Saskatoon Construction II

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by WoodlandCritter

I have been on site visits here while under completion over the past few months. I can tell you that the reason the street level looks like that is because of the client not the architects. Originally more was planned for street level but the client insisted on more parking for his tennants. Hence, the whole main floor is parking and the little glass facade front area is the lobby that you can see. In the end the person paying the bills and for the project has the last say. Sad yes. But I can tell you the view from the top floor is great overlooking the warehouse district. It is really a nice building inside.

Yes, I've heard that was the case. Often people are quick to blame the architect, but they are limited by the constraints/demands of their client.

Just another reminder that we need a design review process for Downtown. I'm sure it's coming with the City Centre Plan.

Originally Posted by casper

They don't have to look that hard to find a potential projects to buy/lease:
- 2seven5 184,000
- River Landing 240,000
- 141 Pacific Ave 100,000 (however just add a few more floors)

PLEEEEAASSSEE not that monstrosity.

And don't forget River Centre II.... It will be right across the street from all the space in River Centre I that BHP just leased.

If there is truth to these rumours, then this is very good news.

[Yeff]

They finally have a tenant for the food court at the Scotia Centre, la prep is opening a franchise this fall. The common areas are now mostly completed and the washrooms are almost complete. The exterior is also going to be updated with the canopies coming down and new signage going up on both 1st and 2nd Avenues this fall.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Yeff

They finally have a tenant for the food court at the Scotia Centre, la prep is opening a franchise this fall. The common areas are now mostly completed and the washrooms are almost complete. The exterior is also going to be updated with the canopies coming down and new signage going up on both 1st and 2nd Avenues this fall.

Excellent. I can't wait for the teal green canopies to be relegated back to the 90s where they belong. I hope they keep the neon Scotia Centre signage though, but not in hot pink.

la prep looks like it could be interesting. Thanks Yeff.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by WoodlandCritter

I have been on site visits here while under completion over the past few months. I can tell you that the reason the street level looks like that is because of the client not the architects. Originally more was planned for street level but the client insisted on more parking for his tennants. Hence, the whole main floor is parking and the little glass facade front area is the lobby that you can see. In the end the person paying the bills and for the project has the last say. Sad yes. But I can tell you the view from the top floor is great overlooking the warehouse district. It is really a nice building inside.

That is accurate. The main reason the building exists is to provide more parking for the accounting firm that will be occupying most of its space. Their current location on 4th Ave doesn't offer many parking opportunities for out of town clients, let alone employees. It is too bad the design isn't more urban, though. The building also lacks showers as well, so biking to work will be an issue for those who work in the building (though it's unlikely any do). Staff are set to move into the building over the couse of the weekend. It will be good having some more people in that area of the downtown!

e: I didn't see this mentioned: http://www.jordoncooper.com/2012/08/the-holiday-inn/

[casper]

Originally Posted by Cicero

That is accurate. The main reason the building exists is to provide more parking for the accounting firm that will be occupying most of its space. Their current location on 4th Ave doesn't offer many parking opportunities for out of town clients, let alone employees. It is too bad the design isn't more urban, though. The building also lacks showers as well, so biking to work will be an issue for those who work in the building (though it's unlikely any do). Staff are set to move into the building over the couse of the weekend. It will be good having some more people in that area of the downtown!

If the main problem the owner/tenant was trying to solve was the lack of parking, it could have been a lot worse. We have several buildings downtown that have several floor or parking with a few floors of office space above. This one at least looks more like a building with the parking hidden inside.

[jrochest]

I'm a prof at the UofS, and I've been on sabbatical in Toronto for a year (more, actually). I'm moving back home, and I need to ship boxes of books, clothes and kitchen stuff - no furniture (except lamps and pictures).

When I came, I drove out in a cargo van -- not a cube van, but the small Ford Econoline, the kind with a sliding side door. The van was full, but I've gotten rid of the furniture -- the bed, the chairs, the small side tables -- and so it's less space than that now.

It's about 1,000 pounds: I have weighed all the boxes that are currently packed, and I'm sure it will be under 1500 at the most, since it's currently 600 pounds. Depends on the weight of the kitchen stuff.

I was thinking about shipping it all via Greyhound, but a 40 pound box is 50 plus bucks, and that's going to be very, very expensive! I'd love to get a container shipper -- Pods or something similar, the little jobbies that they deliver to your house and then pick up with a truck and ship across the country -- but most of these don't deliver from Toronto to Saskatoon (most of them go to Alberta).

