Saskatoon Construction - Page 8

swilley · #**141** Posted **Jun 23, 2006, 11:02 PM**

^hhmmmm, should here something soon then.

circle33 · #**142** Posted **Jun 29, 2006, 3:05 PM**

Some Random observations:

The two semi-decreprit houses at the foot of the Broadway Bridge (that looked so out of place beside the Renaissance) are, as of this morning, no more. I wonder what's in store. More parking?

Something is going on in parking lot at the corner of 1st and 23rd. I bike past there on my way to work everday, so I thought I'd ask one of the hard hats what was going on. He wasn't sure but figured they were adding on the theCanada Employment Services building, which currently sits empty and has a for lease sign on it. No matter. If surace parking is being filled in at a prime corner then that's a good thing.

There is some activity the empty lot between the Canaa Building and the Capital 4. J.J. Barnicke had this sign out front there for the longest time:

This project had also been on their website for ages, but has been removed. Perhaps tennants have been signed and modest but positive project will move forward.

The vast parking lot at the corner of 2nd and 24th was paved over the weekend. So much for the hope that it was just temporary until a developer comes forward.

No word on the Meridian yet. I think you should send them another e-mail, Swilley.

newflyer · #**143** Posted **Jun 30, 2006, 1:43 AM**

Quote:

At Alberta's minimum wage rate of $7/hour, you'll be earning about $1,213 monthly. So, looks like you're going to be needing more than one job in Calgary too.

This article is beyond rediculous on so many levels. First of all I dare this writter to find someone in Calgary making minimum wage. Good luck!! There are highschool kids making in excess of $15/hr... and thats barely trying. I read about restaurants who can't attract people for less than $11/hr to peal carrots.

While minimum wage means somthing in Saskatchewan, it is completely meaningless here. The market dictates the price of workers not the government. Minimum wage could be zero and this writter would assume everyone was working for free, but in reality if you want to attract a slob who can't tell time it better pay more than $10/hr.

My second comment is why is this guy assuming a minimum wage earner would be so deluted than they'd expect to live in high end or even a middle class nieghbourhood. I am sorry but I know minimum wage earners in Saskatchewan aren't living in the best areas of Saskatoon or Regina either, unless its with mom and dad.

The fact is Vancouver and Calgary are expensive to live in. This is a fact and seems to be the reason why he is companing for them to stay in Saskatchewan.

swilley · #**144** Posted **Jun 30, 2006, 3:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

No word on the Meridian yet. I think you should send them another e-mail, Swilley.

Sorry Circle, no time. I am leaving for the Rockies in about 10 minutes. I will be back in 10 days and hopefully the Encana design will be released, and more importantly the Meridians...

jaysfan99 · #**145** Posted **Jul 2, 2006, 11:49 PM**

I was just in Toronto last week to catch a few Jays games. I could not believe how much condo development is going on by the Rogers Centre. Would be nice if we could have one nice high rise 20-25 floors in Saskatoon that looks nice. I think the new "Riverfront" that is going up on Spidina is ugly! It would look so much better if it had more glass and less brick.

jaysfan99 · #**146** Posted **Jul 2, 2006, 11:52 PM**

I guess we will have to settle for now!

swilley · #**147** Posted **Jul 10, 2006, 4:19 PM**

I'm back! still no word on the meridian I see....

circle33 · #**148** Posted **Jul 10, 2006, 6:07 PM**

Welcome back.

No action on the Meridian, but there is a sign in front of the proposed Tower 21 project. Not that that means anything if your not in the sign making business.

macca · #**149** Posted **Jul 10, 2006, 9:20 PM**

I saw the Tower 21 sign today, hopefully they actually begin construction soon. It looks like it could be a very attractive addition. Hopefully it doesn't appear too "crammed-in", that's quite a narrow space.

Does anyone know the status of the building between the Canada Building and Capitol Theatre? They took the sign down, but it's fenced off and the ground has been dug up a little. Hopefully they will proceed with what was indicated on the sign.

Also, any new info on the site beside the Raddison hotel where the two houses were torn down? The basements have been filled and there's no activity on the site now. Hopefully it's not just parking. A small upscale condo or a restaurant would be nice.

Lastly: I'm new here, but I've been lurking for a few weeks. This forum is seriously a Saskatoon development nerd's wet dream.

circle33 · #**150** Posted **Jul 10, 2006, 9:31 PM**

Welcome to the forum. The more development nerds out there the better.

As far as I know, no one has any inside info here; we just rely on observation. I can offer no further insights to the projects you've mentioned, but I pass by all of them frequently and share what I see with all that are interested...Now that number is up to two.

macca · #**151** Posted **Jul 10, 2006, 9:41 PM**

Yes, observation. One must be patient if one is to "observe" development in this city. I may be able to dig up some information on the Meridian though, we'll see.

swilley · #**152** Posted **Jul 10, 2006, 11:04 PM**

Ahhh, page 7! congratulations macca, and welcome. I could not imagine anything major going up beside the Radisson, kinda crammed between the hotel and the bridge. Also, it's kinda 'out of the way' for anything retailish... hmmm... Maybe Jack Grover is planning something?

