Saskatoon Construction

[WoodlandCritter]

Thanks kgc087, yeah i've thought of a few of those points, but i'll run some of the other ones by my other group partner and see what she thinks.

Also these projects are more so hypothetical, more so focusing on the technical aspects, but i just thought it would be neat to try creating something in Saskatoon. Its great to get the input of people on here as to what they would like to see built too. More brains thinking the better.

Any other areas in the city that could be made more interesting by some sort of steel structure? whether it be a new pedestrian bridge, outlook plateau, bus stop, 7-eleven?

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by WoodlandCritter

Thanks kgc087, yeah i've thought of a few of those points, but i'll run some of the other ones by my other group partner and see what she thinks.

Also these projects are more so hypothetical, more so focusing on the technical aspects, but i just thought it would be neat to try creating something in Saskatoon. Its great to get the input of people on here as to what they would like to see built too. More brains thinking the better.

Any other areas in the city that could be made more interesting by some sort of steel structure? whether it be a new pedestrian bridge, outlook plateau, bus stop, 7-eleven?

An interpretive structure at the downtown bus terminal could be cool to help rejuvenate the area or perhaps some sort of structure that uses water would be cool.

[GTR200]

Nice Picture of the LUX:



Can you believe that someone actually painted graffiti on the side of the LUX. Why would anyone do that? It is such a nice building, and some stupid person went out of thier way to do that. Makes me mad.



Construction on the new University student housing has began.

[Jerry]

Four Points Sheraton in Stonebridge. Looks like they will be open sometime in the middle of August.


Demo work on the Russell Metal shop soon to be a Co-op gas bar, car wash, truck stop on 51st Street and Millar Ave.


More on the Mitchell's demo. Great story on the deconstruction from the Star Phoenix Here






Bulb replacement on the University Bridge.


Wasn't the weather fantastic this weekend.
Ah yes back to construction. Hey I did manage to get a crane in the shot.

[studentview]

Originally Posted by blueboots

1) So does anyone know what is happening on 51st next to the Extra Foods and the McD's. There was an huge industrial building that came down. What is going in its place?
2) So I heard a Holiday Inn is going in downtown. I am all for more buildings downtown but does Saskatoon need another hotel?
3) I ordered a TranSport Map off the www.times10.ca website and I get it in the mail today. A great map that supports Saskatoon's sustainable transportation routes. This will a handy guide when I get out this weekend to do some running and biking in the city. I think this weekend is going to be +20.

Although not directly related to this 51st street site, a similar redevelopment will be happening kitty corner to this site. 829 51st was bought by a local developer this year and is undergoing some preliminary work in preperation for a mixed use site that will house a number of different tenants. the site is quite large and some assessments of highest and best use are currently underway. the current building that is temporarily holding mcdougall auctioneers will be knocked down opening the site right up. stayed tuned for more details.

[Ruckus]

What a beautiful weekend we had. I went out on Saturday for a rip along the river and stopped by the weir. Pelicans!!! It was better than a trip to the Forestry Farm They were jousting for fish and flaunting their impressive wing spans. Such magnificent birds

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Amazing weather indeed!
You can really feel it in a winter city: the first nice weekend people do whatever they can to get outside!
Rotary park was PACKED.
So great to see our parks, river and new riverlanding walkway (what are we calling it? Riverwalk or something?) getting used so much so early.

We even had a great start and turnout to our weekly sunday tam tam.
If anyone has instruments / drums...come jam!
(Move over Montreal!)

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by JCA

Thanks for the photos Jerry. This just dawned on me but I wonder what will happen to future fireworks displays(Canada day and the Ex) if anything. Any ideas?

Although it would displace me from my favorite place to watch the fireworks, I think they should launch em' from the top of the landfill.

Originally Posted by WoodlandCritter

Hey i was wondering if you guys could give me a little imput. I am working on a final project for my class. I convinced my group to design something in Saskatoon . Its a steel design project with the topic being Curvature. We were thinking something civic, maybe along the lines of a permanent structure for outdoor skating area/garden fountain downtown....or we were thinking a concert venue. Something for Jazzfest or something that could be built behind the Bessborough in their gardens. And maybe even have that location as a skating rink in the winter for the public, because i don't think it is used for much in the winter months.

