Saskatoon Construction II

[drm310]

Why are they refacing the Modern Press building? It is one of the few Streamline Moderne buildings left in town, and now its architectural value will be destroyed.

Originally Posted by Cicero

It looks like the Modern Press building next to it is getting a matching facade too. One parking lot down, 10,000 to go.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by drm310

Why are they refacing the Modern Press building? It is one of the few Streamline Moderne buildings left in town, and now its architectural value will be destroyed.

Agreed with you there! Leave the Modern Press alone, Ken.

[Jerry]

For those that may be interested.

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Design Week Saskatoon kicks off tonight with a lecture by Bruce Kuwabara
2011-11-14
Tonight is the opening night of Design Week in Saskatoon, and to mark the occasion, Bruce Kuwabara of Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects will deliver a lecture at 7:00pm at the Saskatoon Farmers' Market.

Based in Toronto, the KPMB design team will give a presentation on the architectural inspiration, thought processes, and vision for the new Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan project at River Landing.

The event will conclude with a cocktail reception.

For more information, please visit www.designcouncil.sk.ca.

Source

[The Bess]

originally posted by echoes
Agreed with you there! Leave the Modern Press alone, Ken.

It looks like to me all they did was repaint and update windows but could be wrong

I am of aware at least one other low rise office building that's a go for a downtown parking lot. This one will also be of a high design and material quality. It's a real looker! That's all I can share for now.

now that hurts, wish could share more

[skSK]

^^Agreed!

Maybe we can turn this into a guessing game? Let us know if we are getting warmer/colder based on geographic location? Next to the Drinkle Building on 3rd and 23rd?

[Echoes]

^ You're cold! Very cold!

Give it a month or two and I expect we'll see some sort of formal announcement and/or construction activity.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by skSK

^^Agreed!

Maybe we can turn this into a guessing game? Let us know if we are getting warmer/colder based on geographic location? Next to the Drinkle Building on 3rd and 23rd?

In my imagination I'm holding that lot out for Cameco's future signature office tower! (3rd and 22nd)

[skSK]

Originally Posted by Echoes

In my imagination I'm holding that lot out for Cameco's future signature office tower! (3rd and 22nd)

Ah yes... sorry, I sometimes get confused keeping track of all the parking lots we have downtown.

At any rate, hopefully the bare lots on 3rd will soon get built on as the streetscaping work continues. I personally love how 3rd's buildings have seem to become enhanced... the intersection with the old Eaton's building, the Avenue building, the Senator, and the Birks building has got to be one of my favourite corners.

But, I digress... is it somewhere in the warehouse district?

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by drm310

Why are they refacing the Modern Press building? It is one of the few Streamline Moderne buildings left in town, and now its architectural value will be destroyed.

As was already pointed out, it just looks like a paint job. I used the word facade too loosely (aka wrongly). And my information is based entirely off the picture posted, so you can judge for yourself what's being done to the Mondern Pressn building.

Also, thanks to those putting those 2 - 3 years it's taken to sell the Rumley lofts in perspective.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by skSK

Ah yes... sorry, I sometimes get confused keeping track of all the parking lots we have downtown.

At any rate, hopefully the bare lots on 3rd will soon get built on as the streetscaping work continues. I personally love how 3rd's buildings have seem to become enhanced... the intersection with the old Eaton's building, the Avenue building, the Senator, and the Birks building has got to be one of my favourite corners.

But, I digress... is it somewhere in the warehouse district?

You're warm.

(And I agree with you on 21st and 3rd... my favourite intersection in the city bar none.)

[The Bess]

How about 22nd and idylwild

[prairieguy]

I noticed a while back that ICR(?) put up a replacement billboard for a potential office building on an empty lot between the Obasa building on 21st and 4th ave(where Thomas Cook Travel office is on main floor) and the Tusq restaurant building. The proposed building looks to be an attractive 8 floor office building and would provide a nice in-fill for that area. There had been a sign up for that development for years, but I have to wonder that with a 'new' sign up, if there might be some renewed interest in proceeding with this??

On another matter....I have tried to be patient on this, but shouldn't the whole River Landing Nasser development be going before council soon for his proposed amendments? Also, did I also hear somewhere that he is proposing phasing the development and constructing the key pieces (hotel, business/offce, condo) over time??

[skSK]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I noticed a while back that ICR(?) put up a replacement billboard for a potential office building on an empty lot between the Obasa building on 21st and 4th ave(where Thomas Cook Travel office is on main floor) and the Tusq restaurant building. The proposed building looks to be an attractive 8 floor office building and would provide a nice in-fill for that area. There had been a sign up for that development for years, but I have to wonder that with a 'new' sign up, if there might be some renewed interest in proceeding with this??

Hmm that'd be exciting! It's an attractive building in a busy area, and the old sign (looking on Google Maps) says it will have heated underground parking... I wonder if it will get going this time.

