Saskatoon Construction

[circle33]

/\ Sounds like you were watching city council last night. I tried to...the real estate people were citing some interesting numbers (only 260 some homes on the market right now ?!?) and anecdotal eveidence about the number of out of province inquireies. Eventually my 2 year olds screams for "Binoo" were rewarded, so I didn't get to see as much as I wanted to.

[circle33]

Originally Posted by jaysfan99

The stupid media in this city needs to get their head out of thier ass and quit making it look like this is a negative development. ...

I don't see the media reporting the development as negative. That there are protests is, I guess, a story but I think both sides of it have been fairly represented. Any editorial pieces I've seen have come out strongly in favour of MOB.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by circle33

I don't see the media reporting the development as negative. That there are protests is, I guess, a story but I think both sides of it have been fairly represented. Any editorial pieces I've seen have come out strongly in favour of MOB.

I agree - even the local proprietors are excited about the MOB - and rightfully so because of the increased residents and foot traffic that will follow. It seems the only people who are against the project are the people who have essentially no stake in the matter. There is an old proverb "Put your money where your mouth is..." that would fit nice here. The economic spin offs of the MOB highly outweigh an the economic activity generated by the historically significant abandoned Northern Paints building.

[circle33]

To add to that, while I have no proof, I don't think the houses that will end up in the shadow of the MOB will decrease in value. When house shopping two years ago I looked at a place on 10th right beside the 13 storey Pinnacle at Vic and 10th. The price was in no way discounted in terms of price per sqaure foot from those on the next block and it sold within a week. ( I had to pass on it because the 6' basement just wouldn't cut it for me).

[macca]

So, who was at the meeting last night? Definitely two or three "camps" developing. The anti-density (and anti-MOB) crowd, the pro-density crowd, and the in-betweeners. There seems to be a lot of fear that Broadway will turn into a condominium canyon of high rises. I think that thinking needs an injection of realism. As hot as Saskatoon's economy and housing market is, the threat of entire streets being uprooted to make way for a row of high rises is laughable. This is not Dubai. Nor is it the small town those residents would like it to remain. If you want to live near Broadway, you're simply going to have to put up with the fact that it is a city-wide, special interest commmerical district that has a high volume of vehicular and foot traffic, a number bars and night clubs, street fests, and all the related negatives. And all those things are the very reason it is such a desirable place to live.

[circle33]

Well it looks as though Nutana residents are onside...at least that's how the rag reports it.

Nutana residents discuss zoning

Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Residents at a Nutana Community Association forum Tuesday night discussed the zoning bylaws governing Broadway and a contentious highrise development.

In response to recent debate over a 12-storey condominium proposed for the corner of Broadway Avenue and Ninth Street, residents had been inquiring about zoning bylaws governing the Broadway business corridor.

City officials were on hand for detailed discussion of the bylaws and development issues.

"Most core neighbourhoods in other Canadian cities are afraid of losing services. They're actually looking for more development," said Allan Wallace, manager of neighbourhood planning with the city.

The project's developers were not in attendance.

One resident said a highrise brings more people to the area, benefiting the environment and business owners.

"It's the perfect antidote to urban sprawl and the donut effect that's hurt other cities in Canada. We need people living here so they walk to work, so they walk to the store," said Blaine Gysler.

Others expressed interest in increased safety that comes with more eyes watching the streets and the increased tax base from a new highrise.

From 1930 to 1998, Broadway fell under downtown zoning bylaws until the B5 zoning bylaw was put in place for the historic commercial district. No height restrictions on commercial or residential buildings were put in place under either bylaw.

Residents expressed concern about the lack of protection for historical buildings or preservation of the streetscape.

Don't Click Here

[Wormo]

Why don't the NIMBYs look at that. Everyone else wants the MOB and sees the benefits of having it there. Cant they get that through their thick skulls?!?

[circle33]

Although I wish kinda wish the NIMBYs were around expressing their concerns for the streetscape when the made those horrendous additions to Joe Duquette School. I guess they're OK as they fit in with their perceived image of appropriate scale for the neighbourhood.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by SP article in regards to Broadway area(could also apply to other areas

Residents expressed concern about the lack of protection for historical buildings or preservation of the streetscape.

