Saskatoon Construction II

[drm310]

The jets may cool on construction with this news...

Jansen potash mine prospects unsure after BHP spending cut
CBC News
Posted: Aug 22, 2012 10:06 AM CST
Last Updated: Aug 22, 2012 10:05 AM CST

The prospect that BHP Billiton will delay development of a $12 billion US potash mine in Saskatchewan remained an open question Wednesday, after the world's biggest mining company announced it was shelving $68 billion in new project approvals.

“With 20 major projects currently in execution with a combined budget of $22.8 billion, BHP Billiton is largely committed for the 2013 financial year. No major project approvals are expected over this timeframe,” BHP said.

“As our current expenditure commitments decline, future capital will be allocated to those options that maximise shareholder value, while also considering the balance between short and long-term returns.” [...]

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2012/08/22/bhp-billiton-jansen.html

[Jerry]

Looks like it's still a go. http://www.globalsaskatoon.com/jansen+potash+mine+still+progressing+bhp/6442701383/story.html

[Brutopian]

Originally Posted by 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!!!

Thanks, Irvin and prairieguy. I appreciate your posts. Makes me want to try out the James Hotel all the more. I like the idea of staying at the James, and then treating the time spent at the hotel as an opportunity to explore Saskatoon like a tourist would. Cool. Thanks again.

[lbird]

Originally Posted by neoen

I've had multiple sources now tell me that BHP is actively looking for a lot downtown (or office space, don't laugh) which will exceed 150,000 square feet for employees.

If true (which I believe it is), this likely would be a tower of some sorts! I wonder if they would ever consider building in the empty lot on 22nd and 3rd, then connect over 3rd ave?

If they are going to something like that, it would be easier to just move out that small-footprint Affinity Credit Union they are next to and expand there.

[dsmmace]

Rumors are that Stantec is taking over on the next phase of construction at BHP. That being said, the next construction phase has not been released.

[chris]

Hey people, what's going on in Saskatoon these days? I know Office Vacancy rates are incredibly low...any plans for a new office tower soon?? Any proposals? Any approved??? I believe Saskatoon hasn't need a new downtown tower in decades!

[nook]

Originally Posted by chris

Hey people, what's going on in Saskatoon these days? I know Office Vacancy rates are incredibly low...any plans for a new office tower soon?? Any proposals? Any approved??? I believe Saskatoon hasn't need a new downtown tower in decades!

Saskatoon needs a new office tower like we didn't need that ugly new Holiday Inn.

Well, we needed the hotel... just not the ugliness of it.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by chris

Hey people, what's going on in Saskatoon these days? I know Office Vacancy rates are incredibly low...any plans for a new office tower soon?? Any proposals? Any approved??? I believe Saskatoon hasn't need a new downtown tower in decades!

Hey Chris, it has indeed been a long time since we've seen an office tower go up in Saskatoon. It looks like the drought will end sooner than later with a few proposals on the table:

1. River Landing Village (15 storey hotel/residential - 17 storey office - 27 storey condo) - Approved - Construction on office tower slated to begin in the new year




Source

2. River Centre II (11 storey office) - Proposed


Source: Saskatoon StarPhoenix, May 5, 2012, pages B4-5

River Centre I (5 stories) is nearing completion (photo from April):


Photo credit: Jerry

3. 275 Second Avenue (12 storey office) - Proposed - Developer with national profile recently acquired the site and is said to be revamping and relaunching the project... possible design/height changes unknown at this point


Source

Smaller projects currently under construction in the Downtown/Warehouse District:

1. Thomson Jaspar Building (4 stories) - nearing completion


Source


Source

2. 220 Wall Street (3 stories) - U/C


Source

[Echoes]

Curbing for the 25th Street extension appears to have now extended east past the intersection with Ontario Avenue. They'll be hitting 1st Avenue in not too long.

http://www.police.saskatoon.sk.ca/index.php?loc=messages/newhq.php

[Brutopian]

Groups fund perimeter highway study

By David Hutton and Keith Moen, The StarPhoenix

August 23, 2012

An alliance of business groups is raising money to examine how a perimeter highway that would bypass Saskatoon could be paid for.

