Saskatoon Construction II

[Arts]

Originally Posted by scotty c

I haven't been following this with a great level of detail but I think your way off on what this is and who/what will be coming to it.

The whole point is that the purchasing people won't have to make the 6 hours transocean flights to get to China. Instead they will make a connection or two to get to Saskatoon from LA, New York etc etc. The center in Dundurn will essentially hold demo units and sales people from various overseas manufacturers who will sell their products to the major purchasors. The products will still be manufactured and shipped from China, it's not like they have to ship them here to be sold and then ship them out to North America.

All in all if someone wants to dump money into this thing all the power to them as long as the government isn't one of them.

Well I may be getting my directions wrong, but the point is a large volume of product is intended to be going through it, and people will be coming from afar to make the transactions happen. That requires infrastructure and hospitality, both of which require government spending. I do agree with your point, that so long as tax dollars and public resources aren't being diverted to this, all the power to them - though I remain highly skeptical of the transparency of this thing, and I feel bad for any of those who lose their shirts when/if this fails, they will surely have a sour taste for our province when/if that happens.

Also, if they break ground it will be good for local building contractors.

And speaking of Aerogreen, I saw these renders on the website



http://www.aerogreenbusinesspark.com/html/location/AEROGREEN/index.cfm

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Arts

Well I may be getting my directions wrong, but the point is a large volume of product is intended to be going through it, and people will be coming from afar to make the transactions happen. That requires infrastructure and hospitality, both of which require government spending. I do agree with your point, that so long as tax dollars and public resources aren't being diverted to this, all the power to them - though I remain highly skeptical of the transparency of this thing, and I feel bad for any of those who lose their shirts when/if this fails, they will surely have a sour taste for our province when/if that happens.

Also, if they break ground it will be good for local building contractors.

And speaking of Aerogreen, I saw these renders on the website



http://www.aerogreenbusinesspark.com/html/location/AEROGREEN/index.cfm

I work close to this new development, that is one of the reasons why the Airport Dr, Circle drive interchange is scheduled to open 2016, also the airport expansion. I will take pictures soon and post them.

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by drm310

Yes, I was quite dismayed to see the exterior of the Modern Press Building being altered. The only other extant Streamline Moderne building I know of is the Adilman Building. We have so few examples of these, why would anyone willingly destroy one?

Streamline Moderne:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Streamlin...Y9ATFuIEI&ved=0CK8BEIke&biw=1280&bih=898


Well, how about the Rockadero on 8th?

[casper]

Originally Posted by Arts

Well I may be getting my directions wrong, but the point is a large volume of product is intended to be going through it, and people will be coming from afar to make the transactions happen. That requires infrastructure and hospitality, both of which require government spending. I do agree with your point, that so long as tax dollars and public resources aren't being diverted to this, all the power to them - though I remain highly skeptical of the transparency of this thing, and I feel bad for any of those who lose their shirts when/if this fails, they will surely have a sour taste for our province when/if that happens.

My take on the documents that were posted in the past is that it is a "strata/condo" type development where you purchase the retail unit in the development. The purchase potentially qualifies you as a foreign investor under some provincial investment sponsorship program.

You then setup your shop to sell products made in China (or other parts) at wholesale prices to retailers and distributors. You send the orders back to China (or where ever) the manufacture then drop ships to the retailer.

Saskatoon having direct flights to Chicago, MSP, and Toronto that gets you a good number of buys with a direct flight. Honestly the drive to Dundurn from the airport is no worse that a cross town drive in a major North American city.

I think I understand the business model and what they want to do sounds doable if there are sufficient vendors to make it attractive for the buyers to show up. I am not convinced it will be get the critical mass it needs, but hopefully I am proven wrong.

[casper]

Originally Posted by shmakim

Streamline Moderne:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Streamlin...Y9ATFuIEI&ved=0CK8BEIke&biw=1280&bih=898


Well, how about the Rockadero on 8th?

