Saskatoon Construction

[kgc087]

I think a great issue to address right now would be the densification of downtown. It is the most recent issue we have been talking about in the forum as well it is something that is definatley being addressed by council. After that I think we should address what we feel would be positive "must haves" for the downtown to secure a vibrant core. This would be great to address right now b/c of the articles ran in the SP last week.

[prairieguy]

I agree with Kgc087 with his suggested comments for you SASKFTW. I would add a "green" aspect to both of his suggestions. I think further education needs to be done in terms of planning and building 'green' without the fear of huge costs (which currently seems to be the misconception).

Building on the "Saskatoons Shines" model, wouldn't it be great if we became a model city for green initiatives with a focus on solar power? Perhaps our 'destination' complex at river landing could incorporate this theme? I think a green city core (both literally and environmentally) would be an outstanding acheivement, given we are a northern hemisphere urban city.

Just a thought.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I agree with Kgc087 with his suggested comments for you SASKFTW. I would add a "green" aspect to both of his suggestions. I think further education needs to be done in terms of planning and building 'green' without the fear of huge costs (which currently seems to be the misconception).

Building on the "Saskatoons Shines" model, wouldn't it be great if we became a model city for green initiatives with a focus on solar power? Perhaps our 'destination' complex at river landing could incorporate this theme? I think a green city core (both literally and environmentally) would be an outstanding acheivement, given we are a northern hemisphere urban city.

Just a thought.

This is a definate must! Perhaps this could be the identity Saskatoon is constantly struggling to amplify. Maybe we will be a green oasis that emphasizes the importance of local art and culture with an innovative edge. But yes I agree we should emphasize physical greening of the city as well as developing sites using green practices and certifications. This may also appeal to the general public because it will help combat the idea of a concrete jungle which so many people dislike.

[molasses]

This might be of interest to some people here...not solely construction/development related, but it obviously crosses over with some of the discussions held here.

http://urbanplaygroundsaskatoon.blogspot.com/

Imagine this: A place that meets your everyday needs, wants, and desires and allows you to live your life on your terms. A place where citizens are engaged and caring and work together to solve problems. A place that, despite challenges, consistently works as a unified community to create a better future for everyone—whether rich or poor, sick or healthy, gay or straight, black or white, young or old or anything in-between. A place where you converse with others about your ideas and dreams and find connections to those who will help you succeed. A place where you and your family are confronted with a smorgasbord of daily choices and activities that may be either relaxing or challenging or serve for enrichment and self-actualization.


Now imagine that you helped build that place.

Welcome to The Urban Playground – a new movement in Saskatoon that’s all about the next generation building the “Place” for their future.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by molasses

This might be of interest to some people here...not solely construction/development related, but it obviously crosses over with some of the discussions held here.

http://urbanplaygroundsaskatoon.blogspot.com/

Imagine this: A place that meets your everyday needs, wants, and desires and allows you to live your life on your terms. A place where citizens are engaged and caring and work together to solve problems. A place that, despite challenges, consistently works as a unified community to create a better future for everyone—whether rich or poor, sick or healthy, gay or straight, black or white, young or old or anything in-between. A place where you converse with others about your ideas and dreams and find connections to those who will help you succeed. A place where you and your family are confronted with a smorgasbord of daily choices and activities that may be either relaxing or challenging or serve for enrichment and self-actualization.


Now imagine that you helped build that place.

Welcome to The Urban Playground – a new movement in Saskatoon that’s all about the next generation building the “Place” for their future.

Very cool, that is the genuine vision for Saskatoon (one that I share).

Thank you for posting that molasses, it provides us with a sense of connectivity with other people, the like minded Saskatonians.

The blogs, editorials, reader comments, facebook groups and events, random overheard discussions all lead me to believe a movement has already begun, but, it is an underground, not easily observed movement. The movement towards the "Place" for our future reveals itself through the increased interest in civic events, and a variety of things associated with Saskatoon popular culture.

Our challenge is continued refinement and evolution of the collective vision while acknowledging the potential for external and internal crises (be it economic, social, or environmental).

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by acron

here's the thing.. no one ever really knows 'where' money comes from! money is just some concept people made up to measure utility... it is a vehicle that puts people together to carry out great ideas. so money is really secondary. if you have a great idea, money finds you! ideas shape this world, not money. (oh and this year the U of S attracted record outside investment, so they may have a little bit of that stuff in their coffers...)

I really like the way acron thinks

[swilley]

Acron, perhaps you are referring to this... posted a few months ago...

Originally Posted by The Bess

Has anyone else seen this?

November 07, 2008
University of Saskatchewan Investigates Student Housing with Local Developer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 7, 2008
2008-11-03-OTHER

The University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon-based Meridian Development Corp. have teamed up to explore business models for up to 200 four-bedroom new student housing units at the university. The project would be located near the Williams Building on Cumberland Avenue.

“We know on-campus housing is an important part of the student experience,” said Richard Florizone, U of S vice-president of finance and resources. “As an institution, we are determined to provide the kinds of housing options students want, need and can afford.”

