Regina city council says no to cars at Scarth Street Mall

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After two years of polling the public, city council has scrapped the idea of allowing vehicles on the thoroughfare at Scarth Street Mall for the first time in 50 years.

With a 10-1 vote, city council decided Wednesday to keep F.W. Hill Mall — known by many as Scarth Street Mall — as a pedestrian-only block in Regina’s downtown. Coun. Jason Mancinelli (Ward 9) was against.

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The mall, which stretches over a full city block between 11th and 12th avenues, has been a foot-traffic-only space since it was converted in 1975. Wednesday’s decision concludes two years of consultation on the idea of potentially opening the street to some level of vehicle traffic.

City staff suggested reviewing the street’s use in 2022 as part of a revitalization plan to replace underground infrastructure. That construction is on the city’s calendar for 2027, with a $7.8-million budget.

Recent public engagement has been overwhelmingly in favour of keeping Scarth Street car-free, with 90 per cent of residents who took part in the city’s survey responding that it should remain a pedestrian-only zone.

Taking that feedback into account, a conceptual design shared earlier this year presented a refreshed vision for the block by adding more trees, lighting and seats down the centre of the cobblestone street.

Local businesses have offered split opinions on the idea, with some wanting to stay pedestrian-only while revamping the street to increase foot traffic and safety. Others say allowing vehicles would fix challenges with deliveries, food pickup and patron drop-offs.

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On Wednesday, Leasa Gibbons of the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) asked administration to spend more time considering approval for a light vehicle presence before locking cars out of the block completely.

“So much has changed about how folks use downtown,” said Gibbons. “Use has changed and how we host events has changed.”

Autumn Dawson, director of planning services and development, said the city’s choice was made after considering feedback from business owners, residents and groups that host events downtown.

lkurz@postmedia.com

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