The 11-year-old debate about rebuilding Third Avenue will extend at least a few weeks after a city committee considered options ranging from approving an internal plan to rethinking downtown altogether.
City administration proposes a four-year, $7-million overhaul of Third between 19th and 23rd streets, starting with the block between 21st and 22nd this year. Third Avenue would keep its parallel parking and narrow to two lanes from three in each direction, with one lane shared by cyclists. That would accommodate left-turn bays, a raised centre median and bulbed curbs at the corners.
The proposal maintains Third Avenue as a key traffic and transit artery through downtown instead of constricting lanes to allow for angle parking spaces.
But Mayor Don Atchison said Tuesday the plan may be all wrong. Third Avenue should be a "destination" street friendly to parked cars and pedestrians like Second Avenue, while Fourth Avenue could replace it as transit gateway, he said. Making traffic the priority on First and Fourth avenues, 19th Street and 25th Street (once it extends to Idylwyld Drive) would create a traffic box around the core, he said.
"I don't know why we aren't taking a larger look," he said, during a meeting of the planning and operations committee. "I'm not convinced (by the city proposal). I need more comfort."
Coun. Bob Pringle wondered why the city can't compromise and allow angle parking on one-half of Third, with the other side sticking with parallel parking to accommodate buses. That plan would hinge on whether more buses travel in one direction than another along Third Avenue, he said.
"I think we have to go back to the drawing board," Pringle said.
Taking a broader look at downtown would delay the Third Avenue project indefinitely and force the city to reconsider other plans, like developing the 23rd Street bus terminal, said city manager Murray Totland.
Coun. Charlie Clark was the only council member present to back the proposal. The city should plan for a future where there are fewer cars clogging the streets and more people taking the bus, cycling and walking, he said.
"We're sending a lot of messages with how we do this," Clark said. " . . . Are we going to (re)design this whole thing on 100 spots of parking? I don't think that's responsible. This is a reasonable compromise."
Cars aren't likely to become more scarce anytime soon, said Terry Scaddan, executive director of The Downtown Partnership, who wants more angle spaces.
"Parking is in a crisis downtown right now."
Plans to improve Third Avenue date back to 1998. The inherent challenge is the competing interests of motorists, buses, cyclists and pedestrians, although most agree the needs of all four should be satisfied somehow.
Totland requested a second look at the proposal to answer the question of whether a mix of angle and parallel parking could work on Third Avenue. He told the committee that if the city ultimately proceeds with its proposal, the money wouldn't be wasted if it later rewrites Saskatoon's downtown plan.
That comment appeared to reassure Atchison.
"But I think we need to look further into the future as well," the mayor said.
City administration is expected to report back to the committee within weeks.
Most of city council hasn't yet entered the debate.
Three councillors -- Clark, Pringle and Coun. Gord Wyant -- out of five on the planning and operations committee attended Tuesday's meeting. Five others won't weigh in until the proposal reaches a council meeting.
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This is somewhat a disappointment to hear. I personally despise angle parking and dread having to drive down 2nd Ave. As well I feel for 3rd Ave. it wont make it a destination for shopping it will make it a destination for parking and most people unless they need something from those shops, will just walk right by. I really hope the city doesnt make the mistake of angle parking, its just small town, will cause major growing pains in the future and is a waste of space.
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