Saskatoon Construction III

[Crisis]

It's been an interesting past couple of weeks on the Saskatoon Construction thread. We're generally much more sedate and this thread has less traffic than the Regina one, but not recently. The Baydo Towers and renewed Lighthouse discussions have really got things hopping here, and that's a good thing.

I don't think there's perfect solution to the Lighthouse issue. Regardless of what we may want all enlightened, compassionate people to think and feel, there's no denying that there is a very real stigma attached to property in the vicinity of the Lighthouse. I may have mentioned this before - When some people from Toronto were in town finalizing the design for EY's space on the 8th & 9th floor of the River Landing East Tower, they asked us to point out the location of the Lighthouse, as they had concerns about its proximity of their new offices. Concern about the Lighthouse had spread from Saskatoon to their Construction Development office in Toronto. Ironically enough, it was some EY folk that were the group targeted in the infamous attempted hatchet attack. That certainly didn’t help the perception of safety in the area.

I contrast that with my personal experience. My wife and I are regular patrons of the Scotiabank Theatre and have been since it first opened as the Galaxy Theatre back in 2006. Our usual parking spot for these movie visits is on 3rd avenue just south of 20th Street, so we have travelled the alley behind the Lighthouse literally hundreds of times during the past 15 years. We often encounter Lighthouse residents there, but never have we been bothered by a single person during that time. In fact, I could count on one hand the times we’ve even been asked for change or a smoke. Have we just been lucky? Based on some of the other anecdotal reports, perhaps we have been. Am I vigilant when in that area? Sure, however, it doesn’t change the fact that I still feel safe near the lighthouse. I’ve had more issues with persistent harassment a couple of blocks from there in the 3rd Avenue and 21st Street region than I ever had around the Lighthouse.

Our construction firm has also done work at the lighthouse. Certainly an interesting venue in which to work with some different hazards (used needles) but again, we had no significant issues with the residents.

Is the Lighthouse too large of a facility for Saskatoon? Perhaps, but these services need to be delivered and, just like construction, there are economies of scale having a large centralized facility vs staffing several smaller ones. If the money is available, then additional facilities spread amongst the requisite neighbourhoods would be preferable but until this happens, having the Lighthouse as it currently exists is far better than having nothing at all. It’s a complex social issue and a bit of an odd one to be debating on Skyscraper Page but at least it gets some of us engaging in a discussion that we otherwise wouldn’t be having.

[Ricopedra]

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[Ricopedra]

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[YXE]

Does anyone know where we can find a history of Saskatoon land sales? Specifically, I'm wondering if the city has sold the parcels near the former Farmer's Market and to whom it was sold to. I know the city has been looking to sell that prime land for a few years now. Thanks!

[prairieguy]

Another big difference maker in the look/impact of our downtown skylines is that Saskatoon's is in a river valley and Regina's is on the flatest of flat prairie...can see it for kilometres outside of the city.

[Arts]

Originally Posted by YXE

Does anyone know where we can find a history of Saskatoon land sales? Specifically, I'm wondering if the city has sold the parcels near the former Farmer's Market and to whom it was sold to. I know the city has been looking to sell that prime land for a few years now. Thanks!

All land sales would be registered with ISC, all the basic details are available to the public but you have have an online account and most services have some fees to access.

[roryn1]

The City of Saskatoon will continue exploring a possible partnership with Saskatoon Public Schools and other organizations regarding a new recreation facility.

Earlier this year, plans were announced to consolidate three older schools in core neighbourhoods, Pleasant Hill, King George and Princess Alexandra, into one school to be built on the current site of the Princess Alexandra school.

The City of Saskatoon, which is part of the White Buffalo Youth Lodge Partnership, wants to explore partnering with the school division to look at integrating a new joint-use recreation facility into the school project for the renewal of White Buffalo Youth Lodge.

https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/planned-sas...use-city-run-rec-centre-report-1.4946020

[YXE]

Originally Posted by Arts

All land sales would be registered with ISC, all the basic details are available to the public but you have have an online account and most services have some fees to access.

I'm having troubles using their website. Would be great if someone else see if the city has sold that land and to whom.

[digit]

Originally Posted by YXE

I'm having troubles using their website. Would be great if someone else see if the city has sold that land and to whom.

According to the ISC site, the property West of the Idywyld bridge is owned by the City as well as the Pumphouse site and the parking lot across from the Farmers Market. This doesn't mean that they aren't in negotiations.. anyone want to pool our funds for the old A.L. Cole Pumphouse?

[YXE]

Originally Posted by digit

According to the ISC site, the property West of the Idywyld bridge is owned by the City as well as the Pumphouse site and the parking lot across from the Farmers Market. This doesn't mean that they aren't in negotiations.. anyone want to pool our funds for the old A.L. Cole Pumphouse?

Thank you for looking into this. I am disappointed to learn the city hasn't sold this property yet. I expect this to be a relatively major project for the city that should have a significant impact on our skyline. I'd like to see someone from out of town with deeper pockets pick this up, or at least a local developer team-up with outside money such as Triovest next door. So we wait.

[SaskScraper]

Just as long as Baydo doesn't get their hands on the land to build one of their gems I think most any developer will take advantage of the prime river front property to develop into something half decent at least.

[ToonTownRob]

I could be wrong but my understanding was that land was being held back off the market and will only be sold one chunk at a time to maintain value. I also believe it is subject to a number of controls, like the rest of river landing.

[roryn1]

Originally Posted by ToonTownRob

I could be wrong but my understanding was that land was being held back off the market and will only be sold one chunk at a time to maintain value. I also believe it is subject to a number of controls, like the rest of river landing.

I’m pretty sure you’re right, and i personally would rather see a tower of some sort compliment the arena/convention center expansion before that same developer gets a hold of this property. 😬

[roryn1]

btw - isn’t this a perfect time to start the arena/convention center? this would be a great economic stimulus to boost the economy right now, and would be up and ready right after the second covid-19 wave settles

[YXE]

Those renderings were the biggest tease the City of Saskatoon has ever experienced. When those came out a few years ago I spent days looking and drooling over them. Obviously Midtown decided to go with it's much more modest renovation/addition that we've seen since.

I don't care whether it's the city to develop arena/convention center, or another developer for an unrelated project, that Toys R Us property MUST be dealt with. It's just simply too valuable and has far too much potential to be used as it currently is.

[reddo]

Originally Posted by bryceyourself

Speaking of ugly ass buildings, does anyone know what's being built off Attridge in front of the church there? Looks like a Soviet bunker or something with these tiny windows.

Horizon Bible college is moving from 7th Street over to attridge. The tiny Windows are in classrooms and offices. The inside looks pretty cool with huge vaults. I did the structural steel, walls roof and windows.

Word on the site is that after Horizon moves to the new building remai will get possession of the 7th Street location and build a new condo

[roryn1]

We were supposed to hear about the arean/convention center potential locations in Q1, do you guys think the OCP Official Community Plan will announce that tonight - it's supposed to have an Entertainment District plan in it? I'm super confused about what that plan is for.

[Echoes]

https://twitter.com/VisitSaskatoon/status/1265671654652416002/photo/1

[Echoes]

Oops, wrong thread... whatever.

[Draftsman]

That is an awesome picture. I look forward to the same view when the Nutrien Tower is complete. Beautiful.