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Thank you. Am I the only one who finds this plan underwhelming? It feels tacked onto the fringe of a well-established location, and seems vulnerable to not really being able to generate its own sense of place.
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Originally Posted by phone
Totally agree, especially about how this scheme has all taken place apparently without a whole lot of civic involvement. I don't recall seeing much if anything related to the Polytech relocation in any committee reports or meeting minutes. It seems to have taken place as a deal between SaskPoly and the U of S, bypassing the City altogether. But I could well be mistaken.
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First, I don't think any civic engagement is required for the relocation. Yes, it would be nice if Polytech had consulted various stakeholder groups but it isn't necessary. I am no expert, but I imagine the only roundabout way for the public to have a voice in this issue, is to cause a stink with the provincial government which maybe has some input with the University's land uses?
As for this being a fringe location, it may seem borderline rural today thanks to the proximity of the University's research lands, but it will not be in the future. Under the University's
Vision 2057 plan, all of the endowment lands to the north of the existing campus will be developed into multi-use communities in the coming decades, including the parcel bounded by the CPR tracks, Preston Crossing, Circle Drive, and the river; the parcel bounded by Circle , Central Ave, Peturrson's Ravine, and the river; and a small parcel bounded by Somers Road, Pobran Crescent, Fedoruk Road, and Central.
As noted in this
City of Saskatoon report:
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The Growth Plan and Vision 2057 both outlined a population target of approximately 50,000 people within the University Sector Plan area, at full build-out. This target represents a higher planned density level than any other neighbourhood or area within the city.
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The density of the University sector at full build-out would be 12,750 people per square kilometre. For context, the population density of the entire city is only 1,175 people per square kilometre and the densest neighbourhoods don't hold a candle to the University sector plan (Nutana: ~3,400; Downtown: ~2,600; City Park: ~3,200; Pleasant Hill: ~3,700). And while the densest portion of development at 15,400 people per square kilometre is slated to be the parcel bounded by Circle Drive, 14th, Preston, and College Drive, the second-densest portion at 14,500 people per square kilometre is the parcel directly north of the planned Polytechnic campus.
I can see why you would think Innovation Place is a fringe location, especially compared to Polytechnic's current home. But in about 50 years I think the intersection of Preston and College may well be the "centre" of Saskatoon aside from downtown. First, this intersection is already essentially the crossroads of the east side where Saskatoon is growing fastest (think Brighton, Stonebridge, Rosewood, Evergreen, etc.). Second, the College BRT line is supposed to split at this intersection, with one branch headed north along Preston and Attridge to University Heights and another headed south along Preston then east along 8th. This split would make the Stadium station a major transfer point. Third, the "Blue Line" is planned to travel north along Preston to 8th where it would turn west. This means there will initially be a continuous BRT corridor all along Preston from Stonebridge to University Heights, but the corridor will be served by three separate lines. Therefore, if Saskatoon were to ever establish a radial rapid transit line that does not pass through downtown, Preston would be the obvious candidate. This would put the campus smack dab in the middle of said radial line.
To clarify, I am not necessarily in favour of the relocation. I think the move is essentially a divestment of Saskatoon's core communities, many of which sorely need the tenants for their rental properties, jobs for their residents, and customers for the businesses that the current campus and its student base provide. But rather than think about this move as further sprawl, think about it as the first step in the most transformational infill development Saskatoon will ever see.
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