'Would be a very big loss': Regina residents opposed to allowing vehicles on Scarth Street Mall
For nearly 50 years, Scarth Street Mall has been for pedestrians only. It was deemed a walk-in corridor after a bylaw was passed all the way back in 1975.
It’s a decision that Vanessa Mathews calls “ahead of its time.”
“It’s the only pedestrian focused street in the city and now we have cities across Canada, they’re adding pedestrian only streets to their core areas,” the University of Regina geography and environmental studies professor told CTV News.
“We were kind of leading that trend and I hope we continue to have at least one in our city.”
But the City of Regina is exploring whether or not to allow traffic once again as part of the Scarth Street revitalization project.
A survey conducted by the city had 6,600 respondents, 90 per cent of which, were not in favour of vehicles returning to the space.
CTV News spoke with a few folks passing through the mall, all of whom were in agreement.
“Downtown is already so congested at this point, and there’s so few places that are pedestrian focused in the city, especially for businesses, that I think would be a very big loss for the community,” one resident explained.
“I know that the cars, they go down the other side streets in this kind of area and sometimes they’re not very patient. So I feel like that might be another factor. I’m not hugely in favour, but whatever happens, happens,” another woman shared.
According to senior city planner, Kim Sare, more information is needed before making the final decision.
“We’re not sure yet. We are using the conversation to come with people to find out what it’s gonna look like,” she said. “So we are still continuing the conversation finding out how residences, businesses, stakeholders, and the general public want to use that space.”
Construction was set to begin this year. However, it has been pushed back to 2027 due to budget constraints.
Giving the city more time to get feedback from residents.
A timeline Mathews hopes, will allow for an alternative solution.
“Anytime that we can create what are known as ‘sticky spaces’ so spaces that people will want to go to and stay on for long periods of time then that’s the gold standard of planning,” Mathews said.
The City of Regina has released its survey results - they can be found here. The city says it will be looking for more feedback on the proposed improvements in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6940448.1719339188!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'Why did I have this surgery?' Ont. mother seeks answers after son's tonsil surgery
An Ontario mother said it looked like a horror movie when she flicked on the lights of her son’s bedroom to find him projectile vomiting blood after his tonsils were removed at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
No charges for driver in 2023 Manitoba bus crash that killed 17 seniors: RCMP
Manitoba RCMP and Crown prosecutors will not lay charges against the driver of a bus involved in a crash with a semi-truck in 2023.
Biden pardons potentially thousands of ex-service members convicted under now-repealed gay sex ban
U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned potentially thousands of former U.S. service members convicted of violating a now-repealed military ban on consensual gay sex, saying Wednesday that he is “righting an historic wrong" to clear the way for them to regain lost benefits.
Gassy cows and pigs will face a carbon tax in Denmark, a world first
Denmark will tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep and pigs from 2030, the first country to do so as it targets a major source of methane emissions, one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming.
'Deeply unserious': Vancouver councillor claims mayor turned city hall boardroom into gym
A Vancouver city councillor is calling out Mayor Ken Sim for apparently limiting access to a city hall boardroom and turning it into a makeshift gym.
Fed up with the U.K. Conservatives, some voters turn to the anti-immigration Reform party for answers
Britain is going to the polls to elect a new House of Commons at a time when public dissatisfaction is running high over a host of issues, from the high cost of living and a stagnating economy to a dysfunctional state health care system and crumbling infrastructure.
One of Canada's most popular vehicles recalled over transmission issue; 95,000 impacted
One of the country's most popular vehicles is being recalled in Canada due to a transmission issue that may impact tens of thousands of drivers.
Puppy mills now illegal in Ontario, but advocates say little will change for dogs
Puppy mills are now illegal in Ontario after the province recently passed legislation banning them, but critics say the new law will do little to curb the problem.
Calgary feeder main repairs complete, water service could be restored sooner than expected
Repair work on Calgary’s broken water main is progressing faster than anticipated, but there are still a few more steps crews need to complete before water restrictions are lifted in the city.