Saskatoon Construction - Page 9

yorktonite · #**161** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 2:52 AM**

I also wanted to say that things are starting to look like they're coming together downtown, so I think it would be really cool if someone got the chance to take a tour to the exact same spots as circle33 did many months ago (on the first page of this thread) and take pictures of the progress of those buildings (theatre, credit union, lofts, the tower by the river, etc).

I'm not excluding myself here, just haven't had the time lately, and thought maybe I'd fire this idea out there. I just think it would be nice to see the picture progress and compare the two, then later compare a finished product once everything has been completed.

swilley · #**162** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 4:26 AM**

I drove by the new galaxy the other night and it is coming along nicely... I still think it won't be finished by september though....

macca · #**163** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 1:40 PM**

Boy that Galaxy building is hideous. Not exactly riverfront material. I'm glad it's downtown, but I can't help but wish for a time when companies were more interested in having a beautiful building than having a large box with their logo on it.

macca · #**164** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 2:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorktonite

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.

The building next to the former Extra Foods (the former Christian store) is now sold as well. I thought it was just for lease. Perhaps someone is buying up that portion of the block? If I remember correctly, when the Extra Foods building was sold the buyer was not prepared to say what their intentions with it were. Either it's simply an investment, they plan to lease it out, or they have grander plans they don't want to discuss.

circle33 · #**165** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 2:47 PM**

/\ I work with the son of the buyer of the Extra Foods (sonny is up in the Arctic at the moment so I can't prod him for info) but there is a plan in mind. He doesn't want to release anything pending approvals. It's definitely not destined to be a parking lot.

Some help I am, eh?

When I saw the trademak blue/black Galaxy stucco I almost lost my lunch. I'm not sure what I was expecting --it a frickin' Galaxy after all-- yet I couldn't help but feel disappointed. Looks like they're trying to do something a little flashy with the entrance at 20th and 2nd though.

They're laying a foundation on the north west corner of 1st and 23rd. One more downtown corner parking lot gone. How many does that leave?

macca · #**166** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 4:02 PM**

Time to make a phone call to the Arctic my friend. My need for development details supercedes "sonny's" business in the north. And your gigantic phone bill. And that entrance is decent enough, but that building is so brutal... and I pass it everyday on my way to work. I can't wait for more development along the river to obscure it.

That foundation is right in front of that Employment Services building, which is apparently still open and functioning (despite the For Lease signs on it). Could that be an expansion of the exisiting building? I think they tore off the awning of that building.

Any Meridian updates? I'm still trying to find out the scoop, but it could be a a while before I can dig anything up.

jaysfan99 · #**167** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 6:25 PM**

It's nice to know that there are people out there that are actually interested in this kind of stuff.

As for the "Galaxy", I can't believe they are putting up such a blahh looking structure. The city really should have some say as to what buildings should look like before approving the design. This lacks vision, and imagination.

swilley · #**168** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 6:29 PM**

I just heard there is plans for a 40 - story office tower at the extra-foods site....... NOT! Ok, now that I got your attention, I think I heard (for real) a while back that it will just be a small addition to the existing building at 1st and 23rd....

swilley · #**169** Posted **Jul 12, 2006, 6:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysfan99

It's nice to know that there are people out there that are actually interested in this kind of stuff.

As for the "Galaxy", I can't believe they are putting up such a blahh looking structure. The city really should have some say as to what buildings should look like before approving the design. This lacks vision, and imagination.

Remember, it's downtown Saskatoon and I don't think Galaxy would try any earth shattering designs, as they would in say downtown Toronto. As ugly as it is, at least the entrance looks like it has some promise, and it is MUCH better than an entire city block titled 'IMPARK'

Stewie · #**170** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 1:13 AM**

Hi all - I have been following this thread for about a year now, and finally decided to register. About the extra foods site - I work on the block and heard it is supposed to be a highrise hotel.

swilley · #**171** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 1:46 AM**

Welcome Stewie. Wow if this keeps up circle, we will be up to 5 tooners in no time! anyway, ^^any other details? hotel chain? height? when they are starting?

yorktonite · #**172** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 2:31 AM**

Saskatoon now a 'hub city'

Nine Canadian cities key to economic growth: study

Bruce Johnstone, Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, July 12, 2006

REGINA -- Nine "hub cities" -- including Saskatoon and Regina -- are the pistons in the country's economic engine, according to a study released today by the Conference Board of Canada.

