Saskatoon Construction - Page 35

CCF · #**681** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 5:28 AM**

The Sutherland extra foods closed?

Ruckus · #**682** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 8:01 AM**

reply posted below

Ruckus · #**683** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 8:02 AM**

The Ecovillage idea sounds exciting, its just what the city needs. I also share the view on future development in Blairmore, make it a green neighborhood as much as possible, makes up for having to drive into the city, although its not "way out there" compared to suburbs in larger centers(IE Calgary, Edmonton, etc).

King George is a smaller location as far as grocery stores go, but its better than nothing, and they have a parkade next to it as well, it could work, if its the direction the new owners are willing to take. With the new lofts across the street, and the transit bus mall, the market demands could make for a profitable business.

circle33 · #**684** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 3:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

On the news tonight, all the mayoral candidates were at the university having a debate. One of the questions posed by the students was where could students in the downtown area and Sutherland now buy their groceries since they don't have any grocery stores.

Atchison said this wouldn't be the case for much longer and that the new owners of the King George hotel were going to put a grocery store into their building(!). The news anchors followed up by saying that the owners said they didn't have any concrete plans at this time.

I'm guessing that this would just be the first floor of a residential development? Is one floor really that big? The KG never struck me as being really that big so it would probably be quite a small grocery store or am I misjudging the size?

And don't we have one of the developers here on the board? Any comments?

The mayor seems to be saying a lot of things lately that may not be entirely grounded in fact. His comments about the timeline for the north bridge seems to have caught evereyone but him by surprise and now this grocery store comment that seems to have come out of nowhere. I wonder if he is feeling pressure from the Swystun camp and it's causing him to stretch the truth a bit. There was no doubt that the university crowd was pro-Swystun.

Stewie · #**685** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 4:16 PM**

It sounds like Atch is sitting on information and releasing it with high fanfare at these events to make it appear as though he was the brains behind the plans. It is just odd that this recent information is only coming out at campain or other election events. If it is a done deal, I think it would be wiser to just go public with an announcement and be done with it. I think he is losing credibility by releasing information that nobody is willing to back up.

Dalreg · #**686** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 4:18 PM**

Does it surprise you that the university crowd might be pro-Swystun. You have to remember that maybe 1 in 10 university students will probably vote. I know that was the last thing on my mind when I was in school.

A grocery store is needed somewhere downtown, and maybe the KG can be renovated along those lines. I would rather see something closer to the river. Maybe in the old Canada Post building? That could be quite spectacular.

circle33 · #**687** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 4:28 PM**

Vcom bought the Canada Post building and intends to move a part of their operation there.

Dalreg · #**688** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 5:19 PM**

I know that. They already said they were going to use a small portion for now. Like one floor. So most of the building would be empty.

circle33 · #**689** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 6:40 PM**

Well then you might be on to something. It would be a good spot. I suspect Vcom's longterm plans would figure into it more than their immediate ones, however.

ToddStoon · #**690** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 9:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

The Sutherland extra foods closed?

Yup, a few months back. I think it's basically because there are 3 grocery stores in the general area now (Sobey's, Co-Op and the other Extra Foods) and this one is the most outdated in terms of size and offerings. It is sad though because Central Ave. is now hurting with both the liquor store having relocated as well as the Extra Foods. Both would have been considered 'anchors' for the area and now they are just so much empty space.

circle33 · #**691** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 9:19 PM**

Rumour has it a Giant Tiger will fill the Extra Foods space. That will hardly fill the gap, but I guess it's better than nothing.

swilley · #**692** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 10:51 PM**

Extra Foods space downtown?^^^ That would be awesome!

CCF · #**693** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

Yup, a few months back. I think it's basically because there are 3 grocery stores in the general area now (Sobey's, Co-Op and the other Extra Foods) and this one is the most outdated in terms of size and offerings. It is sad though because Central Ave. is now hurting with both the liquor store having relocated as well as the Extra Foods. Both would have been considered 'anchors' for the area and now they are just so much empty space.

Sobeys and Co-Op are in the newer Sutherland area though, whereas Extra Foods was for the older area, and the students who live in that region.

psych1 · #**694** Posted **Oct 19, 2006, 11:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Does it surprise you that the university crowd might be pro-Swystun. .

