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Saskatoon’s Mayfair area – Then and now

Norm Fisher — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:38:45 +0000

Here’s a link to an article that’s part of a series that appear in Bridges in which Charles Hamilton gets a feel for a Saskatoon neighbourhood from a resident of the area. This one is about the Mayfair area of Saskatoon.

Read it here.

See our neighbourhood page for Mayfair here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call of email me.

Get the most current market intelligence with our FREE Market Snapshot including prices of homes recently sold in your area. Get it here, now.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Multi-family development near Montgomery Place can proceed

Norm Fisher — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:07:22 +0000

Last week, Montgomery Place residents scored a bit of a win when the City of Saskatoon announced that a proposed wind turbine at the nearby landfill would not go ahead as planned. This week, they weren’t so lucky as city administrators prepared a report for council that states a proposed multi-family development on land just North of 11th Street can move forward in the approval process.

The report states that existing zoning is appropriate for the proposed development which will meet the city’s long-term plans to encourage a mix of housing types in all neighbourhoods. Currently, single-family homes are the only type of housing available in the Montgomery area. Further, the report explains that the development will contribute to a “more compact and efficient urban form and make effective use of existing community infrastructure,” an important consideration given the rapid population growth that Saskatoon is experiencing.

Once the approval process has been completed, five acres of the 18-acre parcel of the land owned by North Ridge Developmentswill become home to a 192 unit apartment complex. The remaining 13 acres will likely be developed as demand dictates. The current plan calls for up to 750 housing units when complete.

The project met resistance from the area’s community association who feel that the development is “out of step with the character of adjacent Montgomery Place,” according to a story in the Star Phoenix. Many residents of the historic area that was developed in honour of Second World War veterans feel that the neighbourhood has been “under siege” as the area around them changes to accommodate and expanded landfill, a new bus barn and city yards site, and the extension of Circle Drive South.

In one seemingly over-the-top expression of concern, Councilor Pat Lorje, speaking about Second World War veterans, declared the move as an end to “the recognition of their sacrifice.”

I’m going to go ahead and make two bold predictions. Saskatoon will continue to honour the sacrifice of our Second World Wars veterans, and Montgomery Place will maintain its unique charm for years to come in spite of this development. It’s a beautiful area now and so it will remain.

Learn more about beautiful Montgomery Place.
Read: Montgomery development can proceed; Lorje says decision ‘dishonours’ veterans.
Read also: Montgomery plan approved.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call of email me.

Get the most current market intelligence with our FREE Market Snapshot including prices of homes recently sold in your area. Get it here, now.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Saskatoon’s Nutana area offers diversity in its people and its homes

Norm Fisher — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:20:35 +0000

Read it here.

See our neighbourhood page for Nutana here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call of email me.

Get the most current market intelligence with our FREE Market Snapshot including prices of homes recently sold in your area. Get it here, now.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Construction of Affinity Credit Union offices underway in City Park

Norm Fisher — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:29:16 +0000

Construction is underway on the new Affinity Credit Union offices which will be located at 710 Duke Street in Saskatoon’s City Park. The construction plan, managed by Meridian Development will make use of the existing 49,000 square foot building on the site. Some additional space is being added at the North end of the building to accommodate what appears to be the main entrance to the offices.

As a former school, the parcel includes a fair bit of land that had previously been used for recreation. It looks like the construction plan will leave a lot of room for additional development to the North and to the East of the existing building. I expect that we’ll eventually see that land used for condominium development, but that’s only a guess.

The building was originally constructed in 1927 by the Saskatoon School Board as Wilson School. When the school amalgamated with North Park School in 1993, the property was purchased by the First Nations University of Canada who used it as a school until 2011 when funding issues forced them to sell.

Visit TeamFisher’s City Park neighbourhood page.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call of email me.