Let me know what you think or any other ideas that could be considered for a structure or civic purpose of some sort.

Thanks for your help!

So it's an outdoor venue? I don't have much to add except that it needs a water component. An outdoor fountain that operates through the winter months (maybe give off a little steam...excess heat from somewhere???) would be a wonderful attraction. Whatever you decide to go with, be sure to give it some color, light, and transparency. Saskatoon is vibrant during the summer months, but it disappears far too early into the season.

Another location I'd like to see developed with a public amenity is the sliver of land between the President's residence and College Drive. There are several elements that make it attractive. It has copious amounts of sunshine exposure (even during the winter months), high visibility to people driving along College (can entice them to stop and join in the fun), and a view of the skyline/sunset. There is the downside of being directly adjacent to noisy traffic (think obnoxious Harley riders ), but noise can be mitigated with intelligent site orientation and building design. The right kind of project could significantly strengthen the link between downtown and the U of S.

Originally Posted by Jerry

I am using a Leica Digilux 2 28-90mm and a Canon S90 28-105mm. Both have full manual operation and the S90 is small enough to fit in a pocket. Just picked up the S90 a few months back and it's an amazing take anywhere camera.


Leica Digilux 2 .............................................Canon S90

Cool. I've lost two point and shoot cameras over the last couple years (they're too small!). My Olympus is a fair size (I use a neck strap), but for some occasions it's too big and the quality of the photos don't come close to the current crop of cameras. That Canon sounds pretty nice. The depth of color in your photos is great (not washed out like mine).

[drm310]

Another photo thread... enjoy!
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=180907

[Jerry]

Unleashing Public Life + Beauty through Downtown Planning


Great Places is pleased to announce that at 7:00pm on Monday, April 19, 2010, Jennifer Keesmaat, an award-winning city planner and acclaimed speaker, will be giving a public presentation in Saskatoon.

Keesmaat is a founding partner of Office for Urbanism, a planning and design firm located in the city of Toronto. Entitled “Unleashing Public Life + Beauty through Downtown Planning,” Keesmaat’s talk will take the audience on a fascinating exploration of how we might direct our efforts to unleash the full potential for civic life and quality development in Saskatoon's downtown through ambitious planning and urban design.

Keesmaat is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Congress for New Urbanism. Her list of awards in the past three years includes two national awards for excellence in planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners, awards for excellence from the Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planners and Ontario Professional Planners Institute, and the prestigious Design Exchange Award. Keesmaat recently completed downtown plans for the City of Regina and the Regional Municipality of Halifax. In Toronto, she has completed a master plan for Union Station, a Heritage Conservation District for Queen Street West and a Bloor Street Visioning Study. She is leading the production of the City of Mississauga's new Official Plan and has completed streetscape, transportation, culture planning, community engagement, urban design and place-making projects across Canada and internationally.

Keesmaat will be speaking at the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon, located at 715 Broadway Avenue. The event begins at 7:00pm, and admission is free. Following Keesmaat’s presentation and open discussion, there will be a reception hosted by the University of Saskatchewan’s Regional & Urban Planning Program and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Great Places is a discussion forum that focuses on current issues related to the built environment in Saskatoon as shaped by architecture, urban planning, public art and landscape design. The group brings together visionary design professionals, government officials and citizens to discuss projects, initiatives, and precedents, locally and from abroad.

For more information on this event and on Great Places, please contact Jim Walters at 306.665.3441 or at [email protected].

Source

[kgc087]

Hey everyone, so this isn't construction related, but I'm the creative director for the newly created Saskatoon Fashion Week board and were having our first photo shoot soon and I'm trying to think of locations. I would really like something that has stellar modern architecture, nothing iconic so it looks more international. Any ideas? REALLY any suggestion is GREATLY appreciated!

