Regina Construction III

[LittleBoy]

Originally Posted by yveseluj

You're correct, I was mistaken. I think the extension was just voted down 6-5, which, while I admire Namerind's plan, I am very happy and surprised council actually voted down an extension to a temp surface lot for once.

So what happens now? Does this mean that Namerind has to either develop now or sell to someone who will? I can’t imagine they would want to hold a lot that they can’t earn money off of without solid plans to start development soon.

[skphc08]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

Fill out the Regina Transit Master Plan survey and tell them yourself! I suggested having dynamic routes based on incoming and outgoing flights (I wonder if such a thing exists in other cities).

I've spoke to councilor Andrew Stevens on a few occasions in the past and he stated that the main funding argument for an airport route is for the workers at the airport and business park [SaskTel, etc] rather than for incoming or outgoing flights. Dynamic intervals could be interesting but might result in an unreliable service level for travelers as it might be structured around workers rather than travelers.

[StealthGirl]

Originally Posted by Stormer

So is Trudeau's massive transit funding announcement today going to result in real improvements to Regina Transit or just more empty buses driving around spewing diesel fumes and GHG's?

I don't think it does anything. Funding is supposed to start in 2026. A lot can change in 5 years. This is just posturing in what could be an election year.

[StealthGirl]

Originally Posted by LittleBoy

So what happens now? Does this mean that Namerind has to either develop now or sell to someone who will? I can’t imagine they would want to hold a lot that they can’t earn money off of without solid plans to start development soon.

On Twitter during the meeting, PDCityHall tweeted "CityMgr: If development doesn't occur, there is a clause in land sale for city to buy that back. There is a chance for city to buy that & build a transit hub. #yqrcc"

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Having some fun trying to think of how they could use the Namerind location for a transit hub. I’m guessing some sort of covered area with buses able to come in and out maybe like this...



What other designs/ideas/wants do you all have if we get the funding?

[HomeInMyShoes]

You have a bit more space than that. Since the building you have there has been leveled. Can probably go all the way to the Public School Board parking.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

You have a bit more space than that. Since the building you have there has been leveled. Can probably go all the way to the Public School Board parking.

Oh they demolished the white building too?

[LittleBoy]

Going to get crucified for even suggesting introducing a new one-way, but this is the perfect time to beautify 11th and adjust the layout. Have it one way heading east, the far south lane is designated for buses only, therefore the buses can enter and exit the transit hub without having to yield to traffic. The far North lane can be used for on street parking. Middle two lanes serve commuter traffic heading east. You remove all of the stopped buses off of 11th, opening up that lane for actual transit movement.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

[LittleBoy]

Originally Posted by one_brick_at_a_time

Turning left onto 11th out of that hub would be an absolute nightmare and horribly inefficient without dedicated traffic signals.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Also would love a green roof on the Transit Hub building. I want more Regina downtown buildings to have this feature.

Something similar to this Toronto project would do...



https://www.on-sitemag.com/construction/...onto-takes-next-step-forward/1003957636/

[BrutallyDishonest2]

I'd have to double check the data, but I'm not sure that the city can take the whole site back. My memory is that the city owned the the lot on 11th, but Namerind bought the south half of the lot from the province and demo'd the buildings.

Also, I don't understand the functional need to have a transit building downtown at all.

[McBean]

Originally Posted by LittleBoy

Turning left onto 11th out of that hub would be an absolute nightmare and horribly inefficient without dedicated traffic signals.

Speaking of Regina Transit, what's with pedestrians getting hit by city busses the past two weeks? Man hit and killed by one on Broad St between College Ave and 15th Ave couple weeks ago and then last night around 10pm, a pedestrian struck by bus turning at Lorne St and 12th Ave downtown. Pedestrian minor injuries.

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by McBean

Speaking of Regina Transit, what's with pedestrians getting hit by city busses the past two weeks? Man hit and killed by one on Broad St between College Ave and 15th Ave couple weeks ago and then last night around 10pm, a pedestrian struck by bus turning at Lorne St and 12th Ave downtown. Pedestrian minor injuries.

The pedestrian-bus collision appears to have been the driver's fault as he has been charged with failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. With the fatal collision on Broad Street, that driver is not being charged. From all reports, the driver did what he could to avoid the collision, but it seems to me that this pedestrian wasn't watching for traffic and jaywalked into the bus' path.

