Saskatoon Construction III

[Ricopedra]

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[Crisis]

Originally Posted by Ricopedra

Not to keep posting, but there was an ignored post a few days ago about the UofS School of Architecture and how that was going. Well, it could be going a lot better and influencing our conversation at minimum and our skyline ideally. Would've been my first choice as a young boy. Over and out.

Fully agree that a local focus on architecture may improve what we see getting constructed in Saskatoon. Unfortunately, not much good news on the School of Architecture and Visual Arts (SAVA) front.

The 2018 Annual Report from the Saskatchewan Association of Architects (SAA) reports that the SAVA initiative has been postponed by the U of S. While the U of S states that it remains a high priority, there is no immediate action and the priority of SAVA in the University's plans for program development is unclear. The SAA will continue to push for a School of Architecture in Saskatchewan, whether with the U of S or along a differenct avenue.

[city rep]

I debated waiting 5+ years ago for 3 years for the Saskatoon architecture program to get started. Ended up going to MJ Siast for architecture instead.

Still seems like a good thing me not waiting for U of S to get it going

[Ricopedra]

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[Ricopedra]

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[Ricopedra]

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[Echoes]

Site activity at Broadway & Main: https://twitter.com/deeannmercier/st...02687460761602

[Ricopedra]

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[Oiler]

Originally Posted by Crisis

While I was among the first to criticize the design of Baydo's 25th street rendering and would say the tower portion of 880 Broadway is OK at best, we shouldn't be too critical of Baydo. While we might like to see more attractive designs, one should focus on the fact that Baydo is spending the money to build these projects.

It's easy to criticize how other people spend their money. Things take a different perspective when it's your money getting spent. One can say "well, it would only cost another 4% to make it prettier", but when you only have a 7% return, that 4% is pretty damned important

I get what you’re saying... but we deserve better, we need to demand better. We won’t get anywhere if we are just thankful that someone is spending/building here.

Look what toronto is rejecting (that waterfront google/alphabet city digital city concept) in the name of something that is “better” for them. Whatever better means for them.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.the...ivacy-concerns

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by Oiler

I get what you’re saying... but we deserve better, we need to demand better. We won’t get anywhere if we are just thankful that someone is spending/building here.

Look what toronto is rejecting (that waterfront google/alphabet city digital city concept) in the name of something that is “better” for them. Whatever better means for them.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.the...ivacy-concerns

The Baydo project on Broadway is mediocre (at best) but it's still a net gain because it will help to animate the neighbourhood.

The proposed project on 21st street, however, is both large and aggressively ugly. An actual blight on the urban environment. Net loss.

[Brutopian]

Board approves potential sites for new downtown Saskatoon library

Sites have been shortlisted for new central location. A business plan is expected in the fall.

PHIL TANK, SASKATOON STARPHOENIX
June 20, 2019

The decades-long search for a location for a new downtown library has narrowed.

The Saskatoon Public Library board has approved a short list of possible sites for a replacement for the 53-year-old France Morrison Central Library on 23rd Street.

Carol Cooley, the director of the Saskatoon Public Library, said in an emailed response on Thursday that any information on the sites will be withheld until a decision is made.

Cooley cited the “commercial sensitivity of site selection” as the reason for the confidentiality.

“(The Saskatoon Public Library) worked collaboratively with the City of Saskatoon to determine potential downtown locations for a new central library,” Cooley said.

Some of the factors she said were considered include site size, accessibility for a variety of transportation modes, cost and “potential economic and social benefit.”

[........]

Read more:
https://thestarphoenix.com/news/loca...katoon-library

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Board approves potential sites for new downtown Saskatoon library

Sites have been shortlisted for new central location. A business plan is expected in the fall.

PHIL TANK, SASKATOON STARPHOENIX
June 20, 2019

The decades-long search for a location for a new downtown library has narrowed.

The Saskatoon Public Library board has approved a short list of possible sites for a replacement for the 53-year-old France Morrison Central Library on 23rd Street.

Carol Cooley, the director of the Saskatoon Public Library, said in an emailed response on Thursday that any information on the sites will be withheld until a decision is made.

Cooley cited the “commercial sensitivity of site selection” as the reason for the confidentiality.

“(The Saskatoon Public Library) worked collaboratively with the City of Saskatoon to determine potential downtown locations for a new central library,” Cooley said.

Some of the factors she said were considered include site size, accessibility for a variety of transportation modes, cost and “potential economic and social benefit.”

[........]

Read more:
https://thestarphoenix.com/news/loca...katoon-library

I would actually like to see the library rebuilt in its current location - in conjunction with a general revitalization of the City Hall area. There could be a linear park on 23rd street (as proposed in the City Centre Plan? ) and the former United Church could be renovated as a concert venue.

[Oiler]

Originally Posted by Temperance

I would actually like to see the library rebuilt in its current location - in conjunction with a general revitalization of the City Hall area. There could be a linear park on 23rd street (as proposed in the City Centre Plan? ) and the former United Church could be renovated as a concert venue.

That would be great! Not sure there would be great support for it at the moment, but City hall must be due for a significant renovation? Imagine what they could do with all that land in the center of downtown.

[roryn1]

Some unconfirmed news about midtown mall - SEPHORA is moving into where Shoppers is into a much larger space. Shoppers will be moving into the Sears with a much larger location and a outward facing entrance. H&M is also supposedly confirmed. MEC wants to start construction end of July so midtown has been going hard on getting the Food Court complete by end of July.

[Ricopedra]

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[Wyku]

Originally Posted by Ricopedra

On City Hall expansion, the last addition they made (North side, eons ago) was built with expansion in mind. They can add at least two floors on top. Still, a very under-utilized block of land. Are they spread out across downtown, paying rent? Maybe no sitting council has wanted to put forth the funding bill? I'm full of speculation, but luckily often on the money!:>)

They're making use of some of the floors across the street in the old Canada Post building for sure, could be other locations as well? I believe the city owns that building now though so they shouldn't be paying "rent" at least.

[jrochest]

Originally Posted by NotToScale

That's some high rent for a 'meh' place. If they think they can get that then good on them.

Yes: I have a friend who rented an AMAZING loft penthouse for 2,100 a month. That's worth it -- only just! -- but getting 2,200 for less than a thousand sq ft 2 bedroom is unlikely.

I think they're assuming that Saskatoon rents are 'undervalued' by some metric -- but the vacancy rate is still around 10%.

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by Ricopedra

On City Hall expansion, the last addition they made (North side, eons ago) was built with expansion in mind. They can add at least two floors on top. Still, a very under-utilized block of land. Are they spread out across downtown, paying rent? Maybe no sitting council has wanted to put forth the funding bill? I'm full of speculation, but luckily often on the money!:>) (okay Wyku...lease)

I wasn't so much thinking of renovating/expanding City Hall - more of revitalizing the civic square and the broader precinct. There is potential there but right now it's a bit of a dead zone.

[Ricopedra]

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[Ricopedra]

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