Saskatoon Construction II

[c@taract_soulj@h]

When it comes to suburban sprawl in Saskatoon, let alone the rest of the province. Well...it's flat...very flat! I'm sure we're all aware

Smartass bias' aside though, unless there's a river or a higher set of elevation faced when expanding to or beyond it's boundaries, the term "beyond your wildest imagination" literally plays a role when it comes to urban planning especially in the Toon.

Certain terrains allow you to do only what you can do with it, but in Saskatoon's case away from the river, it could basically expand west to the Battlefords, east to the Manitoba border...north, south, etc. So with a booming economy with flat-land with a good long-term model, it can pretty much do whatever the hell it wants. Sprawl isn't necessarily good for all of us, just that maybe more infill/development needs to be done within the city's boundary before it expands well beyond its reach.

Sprawl more or less equates to a higher population, but a strong CBD is needed for the city to develop and expand. A vicious cycle that needs to pace itself thoroughly. This is why a superb transportation system also needs to be studied if Saskatoon is looking to succeed in the long run.

[nook]

I would be absolutely awesome to get that north bridge built ASAP. That would negate a ton of traffic from Circle Drive, thus making the city so much easier to get around in.

I'm temporarily (hopefully) living in Moose Jaw right now, and while I know that it will never take me 5 minutes to get to anywhere I need to go, it's refreshing not having to plan to leave so far in advance to get somewhere across the city. It was always a hassle in getting to work in the mornings in Saskatoon. If they can alleviate any amount of that morning traffic along another bridge/express way, it would drastically cut down the amount of time it takes to get anywhere in the city.

While I like it here in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon is, and always will be my home. I just hope I my girlfriend (eventually fiance/wife) and I can land jobs in Saskatoon so I can come back.

(P.S. - I'm going to go the Blades/Warriors game at Mosaic Place tomorrow night... It'll be interesting to see what the new barn is like here in MJ. Be prepared for a post about how the U of S should look at building a similar sized rink for the Huskies.)

[socialisthorde]

Thank you Ricopedra. Informed opinions can only come from exposure to alternatives, so your thoughts, as someone who has spent much time elsewhere are highly relevant.

I don't have as broad experience as you do, living in Taipai, but having lived in and visited many Canadian and American cities, I think it is already way too easy to get around Saskatoon in a car and way too hard to get around by foot, bicycle and transit. This comes from someone who drives quite a bit because I don't feel the alternatives are viable at this time, due to infrastructure shortfalls- not because of weather etc. Freeways will not make the city a better place to live.

[Ruckus]

Build it. The province needs a big public mega project as much as the city does. They should move forward with twinning highway 7 to Calgary too.

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

...The province needs a big public mega project as much as the city does...

Why? I can see the logic federally as a boost to the economy, but why in Sask when we already have a booming economy and labour/material shortage?

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by c@taract_soulj@h

When it comes to suburban sprawl in Saskatoon, let alone the rest of the province. Well...it's flat...very flat! I'm sure we're all aware

Smartass bias' aside though, unless there's a river or a higher set of elevation faced when expanding to or beyond it's boundaries, the term "beyond your wildest imagination" literally plays a role when it comes to urban planning especially in the Toon.

Certain terrains allow you to do only what you can do with it, but in Saskatoon's case away from the river, it could basically expand west to the Battlefords, east to the Manitoba border...north, south, etc. So with a booming economy with flat-land with a good long-term model, it can pretty much do whatever the hell it wants. Sprawl isn't necessarily good for all of us, just that maybe more infill/development needs to be done within the city's boundary before it expands well beyond its reach.

Sprawl more or less equates to a higher population, but a strong CBD is needed for the city to develop and expand. A vicious cycle that needs to pace itself thoroughly. This is why a superb transportation system also needs to be studied if Saskatoon is looking to succeed in the long run.

Urban sprawl is certainly something you want to avoid. In Vancouver where I live despite being a very picturesque city. Has one of the worst cases of urban sprawl you'll ever see outside of L.A.

Although one lesson I think that many cities in North America could take from Vancouver. With the large population downtown with the West End it has a very vibrant downtown core. Compared to comparable cities its size like Seattle for instance.

