Saskatoon Construction II

[Brutopian]

U of S architecture school remains on drawing board

By Jeff Davis, The StarPhoenix February 21, 2013

Some of North America's leading architects will converge on Saskatoon starting next week to throw their support behind a long-awaited architecture school at the University of Saskatchewan.

A series of six presentations and panel discussions will begin Feb. 28 and continue through March 18. They are open to the public and will be held in some of Saskatoon's more architecturally unique buildings, such as the Roxy Theatre, the Broadway Theatre and the university's Convocation Hall.

Architectural luminaries from leading schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will attend, as well as renowned Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, who designed the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa and the First Nations University in Regina.

Saskatoon architect Jim Siemens helped put together the three-part symposium and said there is a strong business case for a home-grown architecture school in Saskatchewan.

"It's very difficult, ultimately, to attract and retain architects in Saskatchewan," Siemens said. "So we think it's about time we start to educate our own."

Siemens pointed to a study done by the university's architecture working group that found Saskatchewan has a disproportionately low number of architects compared to the rest of Canada when measured either in per-capita terms or in relation to the size of the economy.

In 2010, Saskatchewan had 109 architects, including interns, around 340 fewer than it needs.

Saskatchewan is the only province west of the Maritimes without a professional school of architecture, the study found. Furthermore, the majority of students who leave the province for their education do not return to Saskatchewan to practice architecture

[........]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainm...g+board/7994342/story.html#ixzz2LXmE7fFE

[jigglysquishy]

Nice to see the 5 Guys and Yogurt places are moving in on 8th and Louise. That's basically my parking lot so I'm happy to see more places within walking distance.

[The Bess]

So there will be 2 Hampton Inn and suites in the city?

[Irvin]

Originally Posted by The Bess

So there will be 2 Hampton Inn and suites in the city?

If the one in Aerogreen Business Park materializes - yes that would make 2

[Echoes]

According to the City's Integrated Growth Plan blog, there is an upcoming open house on March 7 for the University Heights area that deals with some big projects:

- University Heights Sector Plan amendments
- University Heights Neighbourhood #2 Concept Plan
- North Commuter Bridge
- Central and Attridge intersection
- McOrmond and College interchange

http://www.igp.saskatooncitynews.ca/

^ The timing for the UH2 neighbourhood concept plan is much faster than I expected. It actually makes me feel queasy that another suburban neighbourhood is moving forward through the approvals process, and here we haven't even started building in Kensington yet. So much growth, and so much lost opportunity to accommodate this growth through infill and redevelopment.

For all the exciting inner-city projects/studies underway, I wish they were all shovel-ready right now and could accommodate some of this insane growth (South Caswell, North Downtown, U of S lands, remaining River Landing parcels, IGP "infill corridors" etc.).

[gowest]

Originally Posted by Echoes

According to the City's Integrated Growth Plan blog, there is an upcoming open house on March 7 for the University Heights area that deals with some big projects:

- University Heights Sector Plan amendments
- University Heights Neighbourhood #2 Concept Plan
- North Commuter Bridge
- Central and Attridge intersection
- McOrmond and College interchange

http://www.igp.saskatooncitynews.ca/

^ The timing for the UH2 neighbourhood concept plan is much faster than I expected. It actually makes me feel queasy that another suburban neighbourhood is moving forward through the approvals process, and here we haven't even started building in Kensington yet. So much growth, and so much lost opportunity to accommodate this growth through infill and redevelopment.

For all the exciting inner-city projects/studies underway, I wish they were all shovel-ready right now and could accommodate some of this insane growth (South Caswell, North Downtown, U of S lands, remaining River Landing parcels, IGP "infill corridors" etc.).

What doesn't make sense is the ongoing new areas on one side of the city and the other can'nt start a new area until the present one is finished. It is going to create massive transportation problems in the very neat future. They can'nt seem to finish what has been started at the west end due to the increased needs east of the core.

[Jerry]

A city of cars, bridges, big box

By Jordon Cooper, The StarPhoenix February 25, 2013


The south Circle Drive bridge will open this year. It took us a couple of hundred million dollars, but we finally completed our circular freeway around Saskatoon.

It may have been cheaper to change the name of the freeway, but what is done is done. City council also is charging forward with a north commuter bridge because people in northeast Saskatoon are taking 20 minutes to get to work.

That's going to be another $80 million for the bridge, plus the roadways to connect it to our existing road network. The bridge also will run through a sensitive swale ecosystem. Normally I would bet against the swale surviving, but with the way we build roads around here, I like its long-term chances.

The good news is that we will have two magnificent new bridges in the next couple of years. But if a 2011 study by the University of Toronto is any indication, we should also expect even more traffic congestion. That doesn't sound like progress, especially if we are driving.