I'm interested whether citizens of Saskatoon want some sort of policy enacted with respect to historical builidings/streetscape. I can definately empathize with that attitude after seeing photographs of downtown's former Capitol Theater(where the Scotia bank/center sits currently???), I think something positve would have come from a pro-historic policy in that particular instance, specifically the Capitol not being demolished, although its kind of cool that one city block is now home to 3 major Saskatoon banking institutions(Scotia, Affinity CU, BMO), that might not have been possible if the Capitol were left standing.

I am sure there will be further questions/concerns of this in the not too distant future, and the wise choice would be to examine current policy and decide whether there is potential for significant and desireable historical buildings to be demo'd for new development(Legion, Capitol), or bring life back into once underutilized buildings(KG, Bay Building, etc). I suppose this subject is a matter of opinion, nonetheless, it remains an important issue when developers want to construct new buildings, or citizens wish to hold onto familiarity, and most importantly identity.

[circle33]

/\ Good post. As you imply it would be difficult to reach consensus, though that makes the pursuit no less worthy.

There are a handful designated historical buildings click. I'm not sure how a building attains such status or what the penalty is for ignoring it.

[molasses]

The city does have a heritage policy, information on it and designated buildings can be found here.
http://saskatoon.ca/org/development/services/heritage/index.asp

As always with any heritage issues, it seems there is alot of balancing of opinions involved, right now it looks like an average of maybe 2 buildings a year get designated heritage buildings, and it looks like it's fairly difficult to have policy to protect streetscapes or the general character of a street/neighbourhood. I believe that would require an Architectural Control District (like River Landing) which would need to be agreed upon by all property owners and then any designs/renovations would have to be approved by Council and/or the City heritage co-ordinator.

I think it would be good to look at a slightly more open, less stringent heritage policy to preserve and promote the general character of some of Saskatoon's more interesting areas (i.e. City Park, Broadway/Nutana, Riversdale and particularly the first few blocks of 20th Street). Right now it just seems it's either extremely strict or nothing at all.

[Hawker]

CUC to get $4M renovation

The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, January 11, 2007

City council approved a contract this week worth nearly $4 million for major renovations at Credit Union Centre.

Wolfe Management Ltd. will replace six moveable private viewing suites with 21 permanent ones and modify access to the facility's upper deck from a new mezzanine level, allowing for a larger viewing area with no obstructions.

The $3.9-million contract includes complete development of the remaining mezzanine level, eventually connecting the circumference of the entire level from the existing lounge to the new private suites. The corporate boxes have already been marketed, and signed multi-year contracts are in place for all of them.

The renovations are expected to nearly double the size of the hosting area for special events at the west end of the mezzanine and add more public washrooms, concession outlets and wheelchair-designated seating areas.

The total cost of the CUC renovation project, including consulting, various fees and contingencies, is $4.4 million. Just over $4 million will be funded by way of a productivity improvement loan to the Credit Union Centre through civic investment funds, while the CUC will cover the rest from its reserves.

The CUC is expected to repay the loan through incremental revenues over a 10-year period.

This is a fairly major renovation, and pretty much marks the end of CUC having any large trade shows in the building, ceding them to Prairieland Park.

This renovation will amongst other things replace the cheesy cubicle style boxes in place now with a half ring of boxes from the mid point around to the end of the seating on the far side (from where the main entrance is) of CUC, meaning there won't be any more trade shows that are both on the ice level and the concourse level.

[Echoes]

21 permanant suites up from 6 moveable ones? that quite the increase! it's great to see all this recent investment into the cultural institutions in our city... the CUC renos, reno/expansion at TCU (looks great), construction of persephone downtown. let's hope the mendel expansion can get rolling!
Question: can this investment in these facilities help grow S'toon into a cultural metropole in the country? are we already emerging as one?

