Saskatoon Construction II

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Ha! M'I bad! I remember it was a stre---tch way back since I've been there! No wonder we haven't have any more conferences scheduled there! Thanks, dsim! I really need to come up to Saskatoon more often so I can keep pace with all the new developments!

The space that used to be the Top of the Inn is still used for conferences and such. The nice view of the river valley remains, but it's just not a public restaurant/bar any more.

[Scruff Bucket]

Originally Posted by Crisis

The space that used to be the Top of the Inn is still used for conferences and such. The nice view of the river valley remains, but it's just not a public restaurant/bar any more.

Hmm ... Haven't had any of our conferences scheduled up there for a long time! The ones that have been held at the Sheraton have convened in the conference room on the main floor.

[Dino35]

Hi all:

Long time lurker - first time commenter. I recently moved to Arbor Creek and have spent some time in the University Heights area. I must say what a disappoinment the area is becoming. Concrete and asphalt everywhere and stroe after store of the same design and facade. You'd think the city and/or developers would mandate some sort of green space into these new developments.

There are at least a better selection retail and what looks like a new restuarant/lounge just north of the KFC. Anyone know what its going to be???

[Hawker]

Originally Posted by Crisis

The space that used to be the Top of the Inn is still used for conferences and such. The nice view of the river valley remains, but it's just not a public restaurant/bar any more.

And here's a pic from the Top of the Inn:

[Brutopian]

Originally Posted by Dino35

Hi all:

Long time lurker - first time commenter. I recently moved to Arbor Creek and have spent some time in the University Heights area. I must say what a disappoinment the area is becoming. Concrete and asphalt everywhere and stroe after store of the same design and facade. You'd think the city and/or developers would mandate some sort of green space into these new developments.

There are at least a better selection retail and what looks like a new restuarant/lounge just north of the KFC. Anyone know what its going to be???

I believe a Rock Creek Tap and Grill is slated to open in University Heights Square in 2011.

[dsim249]

Has this been mentioned? Saskatoon has a new Ultra AVX theater in Galaxy.

I was at a movie and peeked inside the new theater. Leather rocker seats, wall to wall screen. It's supposed to be the next IMAX. Apparently the screen isn't as tall as IMAX, but it's wider. It looks really cool, can't wait to try it out.

Watch the first 30 seconds of this.
• Video Link

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by Dino35

Hi all:

Long time lurker - first time commenter. I recently moved to Arbor Creek and have spent some time in the University Heights area. I must say what a disappoinment the area is becoming. Concrete and asphalt everywhere and stroe after store of the same design and facade. You'd think the city and/or developers would mandate some sort of green space into these new developments.

There are at least a better selection retail and what looks like a new restuarant/lounge just north of the KFC. Anyone know what its going to be???

Don't know about what going next ot KFC, but please let your city councillor know about your dissapointment. If they hear that people choosing to live there are not liking it, they might be prompted to consider some of the measures you desire. I, and I presume others living more centrally, complain about all this — constantly, but I'm sure it is dismissed as coming from someone who is anti-suburban ("tree hugger", "Birkenstock wearer", "cyclist", "socialist", "liberal",or whatever else they call us). Maybe if they start to hear it from their own consituants, people who have chosen to live in the suburbs, it will have more impact. Since they keep allowing it, I have to presume that they feel this is what the people living out there want.

As an aside, I think I probably wouldn't be nearly so anti-suburban if suburbs didn't tend to come with isolated corner 7-11/Macs and power centres.

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

As an aside, I think I probably wouldn't be nearly so anti-suburban if suburbs didn't tend to come with isolated corner 7-11/Macs and power centres.

This isn't a very encouraging statement toward your neighbourhood, but I feel that Arbor Creek is an example of the depths of suburban planning. I used to live in Erindale, on Epp, thankfully, so I was close enough to actually bike to Extra Foods or Coop (not that I did it reliably, but sometimes), and I'd think of all the people living way out the far end of the loop in Arbor Creek. EVERY activity begins with a car ride... unless you want to jog or ride a bike around suburban streets. There's a chunk of brownfield way deep in AC, opposite Kucey, that I thought could support another grocery store, perhaps half the size of the nearby Extra Foods. I suspect that land is slated for schools, but come on, folks, 15 years have passed, with that land being wasted. Alternately, there'd be outcry if some of the established park space was converted to a grocery store. (or would there....)

Anyway, I moved outta Erindale into South Nutana Park, which I don't think is any friendlier to the environment, with 1960s era lots and houses, but at least it feels a lot more organic and welcoming than the stretches of stucco that adorn the streets in my old neighbourhood. Willowgrove doesn't look to be any better, with the only initiative consisting of a "main street" that's to have higher density (accomplished that, with loads of condos) and engaging retail (lots sit empty). What does it take to actually develop the original vision? Tax breaks?

[shmakim]

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbor_Creek,_Saskatoon


No schools exist in Arbor Creek. Though land was set aside for schools, the public and separate school boards decided to build schools in the adjacent Willowgrove neighbourhood. The land is now being readied for more single-family homes.

and

There is no commercial development in Arbor Creek. 51 home-based businesses exist in the area.

