Saskatoon Construction II

[prairieguy]

There was word a while back that River Centre II was being scaled back to a 5 story building (matching River Centre I). Also, I believe someone had posted on here that they are not moving forward until an anchor tenant can be secured. So, yes, I would say it is safe to assume this is on hold. Personally I am hoping that the completion of the Galaxy Theatre (Scotia Centre new brand) and retail component will spur the start of River Centre II!!!

[prairieguy]

What has happened to the new build proposed for corner of 20th and 4th Ave?? I really thought with First Nation bank behind this it would be well on its way to build? It's so frutstrating there are so many 'potential' or 'announced projects' with no indication of progress...

[jigglysquishy]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

What has happened to the new build proposed for corner of 20th and 4th Ave?? I really thought with First Nation bank behind this it would be well on its way to build? It's so frutstrating there are so many 'potential' or 'announced projects' with no indication of progress...

The First Nations bank is being converted to reserve status tomorrow. I suspect that after the legalities are sorted out they will proceed.

[Echoes]

Any doubt of there being a project coming for the top of the Broadway Bridge should now be erased. From the Broadway BID on Twitter (from Sept. 26):

Broadway BID‏ @OnBroadwaySK

thanks for exciting meeting with architects for planned building at parking lot atop the Broadway Bridge! #BroadwayYXE, ur in for a treat!

[Measuring Stick]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

The First Nations bank is being converted to reserve status tomorrow. I suspect that after the legalities are sorted out they will proceed.

With the current state of the Downtown office market it is very unlikely any new projects will commence in the coming year. Vacancy is increasing and risk increases with it, this short hopefully be a short term delay in Saskatoon's developing downtown.

[Brutopian]

Stop Gap Measure Discussed In Case of Bridge Construction Budget Issues

Written by Carol Thomson, saskatoonhomepage.ca
Tuesday, 14 October 2014

To make sure the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge project doesn't hit a standstill, the General Manager of Transportation suggests something called a de-scoping ladder.

Jeff Jorgenson says if all the proposals come in over budget, they could scope out four sub-projects to be tendered out separately, depending on how much over budget the project was.

He explains this is only to be used as a stop-gap measure to make sure the project keeps going forward.

[........]

Read more:
http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/stop-gap...dge-construction-budget-issues/itemid_21

[Echoes]

U of S childcare expansion receives approval
Construction on 90 space facility expected to start in 2015

Reported by News Talk Radio staff
First Posted: Oct 14, 2014 5:04pm | Last Updated: Oct 14, 2014 5:05pm

A new childcare centre needed on the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) campus is finally moving ahead.

On Tuesday the university's Board of Governors approved a 90 space daycare facility to be built in the university's College Quarter.

The project has been in the works for years to meet the huge demand for childcare on campus, but a lack of funding, among other issues pushed back a February 2014 construction target.

Once the facility opens, the number of daycare spaces on campus will increase from 110 to 200. The unversity says there are nearly 700 students on the waiting list for childcare spots.

The Board of Governors also gave the go-ahead to explore further childcare options, including the renovation and expansion of the University of Saskatchewan Students Union's (USSU) Childcare Centre.

The building will go out for tender next month with the university hoping to have shovels next spring.

[....]

http://newstalk650.com/story/u-s-childcare-expansion-receives-approval/425065

[Brutopian]

Will a new housing development solve Saskatoon's hockey rink shortage?

Saskatoon businessman offers land for sports complex

CBC News, Oct 15, 2014

A proposed housing and retail development south of Saskatoon could solve the city's rink shortage.

Saskatoon is in need of more sheets of ice for hockey. Now a Saskatoon businessman is prepared to donate land and money to make that happen.

Gary Budd, the CEO of Star Produce, is proposing to develop land he owns in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park, just south of Saskatoon.

"It's the best possible development that we can have in the area," Budd said.

"The homes are close enough together to give a sense of community. Yet there's enough green space that you have the openness."

The 17 hundred acre development, called Silver Sky, include hundreds of single detached homes, condos, townhouses, seniors residences, a hotel, as well as retail and office space. A large chunk of the land, 40 per cent, will be green space.

Budd is also donating 20 acres and some money to help build a sports facility, called Starplex. It would include 4 to 8 ice surfaces, indoor soccer fields, basketball courts as well as facilities for sports medicine and physiotherapy.

[........]

Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/...skatoon-s-hockey-rink-shortage-1.2798380

[North_Regina_Boy]

Anyone have information / pics of the green bridge in Evergreen?

