The City of Saskatoon today announced that the six preliminary design models and artists’ renderings for the Century Plaza landmark will be available for public viewing and input at City Hall starting noon on Monday, November 21.
The following six shortlisted applicants were chosen from a field of 25 international, national, and local artists, designers and architects:
*Micah Lexier, New York, NY
*Jill Anholt, Vancouver, BC
*Mimi Gellman/Dimitri Papatheodorou, Toronto, ON
*Catherine Widgery, Montreal, QC
*Douglas Bentham, Saskatoon, SK
*Lee-Koopman Projects/ Friggstad Downing Henry, London, UK/ Saskatoon, SK
The landmark will be located at the end of the 2nd Avenue extension in River Landing Phase I and was first suggested in the South Downtown Concept Plan to help achieve the overall goal of drawing visitors and residents to the area and creating a unique sense of place. The project has been themed “Century Plaza” in recognition of the City’s centennial year in 2006.
The landmark is intended to integrate the environment of the river’s edge with Saskatoon’s urban fabric, and will be enjoyed by both residents and tourists. It will function as a focal point and enhance the vista from the north along 2nd Avenue, and from the south from the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Traffic Bridge. The Century Plaza landmark will also serve as the main gateway into the city’s River Landing Phase I riverfront.
The City has provided a budget of $7,500 for each applicant for the preparation of the drawings and scaled model, with the final award being $350,000. A selection jury will prepare a report with commentary to City Council who will make the final selection. Design, fabrication and installation are to occur over the winter, spring and summer with a projected unveiling in late summer or fall of 2006.
Residents will also be able to review portions of the submissions and provide input online starting Monday afternoon at www.saskatoon.ca.