Rob D · #**153** Posted **Jul 11, 2006, 12:59 AM**

What is Tower 21?

Also, regarding the Capital Theatre. Is it not likely that either or even both the Capital or the Pacific Centre Cinemas will close once the Galaxy Cinemas open since Cineplex Entertainment now owns all 3 brands?

circle33 · #**154** Posted **Jul 11, 2006, 2:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob D

What is Tower 21?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob D

Also, regarding the Capital Theatre. Is it not likely that either or even both the Capital or the Pacific Centre Cinemas will close once the Galaxy Cinemas open since Cineplex Entertainment now owns all 3 brands?

I think you're probably right, though I've heard of no announcement. The only other possibility is for one the Capital or Pacific to change hands. Not sure if we have the capacity for that many screens.

macca · #**155** Posted **Jul 11, 2006, 2:22 PM**

I get congratulations just for pushing the thread to 7 pages? Sweet.

It is small and out of the way, but that could be the selling point of a cool little restaurant. Cafe Sola is pretty out of the way (in terms of downtown), but damn if they don't have some fine food. And I think Jack Grover would have been more interested in the dilapidated buildings that were torn down.

As for Tower 21, it seems Obasa has purchased or aquired that entire building and it's now their headquarters. As far as I can tell, Obasa does the whole "rent a condo instead of a hotel room" thing. It appears there plan is to expand the building into the adjacent parking lot and lease out the extra space. The building itself looks very cool, though those balconies could be brutal in winter. Oh, and far less specifically, it's the exapansion of the building on the corner of 21st and 4th into the parking lot beside Mykonos.

As for the theatres, I hope they keep them all open. Last thing we need is more vacant buildings downtown. It seems they've kept the Capital afloat under the "Empire Theatres" brand, which is also owned by Cineplex. Why it couldn't remain a Famous Players, I don't know. Probably because it's not a "Colosseum" or the like. And Pacific is still a decent theatre with yet another brand name, so perhaps it has a chance. From what I've read, Saskatoon is "underscreened", so closing theatres wouldn't make much sense.

circle33 · #**156** Posted **Jul 11, 2006, 2:30 PM**

Quote:

Cafe Sola is pretty out of the way (in terms of downtown), but damn if they don't have some fine food.

But it is perfectly situated if the warehouse district ever gets going.

I saw some wrecking equipment behind parked behind the old Extra Foods on Third while riding home last night. Could it be coming down?

macca · #**157** Posted **Jul 11, 2006, 3:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

But it is perfectly situated if the warehouse district ever gets going.

I saw some wrecking equipment behind parked behind the old Extra Foods on Third while riding home last night. Could it be coming down?

I saw that too and had the same thought. The building still appears to be for lease though it was sold (as reported on this board!), so that makes me doubt that it will be torn down. It would be nice to see a condo high rise there with a grocery store in the main floor. Hopefully the increasing downtown residential density will lead to a grocery store somewhere in the core. They were doing some under ground work on the corner there, so maybe that equipment was involved with that?

And I can't wait for the warehouse district to come alive. Some buildings there with great potential, and the city yards (onced cleaned up) are ripe for a great mixed use development. Apparently the former Keg/Urbane building is going to be a new restaurant. Anyone else really miss Urbane? Why did they go under, not enough business in that area? I'm buying a new coffee table/ottoman, and it looks like Ashley furniture will get my business. It would be nice to go local. Perhaps I'll have to stop at Dervillia...

Oh, one more thing (being at work makes one chatty), the former 49 Cent Video is to be a new restaurant called "Upstairs".

jaysfan99 · #**158** Posted **Jul 11, 2006, 4:43 PM**

I hope is does come down. Would be a good idea to a nice high rise in it's spot.

yorktonite · #**159** Posted **Jul 11, 2006, 11:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

I saw some wrecking equipment behind parked behind the old Extra Foods on Third while riding home last night. Could it be coming down?

I'm almost certain that the equipment parked behind the old Extra Foods downtown was part of some minor renovations at the Saskatoon Public School Division Board Office (old Eaton's building, attached next door). I was there on Friday morning and they had a huge crane pulling out old elevator equipment, and hauling new elevator equipment via the roof access.

As for the building next door, I know it is sold, but not sure what the plans are yet. I have been spending alot of time in that area (been working on a lengthly project for the Saskatoon Public School Division) and there has been numerous types of contractors coming and leaving that building daily for the last couple weeks.

Rob D · #**160** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 12:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

I think you're probably right, though I've heard of no announcement. The only other possibility is for one the Capital or Pacific to change hands. Not sure if we have the capacity for that many screens.

Thanks! I did not notice the "Tower 21" over the entrance in the rendering before. Not a bad looking project but I would hardly consider it to be a "tower".

Hopefully all the downtown theatre screens will remain. As far as I know, there are no longer any movie theatres in downtown Regina so it is good to see the new Galaxy Cinemas being built in Saskatoon. Downtown needs to attract people for after hours entertainment and this project certainly helps.