Interesting history to the Modern Press Building: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Press_Building

[bp832]

Originally Posted by casper

My take on the documents that were posted in the past is that it is a "strata/condo" type development where you purchase the retail unit in the development. The purchase potentially qualifies you as a foreign investor under some provincial investment sponsorship program.

^^This. It qualifies under Sask Immigrant Nominee Program Entrepreneur Class.

Requirements:
If you are approved for nomination by the SINP - Entrepreneur Category, you will be required to:

1.Have a minimum active investment of $150,000 CAD in the Province of Saskatchewan. If you own less than 1/3 of the business, then your total investment must be worth at least $1 million CAD;
2.Be involved in the day-to-day management of your business; and
3.Make a $75,000 Good Faith Deposit. If you meet certain conditions, you may apply for your Good Faith Deposit to be returned.


This year there were 225 slots and all were filled. There is no longer a Federal Entrepreneur Class through CIC, however, there is still the Investor Class, but that is basically the government holding onto your $800k for 5 years and 3 months (no interest received).


Casper hit the nail on the head.

[kalin_10]

YXE Phase 1 Expansion officially opened it's doors today. Check out YXE Airport forum for some pictures, videos, and commentary from Tuesdays sneak peak with media.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=151982&page=28

[Brutopian]

Saskatchewan government planning 18 new P3 schools, including eight in Saskatoon

By Janet French, The StarPhoenix with Canadian Press files October 22, 2013

The Saskatchewan government is planning to build 18 new elementary schools in the province, including eight in booming Saskatoon neighbourhoods, using a public-private partnership model.

The Saskatchewan Party said Tuesday that unprecedented growth in the Saskatoon and Regina areas is prompting the government to build nine new school buildings, each of which will house a public and a Catholic school. Each school building will share “programming opportunities” while the school divisions will share maintenance costs. The joint-use schools will be Catholic on one side, public on the other.

According to the government, schools will be built in Saskatoon neighbourhoods Evergreen, Hampton Village, Rosewood and Stonebridge; one each in Martensville and Warman; plus three in Regina: Harbour Landing, a northwest location and a southeast location.

Read more:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Saska...uding+eight+Saskatoon/9067579/story.html

=====================

^^^^^^^^^^^
With 12 new schools announced for the Saskatoon CMA, and 6 for Regina, I think there is little doubt as to where the real growth is happening in this province.

[prairieguy]

Dundurn Megamall
Article in todays star phoenix about project breaking ground and progressing. I am still skeptical about the viability of this, but hoping for the best.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/W...schedule+Nystrom+says/9075558/story.html

[Toontone]

Does anyone here know what is happening with the former Great West Warehouse building.I hear it has been sold?
Thanks.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Saskatchewan government planning 18 new P3 schools, including eight in Saskatoon

By Janet French, The StarPhoenix with Canadian Press files October 22, 2013

The Saskatchewan government is planning to build 18 new elementary schools in the province, including eight in booming Saskatoon neighbourhoods, using a public-private partnership model.

The Saskatchewan Party said Tuesday that unprecedented growth in the Saskatoon and Regina areas is prompting the government to build nine new school buildings, each of which will house a public and a Catholic school. Each school building will share “programming opportunities” while the school divisions will share maintenance costs. The joint-use schools will be Catholic on one side, public on the other.

According to the government, schools will be built in Saskatoon neighbourhoods Evergreen, Hampton Village, Rosewood and Stonebridge; one each in Martensville and Warman; plus three in Regina: Harbour Landing, a northwest location and a southeast location.

Read more:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Saska...uding+eight+Saskatoon/9067579/story.html

=====================

^^^^^^^^^^^
With 12 new schools announced for the Saskatoon CMA, and 6 for Regina, I think there is little doubt as to where the real growth is happening in this province.

. . . . . . . . but Saskatoon still has yet to secure a pro-sports franchise.

