The proposal will provide direction for land use, building height, service, transportation, networks, and other items in what will be known as the Yards Neighbourhood.
According to the “Yards Neighbourhood Plan”, the main goal is to turn the empty former container yard into a pedestrian-oriented neighbourhood, with a mix of residential properties, shopping and entertainment businesses and parks.
During an open house at city hall on Wednesday, the public was given the opportunity to provide feedback on the new proposal. REMAX Crown Real Estate Agent Curtus Collins lives and works in the warehouse district and is excited to see a plan for development on the barren land across the street from his condo. “My issue right now with the Warehouse District can be a little bit of an unwalkable neighbourhood, so it’s nice to see some greenery added to the land,” said Collins.
In 2012, CP relocated its yard from the city centre to the Global Transportation Hub. The city then bought the 17 acres of land from CP, which is located strategically between downtown Regina and the Warehouse District. In November of 2018, the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments committed more than $33.6 million in joint funding to revitalize the railyard.
The first phase of the plan would transition Dewdney Avenue into a landscaped boulevard with broad sidewalks and a multi-use pathway or bike path. The city would then construct a landscaped buffer along the railway corridor for safety and noise mitigation.
Next, city crews would upgrade the railway underpasses at Albert Street and Broad Street for an “improved pedestrian experience”. Future phases would include creating a neighbourhood park, upgrading major utility infrastructure – like water lines, wastewater servicing and stormwater servicing – and installing a pedestrian bridge linking downtown Regina across the railway tracks.
Sources:
https://www.regina.ca/business-development/land-property-development/regina-revitalization/
https://www.cjme.com/2019/11/07/city-releases-proposed-plan-for-railyard-renewal-neighbourhood/
https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/city-of-regina-seeking-more-public-consultation-on-railyard-site-neighbourhood-plan