Saskatoon Construction II

[macca]

Colliers 2012 Q4 Office Market Report
http://www.collierscanada.com/en/Offices...askatoon%20Office%20Market%20Report.ashx

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Local developer predicts future of north downtown expansion
25th Street connection to Idylwyld, biggest thing since Midtown Plaza

So much talk about parking - maybe not in that article, but in general. And the options for parking in this city seem to be gravel surface lots or complaining. I know I'm oversimplifying here but isn't there a cookie cutter structure that can be used to provide a multilevel (or even 2 level) parkade? Wouldn't a decent public parking STRUCTURE be a godsend to all those complaining about lack of parking? Is that too much up front for Impark? Or is Impark truly a land flipping company?

tl;dr Why isn't anybody building parkades in Saskatoon?

[The S'toon Goon]

I am pretty excited about the potential of the North Downtown. It is extremely needed. There will always be a need for new housing and new neighbourhoods and building outwards will always happen, but if we can slow the current pace down by taking advantage of an extremely well located development then let's get started! I understand sufficient planning needs to happen, but let's move it along as quickly as possible.

Parking in downtown is an issue, but it is an issue in every major city. Building some parkades would help. But so would effective public transportation. I know the city is too small for an LRT when you look at population, but for the area the city covers I would say we are on par with many other cities that have them. I hope the new bus system works well, but until the stigma of riding the bus changes, I can't see the usage really changing.

[Jerry]

Saskatoon sells portion of River Landing for $4.1M
Parcel A lies beside Farmer's Market on 19th Street

Reported by Karin Yeske
First Posted: Jan 25, 2013 2:08pm | Last Updated: Jan 25, 2013 2:20pm


The City of Saskatoon has sold a portion of land in River Landing for $4.126 million.

The bid was submitted by Colliers McClocklin, a local real estate company, on behalf of their client. [...]


Read more : http://www.newstalk650.com/story/saskatoon-seels-portion-river-landing-41m/93594

[Devon]

Divine on Broadway has closed, and within a couple days it has been completely cleared out.

[111ddd]

i have been parking in the impark lot next to the galaxy theatre during the workday recently. its a large lot and i would say it is maybe 20% occupied during the day. it is $8.50 per day.

based on this observation, i would say there isn't a serious parking problem downtown. the problem is likely that people are not willing to walk 2 or 3 blocks from their parking spot to their destination.

[casper]

Originally Posted by 111ddd

i have been parking in the impark lot next to the galaxy theatre during the workday recently. its a large lot and i would say it is maybe 20% occupied during the day. it is $8.50 per day.

based on this observation, i would say there isn't a serious parking problem downtown. the problem is likely that people are not willing to walk 2 or 3 blocks from their parking spot to their destination.

I don't regularly work downtown, however from time to time I am in meetings downtown. The centrally located lots are always full, the ones that are a block or two away have spaces.

It will eventually become a problem once all those new building are built and the lots go away.

[Brutopian]

P3 efficient path to building city

By Murray Totland, The StarPhoenix

January 25, 2013

Totland is Saskatoon's City Manager.

Among the cities confronted with challenges of infrastructure investment and growth, Saskatoon stands above many of its peers.

We are the fastest growing population centre in Canada, according to the latest census data. We are a magnet for new and growing businesses. Thanks to new and expanding industries relocating to our region, Saskatoon is projected to lead the country in real GDP growth.

Our expanding population and strong economy is putting Saskatoon on the map. It is also putting added pressure on our city's investment in infrastructure.

Saskatoon is addressing this challenge from a position of fiscal strength. We are on track to earn another AAA credit rating from the international bond-rating agency, Standard & Poor's, continuing a trend that began more than a decade ago and which reflects Saskatoon's healthy financial position and approach to debt management.

Each one of our large-scale projects - either underway or on the horizon - has a balanced and sustainable financing plan that draws on a mix of revenue sources, many with significant contributions from the federal and provincial governments.

We have new and innovative financing tools in our tool box, such as P3 (public-private partnership) procurement, which allow us to invest in key projects that need to proceed in order to ensure Saskatoon continues to be a great place to live.

The recently announced Civic Operations Centre (COC) is one such investment. The COC and surrounding site will be developed in phases, consolidating key city operations and services.