[Crisis]

Small firms worry about bulk-build schools shutout

Intersting article in today's S-P.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Small...build+schools+shutout/9081591/story.html

I think the biggest problem is one that Brad Wall touches on in the article, discussing the challenge of finding enough tradespeople to undertake the work. Unfortunately, they seems to be focused on meeting the demands simply for the construction of these schools.

What is lost is that this P3 school initiative, while a major project, is just one of many commercial/institutional projects that will be underway at the same time. So not only will it be difficult to find tradespeople for the school project, it will be equally difficult to properly staff all of the other projects that will be getting constructed at that time. All projects will take longer to construct and cost more while this lump of school work is going through the construction pipeline. The majority of these other projects will be undertaken by private business people, starting up new ventures or expanding thier businesses. The government best keep in mind that this will adversely effect the private businesspeople who have been thier biggest supporters.

Another intersting comment is from Mike Atkinson of the Canadian Construction Association who noted that two smaller contractors teamed up to take on some of those Alberta schools. It's obviously a different viewpoint when Bird & Graham are considered small contractors.

[studentview]

Originally Posted by Toontone

Does anyone here know what is happening with the former Great West Warehouse building.I hear it has been sold?
Thanks.

I heard through the grapevine that a bunch of doctors bought it and are looking at converting it to a swanky new medical office.

[Brutopian]

Originally Posted by SkydivePilot

. . . . . . . . but Saskatoon still has yet to secure a pro-sports franchise.

Interesting point. It would appear, then, that Regina should ditch its pro-sports franchise, as it is stunting the city's growth.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by studentview

I heard through the grapevine that a bunch of doctors bought it and are looking at converting it to a swanky new medical office.

I heard that too.

[Echoes]

New Affinity building gives new life to City Park school

BY SCOTT LARSON, THE STARPHOENIX OCTOBER 25, 2013

Mark Lane looked down from the fourth floor outdoor deck of the new Affinity Campus at the outdoor hockey rink and ‘shack.’

“That is the nicest rink shack in Saskatchewan, I think,” Lane laughed. “The neighbourhood is going to love it.”

Lane, Affinity’s CEO, was acting as tour guide of Affinity’s new head office, formerly Wilson School on Seventh Avenue.

The building is now a blend of old and new that offers the 170 staff plenty of open space and natural light.

“We kept the old Wilson School plaque and the Tyndall steps were re-purposed as outside benches and incorporated in the reception area,” Lane said. “Other materials from the building were also reused during construction including metal, glass, lumber and insulation.”

The renovation and expansion project of the former school, which was built in 1927, and First Nations University of Canada building took two years to complete. The 69,000 square foot building includes office space, an exercise room, parking and a recreational area.

The building accommodates all Saskatoon-based administrative employees who were formerly working in four separate buildings in the downtown core.

“The move will provide significant cost savings for our credit union,” said Lane, but added more importantly it brings everyone together in the same building.

After the merger of First Sask and Affinity in 2008 it was tough for everyone to be on the same page.

[....]

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/A...life+City+Park+school/9083646/story.html

^ This is a nice project!

[Echoes]

More photos of the Affinity Campus from The StarPhoenix:















http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/A...life+City+Park+school/9083646/story.html

[Toontone]

Originally Posted by studentview

I heard through the grapevine that a bunch of doctors bought it and are looking at converting it to a swanky new medical office.

A med clinic/office would be a great addition to this "On the move" part if the city. Great to see the changes taking place on 20th street and surrounding area.

[Yeff]

On the southeast corner of Queen Street and 4th Avenue North, four houses have been flattened and the site leveled and fenced for development. Any word on what may be going in here? More condos? It's a pretty big footprint, hopefully something nice goes up.

[bhryhor]

Hello everyone, long follower of this forum first time posting! North Prairie is planning on building two 8 or 9 storey condo towers in the near future on that site in City Park. I can also confirm their plan for City Center tower is definitely a go, with construction to begin this spring. City Center may also not be their only major project planned for downtown!