. What's the big deal?

[nook]

I noticed that construction fences and some diggers are up in that empty space beside the liquor store at the confed mall. I believe there used to be a gas station there many years ago.

I'm going to use logic and assume that since Canadian Tire is moving across to the Old Wal-Mart, they'll move their Canadian Tire gas station to that spot.

[Echoes]

A couple remarks on the downtown retail space front -

The space formerly occupied by Rexall Drugs at 23rd St. and 2nd Ave. appears to have finally been LEASED. No idea what's going in there.

Across the street, the SaskTel Store in the corner bay of the King George is only temporary while the Scotia Centre location is being renovated. The usual location is set to re-open in mid-May. Source of info here.

[sk187]

Originally Posted by nook

I noticed that construction fences and some diggers are up in that empty space beside the liquor store at the confed mall. I believe there used to be a gas station there many years ago.

I'm going to use logic and assume that since Canadian Tire is moving across to the Old Wal-Mart, they'll move their Canadian Tire gas station to that spot.

I know the owner of the Smitty's restaurant in Confed.. She says that, according to a memo she recieved, the Canadian Tire gas station is staying where it is, and that a new McDonalds is going up beside the Liquor Store. I'm assuming that is what is going on right now. Makes sense, as the McDonalds in the Confed Wal Mart was always packed.

[gowest]

Saw some trucks pulling very large steel beams. Driver said they were for the new bridge. There are about 100 coming. Watching the camera at eastside of river this morning there was a backhoe working below the lookout. Things are moving quickly.

[taguy]

Originally Posted by sk187

I know the owner of the Smitty's restaurant in Confed.. She says that, according to a memo she recieved, the Canadian Tire gas station is staying where it is, and that a new McDonalds is going up beside the Liquor Store. I'm assuming that is what is going on right now. Makes sense, as the McDonalds in the Confed Wal Mart was always packed.

I also had heard it will be a McDonalds.

I also heard that in 2012 the 22nd Street location will be constructing a new building in their current parking lot, turning the existing location into the new parking lot.

[studentview]

Originally Posted by dsim249

It's gonna be a lube shop, I believe.

Sundance Spas is moving to this lot. They are currently located in the north end. Havent heard about a lube shop there, but maybe they are both going in together.

Interested to see who is taking up some of this downtown retail. Rexall has been vacant for a long time and the KG is not a cheap option for anyone. Ive recently read on many sites that American Apparel is all but dead. Too many lawsuits and too much debt. I would suspect this space to become available within the year.

Other news i have heard lately include Julius Cedar building a new location on the corner of Idylwyld and 71st, the Matrix Business Park has commenced construction on Phase Two of their development on Millar, the city acquired over 500 acres of land from the crown on the west side of Highway 12 beating out 5 competing private sector bids. And the remaining corner at 51st and Millar will be redeveloped sometime over the next 2 years.

In addition Saskatoon will host its first real estate forum and convention on May 17th at TCU. Not a lot of details available yet, but it being put on by RealCapital. They do similar conferences across Canada. Ive attended Calgary's before and they are quite well done.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by studentview

Sundance Spas is moving to this lot. They are currently located in the north end. Havent heard about a lube shop there, but maybe they are both going in together.

Well I work with the owner/builder on an almost daily basis. He was just explaining how the foundation/basement works (because I asked why there was all those metal pipes coming out of the ground.).

He's definitely building a lube shop... So ya, if you're certain, then they must be going in together.

[TheCricket]

So, drove the back road to Home Depot last night and noticed the location I was praying for a Starbucks in, is actually going to be a Booster Juice - with a drive through!! I think it's a nice addition to the area, but would still have loved to have a 'bucks there!!

[Measuring Stick]

He's definitely building a lube shop... So ya, if you're certain, then they must be going in together. [/QUOTE]

Might want to talk to your "buddy" before laughing at the noted tenant combo for this building not being possible.

[Echoes]

A column by Gerry Klein, oddly enough about the long-ago pitched idea of a glass dome for downtown:

Atreos remains sound idea

By Gerry Klein, The StarPhoenix February 17, 2011

One day in the late 1990s, I sat in Henry Feldkamp's office that overlooked 21st Street while the renowned civil engineer described his plan to enclose two major downtown corridors under a glass roof.

His idea was under attack from all sides: Environmentalists were concerned that heating the structure would gobble up energy; fiscal conservatives worried about its cost; and social conservatives worried it would become infested with criminals, vagrants and teenage thugs.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Atreos+remains+sound+idea/4299497/story.html#ixzz1EHUGpZZe

[jrm857]

So I was driving on Idywyld south today, and saw there was a billboard up for Waterfront II, more condos. Has that always been there and I just missed it? or is that new?

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by jrm857

So I was driving on Idywyld south today, and saw there was a billboard up for Waterfront II, more condos. Has that always been there and I just missed it? or is that new?

It's new. Or at least the "Coming Soon!" part is new. Just noticed that today also.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

Might want to talk to your "buddy" before laughing at the noted tenant combo for this building not being possible.

I was laughing because we both heard different things for the same lot.
I am not under the impression that a lube shop/Sundance Spa combo is actually going to be built.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by jrm857

So I was driving on Idywyld south today, and saw there was a billboard up for Waterfront II, more condos. Has that always been there and I just missed it? or is that new?

http://watersedgeonsask.ca/

If you look at the Site Plan on the website you can see where Water's Edge II will be going.

[Temperance]

Thought some of you might be interested in this... Here's a slide show of the new solar stained glass windows going in the Holy Family Cathedral:

http://www.sarahhallstudio.com/soundslides/saskatoon_solar/index.html

I think they look pretty cool actually.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Temperance

Thought some of you might be interested in this... Here's a slide show of the new solar stained glass windows going in the Holy Family Cathedral:

http://www.sarahhallstudio.com/soundslides/saskatoon_solar/index.html

I think they look pretty cool actually.

The color treatment is stunning. Hopefully it retains its vividness after installation.