Get the most current market intelligence with our FREE Market Snapshot including prices of homes recently sold in your area. Get it here, now.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Montgomery Place residents win one as proposed wind turbine gets scrapped

Norm Fisher — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:51:08 +0000

A story in this morning’s Star Phoenix says that the wind turbine that had been previously approved by Saskatoon city council for construction has been scrapped.Only one bid was received to build the controversial 120-metre turbine, and that bid was $1.35 million more than the budget allotted for the project.

Vocal residents of Montgomery Place argued that the turbine would be an eye-sore in the historic area and that noise generated by the turbine would be troublesome to those living in the area.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call of email me.

Get the most current market intelligence with our FREE Market Snapshot including prices of homes recently sold in your area. Get it here, now.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Montgomery residents say no to proposed apartment buildings in their area

Norm Fisher — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:33:50 +0000

Residents of Saskatoon’s Montgomery Place area are rattled at the thought of apartment buildings in their area, one of the few neighbourhoods in the city that is comprised entirely of single-family dwellings.North Ridge Developments, which owns an 18 acre parcel on 11th Street East is seeking approval to build three four-storey rental apartments with a total of 192 units on five acres of that land. The remaining 13 acres could be developed if an appropriate level of demand exists. The current bylaw allows for this type of construction, and has since 1979, but a designation added in the ‘90’s requires developers to show that the existing infrastructure is adequate to accommodate new development. Residents of the area feel that a potential doubling of the population in the historic area would lead to traffic congestion and over-populated schools.

Montgomery residents seem to be feeling a bit “under siege,” according to a recent story in the Star Phoenix. Other recent concerns include a proposed 120-metre wind turbine which would be erected at the landfill, the development of Circle Drive South, and the plan to relocate the city yards and the public transit headquarters, all of which will be adjacent to the area.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call of email me.

Get the most current market intelligence with our FREE Market Snapshot including prices of homes recently sold in your area. Get it here, now.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan wins prestigious design award

Norm Fisher — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:23:59 +0000

The design for the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan has been selected as one of eight 2011 Award of Excellence recipients by Canadian Architect magazine and is featured on the cover of this month’s issue.

According to the story in the Star Phoenix, the $84 million gallery was selected from “163 submissions judged by a jury of Canada’s top architects.”

The gallery will be constructed at River Landing in Saskatoon’s Central Business District beginning in 2012 with an anticipated completion in late 2014.

Read: Remai gallery receives national award.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS® listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Report commissioned by City of Saskatoon projects major future growth

Norm Fisher — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:35:14 +0000

Saskatoon’s future is bright, according to a report presented to city council on Monday night. The 215-page report, prepared by MXD Developments Strategists of Vancouver projects that Saskatoon’s population would hit 325,000 by 2028. By then, the city will require six new hotels, a thirty percent expansion in retail space from 10 million square feet to 13 million square feet, and an forty-five percent expansion of industrial space from the current 15.2 million square feet to 22.3 million square feet.

The primary recommendation in the report is a relaxing of the current direct control zoning regulations that limit the types and numbers of businesses that can operate in suburban areas.

City administration will study the report and bring their recommendations to council in the near future.

Read: Report forecasts major growth from the Star Phoenix here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS® listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Zoning change keeps Westmount dance studio alive despite protests from neighbours

Norm Fisher — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:22:21 +0000

“The rezoning of a Westmount dance studio and karate school that split the neighbourhood was approved Monday by city council as friends and dance community members rallied behind the business.”

Read: Westmount fitness studio can dance on – Star Phoenix

Saskatoon will require 10,000 new homes in the next three years

Norm Fisher — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:20:20 +0000

Saskatoon will require 10,000 new homes in the next three years, and the vast majority will be built in new suburbs, stated a report going to city council Monday. Concerns about urban sprawl are raised.

Read more from the Saskatoon Star Phoenix here.

Saskatoon’s Two Twenty comes to life with the opening of Collective Coffee

Norm Fisher — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:46:18 +0000

Opening day at Collective Coffee

Collective Coffee, the latest addition to the Riversdale business district opened its doors yesterday to become the first operating tenant at Saskatoon’s Two Twenty.

