Saskatoon Construction II

[Wyku]

Originally Posted by Treesplease

September 10, 2013
The most interesting man in the world is developing property in Saskatoon?

HAH! That's awesome .

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Wyku

HAH! That's awesome .

Seconded, lol!

[Echoes]

Hundreds rally for a motor vehicle-free Traffic Bridge

By Jason Warick, The Starphoenix September 16, 2013

Hundreds attending a rally at River Landing were asked to imagine themselves and their families walking or biking across a new automobile-free Traffic Bridge. "You're not worried about the danger, the noise or the fumes. It would be fantastic," said Marcel D'Eon, one of the rally organizers.

"Let's take hold of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Debate is continuing over the future of the now-condemned Traffic Bridge. Some say it should be rebuilt to accommodate vehicles and pedestrians. Others say it's not needed, and the focus should be on suburban spans such as a new north bridge.

Those who attended the rally Sunday afternoon would like a new bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized transportation.

"We have this beautiful river. We can make this bridge a totally unique experience without the chaos of vehicles. Look at it - this core is the gem of our city," said area resident Norman Zepp.

Jason Hanson said there are other options such as the Broadway Bridge and Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge for vehicles in the area. He'd like the new vehicle-free Traffic Bridge because "it's a more human way to get downtown.

"This should be something for the whole city to get behind."

The rally included dozens of people with placards with slogans such as "Think Green" and "A Bridge for THIS Century."

Area Coun. Charlie Clark said he supports the idea of rebuilding the Traffic Bridge, and likes the concept proposed by those at the rally.

[....]

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/saska...e+free+Traffic+Bridge/8916490/story.html\\


SCRUB: Saskatoon Coalition to Revisit and Re-Imagine our Urban Bridge: http://saskatoonurbanbridge.org/

[Echoes]

Warehouse district charts a business path

By Jonathan Charlton, The Starphoenix September 14, 2013

For Sarah Robbins, it was time to leave the warehouse district.

The owner of Caffe Sola, on 23rd Street, hadn't been able to negotiate a new lease with her landlord. After two years of paying month-tomonth, she faced a rent hike of close to 40 per cent.

Last month, she closed her shop after seven years in business.

It was a hard decision, she said.

"We've been here for a while and I've really enjoyed doing what I've been doing. And I feel really bad for the customers - I probably feel worse for the customers and the staff than I do for myself. There's always new adventures to go on."

Robbins' dream for Caffe Sola looked promising at first, and it fit the city's vision for the warehouse district.

A 2002 plan - the most recent to be officially adopted - described a "teeming urban environment reinventing itself in the shell of its historic industrial character.

"The district will be nurtured from a forgotten urban core to a vibrant people place that supports arts and culture, in harmony with a variety of mixed uses," it said.

The building Robbins rented has about 5,000 square feet of space on the top floor and 3,500 square feet in the basement. She had hoped to develop an artistic community with studios in the basement - a hot spot with music and an art gallery where people could meet.

But her landlord didn't share that vision. And since then, the reality of the warehouse district has changed. "Initially it was like, 'This will be great, we'll have lots of customers.' But the flip side to that is, (large companies) move in and prices go up like crazy. Then the little indie shops can't make it."

But the indie shops can make it in Riversdale, she says. The Underground Cafe, for example, now showcases a weekend arts and crafts market; a guitar shop has opened, and art galleries dot the area.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/War...ss+path/8912459/story.html#ixzz2f4wYCVs0

[drm310]

Mayor unwilling to detour on bridge plan

By Phil Tank, The Starphoenix
September 17, 2013

Mayor Don Atchison is forging ahead with plans for a new Traffic Bridge for Saskatoon motorists despite a persistent lobby for an autofree span.

Hundreds of people rallied at River Landing on Sunday to lobby for a bridge that would accommodate only pedestrians and cyclists. The century-old Traffic Bridge has been closed since August 2010, when it was deemed unsafe for use.

Unable to obtain funding for a new bridge, city council opted to pursue funding from higher levels of government for both the defunct bridge and a new north commuter bridge. The estimated cost of a new downtown bridge that would accommodate vehicles and pedestrians is about $30 million.

"We want to make sure that everyone is included and there's no one excluded," Mayor Don Atchison said in an interview Monday. "There seems to be this perception from the cyclists that they're being excluded, but they're not." [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Mayor+unwilling+detour+bridge+plan/8920617/story.html

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by drm310

Mayor unwilling to detour on bridge plan

By Phil Tank, The Starphoenix
September 17, 2013

Mayor Don Atchison is forging ahead with plans for a new Traffic Bridge for Saskatoon motorists despite a persistent lobby for an autofree span.

Hundreds of people rallied at River Landing on Sunday to lobby for a bridge that would accommodate only pedestrians and cyclists. The century-old Traffic Bridge has been closed since August 2010, when it was deemed unsafe for use.

Unable to obtain funding for a new bridge, city council opted to pursue funding from higher levels of government for both the defunct bridge and a new north commuter bridge. The estimated cost of a new downtown bridge that would accommodate vehicles and pedestrians is about $30 million.

