Saskatoon Construction II

[Brutopian]

Tank: Economic downturn could mean it's time to think big

Phil Tank, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
January 3, 2017

ANALYSIS

Saskatoon residents’ appetite for major projects may never have been lower, but the time might be right for building big.

Candidates in October’s municipal election gained traction by stressing city debt and assessing potential projects like a new downtown arena and a new downtown library with heavy skepticism. Mayor Charlie Clark used “mega-project” like a dirty word.

During a city council meeting in November, however, thrifty Coun. Randy Donauer suggested it might be a good time to consider building two north-end interchanges, at Marquis Drive and Idylwyld Drive and Marquis and Highway 16.

The City of Saskatoon had just revealed it was saving $29 million on the expected cost of building two interchanges, at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 and at College Drive and McOrmond Drive.

A city official explained the savings could be linked to the economic downturn of the last year or so. Simply, it costs less money to build stuff than it did during the boom period in Saskatoon that started in about 2007.

[........]

Read more:
http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/tank-economic-downturn-means-it-costs-less-to-build-stuff

[Antigonish]

Originally Posted by Jezza

There's a banner up on the Subway apartments, above. IIRC they're advertising rent at about ~1100-1300 for bachelor/1bedroom.

Christ.

It's no wonder I rent in the 'ghetto' on the west side for $650 all in. Totally worth the 15-minute commute to school.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Antigonish

Christ.

It's no wonder I rent in the 'ghetto' on the west side for $650 all in. Totally worth the 15-minute commute to school.

Can't think of a better example of a developer completely misreading the population in an area. No student is going to spend a grand on a bachelor's suite.

[Crisis]

In 1988, I rented a bachelor suite above the Royal Bank on College Drive around the corner from this new "Subway Apartment" development. I paid $192 per month. Sweet deal within crawling distance from Louis'. Times change.....

Actually, I think those new units will rent quickly. Lots of students have parents that will fork out the money. Location, location, location.

[Jezza]

A 1 bedroom in the College Quarter just across and down the street is $912 a month (you have to pay full 8 months up front) but that includes about 7 meals a week at Marquis, IIRC (and I think parking is extra).

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by Crisis

Actually, I think those new units will rent quickly. Lots of students have parents that will fork out the money. Location, location, location.

I would agree. We have friends in Regina that were looking for a place for their daughter close to U of S campus. Their budget was up to $1500/month. I think these places will be rented out at asking price.

[prairieguy]

U of S new rink

Any thoughts on the request to the city to kick in more money? I really want to see this built asap, but not sure about the request to the city who are already contributing $1million for 1500 hours of community ice time. I guess the rationale that another contribution (maybe not the full $6million request) is still cheaper then the city having to build their own dedicated rink...but then they need to see more community use out of facility....add another ice pad???

http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-new...ey-from-city-for-41-million-rink-project

[Antigonish]

Originally Posted by Crisis

In 1988, I rented a bachelor suite above the Royal Bank on College Drive around the corner from this new "Subway Apartment" development. I paid $192 per month. Sweet deal within crawling distance from Louis'. Times change.....

Actually, I think those new units will rent quickly. Lots of students have parents that will fork out the money. Location, location, location.

Foreign exchange students. When I was working in Edmonton making good money I contemplated buying a home in Antigonish to rent out to foreign exchange students. There was a house on Highland Drive - 3 houses away from St. F.X. campus - selling for $174k! 4 bed room, 2 bath, 2 acre lot with a big driveway, hardwood floors, newly renovated everything... With the way rents are in college towns, you could rent out 4 rooms at $450-500 apiece to rich exchange students from China who won't trash the place and make money on top of covering mortgage payments!

Then again, I wouldn't have been able to afford coming to U of S had I spent my savings before losing my job.

[Echoes]

Caswell Hill residents are finally getting some peace and quiet as the bus barns close — but what's next?

Jonathan Charlton, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Published on: January 13, 2017 | Last Updated: January 13, 2017 5:30 AM CST

Lisa Karkut walks past the bus barns on the way to work at an architecture firm across the tracks.