So: two questions

1) does anyone know the name of a 'container shipper' or a 'less than truckload shipper' that will ship to Saskatoon?

2) does anyone know the name of a local 'pods' company? I know I've seen them being used in Saskatoon, but none of the major national companies will deliver in the province. Maybe if I talk to a local company I can figure out how to get my stuff there....without spending 3 grand to ship it with a mover.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by jrochest

I'm a prof at the UofS, and I've been on sabbatical in Toronto for a year (more, actually). I'm moving back home, and I need to ship boxes of books, clothes and kitchen stuff - no furniture (except lamps and pictures).

When I came, I drove out in a cargo van -- not a cube van, but the small Ford Econoline, the kind with a sliding side door. The van was full, but I've gotten rid of the furniture -- the bed, the chairs, the small side tables -- and so it's less space than that now.

It's about 1,000 pounds: I have weighed all the boxes that are currently packed, and I'm sure it will be under 1500 at the most, since it's currently 600 pounds. Depends on the weight of the kitchen stuff.

I was thinking about shipping it all via Greyhound, but a 40 pound box is 50 plus bucks, and that's going to be very, very expensive! I'd love to get a container shipper -- Pods or something similar, the little jobbies that they deliver to your house and then pick up with a truck and ship across the country -- but most of these don't deliver from Toronto to Saskatoon (most of them go to Alberta).

So: two questions

1) does anyone know the name of a 'container shipper' or a 'less than truckload shipper' that will ship to Saskatoon?

2) does anyone know the name of a local 'pods' company? I know I've seen them being used in Saskatoon, but none of the major national companies will deliver in the province. Maybe if I talk to a local company I can figure out how to get my stuff there....without spending 3 grand to ship it with a mover.

Maybe try http://www.yrc.com/ Years ago when they were operating as Yellow Freight I had an engine shipped from California to my home address for a reasonable price. The trailer had a liftgate so unloading was a breeze.

[jrochest]

Thanks! I'll give them a try -- although the shipping companies often refuse to ship 'personal effects'.

[chrisallard5454]

Originally Posted by jrochest

Thanks! I'll give them a try -- although the shipping companies often refuse to ship 'personal effects'.

Why is that? I am trying to have my stuff shipped to Winnipeg on a skid, and so far every company has declined my request with that exact message. If packaged properly, why would personal effects be a problem? I have heard that Fed Ex ships personal items on a skid, so I am going to try them next.

[casper]

Originally Posted by jrochest

I'm a prof at the UofS, and I've been on sabbatical in Toronto for a year (more, actually). I'm moving back home, and I need to ship boxes of books, clothes and kitchen stuff - no furniture (except lamps and pictures).

When I came, I drove out in a cargo van -- not a cube van, but the small Ford Econoline, the kind with a sliding side door. The van was full, but I've gotten rid of the furniture -- the bed, the chairs, the small side tables -- and so it's less space than that now.

It's about 1,000 pounds: I have weighed all the boxes that are currently packed, and I'm sure it will be under 1500 at the most, since it's currently 600 pounds. Depends on the weight of the kitchen stuff.

I was thinking about shipping it all via Greyhound, but a 40 pound box is 50 plus bucks, and that's going to be very, very expensive! I'd love to get a container shipper -- Pods or something similar, the little jobbies that they deliver to your house and then pick up with a truck and ship across the country -- but most of these don't deliver from Toronto to Saskatoon (most of them go to Alberta).

There is a Canadian association of Universities that negotiates special rates for hotels, car rental, via rail and moving companies. The UofS is a member so UofS staff can get the discounted rates. You may want to get an estimate from them:
http://www.caubo.ca/supplier_contracts/moving

If you are not driving back another option you might want to try is Via rail. On the main Via Rail web site the search engine gives you the regular prices, however on the left hand side there is an icon for "Express Deals Up to 75% off" that provides discounted rates on some trips from "Toronto to Saskatoon" route or a combined route of "Toronto - Winnipeg" and "Winnipeg-Saskatoon". Baggage allowance is Free - 3 x 50 lb; another 3 x 50 lb at $20 each. Not certain what happens after 6 bags.

[TheCricket]

I am in Vet Med and we use West Jet Cargo... send me a private message if you want the guys name who does all of our cargo shipments and he can likely give you a quote.

Originally Posted by Ruckus

Maybe try http://www.yrc.com/ Years ago when they were operating as Yellow Freight I had an engine shipped from California to my home address for a reasonable price. The trailer had a liftgate so unloading was a breeze.