"We want to make sure that everyone is included and there's no one excluded," Mayor Don Atchison said in an interview Monday. "There seems to be this perception from the cyclists that they're being excluded, but they're not." [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Mayor+unwilling+detour+bridge+plan/8920617/story.html

City council needs to look at other impacts. They don't need a traffic bridge. They need to focus traffic to the North Bridge and leave downtown to a Transit Bridge only! BUS / EMERGENCY traffic should be the ONLY form of motorized vehicle driving over a new Victoria Bridge. Give Transit a dedicated route over the River and it becomes a better overall system! They want more people to use transit then do something about it! Think smart!

[Arts]

On the radio this morning, Mayor was bacially saying that the bridge is the deal of a lifetime because for only $6M more the pedestrian bridge can be made for vehicles... that if vehicle river crossings were all that cheap then he'd be pushing for them all along the river.

My contention is that I'd be willing to pay more for it to not have vehicles on it.

And I'm a driver that drives downtown daily.

[drm310]

That's because we have a mayor and certain councillors who are incapable of believing that some people actually don't want to drive... and that the true way to reduce traffic congestion is to get cars off the road. Fewer people driving = less vehicles = less congestion.

Originally Posted by Arts

On the radio this morning, Mayor was bacially saying that the bridge is the deal of a lifetime because for only $6M more the pedestrian bridge can be made for vehicles... that if vehicle river crossings were all that cheap then he'd be pushing for them all along the river.

My contention is that I'd be willing to pay more for it to not have vehicles on it.

And I'm a driver that drives downtown daily.

[Measuring Stick]

I need to agree with the mayor on the traffic bridge. Have any of you driven across University bridge lately the road base is screwed and heaving and going to need a major repair in the next few years. With no additional traffic routes out of downtown when these major repairs are required on a bridge it will cause traffic chaos, especially 15 years down the road. Secondly, for once we have a council that is trying to look forward to the future, while all of their ideas may not be perfect at least they are trying to have forethought. That being said there are a few on council that aren't my favorites.

I think that a well designed multi-use bridge with an excellent/wide pedestrian walk-way is the best long-term solution. That being said I think it would be a great idea to only have the bridge open for works days and on weekends open to only pedestrian and bike traffic. Anyways, that's my two cents.

[Arts]

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

I need to agree with the mayor on the traffic bridge. Have any of you driven across University bridge lately the road base is screwed and heaving and going to need a major repair in the next few years. With no additional traffic routes out of downtown when these major repairs are required on a bridge it will cause traffic chaos, especially 15 years down the road. Secondly, for once we have a council that is trying to look forward to the future, while all of their ideas may not be perfect at least they are trying to have forethought. That being said there are a few on council that aren't my favorites.

I think that a well designed multi-use bridge with an excellent/wide pedestrian walk-way is the best long-term solution. That being said I think it would be a great idea to only have the bridge open for works days and on weekends open to only pedestrian and bike traffic. Anyways, that's my two cents.

When University bridge is temporarily closed traffic will use Broadway bridge, Circle Dr N bridge and Sid Buckwold Bridge more. Another additional bridge in South Downtown to handle North Downtown traffic will only cause increased congestion and frustration downtown.

That being said, I would think that designing the Traffic bridge replacement to atleast have the capability to serve as an evacuation route for vehicles would be wise, or also for just buses - I just don't want to see commuter traffic using it in default operating mode.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Arts

When University bridge is temporarily closed traffic will use Broadway bridge, Circle Dr N bridge and Sid Buckwold Bridge more. Another additional bridge in South Downtown to handle North Downtown traffic will only cause increased congestion and frustration downtown.

That being said, I would think that designing the Traffic bridge replacement to atleast have the capability to serve as an evacuation route for vehicles would be wise, or also for just buses - I just don't want to see commuter traffic using it in default operating mode.

The University and Broadway bridges are going to be closed for the summer over the next two years (One per year) for a total overhaul of the bridge surface. I saw that on the City of Saskatoon website. So the new bridge wouldn't be open anyway in time for those major closures. Plan Accordingly

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by Arts

When University bridge is temporarily closed traffic will use Broadway bridge, Circle Dr N bridge and Sid Buckwold Bridge more. Another additional bridge in South Downtown to handle North Downtown traffic will only cause increased congestion and frustration downtown.

That being said, I would think that designing the Traffic bridge replacement to atleast have the capability to serve as an evacuation route for vehicles would be wise, or also for just buses - I just don't want to see commuter traffic using it in default operating mode.

I agree...when I participated in the public consultations (that never even made it to council for discussion before their decision for vehicle bridge), my input was for an active transportation bridge (foot, bike, board, etc) but with a lane available for emergency and bus traffic. I still think this is the best option.

It also infuriates me when the mayor thinks this is only a 'cyclist' lobby that wants a pedestrian bridge. I personally, do NOT cycle that often but do walk and run along the river and would love an exhaust, noise free crossing linking the two green park spaces together!

