Saskatoon Construction

[aastra]

Is that Riverfront building turning out better than the rendering might have suggested?

Most of the time the actual building looks better than the rendering, I find. Sometimes it looks worse, but very rarely.

[brannelford]

Regarding the Riverfront, it looks like the 3 floor parking garage is facing Spadina and the Riverbank!
Is this correct? Why wouldn't they put this feature behind the building?
I hope it's just a case of my not seeing the total picture.

Other than that, it looks like an okay building - at least it's better than the square rectangular slabs in the vicinity that operate as senior's lodges.

By the way, nice pictures of the recent activity in Saskatoon.
I lived there in the 1980's and it seemed that since that time, that not a lot had changed.

Regarding Cameco locating its head office in the Southwest Industrial Park, when Cameco first moved its head office to Saskatoon, I believe the intention was that it was supposed to anchor the South Downtown project. PCS had just consolidated head offices in downtown Saskatoon during the previous decade, and it was hoped that Cameco would do the same.

However if I remember correctly, the city administration was placing too many restrictions and not offering any real incentive for Cameco to anchor what was essentially blocks of gravel parking lots.

After weeks of frustration, Cameco dropped the ball and announced that they planned to locate at their current address. It's was unfortunate for downtown Saskatoon, however the current Cameco building looks rather nice - seemingly situated on a parklike setting.

Saskatoon is not a head office city, and many businesses seem to locate within the University Business Parks, or in the North End Industrial. I truly think the only thing that will revive Saskatoon's downtown is to bring in more residential development - similar to how substantial residential development in Vancouver's Central Core/West End has helped turn that city's downtown into a vibrant and dynamic quarter, even though a number of head offices have left Vancouver for the suburbs or further east to Calgary.

[jeffwhit]

Ah I'm missing Saskatoon already. Good to see Galaxy shaping up. Affinity looks like a building now too and TCU's looking sharp.
Someone get down to Amigos and have Nachos and a beer for me.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by brannelford

Regarding the Riverfront, it looks like the 3 floor parking garage is facing Spadina and the Riverbank!
Is this correct? Why wouldn't they put this feature behind the building?
I hope it's just a case of my not seeing the total picture.

Other than that, it looks like an okay building - at least it's better than the square rectangular slabs in the vicinity that operate as senior's lodges.

By the way, nice pictures of the recent activity in Saskatoon.
I lived there in the 1980's and it seemed that since that time, that not a lot had changed.

Regarding Cameco locating its head office in the Southwest Industrial Park, when Cameco first moved its head office to Saskatoon, I believe the intention was that it was supposed to anchor the South Downtown project. PCS had just consolidated head offices in downtown Saskatoon during the previous decade, and it was hoped that Cameco would do the same.

However if I remember correctly, the city administration was placing too many restrictions and not offering any real incentive for Cameco to anchor what was essentially blocks of gravel parking lots.

After weeks of frustration, Cameco dropped the ball and announced that they planned to locate at their current address. It's was unfortunate for downtown Saskatoon, however the current Cameco building looks rather nice - seemingly situated on a parklike setting.

Saskatoon is not a head office city, and many businesses seem to locate within the University Business Parks, or in the North End Industrial. I truly think the only thing that will revive Saskatoon's downtown is to bring in more residential development - similar to how substantial residential development in Vancouver's Central Core/West End has helped turn that city's downtown into a vibrant and dynamic quarter, even though a number of head offices have left Vancouver for the suburbs or further east to Calgary.

I guess there is no where to hide the parkade as it runs the entire length of the building. Judging by the rendering on the street corner, it looks like they will be cosmetically hiding it with shrubs and other plants on the front three levels.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by brannelford

Saskatoon is not a head office city, and many businesses seem to locate within the University Business Parks, or in the North End Industrial. I truly think the only thing that will revive Saskatoon's downtown is to bring in more residential development - similar to how substantial residential development in Vancouver's Central Core/West End has helped turn that city's downtown into a vibrant and dynamic quarter, even though a number of head offices have left Vancouver for the suburbs or further east to Calgary.

Something that council is trying to do. The mayors goal was to grow the downtown by (I think) 10,000 residents. By offering tax breaks on new projects, I believe they are making very positive strides. 2-14 story old folks homes, 1-15 story condo, numerous warehouse loft style condo's, and the whole river landing thing coming together. Not to mention another possible condo/hotel tower expected..... All within the last couple of years, not bad considering Saskatoon had not been graced by the presence of any construction crane in more than a decade!

[jaysfan99]

That Meridian on Broadway is sure taking it's time! I keep checking the website, and no news.

The TCU Place addition is looking good. Curious to see if there will be any news about the old "Extra Foods" site. Someone has to know something! Maybe it's still yet to be approved by the city.

[macca]

Great pics swilley and circle. TCU looks pretty good. Dissapointing that there's stil no action on the site beside the Canada building.

I know how you feel jaysfan, I can't wait for some Meridian/Extra Food news. At least I can watch the demo from my office!