Increasing the density downtown in Saskatoon is something the city should consider. The River Landing development is a good start. More highrises downtown along the riverbank. Would do alot to make the downtown core a more vibrant place to live and work.

Maybe expanding more towards the north end of town would be in order. Since the land in that direction is more or less scrub. By no means am I anti-development but it's just a bit of a shame. That the city seems to be developing more so in the directions which have the most productive agriculture land.

But hey I guess thats just the hand the city has been dealt.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

Why? I can see the logic federally as a boost to the economy, but why in Sask when we already have a booming economy and labour/material shortage?

Logic is relative around here

Our traffic is pretty severe for a region that's going to be pushing 300k during the next decade. How do we address those concerns? Besides, this project will unfold over decades and is more to support the fresh 'green' neighborhoods sprouting in the countryside. Also, the city won't be shouldering all of the costs. As a city, we could refuse the infrastructure funds. Hard to say if that's a healthy choice though.

Politically, it will be framed as more jobs and less congestion (even if short lived). Land values in Saskatoon and Corman Park will rise. Municipal tax revenues will get a nice boost. It's the 'city as a growth machine' on a new plateau.

That the conversation has emerged so close to November's election is a bit telling too.

[Scruff Bucket]

Originally Posted by Dillweed

More highrises downtown along the riverbank. Would do alot to make the downtown core a more vibrant place to live and work.

I thought Saskatoon has some regulations discouraging property development along the riverbanks, and thus much of it has been scrub brush for this long! (... like forever, as far back as I remember!)

[Scruff Bucket]

But, yeah! I can see how a nice, wide, paved cycling/pedestrian pathway that runs along the riverbank with residences nearby (like parts of tthe seawall in Vancouver) could really be an asset to the riverbank along downtown (including River Landing)!

[jigglysquishy]

Don't build the road.

Having two ring roads before the city hits 300k? My God this will be a painful city to live in come 2020. We already have terrible urban sprawl. The last thing we should be doing in encouraging it and getting people into cars.

Densify densify densify boys

[Echoes]

Open House for Central Avenue Streetscape Improvements - Phase 1 - on September 21

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2011

CY11-420

The public is invited to a come-and-go open house on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Sutherland Hall to view and comment on the proposed Central Avenue Streetscape Improvement project – phase one. The project is aimed at improving the streetscape appearance, traffic and pedestrian safety from the intersection of 109th Street to 110th Street.

Improvements will include street corner bulbing, sidewalk furniture, tree planting, lighting, and sidewalks with amenity strips.

The project also includes the resurfacing of Central Avenue from 107th Street to 110th Street and some underground infrastructure improvements.

Central Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project – Phase One
Public Open House
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Sutherland Memorial Hall
1112 Central Avenue
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (come-and-go)

Civic staff will be present to answer questions about the proposed plans and gather feedback from residents, which will be summarized and presented to City Council for their consideration.

For more information visit www.saskatoon.ca and look under “C” for Central Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or our City Blog. Click on the links at www.saskatoon.ca.

[Caswellian]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Don't build the road.

Having two ring roads before the city hits 300k? My God this will be a painful city to live in come 2020. We already have terrible urban sprawl. The last thing we should be doing in encouraging it and getting people into cars.

Densify densify densify boys

Thank you being a voice of sanity here!

You would think that by 2011 it would be common knowledge that you can't build your way out of traffic congestion. Yes, you will temporarily relieve congestion, but freeing up road space only encourages more people to drive becuase it's easier - and the tragic circle is goes around and around.

Also, in a time were we have a huge infrastructure deficit in Saskatoon, why would we even consider putting another $300 million civic tax dollars towards a new bridge/highway?

[TheCricket]

We invite students, faculty and staff to join President Peter MacKinnon, along with partners and special guests, for a celebration of new student housing at the U of S and a special announcement.
When: Monday, September 19 at 11 a.m. (Refreshments to follow)
Where: The cul-de-sac on the new Aird Street extension, between the College Quarter residences and McEown Park on Cumberland Avenue.
Alternative location in the case of bad weather: Williams Building Gymnasium, 221 Cumberland Ave. N. Signs will be posted.
We will offer tours of the new residence from noon - 2 p.m. for students, faculty and staff, and from 5 - 7:30 p.m. for residents of the neighbouring communities.