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by molasses

I think it would be good to look at a slightly more open, less stringent heritage policy to preserve and promote the general character of some of Saskatoon's more interesting areas (i.e. City Park, Broadway/Nutana, Riversdale and particularly the first few blocks of 20th Street). Right now it just seems it's either extremely strict or nothing at all.

great point molasses, a general policy to protect the history and character of saskatoon's older neighborhood's (in regards to the architecture and screetscapes of those areas) would be great, especially at a time when we can expect (or HOPE for) more construction and development in the core neighborhoods that may threaten existing building of historical significance. we've all made it clear that THE NORTHERN PAINTS STORE WASN'T WORTH SAVING, but certainly the legion has significance that makes its demolition unfortunate ... though that doesn't mean i oppose its demo
definitely the buildings and streetscape of the beginning of 20 th street is worth saving! i've always though the street had so much character and it is unfortunate that riversdale is in the state it's in, and 20th has a low reputation because of that. as we've touched on in this thread, it seems very possible that revitalization is down the road for riversdale with river landing going ahead. 20th street.... the next broadway???

[Rob D]

Older buildings integral to city's identity
Peggy Sarjeant, Special to The StarPhoenix Friday, January 12, 2007

Following is the viewpoint of the writer, past-president of the Saskatoon heritage Society.
In Writers ill-informed about architecture (SP, Dec. 28) I was disappointed to read Ian Innes's negative comments about the recently restored College Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
Perhaps he could be persuaded to change his opinion by Lisa Rochon, architectural critic for the Globe and Mail, who chose to include the College Building as an example in a recent address to members of the Heritage Canada Foundation.
Perhaps he should talk to members of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, who saw fit to designate the building as one of Canada's National Historic Sites. Perhaps he could also discuss with his colleagues of the Saskatchewan Association of Architects the reason why they chose the College Building as the location for their recent architectural symposium on prairie architects and architecture.
This is certainly a well-used and popular building.
If we work to preserve examples of our architectural heritage, such as the College Building, it does not mean that we are incapable of appreciating contemporary architecture or design. This is not an "either/or" situation. If it were, how would we explain the fact that several Saskatoon architectural firms, after spending a number of years studying those design principles that Innes demands, have chosen to house their offices in older buildings?
The situation is comparable to the world of the artist. We appreciate art from a past era as well as art of the present day. We do not discard a Monet in favour of a Perehudoff.
Many people relish the possibility of new and exciting architectural design in Saskatoon. In fact, Saskatonians spoke quite clearly when they expressed their disappointment in Remai's first design proposal for their riverbank hotel, forcing the company to go back to the drawing board.
Although such grand opportunities most often appear in the public sector -- in the building of art galleries and museums and, increasingly, in the building of that most accessible of institutions, the public library -- it does not mean that more modest architectural projects cannot be just as exciting.
But architectural design is a complex issue. It involves our everyday lives, surrounding us as we go to work and providing spaces for our rest and relaxation.
Buildings and the spaces between them form our urban environment. They tell us where we are, whether we are in London or Toronto or Saskatoon; whether we are in the Maritimes or in the middle of the prairies.
They provide us with a sense of place and a sense of continuum from the early days of settlement to the present day. We need the old to make sense of the new; we need the greystone limestone of the College Building just as much as we need the glass and steel of new structures.
Old buildings don't hold us back, as Innes seems to suggest. On the contrary. For Rochon, they form "an essential part of the city ... Without historic architecture -- without old buildings -- we lose a sense of where we have come from, a map of ourselves."
Cities are living entities that build up layers of architectural history over time. All great cities do that. To remove those layers, to eviscerate the urban environment, is to diminish the city.
Let's ensure that Saskatoon's urban landscape is the richest it can be. Let's make Saskatoon a great city.

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007

[circle33]

Legion Branch Prepares for Last Dance

Darren Bernhardt, The StarPhoenix

Published: Monday, January 15, 2007

A bittersweet celebration is planned for the downtown Royal Canadian Legion that will salute the past and fete a future in a new location members believe will revitalize Branch 63.

"Obviously, there will be some emotions because this was the first legion built in Saskatoon and some people have been members for 50 or 60 years. But in the long run, I think we're going to be in a better position," said Ron Chalmers, who is organizing the legion's Last Dance.

The night of nostalgia, set for Jan. 20 in the horsehair-cushioned ballroom floor of the legion at 19th Street and Second Avenue, will feature live music from the Big Band era, American pop, Latin and some swing.

"During the late '30s, '40s and early '50s, the legion ballroom was a beehive of entertainment," said Chalmers. "Bands were performing and the citizens of Saskatoon were coming out in droves to dance."