Located at 220 20th Street West, this charming little coffee stop immediately comes off as a fun place to be. With just four tables and a stand up bar, fifteen people feels like a party, and hey, who doesn’t want to be at a party?

We met warm and friendly people on both sides of the amazing service counter that’s constructed of salvaged pickle wood from the former vinegar factory and beautifully framed in steel strapping that was reclaimed from the old Toon’s Kitchen dumbwaiter. Darkly stained fir wall panels, steel I-beam shelving and a display of local art complete this collection of Saskatoon treasures.

Floor to ceiling windows along the south side of the shop welcome the sun for a good part of the day and the overhead door will provide a great connection to additional sidewalk seating for at least half of the year.

Naturally, espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, coffee and tea are all on the menu and were served up by a couple of baristas who actually seem to understand that a warm smile is the perfect compliment to a hot coffee. An impressive offering of baked goods from breakfast cookies to pumpkin and chocolate chip bread was also available.

Overall, Collective Coffee is a pretty cool addition to the Riversdale neighbourhood. Take a few minutes to check it next time you’re in the area or downtown.

Learn more about Collective Coffee and The Two Twenty here.
Learn more about the Riversdale neighborhood here.

Visit our Saskatoon Neighbourhood Profiles pages to learn more about what’s going on in our city’s neighbourhoods.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Saskatoon program to provide down payment assistance to middle income renters

Norm Fisher — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:05:07 +0000

City council, this week, approved a new program that would provide down payment assistance to middle income renters. The objective of the program is to free up units in our low vacancy rental market while opening the door to home ownership for some who have the financial capability of servicing a mortgage but have not yet saved the required minimum down payment.

Billed as “the first program of its kind in Canada,” the Equity Building Program will be available to those who earn too much to benefit from social housing programs. This $3-million program will provide down payment loans to home buyers earning between $45,000 and $70,000 per year, who are currently renting a home in Saskatoon. As part of the arrangement, the home buyer agrees to pay back the loan, at a low interest rate, over a five-year period of time.

City planner, Alan Wallace is quoted in a story published in the Star Phoenix on February 9. “House prices have risen dramatically. We think there are a number of households out there that are in rental situations that will find it extremely difficult to fund the down payment.

“What we’re concerned about is if incomes aren’t able to keep pace with house prices…people have a tendency to slide backwards on the housing continuum. We want them to move up.”

Interested parties can obtain full details on conditions and qualifiers from the Affinity Credit Union in Saskatoon.

Read the Star Phoenix story here.
A television report from Global News is here.
More details on the Affinity Credit Union website are here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS® listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Art Gallery of Saskatchewan “rock solid” for River Landing

Norm Fisher — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:22:23 +0000

City manager Murray Totland says the proposed $50-million Art Gallery of Saskatchewan is now “rock solid” with all funding agreements between Saskatoon and the provincial and federal governments completed. Announced two-years ago, the art gallery is still in the design stage but construction should begin as early as 2012. The gallery will be built next to the Persephone Theatre at River Landing in Saskatoon’s Central Business District.

As it opens, the Mendel Art Gallery will cease to operate at its City Park location where it has been since 1964. A wing within the new gallery will serve as a tribute to Saskatoon’s first gallery and the Mendel family whose generous financial contributions made it possible. A planning process for renewal of the Mendel site and Kinsmen Park is underway.

Short film provides a look at living homeless in Saskatoon

Norm Fisher — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:36:02 +0000

Nowhere to Go: Homeless in Saskatoon is a short film produced by the group Passion for Action Against Homelessness. The 23-minute two-part documentary provides insights into homeless living and the challenges that these people face everyday.