[Jerry]

'Atlas' looks at downtown life

Saskatoon's downtown core is home to 2,600 residents, but just 25 children. The wider city centre region contains 108 restaurants, 52 night clubs and bars, 6,400 trees and 1,633 bench seats. These tidbits and more are contained in a new report that is intended to act as a guide for future downtown planning

By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix November 16, 2011 2:08 AM

Only 25 children live in Saskatoon's core downtown. The city centre has fewer people per square kilometre than any other city measured in Canada. There are 1,100 fewer people living in the downtown than in 1941.[...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Atlas+looks+downtown+life/5716628/story.html#ixzz1drRNUfcX

[Jerry]

Green roof considered for art gallery;
Roofs not ‘justifiable’ based on energy savings alone, report says
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix November 15, 2011

The city is considering a “green” roof on the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, which would form a case study for their use on other civic buildings. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Gre...rt+says/5715748/story.html#ixzz1drQHWtCU

[Echoes]

The crane for the new Police HQ is going up right now.

As I came across the University Bridge and up 25th Street this morning I could see that from the crane's position, framed at the end of the street, the police building should form a visual terminus of sorts for 25th Street before it curves southwest towards Idylwyld.

That brings the downtown crane count back to three.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Jerry

'Atlas' looks at downtown life

Saskatoon's downtown core is home to 2,600 residents, but just 25 children. The wider city centre region contains 108 restaurants, 52 night clubs and bars, 6,400 trees and 1,633 bench seats. These tidbits and more are contained in a new report that is intended to act as a guide for future downtown planning

By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix November 16, 2011 2:08 AM

Only 25 children live in Saskatoon's core downtown. The city centre has fewer people per square kilometre than any other city measured in Canada. There are 1,100 fewer people living in the downtown than in 1941.[...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Atlas+looks+downtown+life/5716628/story.html#ixzz1drRNUfcX

The actual document, 'Public Spaces, Activity and Urban Form' is now posted on the City Clerk's page: http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/City...%20and%20Publications/CityCentrePlan.pdf

It's a fascinating and exhaustive encyclopedia of our city centre!

On a related note, I noticed that on yesterday's agenda of a City committee, the Planning & Operations Committee, there was a report recommending that administration proceed immediately with preparing the City Centre Plan, which was originally intended to be Phase 4 of the project and follow Phase 3: The Civic Plaza Area Masterplan. The Civic Plaza Area Masterplan will now be done last as there's still ongoing questions about what's happening with: the Library expansion, downtown Transit Mall, old Police HQ, etc.

Phase 1 (the document referred to above) and Phase 2 (Saskatoon Speaks) are already complete.

[prairieguy]

I think what is a bit disappointing is that the Public Spaces, activity and urban form document made reference to potential programs or developments that would enhance downtown that the city failed to include recently. One of those recommendations was for dedicated bike lanes in the core area. Well, we have just undergone a streetscape improvment project along 3rd Ave where the city had an opportunity to do some really creative modifications for a dedicated bike line, but all we got was the ridiculuous "shared" bike lanes. Our city really needs to start implementing recommendations it pays big dollars to receive.

Just from the synopsis of this report as provided in the Star Phoenix, it looks like there are a good number of very positive recommendations...but...will we ever see the City adhere to these??

I was also glad to read that it at least looks like the City will continue with the 'green roof' element for the SAG (Sask Art Gallery), even though it may not be a 'revenue neutral' feature. Thank goodness someone is realizing that along with some energy saving aspects to this feature that there are a whole host of other benefits that make this a good investment for the community!

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by Echoes

The actual document, 'Public Spaces, Activity and Urban Form' is now posted on the City Clerk's page: http://backoffice/DEPARTMENTS/City%20Cle...%20and%20Publications/CityCentrePlan.pdf

It's a fascinating and exhaustive encyclopedia of our city centre!

On a related note, I noticed that on yesterday's agenda of a City committee, the Planning & Operations Committee, there was a report recommending that administration proceed immediately with preparing the City Centre Plan, which was originally intended to be Phase 4 of the project and follow Phase 3: The Civic Plaza Area Masterplan. The Civic Plaza Area Masterplan will now be done last as there's still ongoing questions about what's happening with: the Library expansion, downtown Transit Mall, old Police HQ, etc.

Phase 1 (the document referred to above) and Phase 2 (Saskatoon Speaks) are already complete.

This plan is an amazing asset for the city and a HUGE step in the right direction. I'm fascinated by the laneway improvement plan, it would create a very vibrant, pedestrian oriented city centre. I'm curious as to what sort of covered spaces were thought of for along the river. Right now, I would say most people avoid all covered spaces along the river b/c of safety. It would be interesting to see what would be developed in response to this. As for the library, I have a feeling this will be some horrid drawn out process just like riverlanding. It would be interesting to see something creative like old shipping containers with clear glazing or perforations into the metal for the new structure. Canteliever that over the road with a green roof that's accessible from street level and voila! new library.

[Morogolus]

Here's a working link to the document being discussed.

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Comm...CityCentrePlan/Pages/CityCentrePlan.aspx