It’s the most unpleasant stretch of her commute, as she has to navigate around the buses, their fumes and awkward parking.

“The staff and the people there are very courteous — I’ll even miss some of the people who are out here for their smoke breaks that I pass nearly every day,” said Karkut, a community member of the city’s South Caswell committee.

“But overall I think that we could see something a lot more positive in there for the community.”

The bus barns will begin shutting down Friday as Saskatoon Transit’s total 186 regular and Access Transit buses will depart Caswell Hill in the morning and park at the shiny new $154 million Civic Operations Centre on Valley Road, director Jim McDonald said.

“You should see it on Monday — albeit it will be a little hectic and people will be trying to empty a whole bunch of boxes — but that’s what’s going to be happing this weekend,” he said.

Riders shouldn’t see any change to service, but the 27 maintenance bays equipped with hoists in the new centre means repairs should be done faster, McDonald said.

“When you’ve got four or eight working and you’ve got a whole bunch of mechanics that are waiting for a job that has to go up on a hoist, they’ll find other faults on the vehicle to fix first but it does cause some scheduling issues.”

The community has been looking forward to this day for years, Karkut said.

“It took a long time but now that it’s come up it seems like it’s moved very quickly so I think everyone’s happy with that.”

The future of the site is laid out in the South Caswell Concept Plan, which was formally adopted by city council in 2010.

Karkut said it could turn the site into a “stronghold” for the community. The plan envisions a “unique mixed-use area within the city that will support the local arts community, provide additional parks and open space areas for residents, and provide affordable housing options for a range of people.”

[....]

http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-new...et-as-the-bus-barns-close-but-whats-next

This is a big moment for Caswell Hill. I hope that redevelopment can proceed quickly.

[Echoes]

City hall identifies spending priorities for federal money

PHIL TANK, SASKATOON STARPHOENIX
Published on: January 14, 2017 | Last Updated: January 14, 2017 5:30 AM CST

City of Saskatoon officials have prepared a wish list of big projects as they await the details of how the federal government plans to spend $60 billion on infrastructure.

The top projects include $280 million to develop a bus rapid transit system and remove the rail line conflicts along the proposed route and $90 million for a new downtown library.

“All of them are really high-level estimates,” the city’s chief financial officer Kerry Tarasoff said in an interview this week. “We’re maybe getting a little ahead of the game by getting these projects out there.”

The $60-billion Growing the Middle Class infrastructure fund is divided into three subcategories of $20 billion: Public transit, green and social infrastructure. A report outlining Saskatoon’s preferred projects will be tabled at Monday’s governance and priorities committee meeting.

Public transit

The long-planned bus rapid transit (BRT) system ranks as the one of the biggest of the big-ticket items on Saskatoon’s list. The report lists the cost of developing the BRT system at $130 million. That marks a substantial increase from the estimate in the city’s growth plan of $44.2 million to $66.3 million for a curb-side BRT system. The report also includes a $150-million estimate for removing rail conflicts that would impede a BRT system. There are two such rail conflicts along the planned BRT route — on 22nd Street and on Idylwyld Drive. “You can’t be constricted by rail,” Tarasoff said. Either overpasses or underpasses would need to be built to accommodate both trains and vehicle traffic. Some estimates for removing the rail lines entirely from the city have suggested it would cost several billion dollars.

Green

The top item for Saskatoon in this category is the $200-million plan to develop satellite yards. This marks a major departure in thinking that dates back to 2017 budget talks. City officials opted to defer moving the city yards from their current location in the north downtown to the new civic operations centre just south of the Montgomery neighbourhood. The deferral was touted then as a savings of $92 million. Now, the city plans to consider several satellite yards as a possibly preferred option, Tarasoff explained. Another big-money project includes $150 million for water/waste water projects. “High-priority” active transportation projects such as bike lanes and possible pedestrian river crossings are costed at $65 million. Two projects at the city’s planned recovery park at the current landfill would total $50 million, including $30 million for an organics waste processing facility.