[Brutopian]

Judging by these reviews, it looks like the James Hotel is having considerable success in carving out a niche as Saskatoon's premier hotel experience. My wife and I are planning a 2-night stay at the James (even though we live in Saskatoon) just to try it out. Has anyone else on the forum yet had an opportunity to stay at the James?

[Irvin]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Judging by these reviews, it looks like the James Hotel is having considerable success in carving out a niche as Saskatoon's premier hotel experience. My wife and I are planning a 2-night stay at the James (even though we live in Saskatoon) just to try it out. Has anyone else on the forum yet had an opportunity to stay at the James?

I have stayed at the James on 2 separate occassions, lovely place, very adult oriented - wouldn't appeal to families as much. Rooms are well appointed, what probably impressed me the most is the ambience the hotel has and the chef attended breakfasts - I'm always looking for food options that are healthy and the mini buffet breakfast suited me just fine. I really think Saskatoon has a gem here.

[prairieguy]

I have also had the opportunity to spend a weekend at The James with my wife and agree it is a more adult orientated hotel (which is great!). The breakfast was fantastic and the bed was very comfortable with fantastic luxurious sheets...didn't know sheets could make that much of a difference. Well appointed rooms with great lounging couch. We really made our weekend like a mini-vacation in a different city. Parked the car and walked everywhere. Went for a run along the trail...walked down for ice cream at the bus...2 evening meals out (2nd Ave Grill and Tusq)....beer and snacks at Hudson outdoor patio...shopping along 2nd Ave at some of the smaller independent stores....really made us appreciate the ambience of Saskatoon's downtown. Enjoy!!!

[nook]

The sign is up for Cora's at Preston Crossing. Link to see what Cora's is all about, if you don't know already. So for that complex, it looks like they have 5 spots, and we know that GAP, Banana Republic and Cora's will occupy 3 spots. I wonder what the other two are.

[drm310]

None of the Circle Drive webcams (www.circledrive.ca) are working now. What gives?

[TheCricket]

Just an FYI... I drove past Shoppers Drug Mart in Preston Crossing yesterday and noticed that effective September 7, 2012 the store would be closed.

A very unusual move for Shoppers, but having worked for them in a management capacity for a couple of years, I know that this location was not an ideal “drug store” location and now that there is a location in Willowgrove, which is more typical of your “neighbourhood” Shoppers Drug Mart, it makes less sense to keep a smaller and cramped store when they can have a much larger one just up the road which offers a more diverse product mix than Preston Crossing could ever hope to put in their four walls.

[nook]

Originally Posted by TheCricket

Just an FYI... I drove past Shoppers Drug Mart in Preston Crossing yesterday and noticed that effective September 7, 2012 the store would be closed.

A very unusual move for Shoppers, but having worked for them in a management capacity for a couple of years, I know that this location was not an ideal “drug store” location and now that there is a location in Willowgrove, which is more typical of your “neighbourhood” Shoppers Drug Mart, it makes less sense to keep a smaller and cramped store when they can have a much larger one just up the road which offers a more diverse product mix than Preston Crossing could ever hope to put in their four walls.

I noticed that today as well. I, too, figured that since the Preston Crossing Shoppers is a lot more inaccessible to the surrounding residential area (compared to the one in University Heights) they probably didn't get a whole lot of customers. Anyone living south of College Dr. will probably to go the one on 8th, and anyone in Forest Grove, Willowgrove, University Heights, Erindale, Arbor Creek and Evergreen would go to the new one at the University Heights area. Not a huge customer base.

I wonder what they will try and put in the newly vacated space.

[kaili80]

Originally Posted by nook

The sign is up for Cora's at Preston Crossing. Link to see what Cora's is all about, if you don't know already. So for that complex, it looks like they have 5 spots, and we know that GAP, Banana Republic and Cora's will occupy 3 spots. I wonder what the other two are.

There's new on the StarPhoenix about the 7 stores that are opening in that new building before Christmas. http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Developmen...Republic+among+others/7124590/story.html

[nook]

Originally Posted by kaili80

There's new on the StarPhoenix about the 7 stores that are opening in that new building before Christmas. http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Developmen...Republic+among+others/7124590/story.html

River City Sports is awesome. I love going there when I'm in Regina. I'm surprised it's taken them so long to set up a River City Sports in the River City.

Seems... uh, obvious.