For more information, contact:
University Communications at 966-6607

[drm310]

From: University Research Communications, University of Saskatchewan

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Brad Wall and Mayor Donald Atchison will be in attendance for the official grand opening of the University of Saskatchewan’s International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011.

This event is by invitation only, but will be streamed live online at 10 a.m. at www.vido.org/grandopening

For more information about InterVac, please visit http://www.vido.org/Introducing_intervac/index.php

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

Build it. The province needs a big public mega project as much as the city does. They should move forward with twinning highway 7 to Calgary too.

I gotta laugh at a project that's currently designed as another 3/4 circle. Also, juding by the puny relative size of Circle Drive, it's going to take 300-400 years to finish that massive ring road. Scale, cost, and "not completely circular" kind of make it look like a dud to me.

God's sake... isn't there a "third way" here?

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Don't build the road.

Having two ring roads before the city hits 300k? My God this will be a painful city to live in come 2020. We already have terrible urban sprawl. The last thing we should be doing in encouraging it and getting people into cars.

Densify densify densify boys

Some land uses don't gel very well with that mantra (ie industrial). Expansion of industrial zoned lands will require infrastructure to be built and roads are a part of the infrastructure mix required to meet the needs of industry. I think what matters most is simply managing how the perimeter road network serves the region, not just one business, neighborhood or sector. The City has its work cut out for them but I think they're on the right track. Infill development has been on the up. Neighborhood revitalization has become a higher priority. And Broadway, Downtown, and Riversdale are becoming healthier each passing year. And when traffic congestion begins choking the inner city it will be time to roll out plans for an LRT network.

As the cost of parking goes up or Circle Drive feels like a parking lot -- just smile, and know everything will work itself out

[Dillweed]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

But, yeah! I can see how a nice, wide, paved cycling/pedestrian pathway that runs along the riverbank with residences nearby (like parts of tthe seawall in Vancouver) could really be an asset to the riverbank along downtown (including River Landing)!

Yeah fer sure. Some people don't realize just how big the seawall is in Vancouver. It actually starts on the south side of False Creek in an commercial area. Runs up to the Science Centre through the West End and around Stanley Park, over 20 kms in the heart of the city.

I believe that Saskatoon already has a significant amount of cycle/pedestrian paths around both sides of the SS river. With the ability to cross over to the other side on some of the bridges. And according to some of the studies the city has done. They already seem to recognize there is substantial opportunities to expand the cycle path along the river and other parts of the city.

Maybe planting some trees along the river and extending the paths as far as possible. So pedestrians/cyclists can go along both sides of the river in a long loop. Would I think enhance the appeal of living downtown.

River Landing will be the exception. But I notice that most of the condo developments along the river are mostly low rise developments. I think its time for Saskatoon to consider going up as much as possible instead of going out.

Not everyone wants to live downtown but more and more people want to live closer to where they work. Which for many people is downtown. And this an area I think Saskatoon has loads of potential for future development.

And I hope that the city of Saskatoon would be smarter than Vancouver. And focus more on recreational pedestrian/cycle paths . Instead of being hell bent on blowing taxpayer money on over priced bike lanes in the heart of the downtown. Like this idiot mayor we have in Vancouver. Not every street needs it's own bike lane. Especially in the downtown core.

Cyclists already have the right to ride a bike on any city street. Unfortunately in Vancouver too many of them think they have some god given right to ride their bide on the sidewalk.

[Roquentin]

Hi all,

I apologize in advance if this is not the proper place for my post. I moved to this beautiful city a couple of weeks ago to work at the university. Saskatoon has always had a special place in my heart, and I love it here so far (absence of a downtown grocery store notwithstanding). Here's my question: are there any pubs (preferably downtown) that open early on the weekends to show English Premier League football matches?

I'll keep my fingers crossed that someone here knows of such a pub, and I look forward to following this thread as I continue to settle in to life in Saskatoon.

Thanks,
R

[jigglysquishy]

Your best bet would be Winstons. They always have soccer on and its the closest we have to a European pub.

Its on 21st street and 3rd ave.

[dsim249]

Yeah Winstons is probably your best bet. Maybe O'sheas on 2nd Ave.