Saskatoon Construction II

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

Thanks for the pics Jerry! Those Panasonics are really nice. Can't go wrong with a big zoom

I've only had mine for awhile but am really enjoying it. Technology has come a long way .

I noticed you also have a new zoom and its bigger than mine.

[Jerry]

First 'green bridge' approved
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix May 15, 2012 2:06 AM



A $2.7-million landscaped pedestrian and cycling overpass - touted as Saskatoon's first "green bridge" - will connect both sides of the Evergreen neighbourhood.

On Monday, city council approved a $330,000 contract with engineering firm Hatch Mott MacDonald to design and manage the construction of the McOrmond Drive Green Bridge.

The construction of the bridge - expected to be completed in 2013 - is estimated at $2.7 million, which is paid for through Evergreen lot sales and land development fees. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/First+green+bridge+approved/6621427/story.html#ixzz1uwDFdJmb

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Thanks for the pics, Jerry! Saskatoon is sure looking good from here!



Anyway, like yeah! Not enough time on my hands! Seriously!! From that list (the link provided by The Bess from this forum from the other day), I’ve sorted, isolated and posted the projects located in Regina and Saskatoon in their respective forums, if anyone is interested. I did not include nearby projects, just ones listed in Regina and Saskatoon, and this list may not be comprehensive. Sorry, can’t format tables in this silly forum editor, so I’ve highlighted a couple of columns for each item listed, if that makes navigating this chart any easier!

..................

Hey Scruff Bucket, thanks for taking the time to do this. I'm amazed at the number of projects.

[Echoes]

A few photos that I snapped quickly last week.... (with a camera phone far inferior to Jerry's and Ruckus's gadgets )

River Centre's cladding looking good in the sunshine from 2nd Ave and 21st St:


BHP's Canadian HQ looking sharp in the sunshine as well:

[CCF]

What's on the main floor of the bhp building? Or is it more offices?

[zachjeffries]

Originally Posted by CCF

What's on the main floor of the bhp building? Or is it more offices?

Initially there was talk of some sort of retail on the main floor, but it's just offices. I'm looking forward to the day when new downtown projects are required to have street level activity.

[CCF]

Originally Posted by zachjeffries

Initially there was talk of some sort of retail on the main floor, but it's just offices. I'm looking forward to the day when new downtown projects are required to have street level activity.

Yeah - that's unfortunate. Doesn't generate any sort of activity.

Restaurants/retail are the preferred option because they can spill onto the sidewalk, that being said, retail/restaurants can't go everywhere in the downtown - there just isn't the demand for it. At the bare minimum however, there should be offices that do generate some activity at grade i.e. banks, travel agents, insurance agencies. Businesses that have an interaction with customers throughout the day.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Jerry

I've only had mine for awhile but am really enjoying it. Technology has come a long way .

I noticed you also have a new zoom and its bigger than mine.

Totally. You were shooting with a Leica before eh? That's a handsome upgrade!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Thanks for the pics, Jerry! Saskatoon is sure looking good from here!



Anyway, like yeah! Not enough time on my hands! Seriously!! From that list (the link provided by The Bess from this forum from the other day), I’ve sorted, isolated and posted the projects located in Regina and Saskatoon in their respective forums, if anyone is interested. I did not include nearby projects, just ones listed in Regina and Saskatoon, and this list may not be comprehensive. Sorry, can’t format tables in this silly forum editor, so I’ve highlighted a couple of columns for each item listed, if that makes navigating this chart any easier!

[....]

Those are interesting figures. Thanks Scruff Bucket!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Echoes

A few photos that I snapped quickly last week.... (with a camera phone far inferior to Jerry's and Ruckus's gadgets )

haha, I think camera phone photos are just as good in their own sort of way

[Jerry]

What we have all been waiting for.

_______________________________________________________

Plans submitted for megaproject
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix May 16, 2012 3:03 AM


The landmark $250-million River Landing hotel-condo-office project will be under construction by late summer if the development is approved by city council in July.

Victory Majors Investments Corp. and Cavalier Enterprises submitted detailed plans this week to city hall for a development permit.

The plans will now be vetted by city staff to ensure the project meets the vision set out for River Landing and the architectural controls in place for the area.

The developer's plans, alongside a city report, will go before city council and the Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA) in July for approval.

