Saskatoon Construction II

[Echoes]

Of the countless Letters to the Editor in the SP as of late regarding how the City can cut spending, this one I can actually agree with:

Hold Off On Bridge
By Steven Thair, The StarPhoenix September 2, 2011

Would city council and our community like to save $60 million?

Let's see if we can live without a new Traffic Bridge. Who misses driving it now? Yes, we missed it at first, but now?

Some day we may want a foot/bicycle bridge. But let's wait and see if we really need another vehicle bridge.

Steven Thair

Saskatoon

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Hold+Bridge/5343669/story.html#ixzz1WpgXqjk3
_____________

I figure, the longer the matter of replacing the Traffic Bridge remains at a relative standstill while the City prepares the design/build RFP or works to line up funding, the more the issue and resolve of replacing this crossing will wane, and the more people will realize that it's not as vital a link for vehicle traffic as thought.

Then we can hopefully start to talk about creative ideas to a) preserve the existing structure, and b) upgrade it to a pedestrian/cyclist link and public space.

That's my hope, anyway.

[skSK]

Originally Posted by Echoes

I figure, the longer the matter of replacing the Traffic Bridge remains at a relative standstill while the City prepares the design/build RFP or works to line up funding, the more the issue and resolve of replacing this crossing will wane, and the more people will realize that it's not as vital a link for vehicle traffic as thought.

Then we can hopefully start to talk about creative ideas to a) preserve the existing structure, and b) upgrade it to a pedestrian/cyclist link and public space.

That's my hope, anyway.

I agree, Echoes! I think it would be a very good idea to hold off on building the replacement, especially in light of the city's efforts to curb spending. However, if there were a time in the future when the public demanded the replacement be built, then I hope that people's mentalities will have shifted from where they seem to be at now, based on your anecdotal observations here:

Originally Posted by Echoes

Interesting, seems you're a "test subject" of sorts to measure Saskatoon's progress - you left for greener pastures, but what the city can offer you down the road could bring you back.

(And I'm guessing it's not pavement and garbage pickup that will bring you back)



That description made me laugh and cringe at the same time, brannelford. I've sufferred through the same ignorance, the "Why would we go to Riversdale?" remarks, and "I hate going downtown, I can never find parking" or "Why the hell would you take the bus?" (I choose to take the bus to and from work despite being financially able to drive, and I get a lot of puzzled looks when I tell people that I do.) Then there's the blind ignorance towards the west side...

I know the same kind of people as your brother and his wife, those folks living in their apparent suburban bliss. Those that seek to disvalue anything that's outside their own suburban realm. To some people, Saskatoon becoming a 'big city' means getting our first Chili's location. To be fair, I do know residents of suburban neighbourhoods that appreciate the urban amenities our city offers - I don't fault people simply for where they live, only for what attitudes, perceptions and beliefs they might hold that's attached to where they live and their lifestyle.

And still, I know a lot of young people who are quite sensitive to what Saskatoon has to offer and what they want out of living here, and still more who aren't satisfied with what there is to offer.

I've noticed similar patterns of disparaging certain areas of the city based on little to no actual experience in those areas, and I believe these ideas tie to the mindset that holds that bridges ought to be a) used primarily for personal vehicles and b) budgeted with spare room for architectural interest and aesthetics. This mentality definitely was made apparent during the consultation process for the replacement bridge. If Saskatoon is to become cosmopolitan, greater support for high-quality (especially central) urban areas is a must. Our central areas deserve a populace that keeps them vibrant. After all, these areas are what we like to highlight for tourism... when was the last time you saw a postcard of the Stonegate Walmart?

[kiwi4life]

Hey everyone, been a long time. Just wondering if there is anyone on this forum who has heard of the wining General contractor for Kay Nassar's River Landing Parcel Y project????. I work for Stuart Olsen Dominion, and was told by a couple guys that we had won the contract to build the biggest project in downtown Saskatoon, we are currently doing the Holiday Inn, and the Tonka project.

[Mike with an M]

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

Hey everyone, been a long time. Just wondering if there is anyone on this forum who has heard of the wining General contractor for Kay Nassar's River Landing Parcel Y project????. I work for Stuart Olsen Dominion, and was told by a couple guys that we had won the contract to build the biggest project in downtown Saskatoon, we are currently doing the Holiday Inn, and the Tonka project.

Congrats! Now lets hope the city amends those zoning restrictions at the next council meeting in the next couple of weeks...

[kiwi4life]

Originally Posted by Mike with an M

Congrats! Now lets hope the city amends those zoning restrictions at the next council meeting in the next couple of weeks...

Thanks man, i hope the guys are true to their word, it would be an amzing project to work on, and should be the stepping stone for more here. I hope council approves too.

[GTR200]

A few pictures.

[Dalreg]

Thanks for the photo's. I don't get to see much being on the other side of the World. So it is nice to see some of these buildings going up.

[shmakim]

Pretty unrelated, but exciting for those of us who live close to Market Mall:

The forever dead lot on the corner of Louise and Preston (old gas station location) finally has some activity. After some samples were taken, there is now some heavy machinery there and some excavation - looks like they're cleaning out the old gas station infrastructure. Still no idea what's going in, but this is the most active that spot's been in 15 years. Anybody know what might be going in?

[GTR200]

Originally Posted by shmakim

Pretty unrelated, but exciting for those of us who live close to Market Mall:

The forever dead lot on the corner of Louise and Preston (old gas station location) finally has some activity. After some samples were taken, there is now some heavy machinery there and some excavation - looks like they're cleaning out the old gas station infrastructure. Still no idea what's going in, but this is the most active that spot's been in 15 years. Anybody know what might be going in?