[........]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/efficient+path+building+city/7870241/story.html#ixzz2J34SuQtN

[Jerry]

Victoria-based developer buys prime land at River Landing

By Jeff Davis, The StarPhoenix January 26, 2013 8:28 AM


A prime 1.4-acre piece of real estate at River Landing has been sold for $4.13 million to a Victoria, B.C.,-based developer specializing in posh condominiums and resorts.

River Landing Parcel A, which is a temporary parking lot, lies west of the Saskatoon Farmers' Market building. It is on 19th Street West bordered by avenues B and C.

The parcel sold after a public tender process closed Thursday evening, City of Saskatoon officials said, exceeding the minimum re-serve price of $3.97 million for the property.

The land was bought by Chris LeFevre of LeFevre & Co., which is based in Victoria. It has developed properties in Victoria and various resorts in B.C. LeFevre's was the only bid received. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/V...Landing/7876043/story.html#ixzz2J6XIdak6



Website for LeFevre & Co. > http://www.lefevregroup.com/

[nook]

Originally Posted by shmakim

So much talk about parking - maybe not in that article, but in general. And the options for parking in this city seem to be gravel surface lots or complaining. I know I'm oversimplifying here but isn't there a cookie cutter structure that can be used to provide a multilevel (or even 2 level) parkade? Wouldn't a decent public parking STRUCTURE be a godsend to all those complaining about lack of parking? Is that too much up front for Impark? Or is Impark truly a land flipping company?

tl;dr Why isn't anybody building parkades in Saskatoon?

We used to have one on 2nd and 24th... now that's just a paved surface lot.

[jw6969]

Regina person here. (shit-storm button start)

To the people who are complaining about not enough parking downtown. Fuck off. Go to the suburbs/big box stores. Learn to walk if you don't like it. I'm a person who weigh 225 pounds and have absolutely no problem walking 6 blocks in minus 30 to 40 weather. Its called a jacket. Wear it. The last thing our downtown's (all Saskatchewan town/cities) needs is an excuse to demolish more buildings for gravel parking lots. This is the sort of thing that sets me off. Makes me very mad. Especially when I see all the building we used to have in Regina (Facebook Vintage Regina). Downtown's are for walking, not driving even thew in Regina they fucked up a street that should have remained for traffic. Parkades are fines as long as there hidden. I have always thought that the midtown plazas large one level underground parkade is an example of how to do it right. I have not been to that mall in about 8 years so I hope its still good. Please note I don't follow the Saskatoon thread very much to I could very well be going on a rage shit for nothing. Thanks.

(shit-storm button off)

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by skSK

No real surprises here...

Saskatoon lags behind country's most walkable cities

By Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix January 24, 2013

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Saskatoon+...+cities/7863860/story.html#ixzz2IwxfONl2

Being from Vancouver I had to laugh and took this study with a grain of salt when I read about it. Since Vancouver was voted no. 1 as the most walkable city this study was obviously splashed all over the local media and our mayor who is bike rider was out beating his chest over it.

But as far as Vancouver being no. 1 I think it's kinda a farce because just a week earlier we were voted the most congested city to get around in Canada and tied with L.A. for the worst in North America. Read it here if you don't believe me:

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/T...couver+Angeles+report/7790031/story.html

Yeah sure I would tend to agree that if you live downtown in the Westend you can walk to work and you got the seawall. But as far as the rest of the GVRD I would hardly say it's walkable let alone drivable.

If we are indeed the most walkable city in Canada it's because we have to be. At least in cities like Saskatoon & Regina you can still get around reasonably well by car & transit. Being a walkable city is certainly something every city should strive for but it is less of an issue for cities like Saskatoon & Regina.