While the country's three largest cities -- Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver -- have been "key drivers" of the national economy over the last two decades, smaller cities have played a major role in their respective regions, the study said.

Canada's three biggest cities accounted for 35 per cent of Canada's economic activity in 2004, the Conference Board said. But, in seven of 10 provinces, one or two cities account for 40 per cent of the province's economic activity, the report said.

In 2004, the nine "hub" cities accounted for nearly 48 per cent of Canadian gross domestic product (GDP), a share which has been rising steadily over the past 12 years.

In Saskatchewan, Regina and Saskatoon account for nearly 45 per cent of provincial GDP, while Winnipeg accounts for 65 per cent of Manitoba's GDP and Calgary and Edmonton represent a similar share of Alberta's GDP.

The study notes that Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver are leading their respective provincial economies on a GDP per capita basis.

In the past decade, Saskatoon has nearly caught up to Regina in terms of per capita GDP and is thus included in the list of nine hub cities.

Mario Lefebvre, senior economist and author of the Conference Board report, said the study suggests that "hub cities" can help boost regional economies.

The study also concludes that concentrating the nation's fiscal resources on the three largest cities is not the best way to foster cross-Canada economic growth.

A better approach would be to concentrate fiscal resources on a somewhat larger group of hub cities, or regional leaders.

"If we are going to be strategic about investing money in the future, . . . let's not be strategic around two or three cities -- Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver," Lefebvre said. "If we do that, Saskatchewan's not going to feel a thing, the Atlantic provinces aren't going to feel a thing."

The study also suggests that doling out fiscal payments -- such as the federal fuel tax rebate -- on a per capita basis is not the most efficient, from an economic standpoint.

"All we're saying in this report is: 'Please stop spreading money around on a per capita basis'," Lefebvre said. "Yes, politically, it might be the easiest way of doing things. . . . It's not the best way."

Stewie · #**173** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 3:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by swilley

Welcome Stewie. Wow if this keeps up circle, we will be up to 5 tooners in no time! anyway, ^^any other details? hotel chain? height? when they are starting?

No more info about that one other than a possible upcoming demo, but I should have some soon. As for the Meridian site, rumor has it that the Broadway credit union branch may be a ground floor tenant. Nothing public yet. (neighbors northern paints)

Also - I am excited about the new Boston Pizza being built beside the LB store in University Heights! Nice to have a local bar.

macca · #**174** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 4:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

No more info about that one other than a possible upcoming demo, but I should have some soon. As for the Meridian site, rumor has it that the Broadway credit union branch may be a ground floor tenant. Nothing public yet. (neighbors northern paints)

Also - I am excited about the new Boston Pizza being built beside the LB store in University Heights! Nice to have a local bar.

What what what? Too much in one post! A possible hotel on 4th Ave? The local hotel association will freak out, as they do every time a new hotel is proposed (too many rooms! our business will die!!). Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a demo? As in a rendering?

A Boston Pizza beside the new LB? Is that the building that's up already, or the one they're starting beside it?

Rob D · #**175** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 11:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by macca

What what what? Too much in one post! A possible hotel on 4th Ave? The local hotel association will freak out, as they do every time a new hotel is proposed (too many rooms! our business will die!!). Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a demo? As in a rendering?

A Boston Pizza beside the new LB? Is that the building that's up already, or the one they're starting beside it?

"Demo" in the building industry is an abbreviation for demolition.

macca · #**176** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 1:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob D

"Demo" in the building industry is an abbreviation for demolition.

Thanks Rob.

Does anyone know if the developer bought the Church Supply building too?

macca · #**177** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 2:13 PM**

Short metal fence/barrier up around former Extra Food and former church supply buildings as of this morning. I was thinking earlier this week that the street/subsurface work on the corner could be for services to the new building.

jaysfan99 · #**178** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 3:08 PM**

This is very interesting news, but doesn't city hall have to first approve it?

Stewie · #**179** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 3:33 PM**

Does the city have to approve demolitions? Because that's all that is going on there right now. Last time I checked they didn't.

I am sure if something is going up there soon, the city is in the process of reviewing it now.

macca · #**180** Posted **Jul 13, 2006, 4:05 PM**

Meridian update: project is a go, supposedly up to 17 stories now.