"We're trying to get this project happening sooner rather than later," said Kent Smith-Windsor, executive director of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber, the North Saskatoon Business Association and the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority Inc. are raising money from members to fund a study of financing options in the hopes of expediting the project, which would cut congestion on Circle Drive and allow heavy truck traffic to bypass the city.

The group will issue a call for proposals worldwide to find a firm to study "creative" ways to fund the billion-dollar project and pen an "action plan" to get the perimeter highway moving.

[........]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Group...y+study/7131696/story.html#ixzz24P7l7peF

[20stacky02]

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[20stacky02]

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[20stacky02]

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[nook]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Groups fund perimeter highway study

By David Hutton and Keith Moen, The StarPhoenix

August 23, 2012

An alliance of business groups is raising money to examine how a perimeter highway that would bypass Saskatoon could be paid for.

"We're trying to get this project happening sooner rather than later," said Kent Smith-Windsor, executive director of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber, the North Saskatoon Business Association and the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority Inc. are raising money from members to fund a study of financing options in the hopes of expediting the project, which would cut congestion on Circle Drive and allow heavy truck traffic to bypass the city.

The group will issue a call for proposals worldwide to find a firm to study "creative" ways to fund the billion-dollar project and pen an "action plan" to get the perimeter highway moving.

[........]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Group...y+study/7131696/story.html#ixzz24P7l7peF

Please build the Perimeter Highway. I hate going across town down circle to get to work in the morning... and back after work. Circle Drive is not a freeway, as it's supposed to/should be.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by 20stacky02

I modeled steel for this one too...2 words....gong show!

Could you elaborate (without putting yourself or your company at risk of being sued)?

[chris]

Hey Thanks Echoes!

The first 3 projects look interesting (River Landing Village, River Center II, 275 Second Avenue)...it's just too bad some of those towers are just a dozen stories tall. Saskatoon needs more height!

Question: are all three of these projects located in the Downtown core?

Originally Posted by Echoes

Hey Chris, it has indeed been a long time since we've seen an office tower go up in Saskatoon. It looks like the drought will end sooner than later with a few proposals on the table:

1. River Landing Village (15 storey hotel/residential - 17 storey office - 27 storey condo) - Approved - Construction on office tower slated to begin in the new year




Source

2. River Centre II (11 storey office) - Proposed


Source: Saskatoon StarPhoenix, May 5, 2012, pages B4-5

River Centre I (5 stories) is nearing completion (photo from April):


Photo credit: Jerry

3. 275 Second Avenue (12 storey office) - Proposed - Developer with national profile recently acquired the site and is said to be revamping and relaunching the project... possible design/height changes unknown at this point


Source

Smaller projects currently under construction in the Downtown/Warehouse District:

1. Thomson Jaspar Building (4 stories) - nearing completion


Source


Source

2. 220 Wall Street (3 stories) - U/C


Source

[Cicero]

chris - yes, those three projects you mentioned are all in downtown Saskatoon

[ninipanini]

Anyone out there heard of BlacRock developments?

http://www.blackrockpads.ca/

I've seen a couple of their properties lately but haven't heard much about them... for how often I read about some of the other developers I'm surprised I haven't heard of these guys!

[jrochest]

Originally Posted by casper

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.

Alas, I have to fly; don't have the time, and I also have pets with me. And the 'special rates' for faculty and staff are minimal discounts on very high prices: 2600 instead of 3000 to move 20 boxes.

[Roquentin]

Apropos of nothing, the courthouse expansion is well underway. Judging from the rendering of it posted onsite and the way it's looking so far, it should be a nice addition to that stretch of Spadina.

The past short while has seen an impressive boom of small office buildings. Onwards and upwards, I say!