[dsim249]

^ Hmmm... Are you looking for more indoor? Or outdoor?
- 121 Research Drive
- The airport
- TCU Place
- Persephone Theater
- A skywalk at the U of S. The Ag one is best, IMO
- Wanuskewin (The interior was recently remodeled)
- Circle Drive Bridge walkway
- Stadium Parkade (I've seen a few photo shoots taken inside it. It looks really cool with the sleek metal slats as a backdrop.)

None of those are really stellar modern architecture, but it you played with them, you could get some great shots.

A good idea would be to browse some local photographers websites. Since this is their full time job, they usually have scoped out much of the city and find really unique locations. I can suggest a few photographers if you're interested.

[WoodlandCritter]

- kgc087 its hard to say what could be defined as stellar architecture. You may find hints of good architectonic elements on some of the buildings mention above that could be looked at from different perspectives. What about the Dakota Dunes Casino exterior, or the front of some new stores downtown, also have you looked into residential homes? what about some of the buildings on campus, synchatron, Innovation Place? i'll keep trying to think of some good places.


- Oh also, my group changed our project idea to redesigning the Bus Station area... I think we have a good idea going with it. But as someone who never takes the bus I was wondering if anyone had input on what might make it better? what would make it more inviting and user friendly. Again we are designing a steel structure based around the topic of curvature.

[jrm857]

Originally Posted by WoodlandCritter

- kgc087 its hard to say what could be defined as stellar architecture. You may find hints of good architectonic elements on some of the buildings mention above that could be looked at from different perspectives. What about the Dakota Dunes Casino exterior, or the front of some new stores downtown, also have you looked into residential homes? what about some of the buildings on campus, synchatron, Innovation Place? i'll keep trying to think of some good places.


- Oh also, my group changed our project idea to redesigning the Bus Station area... I think we have a good idea going with it. But as someone who never takes the bus I was wondering if anyone had input on what might make it better? what would make it more inviting and user friendly. Again we are designing a steel structure based around the topic of curvature.

Something that reflects the curvature of the river might be really cool. something flowing, and really simple might be useful for the site.

[Measuring Stick]

Originally Posted by WoodlandCritter

- kgc087 its hard to say what could be defined as stellar architecture. You may find hints of good architectonic elements on some of the buildings mention above that could be looked at from different perspectives. What about the Dakota Dunes Casino exterior, or the front of some new stores downtown, also have you looked into residential homes? what about some of the buildings on campus, synchatron, Innovation Place? i'll keep trying to think of some good places.


- Oh also, my group changed our project idea to redesigning the Bus Station area... I think we have a good idea going with it. But as someone who never takes the bus I was wondering if anyone had input on what might make it better? what would make it more inviting and user friendly. Again we are designing a steel structure based around the topic of curvature.

Woodland,

I have always thought that I modern take on a grain elevator would be a great addition to the river front or downtown. I think trying to incorporate your "curved" ideas into an object that isn't typically curved could result in an interesting end product.

[Caswellian]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Unleashing Public Life + Beauty through Downtown Planning


Great Places is pleased to announce that at 7:00pm on Monday, April 19, 2010, Jennifer Keesmaat, an award-winning city planner and acclaimed speaker, will be giving a public presentation in Saskatoon.

Keesmaat is a founding partner of Office for Urbanism, a planning and design firm located in the city of Toronto. Entitled “Unleashing Public Life + Beauty through Downtown Planning,” Keesmaat’s talk will take the audience on a fascinating exploration of how we might direct our efforts to unleash the full potential for civic life and quality development in Saskatoon's downtown through ambitious planning and urban design.

Keesmaat is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Congress for New Urbanism. Her list of awards in the past three years includes two national awards for excellence in planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners, awards for excellence from the Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planners and Ontario Professional Planners Institute, and the prestigious Design Exchange Award. Keesmaat recently completed downtown plans for the City of Regina and the Regional Municipality of Halifax. In Toronto, she has completed a master plan for Union Station, a Heritage Conservation District for Queen Street West and a Bloor Street Visioning Study. She is leading the production of the City of Mississauga's new Official Plan and has completed streetscape, transportation, culture planning, community engagement, urban design and place-making projects across Canada and internationally.