Why is it not surprising? Are you implying that they don't know any better or don't care enough to consider more practical candidates. Maybe it's because she's intelliigent, doesn't sound like Don Cherry and doesn't wear a tie to bed (well that last part is only a guess)?

Oops, I took the bait. I know this isn't a political forum, but so should you with the numbr of posts you have. It is easy to to take one line jabs or make insiuations about any candidate. I suggest you read and consider her platform instead of jumping on the bandwagon to make fun of her and her supporters.

Just to keep on the development topic. I don't believe Ms. Swystun is antidevelopment, she is just against the haphazard, damn the planners (and the plans we paid them to create) approach to development which the current council seems to favour. Saskatoon is a small city with an opportunity that Calgary and Edmonton do not have to develop in a reasoned way, and we are throwing that opportunity away by following blindly in their footsteps.

Dalreg · #**695** Posted **Oct 20, 2006, 4:32 AM**

I have read about her plans. Enough said on that subject. The sad things with development plans is things change eh! I'm sure the last time a comprehensive development plan was done for Saskatoon was a while back? Even 5-10 years ago who would have expected big boxes to take over from malls. Yet if the city would have stuck to the development plan what would you have today?

circle33 · #**696** Posted **Oct 20, 2006, 2:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

Sobeys and Co-Op are in the newer Sutherland area though, whereas Extra Foods was for the older area, and the students who live in that region.

I don't think the number crunchers at head office take such factors into account.

circle33 · #**697** Posted **Oct 20, 2006, 3:20 PM**

Office Vacancy Reaches Record Low

www.colliers.com/saskatoon

The first nine months of 2006 brought a significant decrease in the vacancy rate for Saskatoon’s downtown office market. The year began with an overall rate of 9.86% and is now at 8.35%, the lowest recorded in the past 15 years.

The 31,308 sq. ft. in positive absorption can be mostly accredited to the expansion of the Saskatoon City Police into 12,280 sq. ft. in the Standard Life Building, and 6,700 sq. ft. of expansions in the First Nations Bank Building, which included Shore Gold and First Nations Bank. Wardrop Engineering renewed their lease and expanded in the Saskatoon Square taking on an additional 6,300 sq. ft.

Although Saskatoon still remains among the highest vacancy rates in the country, the decline being experienced is beginning to close the gap between Saskatoon and its neighbouring cities of Regina (5.9%), Edmonton (5.0%), Calgary (0.32%) and Winnipeg (7.6%). The decreased vacancy has not yet resulted in a signifi cant rise in rental rates to date as seen in other markets such as Calgary.

Forecast

There is a positive outlook for landlords and investors as current investment returns are improving. However, landlords will look to increasing rental rates to offset external costs and investors will have to expect lower cap rates and limited opportunities due to the small market.

The demand from existing tenants is expected to remain strong for the remainder of 2006 and into 2007. Rental rates may rise if the vacancy continues its downward trend although Saskatoon’s rates are still among the lowest in the country. Compared to Calgary, which has the highest rental rates in Canada at over $50 per square foot, Saskatoon is a bargain. As the market continues to tighten up, current tenants can expect an increase in rental rates just around the corner. Tenants should consider securing longer-term leases and negotiating a rental rate now while conditions are favourable.

Innovation Place is currently constructing a new 150,000 sq. ft. office building, scheduled for 2007 completion. The impact of this building on the overall office market is still unknown.

CCF · #**698** Posted **Oct 20, 2006, 4:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

I don't think the number crunchers at head office take such factors into account.

Obviously not, but to say Co-Op and Sobies serves all of Sutherland, is obviously wrong.

circle33 · #**699** Posted **Oct 20, 2006, 5:10 PM**

No argument here. It's just a sign of the times. Bigger is better unless of course you actually live in the neighbourhood.

I wonder how stable the future is for the Extra Foods on Broadway. I'm hoping very.

macca · #**700** Posted **Oct 23, 2006, 3:47 PM**

Just saw a sign up at the former CKOM site on 8th St. anouncing a new office/retail/condo devlepment. Interesting...