Still I think both Saskatoon & Regina could stand to see higher densities downtown which would make them more walkable cities. But both these cities seem to be moving in that direction especially Saskatoon already.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by jw6969

Regina person here. (shit-storm button start)

To the people who are complaining about not enough parking downtown. Fuck off. Go to the suburbs/big box stores. Learn to walk if you don't like it. I'm a person who weigh 225 pounds and have absolutely no problem walking 6 blocks in minus 30 to 40 weather. Its called a jacket. Wear it. The last thing our downtown's (all Saskatchewan town/cities) needs is an excuse to demolish more buildings for gravel parking lots. This is the sort of thing that sets me off. Makes me very mad. Especially when I see all the building we used to have in Regina (Facebook Vintage Regina). Downtown's are for walking, not driving even thew in Regina they fucked up a street that should have remained for traffic. Parkades are fines as long as there hidden. I have always thought that the midtown plazas large one level underground parkade is an example of how to do it right. I have not been to that mall in about 8 years so I hope its still good. Please note I don't follow the Saskatoon thread very much to I could very well be going on a rage shit for nothing. Thanks.

(shit-storm button off)

Hear hear!!! I also park several blocks away from my destination --- and it's cheaper.

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Victoria-based developer buys prime land at River Landing

By Jeff Davis, The StarPhoenix January 26, 2013 8:28 AM


A prime 1.4-acre piece of real estate at River Landing has been sold for $4.13 million to a Victoria, B.C.,-based developer specializing in posh condominiums and resorts.

River Landing Parcel A, which is a temporary parking lot, lies west of the Saskatoon Farmers' Market building. It is on 19th Street West bordered by avenues B and C.

The parcel sold after a public tender process closed Thursday evening, City of Saskatoon officials said, exceeding the minimum re-serve price of $3.97 million for the property.

The land was bought by Chris LeFevre of LeFevre & Co., which is based in Victoria. It has developed properties in Victoria and various resorts in B.C. LeFevre's was the only bid received. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/V...Landing/7876043/story.html#ixzz2J6XIdak6



Website for LeFevre & Co. > http://www.lefevregroup.com/

Looks like things are beginning to heat up in River Landing. Lefevre should be good for this area they have a lot of experience building on the waterfront. And they do a lot of high end projects.

[Chadillaccc]

When are River Landing village and the art gallery of Saskatchewan starting?

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Victoria-based developer buys prime land at River Landing

By Jeff Davis, The StarPhoenix January 26, 2013 8:28 AM


A prime 1.4-acre piece of real estate at River Landing has been sold for $4.13 million to a Victoria, B.C.,-based developer specializing in posh condominiums and resorts.

River Landing Parcel A, which is a temporary parking lot, lies west of the Saskatoon Farmers' Market building. It is on 19th Street West bordered by avenues B and C.

The parcel sold after a public tender process closed Thursday evening, City of Saskatoon officials said, exceeding the minimum re-serve price of $3.97 million for the property.

The land was bought by Chris LeFevre of LeFevre & Co., which is based in Victoria. It has developed properties in Victoria and various resorts in B.C. LeFevre's was the only bid received. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/V...Landing/7876043/story.html#ixzz2J6XIdak6



Website for LeFevre & Co. > http://www.lefevregroup.com/

I think this is fantastic news and hopefully the process/timeline from purchase to shovel in the ground will not be a drawn out one. The one concern I would raise is that this was the ONLY bid received on this piece of 'prime real estate'. No local developers put in any bids, which I find a bit worrisome. If this was Regina, Hill Developments would have been all over it. I AM glad to see that it was sold (even about reserve price). Looking forward to see what the plans for this site are.

[prairieguy]

Just went to levefregroup website and saw they have Saskatoon listed under their future developments at bottom of page. They actually list 2 'coming soon' projects. Is this for the same piece of land? My link to these projects does not seem to work, unless they have not posted anything yet?

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Just went to levefregroup website and saw they have Saskatoon listed under their future developments at bottom of page. They actually list 2 'coming soon' projects. Is this for the same piece of land? My link to these projects does not seem to work, unless they have not posted anything yet?

It's 2 separate projects. Should hear more publicly on the "Howard Building" soon.

Exciting stuff. Nice to see a developer like LeFevre jumping into the Saskatoon market like this.

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by Echoes

It's 2 separate projects. Should hear more publicly on the "Howard Building" soon.

Exciting stuff. Nice to see a developer like LeFevre jumping into the Saskatoon market like this.

I wonder if the 'Howard Building' project might be what is being planned for the The PAT site downtown, as I seem to recall that was bought by a BC developer??

[Devon]

This might be the most interesting news in a while regarding Saskatoon development in my opinion. I'm kind of over the same recycled developers with little creativity.