Keesmaat will be speaking at the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon, located at 715 Broadway Avenue. The event begins at 7:00pm, and admission is free. Following Keesmaat’s presentation and open discussion, there will be a reception hosted by the University of Saskatchewan’s Regional & Urban Planning Program and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Great Places is a discussion forum that focuses on current issues related to the built environment in Saskatoon as shaped by architecture, urban planning, public art and landscape design. The group brings together visionary design professionals, government officials and citizens to discuss projects, initiatives, and precedents, locally and from abroad.

For more information on this event and on Great Places, please contact Jim Walters at 306.665.3441 or at [email protected].

Source

Did anyone else go to this last night? I was captivated by the presentation and found the Regina case study really interesting. I didn't even know that Regina had gone through the process of developing (and now implementing) such an ambitious plan.

I especially liked how she attempted to tie in Saskatoon and the possibilities with our downtown at the end of the presentation.

It would have been great to see a few more Councillors out last night (there was one), but there were a handful of senior City Admin on hand....

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by WoodlandCritter

- kgc087 its hard to say what could be defined as stellar architecture. You may find hints of good architectonic elements on some of the buildings mention above that could be looked at from different perspectives. What about the Dakota Dunes Casino exterior, or the front of some new stores downtown, also have you looked into residential homes? what about some of the buildings on campus, synchatron, Innovation Place? i'll keep trying to think of some good places.


- Oh also, my group changed our project idea to redesigning the Bus Station area... I think we have a good idea going with it. But as someone who never takes the bus I was wondering if anyone had input on what might make it better? what would make it more inviting and user friendly. Again we are designing a steel structure based around the topic of curvature.

I think all of those structures are just to damn iconic for what were doing, but I think I have come up with a pretty swank idea! Thanks everyone for your input

WELL as someone who takes the bus everyday to get to and from work I have some input! I think making all parts of the bus mall visible from any standpoint and removing any open "back space" (areas behind you) the perception of safety in the area would be greatly increased. Aesthetically the bus mall is uninspiring and drab at best. Perhaps incorporating plants into some sort of metal structure or curtain wall, or a horizontal version of what I described earlier could be created. MORE SHOPPING! By putting in businesses that are nicer then pharmacies etc. I think people will understand the bus just isn't for lower income people, or atleast you will be conveying that idea. I like the idea of music and perhaps the traditional lighting used elsewhere and some major flora. That prob covers more then what is required but I hope it helps!

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Locations:
Some of the best photographs I've seen come out of this area were either taken downtown in the alleys (brick walls, graffiti, fire exits etc) for a rustic type look or for the prairie look out in a field by old farm houses or by old railcars etc. But it depends what kind of international feel you are looking for.
Under our bridges you can also get some very cool shots.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Caswellian

Did anyone else go to this last night? I was captivated by the presentation and found the Regina case study really interesting. I didn't even know that Regina had gone through the process of developing (and now implementing) such an ambitious plan.

I especially liked how she attempted to tie in Saskatoon and the possibilities with our downtown at the end of the presentation.

It would have been great to see a few more Councillors out last night (there was one), but there were a handful of senior City Admin on hand....

I was really disappointed by the lack of turnout from Council, but it's not surprising. Overall though, I thought the turnout was great.

She certainly touched on most things that we discuss here on this forum often, but for the regular citizen who might not know much about planning or urban design, it would have been a very informative talk. She also had some great compliments and constructive things to say about Saskatoon, but I certainly was hoping for more of a focus on our city's specific situation. To be fair though, she is from Toronto and (admittedly) has only a fleeting familiarity with our city. I look forward to when her firm comes out with the city's Culture Plan. Should be interesting.

I think the work Great Places Saskatoon is doing is... well... great. I think they're helping to build a consciousness in this city and a critical mass of people that want change, and are educated about what they want. Their efforts can only do good.

[Measuring Stick]

Hey Country,

In Council's defence they are just human. They had been in executive commitee meetings from 1pm to 6pm that day. So I could see them being worn out for the day. That some of them showed up at all after a long day shows them going over and above what I would think is a normal work day for them. They do have other jobs and home lives to take care of, although I am sure many would have been interested in the topic.