That's the problem. More roads encourage people to make more trips, live farther away from work in new and sprawling neighbourhoods, which of course requires more driving. The result is that it becomes very hard to build your way out of gridlock, as you are encouraging the behaviour that led you to the problem in the first place. [...]

Read More: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/touch/story.html?id=8010734

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Cooper tells it the way it is !

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Jerry

A city of cars, bridges, big box

By Jordon Cooper, The StarPhoenix February 25, 2013


The south Circle Drive bridge will open this year. It took us a couple of hundred million dollars, but we finally completed our circular freeway around Saskatoon.

It may have been cheaper to change the name of the freeway, but what is done is done. City council also is charging forward with a north commuter bridge because people in northeast Saskatoon are taking 20 minutes to get to work.

That's going to be another $80 million for the bridge, plus the roadways to connect it to our existing road network. The bridge also will run through a sensitive swale ecosystem. Normally I would bet against the swale surviving, but with the way we build roads around here, I like its long-term chances.

The good news is that we will have two magnificent new bridges in the next couple of years. But if a 2011 study by the University of Toronto is any indication, we should also expect even more traffic congestion. That doesn't sound like progress, especially if we are driving.

That's the problem. More roads encourage people to make more trips, live farther away from work in new and sprawling neighbourhoods, which of course requires more driving. The result is that it becomes very hard to build your way out of gridlock, as you are encouraging the behaviour that led you to the problem in the first place. [...]

Read More: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/touch/story.html?id=8010734


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Cooper tells it the way it is !

Great!

[drm310]

He's exactly right. You can't build your way out of congestion. The way to reduce it is to stop building outward, and also get vehicles off the road. Support transit properly while at the same time create disincentives for people to drive. Double or triple the parking rates and I guarantee that will have an effect.

Originally Posted by Jerry

A city of cars, bridges, big box

By Jordon Cooper, The StarPhoenix February 25, 2013


[...]

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Cooper tells it the way it is !

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Echoes

According to the City's Integrated Growth Plan blog, there is an upcoming open house on March 7 for the University Heights area that deals with some big projects:

- University Heights Sector Plan amendments
- University Heights Neighbourhood #2 Concept Plan
- North Commuter Bridge
- Central and Attridge intersection
- McOrmond and College interchange

http://www.igp.saskatooncitynews.ca/

^ The timing for the UH2 neighbourhood concept plan is much faster than I expected. It actually makes me feel queasy that another suburban neighbourhood is moving forward through the approvals process, and here we haven't even started building in Kensington yet. So much growth, and so much lost opportunity to accommodate this growth through infill and redevelopment.

For all the exciting inner-city projects/studies underway, I wish they were all shovel-ready right now and could accommodate some of this insane growth (South Caswell, North Downtown, U of S lands, remaining River Landing parcels, IGP "infill corridors" etc.).

I'll be going to this, going to be great to have an interchange at McOrmind and Hwy 5! That will make travel MUCH easier, as well as safer. Now if only we could get one at Hwy 11 and Waseskewin.

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by drm310

He's exactly right. You can't build your way out of congestion. The way to reduce it is to stop building outward, and also get vehicles off the road. Support transit properly while at the same time create disincentives for people to drive. Double or triple the parking rates and I guarantee that will have an effect.

Before long we will be headed for whats called the The doughnut effect >http://www.atributosurbanos.es/en/terms/doughnut-city/

[Morogolus]

As nice as biking and walking everywhere sounds it's just not going to work in a city that has 6-8 months of winter and temperatures dipping down below -20 for weeks on end. Vancouver is great, you can pretty much walk anywhere, but their "winter" consists of 4 months of rain. I like the idea of creating more pedestrian friendly areas of the city but we can't completely disregard the car. I'm sure our winters is the reason that we are such a car-centric city.

Also he makes it sound like the North Commuter Bridge is just a waste of money that will create more problems although it's sorely needed. There's pretty much no hope of making the North Industrial area transit and pedestrian friendly and those areas on both sides of the river are just going to keep growing.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

As nice as biking and walking everywhere sounds it's just not going to work in a city that has 6-8 months of winter and temperatures dipping down below -20 for weeks on end. Vancouver is great, you can pretty much walk anywhere, but their "winter" consists of 4 months of rain. I like the idea of creating more pedestrian friendly areas of the city but we can't completely disregard the car. I'm sure our winters is the reason that we are such a car-centric city.

Also he makes it sound like the North Commuter Bridge is just a waste of money that will create more problems although it's sorely needed. There's pretty much no hope of making the North Industrial area transit and pedestrian friendly and those areas on both sides of the river are just going to keep growing.

It's not about disregarding the car, it's about not putting it first. There are many cities around the world that have similar climates to Saskatoon's. You're making it sound like Saskatoon is an anomaly and that it's impossible. The further the city heads in this direction the more impossible it will be come, that's true.