Social

A new central library, a project that has been discussed for more than a decade, is listed at $90 million, in line with previous estimates that a new downtown location would cost $80 million to $120 million. A total of $100 million is identified for new recreation facilities, half of which could go to a new suburban facility. Tarasoff said this acknowledges growth in the city’s northeast. “We’re getting close to the target that warrants a new facility,” he said. Other projects in this category include: A new central fire hall ($35 million), new playgrounds and spray pads ($20 million) and a new inner-city recreation centre ($10 million to $20 million).

[email protected]

twitter.com/thinktankSK

http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-new...es-spending-priorities-for-federal-money

Some encouraging priorities here... big money for BRT and grade separation for rail affecting the routes, new central library, moving the city yards, active transportation projects, parks & playground renewal, rec facilities (city centre & NE).

[jrochest]

Originally Posted by Echoes

This is a big moment for Caswell Hill. I hope that redevelopment can proceed quickly.

I really hope so: they're talking about it taking at least a year to simply diagnose the remediation that will be needed...

[KoolKool]

i saw a couple new building being built on stone bridge on the part that has all the car dealership . So 2 new building look pretty big i wonder what brand are they.

[gowest]

Originally Posted by KoolKool

i saw a couple new building being built on stone bridge on the part that has all the car dealership . So 2 new building look pretty big i wonder what brand are they.

I believe they are Vaugh Wyatts new body shop and car wash.

[KoolKool]

there is one unique looking one i thought that was meant for a "super car brand it's being built next to mercedes and audi. you got any info on those 2 ?

Originally Posted by gowest

I believe they are Vaugh Wyatts new body shop and car wash.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by KoolKool

there is one unique looking one i thought that was meant for a "super car brand it's being built next to mercedes and audi. you got any info on those 2 ?

Audi is moving into the new building being constructed next to the Mercedes dealership. Lots of speculation as to what is going to go into the building that currently houses Audi. It was originally thought that Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover were going to leave the building that they currently share with Jubilee Ford and take up residence in the existing Audi building, but the latest rumour is that Alfa Romeo and Maserati are going in there. We'll have to wait a while longer to find out for sure.

So, the Body Shop and Spiffy Car Wash are the two buildings on the south side of Melville street and the new buildings on the north side of the street will be the new Audi dealership and a second Hyundai dealership, next to Acura.

[The S'toon Goon]

I wonder if there is any chance at all of Dodge city ever resurrecting plans to move out the auto mall. Their property on 8th could be reimagined into something so much better!

[Crisis]

Not a lot of room left at the auto mall. Ens Lexus / Toyota is on the property that was going to be the site of the relocated Dodge City.

[mitchellk12]

Originally Posted by Crisis

Not a lot of room left at the auto mall. Ens Lexus / Toyota is on the property that was going to be the site of the relocated Dodge City.

but westward on melville/edson etc.. theres tons of lots to develop, i can imagine in years to come theyll keep finding ways to keep that automall going. i like it myself, having all the dealerships in one place.

[Wyku]

Originally Posted by mitchellk12

but westward on melville/edson etc.. theres tons of lots to develop, i can imagine in years to come theyll keep finding ways to keep that automall going. i like it myself, having all the dealerships in one place.

It would definitely make it easier to access some of the dealerships that are along Circle Dr. if they were to move (like the Subaru dealership which has far outgrown its current site--cars are parked where the rail line used to be now). The VW dealership is going a different direction moving out to a new building/site at the corner of Idylwyld and 71st, according to their sign that went up a few months back.

[gowest]

Originally Posted by Wyku

It would definitely make it easier to access some of the dealerships that are along Circle Dr. if they were to move (like the Subaru dealership which has far outgrown its current site--cars are parked where the rail line used to be now). The VW dealership is going a different direction moving out to a new building/site at the corner of Idylwyld and 71st, according to their sign that went up a few months back.

I think there is a sign on Marquis Dr. East of Idywyld showing Auto Clearing is moving into the area.