'A step backward': City opens survey for public feedback on future of Scarth Street pedestrian mall
The City of Regina has opened a survey for the public to provide their feedback on the future of the Scarth Street mall.
Sewer and water pipes under the path on Scarth Street between 11th and 12th Avenue are being replaced this summer as part of the city’s downtown revitalization plan.
There are three scenarios regarding traffic access presented by the city including allowing full, one-way traffic on the street.
Pedestrians who spoke to CTV News said they do not want the mall open to vehicles.
“I think it would make the downtown less interesting,” said one man who eats his lunch in the space most days. “It would be just another street.”
“I like it the way it is,” he said.
Another possibility is the mall could become a shared pedestrian-vehicle space, similar to Pat Fiacco Plaza.
“I would be open to it if I could trust the city to do it right,” said another Regina resident. “Past projects, like the plaza, is interpreted by drivers to be driving lane.”
“That encourages faster speeds and impatience. People are constantly honked at for walking on the plaza,” he said.
(Donovan Maess/CTV News)
The mall area has been closed to vehicular traffic since 1975.
Small businesses operating in the pedestrian mall seemed to be split on allowing vehicle access.
“This will be a step backward,” said The Book End Ltd. president Damodar Anant.
The Book End has been operating in the pedestrian mall since 1978.
“It was meant to bring people downtown,” Anant said. “We are completely opposed to changes.”
Next door at the Salon Snax, some openness to vehicles.
“It used to be drive-thru,” said Greg Olenick. “We have nothing really lose and perhaps everything to gain.”
Salon Snax has been open in the mall since 1980.
“We can bring back the downtown, where people pull up to their favourite store or block and do their shopping,” Olenick said.
The survey is open to the public until June 10.
The city will also hold in-person information at the Regina Farmer’s Market on June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.