The U of S invited proposals for the residence project from private-sector developers in mid-August in order to explore potential development models that would address the financial challenges associated with a student housing development, said Florizone. A number of companies came forward with proposals but Meridian’s demonstrated the strongest understanding of the particular needs related to student housing, he said.

“We’re excited to be working with the University of Saskatchewan,” said Colleen Wilson, a partner in Meridian Development Corp. “We understand the pressures on students to find affordable housing in Saskatoon, and the university’s desire to create an enriching environment and to finance and build projects like this on its own.”

Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Patty Martin, Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-6919
Email: [email protected]

(Posted November 07, 2008)

[dsim249]

Random note...
Another piece of the Stonebridge puzzle. Saskatoons 11th Starbucks (2nd with drive-thru) will be gracing the development, scheduled to open in June.

Sorry if that has already been mentioned...

[drm310]

Look for a news item on this today. Press conference is in progress as I type.

Originally Posted by swilley

Acron, perhaps you are referring to this... posted a few months ago...

[ninipanini]

Just got this e-mail from the University, looks like I have to eat my words they got the funding afterall!

"I am excited to announce a $15 million commitment from the Province of Saskatchewan to fund our new student residence project. The Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services, and the Honourable Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education Employment and Labour, made this commitment at a media conference on campus this morning.

This funding allows us, with our partner Meridian Development Corp., to construct the first phase of a project that will expand our on-campus residence capacity by 400 beds. Construction is expected to begin in 2009 along Cumberland Avenue, directly across from our main campus, with occupancy in 2011.

Student residences are fundamental to the learning experience of many students, and demand for residence is very high, especially among our out-of-province applicants. As you know, we currently house about 6 per cent of our students on campus. The university's goal is to add at least 1,700 additional residence beds on campus by 2012, or to house about 15 per cent of our student population. The announcement this morning will move us significantly closer to that goal."

[prairieguy]

For those interested in purchasing a unit at the LUXE or KG Condo's, I heard from a friend that although they have their listed 'pre-construction' prices, the developer is open to offers.

Is this already a sign that higher end condo units are not in as much demand as we have been led to believe? Will this impact River Landing or Lighthouse?

I personally believe that we will experience a recovery in the national/world economy (noting that Saskatoon's has remained quite strong all along), so I hope that the developers of these projects continue to have faith in our local economy and are not sidetracked by what is likely a 'temporary' softening of the market.

[kgc087]

Reading about the Saskatoon housing market in the SP it was saying that middle to high income homes are what is in demand right now, so I'm assuming high end condos would be as well?

[gowest]

I just found this site a couple of weeks ago and find it great for those who are interested in Saskatoon. I would like to throw this out for comments. Several years ago, I think it was Mayor Dayday who talked about the growth of Saskatoon and it should be done in a square so that everything wouldn't be on the eastside. In this way it would keep the downtown more active with people coming from all sides. In recent years we see Stonebridge, Willowgrove, Rosewood and others expanding on the east side all at the same time. What happened to the west end. Hampton Village is coming very nicely with great park space and various types of houses. If you haven't been there, take a drive out that way.
The new schools and Shaw Centre are a great addition, Walmart and possibly Lowes are looking to the west end, but nothing else seems to be happening for house developement. It's too bad because the idea of a square city seems to make a great deal of sense. I keep forgetting that the west side is evil. I had a good friend who lives on the east side ask me after I told them I was at the Giant Tiger on 22nd St, Aren't you afraid of getting stabbed in there. Actually the thought never entered my mind, but unfortunately that's the way many people think. It's about time developers started to move west.

[The Bess]

I think this perception of the west side has been going on since Saskatoon was a temperance settlement, which was on the east side. I grew up in the 60's & 70's on the west side and that was what was said back then.

[Measuring Stick]

The City's plans are to expand the east and west equally; however, like anything demand drives chage and this case speed of development. The new reisdential neighbourhoods on the west will not be developed until such a time that Hampton village is 75% sold and developed. If the market were to show increased demand for westside property then the City would expand west at a more rapid pace. Unfortuanately the City can't force people to buy and build in the west, they can only plan for it.


As for the imfamy of the westside, things like the following article keep the stereotyping going:


Frightening Drive For Saskatoon Motorist
Robbed at knife point

Story ToolsReported By Gerald Bauman; Newtalk650.com
Posted February 5, 2009 - 10:44am

It's 6:30 in the morning. You're stopped at a red light, listening to your favourite radio personality on News Talk Radio. You have the go-cup filled with coffee. Just another day right? How about the driver at 22nd Street West and Avenue W in Saskatoon Thursday morning. A man walks up to his window waving a knife and demanding cash. The suspect gets the driver's wallet and runs away. Police are now trying to track him down.