[Echoes]

^ Agreed. It's about providing a more balanced choice of transportation modes. When cars are made the first priority, they suffocate out all other options, and become the only priority. I don't expect that we'll ever shake our dependence on the car, this is not a "war on cars" type argument. It's simply about balancing options - and changing things to ensure that those who choose to live in far flung suburbs and commute in a single occupant vehicle pay the true cost of that choice - instead of it being subsidized by the entire city at ever more crippling costs. That, and providing enough choice for those who want an alternative to suburbia. Right now, that choice isn't there in any abundance.

That being said, I hope the North Commuter Bridge includes an excellent cycling link to the north industrial. I think we'd be surprised how many people would make that trip to work on bike (for at least part of the year) if given that connection.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Milosch

Just noticed today that the old Scratch is going to be called Congress Beer House. Looks like another new restaurant which will be a great addition to downtown and 2nd Ave. Not much other info, just the Opening Soon on the windows.

There will be three new restaurants on that block this year. So awesome for downtown.

Congress Beer House, Bon Temps (Louisiana Grill(?)), and a bar & bistro that is going in the old Royal Bank building beside the Odeon. I'll be able to give more info on that in the coming days. The owners of Saboroso are opening it.

[Morogolus]

There certainly won't be any shortage of the upscale dining/pub hybrids around there, O'Sheas, The Rook and Raven, State and Main, 2nd Ave Grill, Winstons, Paddockwood, Aromas, Congress Beer House (great name btw), the Louisiana Grill place, and the unnamed Royal Bank place. Also Freehouse, Tusq and Hudsons are a few blocks away. All we need now are a few late night pizza/bar food joints around there.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

There certainly won't be any shortage of the upscale dining/pub hybrids around there, O'Sheas, The Rook and Raven, State and Main, 2nd Ave Grill, Winstons, Paddockwood, Aromas, Congress Beer House (great name btw), the Louisiana Grill place, and the unnamed Royal Bank place. Also Freehouse, Tusq and Hudsons are a few blocks away. All we need now are a few late night pizza/bar food joints around there.

Also in the works. But in the Warehouse District.
That I can't give details on for a while as it's still in the planning stages. Nothing official or concrete.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Devon

It's not about disregarding the car, it's about not putting it first. There are many cities around the world that have similar climates to Saskatoon's. You're making it sound like Saskatoon is an anomaly and that it's impossible. The further the city heads in this direction the more impossible it will be come, that's true.

If you look at the layout of Evergreen, Willowgrove, Hampton Village, etc. I don't think the city planners are putting the car above everything else. Every street has sidewalks on both sides (not as common in some of he older suburbs). They have little town squares with some commercial within walking distance; again not that common in older suburbs. Density is quite high relative to older subdivisions.

We are talking about a bridge that connects industrial warehouse areas to residential areas. I would not expect the city to put much effort into making the north industrial pedestrian focused or try to have residential closer to where people work.

If they are going to put effort and money into a walkable pedestrian friendly and focused community, invest that in downtown and the residential areas. Let the North Industrial be car focused.

[nook]

Originally Posted by casper

If you look at the layout of Evergreen, Willowgrove, Hampton Village, etc. I don't think the city planners are putting the car above everything else. Every street has sidewalks on both sides (not as common in some of he older suburbs). They have little town squares with some commercial within walking distance; again not that common in older suburbs. Density is quite high relative to older subdivisions.

We are talking about a bridge that connects industrial warehouse areas to residential areas. I would not expect the city to put much effort into making the north industrial pedestrian focused or try to have residential closer to where people work.

If they are going to put effort and money into a walkable pedestrian friendly and focused community, invest that in downtown and the residential areas. Let the North Industrial be car focused.

Industrial has to be very road focused. Roads and vehicles are very important to a lot of the businesses up in the north end because they need to receive stuff and ship stuff out. Trust me, it's not a very nice place to walk around, either.

[gowest]

Originally Posted by casper

If you look at the layout of Evergreen, Willowgrove, Hampton Village, etc. I don't think the city planners are putting the car above everything else. Every street has sidewalks on both sides (not as common in some of he older suburbs). They have little town squares with some commercial within walking distance; again not that common in older suburbs. Density is quite high relative to older subdivisions.

We are talking about a bridge that connects industrial warehouse areas to residential areas. I would not expect the city to put much effort into making the north industrial pedestrian focused or try to have residential closer to where people work.

If they are going to put effort and money into a walkable pedestrian friendly and focused community, invest that in downtown and the residential areas. Let the North Industrial be car focused.

Maybe someone working in the north area could correct me but I seemed to recall seeing a bike path along Marquis Road in the new area east of Miller toward the river. This was in the fall and I haven't been back since. I was very impressed with the styles of many of the buildings. It really is a difference from the old steel buildings.