Saskatoon Construction II - Page 481

EarlyByrdProductions · #**9601** Posted **Nov 7, 2016, 4:42 PM**

I think it looks GREAT!

Some brick and other slight design nods to Farnham Block. Those high ceilings upstairs too and kind of a open store/mall concept inside. But mainly incredible to see it's currently all commercial! I'm pretty thrilled that it isn't just a block of office space. But I think the developers realized how much that building means to the residents of this city and that street after they tore it down. I'm not sure if our city has ever had a 'memorial' and such backlash from a building being torn down before.

nook · #**9602** Posted **Nov 7, 2016, 9:01 PM**

Taco Bell apparently opening up at the corner of 8th and Arlington, in the empty lot where a Texaco once stood about 9000 years ago.

W.W. La Chance · #**9603** Posted **Nov 7, 2016, 11:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by serrakat

My expectations weren't high either, but I have to say I'm not impressed at all. It doesn't look quite as bad as the renovation where UNA pizza is but it's close. If it were downtown I wouldn't complain as much. It has no broadway soul to it and the scale of the building isn't cohesive to the 25' frontages around it. Expensive materials and new buildings don't equal good design to me.

I can't say I love it. The massing is strange to me, and looks very top heavy. There are a lot of other details I think are overdone and unnecessary as well. How about some real awnings for once, rather than these metal bracket sign holders.

prairieguy · #**9604** Posted **Nov 8, 2016, 4:28 PM**

Based on the opinion of this business owner downtown (2nd Ave North) and a few others quoted in the article, independent businesses in Saskatoon are really struggling right now. I have always thought we had a pretty good independent/entrepreneur feel to our downtown and especially 2nd Ave. For me, it is what makes our downtown interesting and vibrant. But seems like that is not the reality right now....

http://thestarphoenix.com/business/local...ther-second-avenue-shop-closes-its-doors

Such a difference between daytime shopping and night time activity....was actually just talking with friends about how busy and active our downtown is at night (especially the Thursday-Saturday)....it was really hard to get into a pub/restaurant Saturday around 7:30pm! We started in Stonebridge (3 different locations) and ended up downtown after trying several establishments there too! It was hopping downtown!

Now we just need shoppers/activity in the daytime to keep 2nd Ave a great street!

Echoes · #**9605** Posted **Nov 8, 2016, 4:59 PM**

I would be interested in knowing if lease rates Downtown and on Broadway have gone down at all since the economy softened. In the heady days it seemed that they rose quite dramatically, and I imagine there is a time lag in landlords' prices responding to a downturn.

Another thing that needs to be said: recent cuts at the Lighthouse, especially their daytime program, has led to a visible increase in people that any downtown skeptic would view as unseemly -- who are panhandling, loitering, walking the sidewalks, or crowding the benches. Of course they have every right to public space as I do, but man, it can't be good for business.

prairieguy · #**9606** Posted **Nov 8, 2016, 5:47 PM**

Maybe the bus mall plays some role in the lack of traffic to the north part of 2nd Ave??? I know that sounds counter intuitive, but I think there is again, a perception kind of thing, with what happens around the bus mall and safety. Just a thought...

I know friends from Regina love to wander down 2nd Ave and 21st Street and often comment on the positive difference between S'toon and Regina in the shopping and variety of independents available in S'toon. It is a shame if rents or other factors contribute to a deterioration of this vibe.

saskatoonborn · #**9607** Posted **Nov 10, 2016, 4:41 AM**

Does anyone know whats going in beside the 22nd street dq? I swear that lot has sat vacant almost as long as I've been alive. Looks like a one maybe 2 tenant joint. I just drove past it quick today so I didnt get a very good look.

EpicPonyTime · #**9608** Posted **Nov 10, 2016, 7:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoes

Another thing that needs to be said: recent cuts at the Lighthouse, especially their daytime program, has led to a visible increase in people that any downtown skeptic would view as unseemly -- who are panhandling, loitering, walking the sidewalks, or crowding the benches. Of course they have every right to public space as I do, but man, it can't be good for business.

Over the summer, a friend and I went to Karma and ended up sitting on the sidewalk to drink our coffees. We had a homeless man hovering around us for ten minutes before he moved on, despite making it pretty clear we wanted him to leave us alone. It's also happened to me at Winston's and Smoke's.

It's a shitty situation because there is no easy solution, but the homeless presence really does put a damper on the liveliness of downtown. People don't want to stay downtown and walk up and down 2nd Ave if they're going to be bothered.

studentview · #**9609** Posted **Nov 10, 2016, 3:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by saskatoonborn

Does anyone know whats going in beside the 22nd street dq? I swear that lot has sat vacant almost as long as I've been alive. Looks like a one maybe 2 tenant joint. I just drove past it quick today so I didnt get a very good look.