[macca]

Latest Meridian news: Building is now 18 stories, main floor all commercial. They will break ground this fall.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by macca

Latest Meridian news: Building is now 18 stories, main floor all commercial. They will break ground this fall.

With the height of the land on broadway, that could very well be the tallest point in the city.

[macca]

Indeed. It will stick out like the Luther tower does.

So Stewie, how about some Extra Foods site news? You're holding out on us you demonic baby.

[Stewie]

[IMG]c:\documents and settings\e2100p\desktop\mob.jpg[/IMG]

Looks like there is activity on the Meridian website.

[macca]

Originally Posted by Stewie

[IMG]c:\documents and settings\e2100p\desktop\mob.jpg[/IMG]

Looks like there is activity on the Meridian website.

You can't post pictures from you hard drive. Where do you see the updates? I just see "coming soon" and the same blurb on the "commercial" page.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by macca

So Stewie, how about some Extra Foods site news? You're holding out on us you demonic baby.

Ahh - you crave my superior intelect, do you.. haha

Once there is activity I will be posting updates. I imagine I will be going through a lot of Tylenol when they begin pile-driving. It is definately not going to be long term serface parking, as we leased all of those lots behind the building for our staff, and Impark took the lot over from Colliers, and some of the people are now parking at the Avord Tower lot. From what I hear, it may be a future support parking structure for the future tower at the Extra Foods site, or even part of the tower project itself. Everyone on the demo crew are tight lipped. If it reopens as a gravel lot, it will be temporary.

[macca]

Originally Posted by Stewie

Ahh - you crave my superior intelect, do you.. haha

I work in a basement Datacenter directly beside the old church supply store.. Once there is activity I will be posting updates. I imagine I will be going through a lot of Tylenol when they begin pile-driving. It is definately not going to be long term serface parking, as we leased all of those lots behind the building for our staff, and Impark took the lot over from Colliers, and some of the people are now parking at the Avord Tower lot. From what I hear, it may be a future support parking structure for the future tower at the Extra Foods site, or even part of the tower project itself. Everyone on the demo crew are tight lipped. If it reopens as a gravel lot, it will be temporary.

Yes, I crave your intelect. And your tears... they sustain me.

You work in the basement of which building? Directly beside the old church supply store is the credit union. And I got lost in your story... Impark took over which lot from Colliers? And the church supply site will be a parking structure for the future tower on the Extra Foods site? And what about the Meridian updates??? I'm too excited about this/bored by work this morning.

Oh and apparently the Meridian drawings aren't done, they architect is still working on them.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by macca

You can't post pictures from you hard drive. Where do you see the updates? I just see "coming soon" and the same blurb on the "commercial" page.

Haw-Haw, but there was never an actual menu item under "condos" until now, it was just the original blurb under "commercial"...

As for the picture - lesson learned - I'll try again..

[circle33]

Originally Posted by macca

Dissapointing that there's stil no action on the site beside the Canada building.

Actually they've done some trenching. My picutre obviously doesn't make that clear...I was far too concerned with working the scooter into te shot.

What's with all th extra floors on the Meridien. Not that I mind, just curious.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by macca

Impark took over which lot from Colliers? .

There was a surface gravel lot directly behind the supply store.

[macca]

Originally Posted by circle33

Actually they've done some trenching. My picutre obviously doesn't make that clear...I was far too concerned with working the scooter into te shot.

What's with all th extra floors on the Meridien. Not that I mind, just curious.

Ah yes, the trenching. The dug a few holes, covered them with plywood and then left it like that for what, 3, 4 weeks now? And getting the scooter in the shot was totally worth it. Trenching is soooo Euro...

As for the Meridian, I'm not sure. Could be that they feel they can sell that many more units. But I have this from two sources (one said 17, the other 18. 18 as of today.). Has anyone tried contacting Meridian as it suggests on their website. I nominate you, circle.

Originally Posted by Stewie

There was a surface gravel lot directly behind the supply store.

I see. And this may be the parking structure? As for the Meridian website, that "MoB" page has been there, frustrating me, for a while. And now I have to wait until the fall! Why not put a sign on the site? Or a picture of a possible rendering on the website? Something! Well, I guess they've done something, I just want something more.

[circle33]

Originally Posted by circle33

I heard that Tramps is moving or closing (I only half heard). That would leave quite a gap on 2nd. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Tramps is indeed relocating to the former Crawdaddy's location on 1st. Seems like a step down, being kind of out on the periphery of the core; less foot/ walk by traffic. I wonder if they were forced out. The building they are in now is, in my opinion, a prime candidate for a face lift, but it's location is A-one. I'll be keeping an eye on that one.

[macca]

^ Interesting... that building also recently lost Midtown Billiards as a tenant. Anyone know if the Brass Monkey is still open? Perhaps the building owner is planning something... Loft conversion?

Agreed about the Crawdaddy's location, it's a little isolated. More development around that would be nice. Starting with the parking lot behind the Ashley Furninture/Konto (where is just bough a new coffee table/ottoman. Yes, that qualifies as development news).