Saskatoon Construction - Page 225

socialisthorde · #**4481** Posted **Sep 19, 2008, 6:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Library looking for proposals
The StarPhoenix
Published: Friday, September 19, 2008

Saskatoon Public Library is going back to the drawing board to revamp its downtown facility.

...Proposals can include designs that extend the library into or over top of 23rd, although it's an unpopular idea with some members of city council. The library has also had preliminary discussions about potentially expanding the library over the Sturdy Stone Centre to the southwest. Management of the Sturdy Stone, which is owned by the province, has told the library it's open to ideas, director of libraries Zenon Zuzak said.

...

Coun. Bev Dubois, who represents council on the library board, said she'd love to see the library tie into civic square somehow.

"If the logistics could be worked out, I think it would be very cool to have the library connected in that street and that area." Mayor Don Atchison said council has given expansion across 23rd "a resounding no." The EOI is a logical starting point for planning a new library, he said.

[email protected]

Source

I'm all for burrying the Sturdy-Stone building

It is a lovely parking garage, but pretty ugly office building IMHO. I also kind of like the idea of going over 23 st. Eek, I'm on the side of Bev Dubois, I'll have to rethink that.

madsad · #**4482** Posted **Sep 19, 2008, 7:18 PM**

You know, council is sure treating the public library poorly. They've placed a rather under-funded department between a rock and ... a sturdy stone building. Every approach the library has had for creating a new facility has been rejected, some with paltry arguments. I've yet to hear WHY Atch doesn't support the library expanding into 23rd St. Perhaps because it'll block the three cars per day that drive through there?!

23rd St is already has another obstruction to traffic, the transit terminal, which is right next door. Why not seal off between 3rd and 4th as well?

Would the police station be a suitable building for the library? Maybe an extra floor, a nice, open reading room, and a glass curtain front facade might be all it needs...

Ruckus · #**4483** Posted **Sep 19, 2008, 11:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsad

You know, council is sure treating the public library poorly. They've placed a rather under-funded department between a rock and ... a sturdy stone building. Every approach the library has had for creating a new facility has been rejected, some with paltry arguments. I've yet to hear WHY Atch doesn't support the library expanding into 23rd St. Perhaps because it'll block the three cars per day that drive through there?!

23rd St is already has another obstruction to traffic, the transit terminal, which is right next door. Why not seal off between 3rd and 4th as well?

Yeah, sealing off 23rd Street wouldn't be a huge inconvenience for motorists. As well, the Civic Square would become the uniting force between City Hall and the Main Library, a concept worth developing.

Of more future concern, if a west-east LRT line were to be built downtown the most logical route is 23rd St or perhaps 22nd St. Maybe building the library over 23rd isn't such a good idea, elevated above it may be more intelligent, of course the downtown west-east LRT line could run underground to avoid the library/street obstructions all together.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsad

Would the police station be a suitable building for the library? Maybe an extra floor, a nice, open reading room, and a glass curtain front facade might be all it needs...

Floors probably aren't designed to hold much weight, and I believe City Hall intends to shuffle staff into the police HQ once the new one on 25th Street ready for occupancy.

kgc087 · #**4484** Posted **Sep 21, 2008, 6:50 PM**

Well I just received an email from Meridian letting me know that floor plans are on the website for both the KG & Luxe. http://www.meridiandevelopment.ca/Developments/page_1744317.html

socialisthorde · #**4485** Posted **Sep 22, 2008, 3:51 PM**

Re: library move to old police station

Quote:

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Floors probably aren't designed to hold much weight...

I dunno, the police can be quite heavy

Ruckus · #**4486** Posted **Sep 22, 2008, 11:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

Re: library move to old police station

I dunno, the police can be quite heavy

Okay, I'll bite.

And "...Saskatoon is 5 points above national average on the number of overweight/obese people." (Chaps, 2008, p. 1).

Source

Of course, architects and engineers understand the dynamic human physical form, however, I remain unconvinced of our police officers being representative of the general population...a physical test is required

Rob D · #**4487** Posted **Sep 23, 2008, 3:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Okay, I'll bite.

And "...Saskatoon is 5 points above national average on the number of overweight/obese people." (Chaps, 2008, p. 1).

Source

Of course, architects and engineers understand the dynamic human physical form, however, I remain unconvinced of our police officers being representative of the general population...a physical test is required

Saskatoon has come a long way since the days of ParticipAction

http://www.usask.ca/archives/participaction/english/mobilize/ParSask.html

Ruckus · #**4488** Posted **Sep 23, 2008, 11:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob D

Saskatoon has come a long way since the days of ParticipAction

http://www.usask.ca/archives/participaction/english/mobilize/ParSask.html

Thanks for sharing, I never knew Participaction had its beginnings in Saskatoon, crazy. Judging by the literature and photos the concept appeared to be a success, and they didn't have commercials with Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod, cool stuff.

Source - View Slides of ParticipACTION Saskatoon - Prepared by Dr. Donald Bailey

Source - View Slides of ParticipACTION Saskatoon - Prepared by Dr. Donald Bailey

____________________________

Bridging the topics of physical activity (health) and urban development...

It will take more than an aggressive advertising campaign to prevent Saskatoon from sliding further in national ranking, especially if the goal is sustained improvement and stability for the physical and mental health status of the city's citizens.

Improvement and stability determined by urban design, land use, and transportation policy and practice is best positioned to affect the overall health for most of the city's inhabitants, now and forever.

