Saskatoon company set to revamp bus barns into cultural hub with affordable housing
The former site of the city’s bus barns is getting a facelift.
A Saskatoon company has agreed to purchase the south-Caswell Hill facility for $2 million for a mixed-use development, according to a report before the city’s finance committee on Wednesday.
The developer says the project, dubbed Caswell Bus Barns, is intended to “create a mixed-use building that supports local arts and culture, provides green space, and offers affordable housing for students, seniors and artists.”
The terms of the agreement with the city outline a two-phase construction, divided into two adjacent sites.
An overhead view of the proposed developments. (Courtesy: City of Saskatoon)
The first site, with a price tag of $1.1 million due March 2024, includes a refurbishment of the existing warehouse facility.
Separate residential and commercial buildings are scheduled to be built on site B several years later, with a $900,000 payment due in May 2026.
A $200,000 down payment on the first site is due when the sale is finalized but that won’t take effect until city council rezones the property, according to the report from the city’s land development administrators.
“The final agreement for sale may include minor adjustments to address as-yet-unknown factors, such as those that may arise through the land use amendment process,” Brad Murray, land development project manager writes.
Murray says the city plans on reinvesting revenue from the sale into the broader redevelopment of the south Caswell Hill area.
The developer plans to develop separate residential and commercial units next to the bus barns in a second phase of construction, the city says. (Courtesy: City of Saskatoon)
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress currently leases space in the warehouse to distribute furniture and household items for displaced Ukrainians, and Saskatoon Light and Power is storing some of its equipment there but has been told to vacate by July 31.
The Ukrainian organization will be notified before the developer intends to begin construction, the city says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.