"I don't anticipate any issues," said Tim Steuart, a senior planner with the city. "We've been involved and consulting with (Victory Majors) all along."

The megaproject on Saskatoon's riverfront Parcel Y is considered one of the most valuable pieces of real estate around. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Plans+submitted+megaproject/6628104/story.html#ixzz1v1MTkOvK

[casper]

Originally Posted by Jerry

What we have all been waiting for.

_______________________________________________________

Plans submitted for megaproject
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix May 16, 2012 3:03 AM


The landmark $250-million River Landing hotel-condo-office project will be under construction by late summer if the development is approved by city council in July.

The megaproject on Saskatoon's riverfront Parcel Y is considered one of the most valuable pieces of real estate around. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Plans+submitted+megaproject/6628104/story.html#ixzz1v1MTkOvK

The quotes I found interested from the article are:

"The project's architects have blended the design with the $84-million Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan project across Second Avenue from the site."

"It will begin with the development of the office complex before the 27-storey residential tower or the full-service hotel get underway, said John Nasser, president of Victory Majors."

and

"Tonko Realty Advisors Ltd., the developer of the $30-million, fivestorey River Centre office complex underway at the corner of 19th Street and Second Avenue, is no longer part of the megaproject, Nasser said. "

This put Tonko and Victor Majors competing for office tenants within a block of each other. Hopefully this means both towers are going up at the same time. More office towers downtown should translate in the long run into more shops, hotels and eventually residential. Not bad.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by casper

"Tonko Realty Advisors Ltd., the developer of the $30-million, fivestorey River Centre office complex underway at the corner of 19th Street and Second Avenue, is no longer part of the megaproject, Nasser said. "

This put Tonko and Victor Majors competing for office tenants within a block of each other. Hopefully this means both towers are going up at the same time. More office towers downtown should translate in the long run into more shops, hotels and eventually residential. Not bad.

I was wondering why Tonko was announcing Phase II of the River Centre when the office tower at Parcel Y was yet to be built. This makes sense now!

Maybe we'll see an office tower showdown on 19th Street.

[prairieguy]

I am glad to see that Echoes and Casper are so optimistic about the potential for both towers from RL and Tonko. I have to admit that when I read that Tonko was no longer a part of the partnership group with Victory Majors I was quite concerned. This provided a very strong partnership base, and reason for optimism, with those two and the Sheraton owners on board. I wonder if Nasser will be looking for another partner to join him?

I hope that your take on this news is correct and that it means both towers will be developed along the same timelines....

I am surprised that it will not be until July that the city anticipates approval of plans, but as other posters on here have stated, I guess it is a complicated process. Looking forward to see more details on anticipated timeline for full project development.

[kalin_10]

Some updated renderings would be great... you know... to peak some curiosity

[Brutopian]

Gallery revives Toon's Kitchen

New space to spotlight local artists

By Stephanie McKay, The StarPhoenix May 16, 2012

An old Riversdale landmark has come home, thanks to the launch of a new gallery space at PAVED Arts. Nestled in the gallery's 20th Street headquarters, the bright red neon of the Toon's Kitchen sign is ablaze.

The Chinese restaurant has been closed since the early 2000s, but staff at PAVED gave the sign new life with the launch of 'Toon's Kitchen,' a video screening room for local artists. It's a move that combines the neighbourhood's urban renewal with an eye to its history.

Biliana Velkova, PAVED's executive director, said a handful of serendipitous moments led to the sign's restoration.

As an artist, Velkova's own work examines the disappearing signs of Saskatoon's urban landscape.

[........]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Gallery+revives+Toon+Kitchen/6628152/story.html#ixzz1v31NoCGJ

[Echoes]

Teaser shot from todays' StarPhoenix:



Compare to earlier conceptual renderings:





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[kgc087]

What I'm concerned about is the fact this condo is going to be all glass. Yes we all want those gleaming high rises but realistically they do not perform in our climate. The condo fees on this baby in about 10 years when it starts to break down are going to sky rocket for repairs. Hopefully it doesn't turn into one huge low income complex. Sorry to be so negative about this but it is a major problem in many northern urban centres!

[Echoes]

The SP put the pic on their site finally:


Source

[Jerry]

Just found another one at the SP thanks to David Hutton.





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