[Chadillaccc]

Random question, but are Warman and Martensville each over 10 000 yet? They grew quite substantially between 2006 and 2011, and judging by Saskatoon's accelerated growth rate since that time, I would imagine both of them have also grown faster. If they aren't 10 000 yet, they likely will be soon.

[Echoes]

Well, good and bad news about 240 Fourth Ave. It looks like it's going ahead, but an amputated version of it:

From Downtown Saskatoon on Twitter:

New office building for 4th and 20th. Good news for downtown. Thnx to Yellow Quill FN for investing in Saskatoon

New proposal:


Source

The project has been scaled back by 2 floors. Here's the original proposal:


http://240fourth.com/

The new proposal looks so awkward. Like the top 2 floors were literally just chopped off the top and they called it good. I'm disappointed we won't get that sweep of curved glass on the upper floors, which was the great architectural statement of the building. The great river views for tenants on those upper floors notwithstanding, the original design would have had a positive impact on the view of downtown from the Broadway Bridge too. The strong impact of the building on the intersection is now greatly diminished as well.

Maybe they'll be able to land a tenant in time to restore the top two floors. But until that happens, I'm kinda bummed out.

[macca]

Where is the render of the revised building?

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by macca

Where is the render of the revised building?

I'm going by the render displayed on the banner shown in the photograph that the Partnership tweeted. It appears to be from an announcement held at the vacant parking lot today, perhaps just to announce their urban reserve status, and/or to announce a construction start. I have no other details yet.

The banner does say "scalable development", suggesting the building can be changed in size and scale based on tenants.

[macca]

I recall a recent piece on saskatoonhompage(?) saying that a major tenant walked away from this building.

[macca]

I imagine they found lower lease rates and ample, cheap parking in a suburban development.

Saskatoon Shines!

[macca]

Originally Posted by macca

I recall a recent piece on saskatoonhompage(?) saying that a major tenant walked away from this building.

And here it is again, today: http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/new-office-building-to-be-built-on-urban-reserve/itemid_21

[macca]

Other tidbits:

renderings for the Broadway development behind The Roastery will be public as early as tomorrow:

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Ward 6 Rezoning 604/610 Broadway Ave -- Victoria School (Library) 639 Broadway Ave.

Residents are invited to review a rezoning proposal in the Nutana neighbourhood. The applicant,
Kent Sutherland, has applied to rezone 604 and 610 Broadway Avenue from the current zoning
designations of RM1 – Low Density Multiple-Unit Dwelling District and RM5 – High Density
Multiple-Unit Dwelling District to B5B – Broadway Commercial District and AC2 – B5B
Architectural Control Overlay District. An Official Community Plan Land Use Map amendment is
also required to change the land use designation of the subject properties from Medium and
High Density Residential to Special Area Commercial.


The proposed amendments will facilitate the construction of a five storey mixed use building
containing commercial, office, and residential uses.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide neighbouring residents the opportunity to learn details
of the proposal, and for the applicant to obtain public input on this matter. The City of Saskatoon
will also be in attendance to provide details on the rezoning process.

Renderings for the proposed City Centre Tower(s) will likely be public by the end of the month.

[slats]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Random question, but are Warman and Martensville each over 10 000 yet? They grew quite substantially between 2006 and 2011, and judging by Saskatoon's accelerated growth rate since that time, I would imagine both of them have also grown faster. If they aren't 10 000 yet, they likely will be soon.

According the the Ministry of Health's 2013 numbers the population of Martensville is 8805 and Warman is 8770. Those were 2013, so it is safe to say they are over 9000 each now.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by macca

I recall a recent piece on saskatoonhompage(?) saying that a major tenant walked away from this building.

Yes, I recall that as well. From the NewsTalk 650 story on the building today:

"The next step is to decide how large the building will be and that will be decided by how many tenants are attracted to it," President of Colliers International Saskatchewan Tom McClocklin explained.

Colliers already manages the First Nations Bank Building and McClocklin said with an ideal downtown location he expects lease spots to fill up within a few months.

So, there still seems to be hope that the original proposal will be realized, depending on if they can land tenants.

Originally Posted by macca

Other tidbits:

Renderings for the proposed City Centre Tower(s) will likely be public by the end of the month.

Looking forward to it.

[Echoes]

Another new eating and drinking establishment in Riversdale. The Grazing Goat has opened on 20th Street West, in part of the former Boomtown Outfitters building. Looks like a cool interior:




Source

I've also heard that Thrive Juice Co. will be opening a storefront location on 20th Street. That must be the mark of reaching true hipsterdom once your neighbourhood gets a juice bar!