'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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.