It's a Taco Bell. They are planning 4-5 new locations here over the next 3 years.

skSK · #**9610** Posted **Nov 10, 2016, 4:32 PM**

There will be a survey concerning Idylwyld on November 17th (9 a.m.). If you're interested in having a say or seeing what's being considered, head on over! It'd be nice to see some changes along this corridor in the coming years!

http://saskatoon.ca/imagineidylwyld

Brutopian · #**9611** Posted **Nov 14, 2016, 6:06 PM**

It was recently reported in the Saskatoon Express that, as of Q3 2016, Saskatoon's CMA population had risen to 311,700.

gowest · #**9612** Posted **Nov 14, 2016, 11:23 PM**

Nice to see the new camera angle for the Traffic Bridge construction. Great view when the tear down starts.

The Bess · #**9613** Posted **Nov 14, 2016, 11:50 PM**

Yes it is also setting up bigger crane at the NCP bridge site

SaskE30 · #**9614** Posted **Nov 15, 2016, 2:07 PM**

Article about Renderings of Farnam Block Replacement in the Star Phoenix:

Rendering of new Farman Block Building Pops up Online

Erin Petrow, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Published on: November 14, 2016 | Last Updated: November 14, 2016 6:37 PM CST

Quote:

http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/rendering-of-new-farnam-block-building-pops-up-online

"Broadway Avenue may soon see a significant construction project headed its way after architectural renderings appeared online depicting what the possible replacement of the historic Farnam Block will look like.

The design by Jason Lowe Visuals is one of many renderings currently in contention for the coveted parcel of land, according to Roger Kiva, who owns the property with his business partner, Dean Potapinski."[/QUOTE]

serrakat · #**9615** Posted **Nov 15, 2016, 2:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairieguy

The Marriott Towneplace Suites has opened in Stonebridge off of Preston Ave. It looks like a pretty modern hotel.

That hotel is one of the nicest new buildings to be built in Saskatoon in a long time. I am surprised it isn't talked about more.

serrakat · #**9616** Posted **Nov 15, 2016, 2:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaskE30

Article about Renderings of Farnam Block Replacement in the Star Phoenix:

Rendering of new Farman Block Building Pops up Online

Erin Petrow, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Published on: November 14, 2016 | Last Updated: November 14, 2016 6:37 PM CST

Quote:

http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/rendering-of-new-farnam-block-building-pops-up-online

"Broadway Avenue may soon see a significant construction project headed its way after architectural renderings appeared online depicting what the possible replacement of the historic Farnam Block will look like.

The design by Jason Lowe Visuals is one of many renderings currently in contention for the coveted parcel of land, according to Roger Kiva, who owns the property with his business partner, Dean Potapinski."

[/QUOTE]

So like, Jason Lowe did the design? He is a great 3d renderer, but he is not a architect. That all makes sense now...

SaskE30 · #**9617** Posted **Nov 15, 2016, 2:48 PM**

So like, Jason Lowe did the design? He is a great 3d renderer, but he is not a architect. That all makes sense now...[/QUOTE]

I remember seeing James Zimmer Architect on the drawings for the parkade when they were trying to get approval to extend the underground parkade under the sidewalk. I assume Jason Lowe was likely hired to create renderings based off of the Architectural Drawings. I could be 100% wrong on this though.

Echoes · #**9618** Posted **Nov 15, 2016, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaskE30

I remember seeing James Zimmer Architect on the drawings for the parkade when they were trying to get approval to extend the underground parkade under the sidewalk. I assume Jason Lowe was likely hired to create renderings based off of the Architectural Drawings. I could be 100% wrong on this though.

I believe you are 100% correct.

Echoes · #**9619** Posted **Nov 15, 2016, 4:00 PM**

This is from a city committee agenda - shows elevations for the renovated Shop Easy building on 7th Ave. I'm impressed - multiple units/entrances, lots of glazing, use of brick, signage, canopies. This will be a fantastic addition to the neigbhourhood.

Source

EarlyByrdProductions · #**9620** Posted **Nov 17, 2016, 4:53 PM**

The 'Imagine Idylwyld' campaign has popped up on social media feeds asking for feedback on what the people of Saskatoon want and what's important to them for this key corridor. I suggest everyone here put in their opinion since this thread always seems to have the greater interest for the city and downtown core at heart:

https://imagineidylwyld.metroquest.ca