Those days have long since vanished and the ballroom is most often dark and silent. Many proud veterans who waltzed away the hours have died, leaving a lean membership.

The foundation of the building, constructed in 1929, is weakening and the plumbing is poor. It has been estimated the cost to bring the building up to city codes would be in the range of $2 million.

"Stuff has just been let go and with the small membership the money has not been there to keep it up," said Chalmers.

That is why branch members voted in fall 2005 to sell the building to Remai Ventures Inc., which plans to build a spa hotel.

"For this reason, the last dance became a necessity, to give those who want to remember what it was like the chance to relive some of the nostalgia," said Chalmers.

Even the ticket prices are a throwback at $5 apiece, including an evening lunch.

Some people have lamented the imminent demolition of the building, but none of them belong to the legion or speak for it, said Branch 63 president John Davidson.

"I don't think they realize how bad the condition of the building is. We never would have been able to (fix it)," he said.

Even maintaining the status quo was becoming unfeasible. The heating cost in one year was $14,000 while the bill for the same period at the Pensioners and Pioneers Hall, where the branch is relocating, was $5,800, noted Davidson.

"Where were all of these people (objecting to the demolition) when we needed to do the work?" asked Karen Kerpan, secretary manager for Branch 63. "They would have been welcome to join the membership and keep the building vital."

The legion was also in dire need of upgrades to make it accessible to people with wheelchairs, walkers and canes. The Pensioners and Pioneers Hall, on Spadina Crescent West across from Victoria Park, is at ground level, so there are no stairs as impediments.

"Maybe it will bring back some of the members who could no longer access the old building," Chalmers said, adding the new location is more sound and well-designed.

"The proceeds of the sale (to Remai) have given new life to our charter," said Kerpan, noting the old building will be forever remembered by a memorial Remai is planning to erect at the 19th Street site, incorporating the legion's crest and other mementos.

According to Davidson, Remai bought the legion for twice its appraised value.

"They're not the big, bad people they've been made out to be," he said. "They've been very generous."

The old building must be vacated by the end of February as per the deal with Remai. A date for the demolition has not yet been set, said company president Ellen Remai. Concept drawings for the hotel spa are being drawn up and construction should begin by summer with an opening date near the end of 2008.

Klink

Seems the legionares aren't so big on saving this one. I thought it could have been incorporated into the whole River Landing scheme, but that's not to be. I didn't realize it was in such bad shape.

Encouraging to see construction of the hotel planned for this summer. Here's hoping...

[drm310]

Originally Posted by circle33

Legion Branch Prepares for Last Dance

It is sad to see a building of historic significance die of neglect. One can only hope that the building that replaces it will be worthy of the site it occupies.

[drm310]

Does anyone know anything about the status of the 2nd Avenue Lofts or the KG Hotel? It appears, from the outside anyway, that a whole lot of nothing is happening at either place. I got thinking about this after the blizzard, wondering how much snow blew into that gaping hole in the south wall of the lofts...

[macca]

Originally Posted by macca

Word on the street is that the developers of the 2nd Ave Lofts have secured a contractor and are moving ahead with the development (including the phantom 5th floor). Construction should start within the next few weeks. Suites will be ready for occupation in aprox. 1 year.

I posted the above regarding 2nd Ave Lofts a while back. Apparently, things are moving forward, albeit with a contractor working only part-time on the building. I've heard that the atrium at the the heart of the building will be scaled down in size a bit and some of the suites will be larger.

As for the KG, Olstar Developments has a new website running: www.olstardevelopments.com There is reference on the website for the Fairbanks to new projects the company is pursuing. I assume that is the KG. Perhaps Mr. Olson can stop by again and fill us in on the progress.

[killer]

Hello all I'm new to the forum. I am quite pleased to have come across such a terrific thread with such knowledgeable contributors - local and otherwise. I suppose I have Google to thank.

Does anyone have any more information on the irregular sized lot between the Broadway Bridge and the Renaissance? It currently houses a gravel parking lot. I read some very early posts discussing it when the residential buildings were torn down and their foundations filled, but have not heard anything recently. Has there been anything else proposed for that spot or is it relegated to being a parking lot?