I could expand, but I think most of you understand the basic idea I am trying to project.

subdude · #**4489** Posted **Sep 24, 2008, 3:49 AM**

Oh wow, Umea Sweden, I remember that so well. It was really a big thing back in the day. My family, being of Swedish background, took great interest. I remember drawing Swedish flags for school projects and such. Thanks for the blast from the past.

prairieguy · #**4490** Posted **Sep 24, 2008, 7:43 PM**

I received information on the latest Meridian development projects this week. I received a hard copy of the floor plans for the LUXE on Broadway as well as pricing. It is coming in a bit higher then was originally proposed. I was initially told that the entry would likely be in the low to mid $400,000 range. However, the starting price is $544,000 for a 1,200 sq ft unit going up to $1,272,000 for a penthouse unit.

As much as this project fits what we are looking for, it is now priced beyond our means. Too bad, as we were looking forward to the possibility.

There is an 'invite only' reception for the LUXE this Thursday with first opportunity to purchase at this time. The units then go on sale to the general public this Saturday.

I would imagine that the KG project will be just as expensive, if not more.

I am very curious how well the LUXE will sell, as this pricing point certainly reduces the potential market. I hope it does well.

noseyparker · #**4491** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 6:55 PM**

2nd Ave Lofts are supposed start possession Oct. 1st. Does anyone know if they are going to make that deadline? According to their Website, there are still 30 units up for sale.

joelpiecowye · #**4492** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 9:54 PM**

one of the 2 garthicole arches r coming up it is about half way , i am sure they will be done before snow fall, looks nice but a bit small

circle33 · #**4493** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 10:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by noseyparker

2nd Ave Lofts are supposed start possession Oct. 1st. Does anyone know if they are going to make that deadline?

I can't say for sure, but I pass by daily and it looks like they're trying.

blammo · #**4494** Posted **Sep 27, 2008, 7:20 PM**

I saw a huge "SOLD" Banner hanging off the Imperial Parking Bldg on the corner of 1st and 20th last night. Does this mean the building has been sold, or does it mean the empty lot in front of the building (which was for sale) has been sold?

macca · #**4495** Posted **Sep 27, 2008, 8:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by blammo

I saw a huge "SOLD" Banner hanging off the Imperial Parking Bldg on the corner of 1st and 20th last night. Does this mean the building has been sold, or does it mean the empty lot in front of the building (which was for sale) has been sold?

This is the company that bought it:

http://www.edgarproperties.ca/index.php

blammo · #**4496** Posted **Sep 27, 2008, 9:05 PM**

...But I wonder if it means they bought the building or the property in front of it. I seem to recall there being a 'For Sale/Build to Suit' sign on that empty lot. It's no longer there.

Ruckus · #**4497** Posted **Sep 28, 2008, 12:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by macca

This is the company that bought it:

http://www.edgarproperties.ca/index.php

Same group that recently purchased the adjacent Folks Finer Furs. They're assembling land to accommodate new development, likely commercial/retail uses (Source). The FFF deal is expected to conclude early 2009.

What ever becomes of those lots can only strengthen the image and feeling of an already lively entertainment/retail area, hoping for stylin' glitz!

Oh, and Blammo, you may be correct in stating the parkade was sold along with the empty lot.

swilley · #**4498** Posted **Sep 29, 2008, 4:30 PM**

A few important items up for discussion at tonights council meeting....

1. St. John's Cathedral to become a heritage site. This is required for the sale of the lot beside it to make way for the condo project. Sale agreement to the private developer would include the following: complimantary architectural design (which kind of scares me), and a height restriction that would not allow the condo to exceed the height of the steeple (44.2 m)

2. Land sale for the Lighthouse. If appoved it will be constructed in two phases, 1. floors 1-8, 2. floors 9-28 market condo's. As is, height of the building is 310 feet (94.5m) grade to peak)

Source

macca · #**4499** Posted **Sep 29, 2008, 6:36 PM**

The phasing of the Lighthouse project is a bit discouraging...

Ruckus · #**4500** Posted **Sep 29, 2008, 8:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by macca

The phasing of the Lighthouse project is a bit discouraging...

In what capacity does phasing reflect the market demand for downtown residential? Stoneset is being cautious, rightfully so with the current state of global finance...however, it is encouraging to see developers willing to proceed with their proposals. As well, the Lighthouse is partially funded with government dollars, a likely reason why it is still proceeding.

Remai's condo proprosal next to St Johns cathedral is another encouraging vote of confidence in Saskatoon. With regards to "complementary design" in the sale agreement elicits certainty for church officials that they won't be neighbors to a contextually inappropriate building (glass box?), in trust of something more similar (brick facade, limited glass...the typical status quo condo building in Saskatoon? Or perhaps a forward looking design incorporating similar architectural features as the church can be built, even if it means similar materials/colors were used...what would St. Johns Cathedral look like if it were a residential condo building?). We should be glad the church is including design requirements in the sale agreement, but who knows what sort of design church officials believe is complementary? A range of design possibilities exists under that restriction, but there's also a range of possibilities that don't exist under that restriction, which is probably what scares some of you hoping for modern, glass exteriors.

With regards to economic uncertainty, I expect, and am confident Saskatchewan, and in particular Saskatoon, will perform well relative to many other places in the world...I'm sure some of you may disagree with me, but then you probably more about this crisis than I do...I'm going to go for a carefree bike ride this afternoon along the river, maybe I'll snap a few photos