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 Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.