“The biggest thing that I experienced was a complete loss of self-esteem. To do that, to be sitting on the sidewalk, to be visibly homeless, to look through a garbage for whatever you can find, bottles, to ask people for change you have to drop all of your self-respect. It makes you feel like you’re a whole other species and that’s one of the problems with being homeless. You’re just different from everyone else and you’re not worth it, and you don’t feel like you’re worth it.” David Ferris

Part One

Part Two

“You hear a lot of people and they think that people who are addicted to drugs must be stupid or unintelligent. If they’re poor, or on welfare they must be stupid. Just through circumstances people lose their way. From my experiences I believe the most important thing is for them to make the decision that they want to move on, that they’re ready to move on but in order to do that they need to believe that they can. Don’t let them slip through the cracks.” David Ferris

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Saskatoon churches pledge fundraising support for inner city grocery store

Norm Fisher — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:34:37 +0000

A group of Saskatoon churches have pledged support to work together to assist in fundraising for the proposed “Good Food Junction,” a full service co-operative supermarket that would operate at Station 20 West, assuming that private funding goals are met and the “cluster of community services” becomes a reality. Pleasant Hill and Riversdale, two of Saskatoon’s poorest neighbourhoods have been without a grocery store for more than a decade. The low-income residents in these communities already face mobility challenges making it difficult to seek services in other areas.

$650,000 is needed to fund equipment for the store and church leaders from a number of Christian denominations have pledged to promote the cause leading up to the Christmas season.

More details from CBC here.
More from the Star Phoenix here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Checking in on the progress in revitalizing downtown Saskatoon

Norm Fisher — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:35:49 +0000

In its last major plan for downtown Saskatoon, the city set a goal to increase the population of residents in the city centre to 10,000 by 2,025. The past few years have seen the development of roughly 450 housing units across several condominium projects but growth is sluggish and falling short of meeting objectives. Could all of that change as River Landing Village finds a firm footing? What else needs to change in the short term to achieve that long-term goal?

Star Phoenix writer, David Hutton examines recent wins and the ongoing challenges in the revitalization of downtown Saskatoon in “Density in the downtown.”

Read it here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Sod turning ceremony for new senior’s apartment in Pleasant Hill

Norm Fisher — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:34:16 +0000

Officials from the federal and provincial governments joined in at a sod turning ceremony today to officially launch the $14 million Columbian Place, a 75-unit apartment building to be constructed on 20th Street West, between Avenue N and Avenue O in Pleasant Hill. When completed, it will open 40 two-bedroom units and 35 one-bedroom homes.

The building is will be an “affordable housing” project built with senior residents in mind. It’s expected to be completed as early as the spring of 2012.

Both levels of government contributed to funding the project run by the Knights of Columbus and K.C. Charities.

Lawson Heights Civic Centre in Saskatoon adds solar panels to heat pool

Norm Fisher — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:34:06 +0000

The installation of ninety solar panels that will be used as a supplemental heating source for the public indoor pool at the Lawson Heights Civic Centre in Saskatoon began today. They’re expected to be operational by mid-December and will provide roughly twenty-five percent of the energy required to heat the pool at the civic facility.

Partial funding for the project was provided by the Provincial and Federal governments with the balance paid through a loan to Saskatoon that will be retired over eleven years using money saved through reduced energy consumption. The new panels also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 111 tonnes per year.

Once the Lawson Heights project is complete, the city of Saskatoon plans to begin a similar project at the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre.
The installation of ninety solar panels that will be used as a supplemental heating source for the public indoor pool at the Lawson Heights Civic Centre in Saskatoon began today. They’re expected to be operational by mid-December and will provide roughly twenty-five percent of the energy required to heat the pool at the civic facility.

Once the Lawson Heights project is complete, the city of Saskatoon plans to begin a similar project at the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre.

River Landing Village will proceed without Lake Placid

Norm Fisher — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:33:51 +0000

River Landing Village appears to have taken one large, perhaps unexpected step forward today as project investors met the city’s deadline to provide proof that financing is in place to complete the first phase of development of the $200 million dollar hotel and condominium project proposed for Parcel Y in the south downtown area.

