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The first round of public feedback on the future of the Scarth Street pedestrian mall shows overwhelming support to keep the walkable, cobblestone block the way it is: without cars.
Results of an online survey administered by the City of Regina last spring show 90 per cent of respondents are very opposed to administration’s suggestion to open the street back to cars after 50 years.
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F.W. Hill Mall, Scarth Street between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue, is currently flagged for a planned revitalization project, as it has not seen any major upgrades since it was first converted to a walking-only corridor in 1975.
Plans to replace aging above and below ground infrastructure prompted the city to also consider updating the street’s use and esthetic elements, including once again allowing vehicles.
The idea was presented by city staff as a way to potentially encourage more access and engagement with the businesses that line the block. Construction on Scarth Street was originally set to begin in 2024 but has been paused until 2027 to allow for broader public feedback.
“This extension allows the City more time to engage with the community, gather additional insights, and refine the vision for Scarth Street Mall,” said a news release issued Friday.
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More community engagement stated to start this summer
Public engagement began last spring, with an online survey on Be Heard Regina open from May to June 2023.
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More than 6,600 residents took the survey, with 90 per cent indicating a strong preference to keep the space a strictly pedestrian environment.
More than 60 per cent also said they would like to see more on-site events or activities on Scarth Street, while two-thirds said allowing any vehicles on Scarth Street would make them less likely to visit downtown.
Just over 80 per cent indicated they would support pick-up and drop-off access, or cars only in the winter, while 50 per cent said they were strongly opposed to even limited car access.
A second phase of community engagement begins this summer, including direct consultation with area businesses and residents, plus more opportunity to submit comments on Be Heard Regina. City staff also plan to attend local events throughout the summer to offer more information. A conceptual design is set to be presented in spring 2025.
Scarth Street’s revitalization is one of several similar projects planned for Regina’s downtown over the next five years, some of which are already underway.
The adjacent 11th Avenue is getting upgrades to aging underground infrastructure, which started in 2023, and Dewdney Avenue’s two-year upgrade project began in April.
A plan for the Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Project is also currently being redrafted for city council approval.
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