AAARRRRRGGGHHH! Write to your councilor indeed. Bev, what the hell?

Completely bedroom community. As I said above, the nadir of suburban planning. Gross.

[dsim249]

Ground breaking ceremony for new River Landing office building in Saskatoon



... The building is going up at the corner of 2nd Ave. S and 19th St. E., next to the Remai Art Centre. When completed, the building will have over 77,000 square feet of rentable office and retail space, along with a fitness centre and a bistro.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be breaking ground on what’s going to be a really fantastic facility for the people of Saskatoon,” said Rob Proud of Tonko Reality Advisors Ltd.

The development will be built using greener building materials and is designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold designation.

River Centre is expected to be completed by late 2012.

Source

[skyhigh953]

Couldn't find a picture of it as shown on CTV News tonight, but Tonko is planning an office building twice the size of the current River Centre at the Cineplex Impark lot directly across the street due to high office demand in the city. Also mentioned on CKOM's news story:

Tonko is also involved with another development just north of River Centre, which will be nearly twice the size.

Source: http://www.newstalk650.com/story/20110429/50412

CTV News story video at this link, the story starts at about 7:22, after all the royal wedding stuff... http://www.saskatoon.ctv.ca/?video=458928. There is a great rendering of the new building, which is at least ten stories tall and looks identical to the River Centre.

The CTV news story also interviewed Kay Nasser about River Landing, and he indicated they are "reviewing the plans" and "making sure everything is in order"...and that they "have to be careful." Also mentions that design is being reviewed...

This project has been examined for four years now...it should be fairly clear if it is feasible or not...if revenue from condo sales, hotel and office development exceeds the costs to build by a reasonable amount, then it is a go for construction...

ALSO in the CTV news report right after the River Landing story, are renderings of the new children's hospital (Mosaic is donating $4 million). It looks quite boring...a plain L-shaped building, maybe about five stories tall or so...the viewpoint of rendering is from across the river, but it doesn't look intriguing at first glance.

Sorry, I couldn't find pictures on the internet and wasn't able to copy screenshots from the video...

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by skyhigh953

ALSO in the CTV news report right after the River Landing story, are renderings of the new children's hospital (Mosaic is donating $4 million). It looks quite boring...an L-shaped plain building, maybe about five stories or so...rendering is far away but it doesn't look intriguing at first.

Sorry, I couldn't find pictures or copy them from the video...

I think it's too early to call the building boring from the renderings that have been released. Although it doesn't look like the preliminary designs that were discussed. Also keeping in mind that these are still early design concepts.
It does appear to have a curve to it at least.


Source

[youngregina]

Where did the rest of the city go in that rendering?

[nook]

Originally Posted by youngregina

Where did the rest of the city go in that rendering?

Well... that's Mayor Don's latest idea...

[Echoes]

A view from the riverbank presents some intrigue (recognizing that this is still an early conceptual rendering):


Source

[Echoes]

In the StarPhoenix article on the Tonko groundbreaking there's some news of River Landing Village... whether it's encouraging or discouraging I can't decide....

Lady luck on developer's side
River Centre office building groundbreaking marked by dragon dance

By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenix April 30, 2011

[....]

Tonko also owns the land across 19th Street from River Centre — currently the parking lot at the Galaxy Theatre — on which it plans to build another office complex. The proposed 150,000-to 250,000-square-foot project, which could be in excess of 10 storeys high, has no set start date or design details.

[....]

Nasser said River Landing Village's design are being reviewed. While that process is behind schedule, he said the project will still meet its projected opening date of early 2014.

Most importantly, the money is ready and waiting to finance the megaproject, he said.

"Every penny that we need is available, this I can assure you of," Nasser said.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Lady+luck+developer+side/4703451/story.html#ixzz1L2YQHCTo

[ninipanini]

Exciting to finally see something about the children's hospital! From those renderings I'd guess it was more like 7-8 stories tall... on the first picture compare the new building to the old sections of RUH which are 5-6 stories... also on the second rendering you can vaguely make out 6 stories and I would guess there's another story or 2 below the horizon of the picture. Should be tall enough to impact the university skyline (similar to agriculture building).
Can't wait to see the cranes go up on this one!

Great news about Tonko! The next year could (if things finally pick up) be really exciting for Saskaton!

[nook]

If they need to make the Children's Hospital "bland" due to budget, that's fine by me. I just want them to build it. Bells and whistles are nice, but It could be a big concrete block for all I care... Just so long as it's built and helps children and families in need!

[WoodlandCritter]

^ thats probably what they said when they built RUH back in the day too. It is one of the ugliest buildings around. We shouldn't just have to settle for function without form.

[kgc087]

It's exciting to see Tonko is having so much success. I think an additional building would be great. Saskatoon will have a nice shiny new face after the River Centres, Riverlanding and the other office tower get constructed. I'm very eager to see what will happen. I still think the city should REALLY be pushing for condo development downtown. The need to stop annexing land and developing new mindless neighbourhoods.