The larger surprise may have been the announcement that River Landing Village will proceed without Lake Placid Developments and its CEO Michael Lobsinger who originally brought the proposal forward and twice purchased the land from the city. After defaulting on deadlines in deal number one and losing his hold on the parcel Lobsinger struck a partnership with local businessman Kay Nasser who owns Victory Major Investments and managed to secure the land a second time, subject to financing approval. Instead of moving forward together, Nasser “bought out Michael Lobsinger and Lake Placid,” according to the story on the Star Phoenix website, and secured financing himself.

The financing package will now go to an independent audit to ensure that the funding that has been secured is sufficient to build an underground parkade and bring the project to grade level at an estimated cost of $50-60 million. If the auditor gives it the nod Victory Major Investments will have fifteen days to complete the land purchase by delivering a cheque for the balance of the $5 million price tag.

Star Phoenix coverage of today’s announcement is here.
A timeline of the development progress and challenges by David Hutton is here.

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Our Saskatoon home search tool offers MLS® listings represented by all real estate brands, presented with more detail than you’ll find anywhere else. Check it out here.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Westmount Community School to receive hundreds of new books

Norm Fisher — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 15:09:50 +0000

The Adopt a School program, a joint partnership between the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation and Coles will donate hundreds of new books to the Westmount Community School Library. In 2009, the program was responsible for putting more than 21,000 books in over 150 Canadian schools.

Read more on the Wesmount Community Association website.

Tim Hortons to open their first store in Saskatoon’s downtown core

Norm Fisher — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:48:03 +0000

It’s true. Tim Hortons has secured space in the Saskatoon Square at 410 22^nd Street East. Following renovations of the space previously occupied by Octane Restaurant, Tim Hortons will open its first downtown location, likely by mid-February 2011.

About time, eh?

Dundee Realty Corp. moves for rezoning of Arbor Creek school sites for residential

Norm Fisher — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:34:30 +0000

Dundee Realty Corp. has taken initial steps for a rezoning of the eight-acre parcel it owns within Arbor Creek that was originally set aside to accommodate an elementary school in each school system. The city will hold a public meeting on October 27 to discuss the developer’s plan to build more single-family homes on the land.

While two elementary schools were initially included in the neighbourhood concept plan, both the public and the Catholic schools boards shifted their focus from Arbor Creek to Willowgrove when considering new schools in 2007. Funding for a joint project housing a public and a Catholic school was approved for Willowgrove this year.

Most children living in the Arbor Creek area have settled into schools in neighbouring Erindale.

Work begins on site of new St. Mary Community School

Norm Fisher — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:55:26 +0000

A spell of warm dry weather has provided an opportunity for site work to begin at the new St. Mary School site in Pleasant Hill at 327 Avenue N South.

The $14.6 million dollar project was won by PCL Construction Management Inc. in late August and it is expected that it could be completed by early 2012. Construction was originally slated to begin in the fall of 2009 but the Ministry of Education forced a scaling back of the size of the new school causing delays.

When completed, the new catholic system school will provide instruction to children in kindergarten through grade 8. The school is expected to feature an indoor track for walking and running, exercise facilities, a pediatric wellness clinic and community gathering spots. It’s part of the Pleasant Hill revitalization project.

The Ministry of Education will fund the majority of the project. Corporate donations include $500,000 from the PotashCorp for the walking track and $500,000 from Cameco Corp. for the pediatric clinic.

Saskatoon Lakeview residents pressure city for sound barrier along Highway 16

Norm Fisher — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:58:49 +0000

Some Lakeview area residents are pushing the city of Saskatoon for a sound attenuation wall along Highway 16 between Circle Drive and Boychuk Drive. Residents who back the highway say that the noise is unbearable and needs to be dealt with soon.

The city has spent nearly $25 million on sound walls over the past few years but says that while the stretch of road along the south edge of Lakeview is a high on the priority list, the money needed to complete the near $5 million dollar project isn’t in the budget at this time.

Computer renderings provide interior views of future St. Mary’s School

Norm Fisher — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:45:45 +0000

Alan Wallace published a post on his Pleasant Hill Village blog that includes some computer renderings of the new St. Mary School, which is expected to begin construction within two weeks and could be opened in the fall of 2011.

Check it out here.