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

The City's plans are to expand the east and west equally; however, like anything demand drives chage and this case speed of development. The new reisdential neighbourhoods on the west will not be developed until such a time that Hampton village is 75% sold and developed. If the market were to show increased demand for westside property then the City would expand west at a more rapid pace. Unfortuanately the City can't force people to buy and build in the west, they can only plan for it.


As for the imfamy of the westside, things like the following article keep the stereotyping going:


Frightening Drive For Saskatoon Motorist
Robbed at knife point

Story ToolsReported By Gerald Bauman; Newtalk650.com
Posted February 5, 2009 - 10:44am

It's 6:30 in the morning. You're stopped at a red light, listening to your favourite radio personality on News Talk Radio. You have the go-cup filled with coffee. Just another day right? How about the driver at 22nd Street West and Avenue W in Saskatoon Thursday morning. A man walks up to his window waving a knife and demanding cash. The suspect gets the driver's wallet and runs away. Police are now trying to track him down.

I disagree that it's a stereotype while the outlying areas of the West Side are just as safe as any East Side area seems 90% of the crime in Saskatoon comes from 'Alphabet City' off of 20th and 22nd. That incident would likely never happen on 8th street but on 8th there are stuck up high school kids from Erindale and Briarwood racing around going 200km/hr so take your pick.

I don't think that building out by Hampton Village is the way to go, they need to clean up 20th and 22nd by building some nice condos and commercial developments around there which would shake the notion of it being this ghetto.

[dsim249]

Bridge City getting Best Buy


By Cassandra Kyle, TheStarPhoenix.comFebruary 5, 2009 1:02 PM


SASKATOON — Best Buy is coming to Saskatoon.

The popular electronics retailer confirmed to The StarPhoenix on Thursday it is planning to build a new, 25,000 square-foot store at The Centre Mall on Eighth Street. The store will fill a portion of the space left vacant by the now-demolished Zellers that once operated at the shopping centre.

The store is expected to be open by spring 2010 and will employ between 50 and 75 full-time staff, said company spokesperson Heather Seabrook.

“We’ve been looking at Saskatoon for some time,” Seabrook said.

“And really (the decision to build in Saskatoon) is due to the appetite there is in the market and basically the opportunity there is for growth in the market.”

This will be the first Best Buy in the city. The chain already operates a store in Regina.

[email protected]

[Measuring Stick]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

I disagree that it's a stereotype while the outlying areas of the West Side are just as safe as any East Side area seems 90% of the crime in Saskatoon comes from 'Alphabet City' off of 20th and 22nd. That incident would likely never happen on 8th street but on 8th there are stuck up high school kids from Erindale and Briarwood racing around going 200km/hr so take your pick.

I don't think that building out by Hampton Village is the way to go, they need to clean up 20th and 22nd by building some nice condos and commercial developments around there which would shake the notion of it being this ghetto.

I completely agree with you on the outlying areas of the west being safe and that Alphabet City is the root of the problem. And yes the Eastside has problem areas; like rental row (7th Street East, east of Preston). But the overwhelming stereotype is not drawing lines but brushing the entire westside with one brush.

As for cleaning up the Westside there are some project's underway including riverlanding trying and the pleasanthill project trying their best to do exactly what you suggest.

[kgc087]

I agree that the areas basically past circle drive west are equivalent to neighbourhoods here, although 33rd street does have some rough pockets along it. Building further out won't really solve the problem of crime in the west side. I agree that developments need to occur along 20th and 22nd that further irradicate problem causing people. By bringing in medium-high end developments a whole new image would be created for the west side, thus, allowing for a more evenly distributed development of the city.

But overall I don't think the city should continue building suburbs, I think they should shift the focus onto say 70-80% redevelopment. Think of redeveloping the what the city currently is into an average medium to high density metropolis. I think this would REALLY attract people from other urban centers around the world. As well it is more sustainable in the long run and we would really break free of the typical north american city image.

[drm310]

Amid cooling market, 150 lots returned to City of Saskatoon
Last Updated: Thursday, February 5, 2009 | 12:32 PM CT
CBC News

In another sign Saskatoon's real estate boom has cooled, the city is reporting that a record number of serviced lots were returned in 2008.

Individuals and companies changed their minds on 150 lots — and paid more than $800,000 in penalties to give them back.

Each year, the city typically takes back between 10 and 15 lots from people who decide not to build, but that number went out the window after 735 lots were sold in 2007.

Saskatoon was undergoing an unprecedented housing boom around that time and house prices were skyrocketing. But then the red-hot market cooled.

Among the companies that returned lots last year was North Ridge Development, which returned 10, company spokesman Wally Mah said.

However, the majority of the returns were likely coming from inexperienced builders hoping to take advantage of a hot real estate market, he said.

"When that market cools off, who are the first people that flee? They are the first people that flee, and they don't have the ability to sustain carrying three or four lots at a time," he said. "That's why there's a large return of lots."

According to Brian Casey, a spokesman for the city's land branch, the lot returns came primarily from the Hampton Village on the city's west side, and Willowgrove subdivisions, in the northeast.

Source