Comments on: Central Avenue improvements pitched to Saskatoon City Council http://www.teamfisher.com/central-avenue-improvements-pitched-to-saskatoon-city-council/ Where Saskatoon talks real estate Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:51:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jason http://www.teamfisher.com/central-avenue-improvements-pitched-to-saskatoon-city-council/#comment-14109 Jason Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:50:08 +0000 http://www.teamfisher.com/?p=5406#comment-14109 Alex, agreed. Maybe the inclusion of a retaining wall in the proposal was intended to 'de-industrialize' it somewhat. A pedestrian crosswalk is certainly needed with the amount of daily rail traffic. But you're absolutely right: it's going to be very hard to compete with any big box development, and I have no idea what's planned for commercial development in Willowgrove. Alex, agreed. Maybe the inclusion of a retaining wall in the proposal was intended to ‘de-industrialize’ it somewhat. A pedestrian crosswalk is certainly needed with the amount of daily rail traffic. But you’re absolutely right: it’s going to be very hard to compete with any big box development, and I have no idea what’s planned for commercial development in Willowgrove.

]]> By: Alex http://www.teamfisher.com/central-avenue-improvements-pitched-to-saskatoon-city-council/#comment-14104 Alex Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:12:24 +0000 http://www.teamfisher.com/?p=5406#comment-14104 The second place I lived in Saskatoon was on Berini drive. Somewhat nearby (although what isn't?). Central didn't have a very welcoming vibe to it. I think most people just go down there for wing nuts, no? :D The area feels more industrial-ish and I'm curious about what is actually in place to make it grow as desired. The box malls will kill most everything that tries to spring back... The second place I lived in Saskatoon was on Berini drive. Somewhat nearby (although what isn’t?).

Central didn’t have a very welcoming vibe to it. I think most people just go down there for wing nuts, no? :D

The area feels more industrial-ish and I’m curious about what is actually in place to make it grow as desired. The box malls will kill most everything that tries to spring back…

]]> By: Norm Fisher http://www.teamfisher.com/central-avenue-improvements-pitched-to-saskatoon-city-council/#comment-14083 Norm Fisher Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:38:02 +0000 http://www.teamfisher.com/?p=5406#comment-14083 Good points Jason. No doubt that a nearby big box centre brings new challenges and demands new ways of approaching business for the locals. I'd love to see something Broadwayish come to life on Central. Not just like Broadway, but as Hill suggests, having some unique character. You've got a lot of high income earners living within minutes of Central. I think it could be an attractive opportunity. Good points Jason.

No doubt that a nearby big box centre brings new challenges and demands new ways of approaching business for the locals. I’d love to see something Broadwayish come to life on Central. Not just like Broadway, but as Hill suggests, having some unique character. You’ve got a lot of high income earners living within minutes of Central. I think it could be an attractive opportunity.

]]> By: Jason http://www.teamfisher.com/central-avenue-improvements-pitched-to-saskatoon-city-council/#comment-14081 Jason Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:22:16 +0000 http://www.teamfisher.com/?p=5406#comment-14081 This is generally what happens when you allow 'big box' development in any neighbourhood without really considering what impact this will have on existing businesses. Between the rail crossing and limited parking, it's not a huge surprise that Central has seen a decline. In addition to the facelift (which has merit, although I haven't seen the tab, either), if the City of Saskatoon wants to attract merchants they need to look at incentivizing businesses to locate there. Reductions in business property taxes would be a good first step. This is generally what happens when you allow ‘big box’ development in any neighbourhood without really considering what impact this will have on existing businesses. Between the rail crossing and limited parking, it’s not a huge surprise that Central has seen a decline. In addition to the facelift (which has merit, although I haven’t seen the tab, either), if the City of Saskatoon wants to attract merchants they need to look at incentivizing businesses to locate there. Reductions in business property taxes would be a good first step.

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