If I had to take a wild guess,......I'd say Tim Horton's.

[Morogolus]

As much as I am trying to think otherwise I just think that Holiday Inn is butt ugly. Looks like it belongs in China or North Korea or something where everything is just concrete and windows.

[circle33]

Yea, it's pretty bad. From the top of the Broadway Bridge, however, all you can see is the roof feature which looks kind of cool.

On an unrelated note, I've heard through the grapevine that John's Prime Rib will be shutting its doors in October to be replaced sometime later by a "beer and burger" type establishment. If this turns out to be true, you heard it here first. If not, well, just never you mind.

[Echoes]

^ Yikes. Sounds like a bit of a downgrade, no?

[circle33]

Probably. From what I understand these new suitors looked at the books and figured more money can be made their way. We'll see.

[Morogolus]

Cuz Saskatoon doesn't have enough burger and beer joints, oh an another Tim Horton's is coming. We could always use more of those.

Tim Hortons to Saskatoon is what Starbucks is to Vancouver.

[Echoes]

An interesting column on the movement of "the problem" out of Riversdale and west into Pleasant Hill, Confederation, and north into Mayfair.
It seems that Mayfair is on a particular downhill slide, highlighted by the Police's recent blitz on the area. This concerns me with respect to the future of 33rd Street, which I think has a quirky character, a lot of potential, and seemed to be on a slight upswing. I always thought (hoped) that the business owners on 33rd should be getting together to form a BID, get in line for streetscape improvements a few years down the road, among other efforts to improve their district...

Relocating problem no answer
By Jordon Cooper, The StarPhoenix September 6, 2011

While driving to work last Tuesday, I got ensnared in the road construction and traffic backups on 22nd Street.

After navigating part of Caswell Hill, I managed to get across 22nd at Avenue M. As I was stopped on 20th Street, I was approached by a young woman who offered sex for money. It was 8: 20 a.m.

As I ignored her and turned left on 20th Street, the contrast couldn't have been more stark. Riversdale is going through a rebirth and economic revival, yet here was a woman prostituting herself when she probably should have been attending school.

Two years ago, I walked down 20th Street with a camera. Looking back at my photos, I am amazed at the changes in the area since those photos were taken.

The city has improved the streetscaping. Shift Developments made an investment with The Two Twenty and Collective Coffee. New restaurants have opened up, others have reinvented themselves, or are moving in. The Friendship Inn has had a successful building campaign and features a new Rider green façade that looks great.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Relocating+problem+answer/5356051/story.html#ixzz1XCnMW7Rl

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

Cuz Saskatoon doesn't have enough burger and beer joints, oh an another Tim Horton's is coming. We could always use more of those.

Tim Hortons to Saskatoon is what Starbucks is to Vancouver.

Speaking of Starbucks, apparently there is a new one going in on 8th and Louise. My friend might have gotten Louise wrong, but its on 8th anyway.
That will be 3 (4 if you count Safeway) Starbucks for 8th St. Matching the amount of Tims, for now.

[youngregina]

Originally Posted by GTR200

I see the twins have added some floors aha. It would have been so great if they had been built that tall to begin with.. Or am i just having an optical illusion on my end of things.

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

As much as I am trying to think otherwise I just think that Holiday Inn is butt ugly. Looks like it belongs in China or North Korea or something where everything is just concrete and windows.

I hope I don't come off sounding to pompous and overly critical. And I Certainly have no allegiance to Holiday Inn. But I do read alot of commentary about the new Holiday Inn being built in Saskatoon. And none I have read is complimentary to the actual building.

Maybe not too many people here have stayed in a Holiday Inn. Because no matter where you go I don't think you are gonna find too many Holiday Inn's that are gonna make the cover of Architectural Digest.

Anytime I've stayed in a Holiday Inn the experience has always been good. The rooms are clean and they seem to be well run. But I don't think most of them could be classified as a five star hotel.

They're just not that type of Hotel. Maybe the question to be asking is "Is having a Holiday Inn on the ground it is occupying better than what was there before?"

[Dino35]

Originally Posted by Dillweed

I hope I don't come off sounding to pompous and overly critical. And I Certainly have no allegiance to Holiday Inn. But I do read alot of commentary about the new Holiday Inn being built in Saskatoon. And none I have read is complimentary to the actual building.

Maybe not too many people here have stayed in a Holiday Inn. Because no matter where you go I don't think you are gonna find too many Holiday Inn's that are gonna make the cover of Architectural Digest.

Anytime I've stayed in a Holiday Inn the experience has always been good. The rooms are clean and they seem to be well run. But I don't think most of them could be classified as a five star hotel.

They're just not that type of Hotel. Maybe the question to be asking is "Is having a Holiday Inn on the ground it is occupying better than what was there before?"

Well said. I didnt see anyone else making an effort to build something on that land. Anything that will allow more people to stay in the downtown core is a bonus, regardless of what people think it should have looked like.

[drm310]

I'm just disappointed that for all the time and effort that was put into making a local area plan for the Warehouse District, the resulting development negates its principles. What's the use of making a plan if you have no intention of following it?

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Comm...trict%20LAP/warehouse_district_final.pdf

Originally Posted by Dino35

Well said. I didnt see anyone else making an effort to build something on that land. Anything that will allow more people to stay in the downtown core is a bonus, regardless of what people think it should have looked like.