[ninipanini]

Does anyone know how many signatures a petition requires to force a plebiscite? The mayor seems hell bent on a bridge for cars despite all the evidence that it's not required (the city's own report), and the public consultations. I think it's going to take a lot more than a rally (although that's important) to change the direction of council... perhaps council can be forced to represent their constituents with a petition and vote!

Just my two cents...

P.S. I find the mayor's dismissive portrayal of the 'cyclist lobby' very insulting, because he obviously can't be bothered to listen to the diversity of voices (not just cyclists) opposing this plan. While cyclists are a very important part of the active community, a cycle/pedestrian bridge would benefit all active people! You certainly don't hear him railing against those pesky 'mothers with their strollers'... I think this is the mayors way of making people opposed to the bridge seem like they are anti-car, WEDGE POLITICS!

[Echoes]

Creativity key for new bridge

The StarPhoenix September 18, 2013

In the debate over whether cars or pedestrians should be king of the proposed downtown bridge, intransigence seems to be the hallmark on both sides.

Hundreds of Saskatoon residents rallied along River Landing last weekend on their bikes, skateboards, rollerblades and feet to demand that if something is to be built to replace the long-derelict Traffic Bridge, it should be to the exclusion of automobiles.

They no sooner packed their gear before Mayor Don Atchison - whose views, it must be said, have carried the day on at least two separate council votes on this matter - insisted that a bridge, if there is to be one, will be for everyone, cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

The city has argued that Saskatoon needs more downtown vehicular bridges because if one of the current bridges suffers a catastrophic problem just as another is undergoing regular maintenance, it would result in gridlock and chaos. This could be particularly serious if emergency vehicles were not able to cross the river in a timely fashion.

This argument seems a bit overblown, considering there are hospitals, ambulance stations and fire halls on both sides of the river.

The mayor's other defence of the automobile - that the only way to convince more people to live and play in the downtown is to have more cars on its roads - is counterintuitive to anyone who has walked in a successful urban centre. It is when there is a dearth of automobiles that streets come alive. That's when there is more room for street vendors, outdoor restaurant tables, more casual walking. However, even successful urban cores require access for people who live in the periphery. And in a city such as Saskatoon, which is still a long way from having the kind of rapid transit options available in Calgary or Edmonton, which can bring people to the core without their cars, there will long be a need to facilitate the automobile.

[....]

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Creativity+bridge/8926570/story.html

[saskatoonborn]

There have been some posts about the river center 2 being scaled down. I was wondering where that information was coming from. I cant seem to find it anywhere. The last I had seen in the colliers Q3 report for this year it was still supposed to be a 177,000 sq ft building. I just wanted to know if someone could help clear it up. Thanks.

[Hotbod]

Good to hear that Saskatoon may have it's River Landing project going ahead soon. Would be a nice addition to the rather ho-hum skyline. I like the city; always enjoy my time there when I'm in town. And it's also much nicer and more aesthetically pleasing to the eye than that other city of similar size to the southeast on Hwy. 11

[kalin_10]

Originally Posted by saskatoonborn

There have been some posts about the river center 2 being scaled down. I was wondering where that information was coming from. I cant seem to find it anywhere. The last I had seen in the colliers Q3 report for this year it was still supposed to be a 177,000 sq ft building. I just wanted to know if someone could help clear it up. Thanks.

Information Current as of April 17, 2013
BuildSask Pre-Bid Report
Volume 5 Issue 27
http://www.saskatooncaonline.ca/Bulletins/pdf/SCN_17Apr13.pdf

River Centre II
SCN #11673 Last Published: 23 Jan 13
Saskatoon, SK
Budget: $15,000,000 to $25,000,000 Estimated
Size: 77,000 sq/ft
Office Building, New
Design Phase: Conceptual Planning
Project Development: Underway
Prime Contractor Opportunity: Open
19th Street & 2nd Avenue,
Storeys: 5
Const Start: 2013 Const End: 2015
Project Details The proposed new office building has been scaled back to 5 storeys, 77,000 square feet. Main floor will be retail space and will
include a 2-3 level 80-stall below-grade parkade. Building will be targeted LEED Gold Certification.
Design Development is underway. Project is On Hold until Owner has secured tenant. Anticipated tender and construction is
undetermined at this time.

However, with this is mind, Colliers Q2 Saskatoon Office Market Report is dated for June 2013 and still states that the River Center 2 is a 11 storey 177,000 sq/ft project. I do remember hearing media reports about the down scaling on the project and do remember discussing it on this forum.

It is hard to find any information on the actual development from Triovest or Greystone though. I've searched on both their websites and nothing about River Center 2.

June 2013 Q2 Saskatoon Office Market Report

[noseyparker]

I think it would be great for the city to have a pedestrian bridge lined with restaurants and shops on it. It would be play to our strengths and give Saskatoon a great tourist attraction.

Like this, but with our own unique style of course -> Rialto Bridge

[saskatoonborn]

Thanks kalin! Yea its been very difficult to find info i only knew about it from this forum.

[Echoes]

Individual views of the buildings at The Banks:











http://major.ca/city-council-approves-the-banks/