As a regular transit user, it is not always easy for the drivers to see pedestrians, or even people waiting at a bus stop! In winter we tend to wear dark-coloured clothing which makes it even harder to see at night. Also, and something that is worrisome to me at least, are the plastic sheets Regina Transit have hung across the right side of the driver, to supposedly protect them from passengers that might have the coronavirus. Vision through this plastic is distorted. I'm not saying this was the cause of last night's accident because I do not know whether the pedestrian was walking south or north. If the pedestrian was crossing 12th Avenue from the south (heading north) then this plastic sheet could have hindered the driver's vision.

Don't forget to do the Regina Transit survey to offer your opinions!

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

I'd have to double check the data, but I'm not sure that the city can take the whole site back. My memory is that the city owned the the lot on 11th, but Namerind bought the south half of the lot from the province and demo'd the buildings.

Also, I don't understand the functional need to have a transit building downtown at all.

There is a functional need for a transit centre downtown.

Certain types of bus cards, known as R-Cards, must be purchased at either the downtown transit centre, or at the transit operations centre on Winnipeg Street. This includes lost or stolen cards as well. An exception are post-secondary cards, which can be purchased at either of those locations, or at the University of Regina. Re-loading of cards can also be done at those locations, all Safeway stores, SaskPolyTech, SIIT, or a few drug stores. You cannot at the present time re-load cards online. The downtown transit centre can be quite busy at times.

The downtown transit centre is also where you can pick-up route maps/schedules for each of the transit routes. It is also where the lost and found is located. The transit centre provides a washroom for the drivers, and pre-covid, was a place where passengers could wait inside during inclement weather, or feel unsafe while waiting, sometimes up to an hour at night, for their bus to arrive. This transit centre is only open limited hours right now, and waiting inside is not currently allowed. Also, it is not a very big space that they occupy.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Draftsman

There is a functional need for a transit centre downtown.

Certain types of bus cards, known as R-Cards, must be purchased at either the downtown transit centre, or at the transit operations centre on Winnipeg Street. This includes lost or stolen cards as well. An exception are post-secondary cards, which can be purchased at either of those locations, or at the University of Regina. Re-loading of cards can also be done at those locations, all Safeway stores, SaskPolyTech, SIIT, or a few drug stores. You cannot at the present time re-load cards online. The downtown transit centre can be quite busy at times.

The downtown transit centre is also where you can pick-up route maps/schedules for each of the transit routes. It is also where the lost and found is located. The transit centre provides a washroom for the drivers, and pre-covid, was a place where passengers could wait inside during inclement weather, or feel unsafe while waiting, sometimes up to an hour at night, for their bus to arrive. This transit centre is only open limited hours right now, and waiting inside is not currently allowed. Also, it is not a very big space that they occupy.

I don't know. I'm willing to accept that it may be justified to have a bigger space than currently, but I don't think anything of the scale posted above would be justified. Beyond that, It would be a shame to have a 1 store 2,500 SF building going up near the heart of downtown.

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

I don't know. I'm willing to accept that it may be justified to have a bigger space than currently, but I don't think anything of the scale posted above would be justified. Beyond that, It would be a shame to have a 1 store 2,500 SF building going up near the heart of downtown.

I honestly don't like this idea of the buses utilizing the Namarind property, as I think the buses should stay where they are now. Having the buses stop along 11th Avenue actually increases business for the merchants in the mall. I can't say that it does much for street merchants, because there aren't many in the area that the buses stop. Which makes me wonder who is complaining about the buses stopping where they now do? It's got to be the Cornwall Centre, and for what reason? Because drivers can't stop in the bus lane to let people off or on? As it is currently, I could easily go into the mall to buy something or grab something to eat, between transfers, and then take the next bus. If they instead stop on Lorne Street, I am 100% not going to walk down to the Scarth Street mall entrance and back, especially in winter weather, and with the crappy state of the sidewalks. And I am sure many other riders would feel the same way, especially seniors.

Getting back to the buses using the Namarind property, I don't think there is enough room for the buses to manoeuver around. It takes a lot more room to make turns, especially with the tail swing. Things always look pretty and perfect on paper, but the reality is usually quite different. This property just isn't large enough for a downtown bus terminal. The current situation ain't broke, so why fix it (and ruin it?)

Anyway, I agree with you that a new transit terminal/centre is not needed.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

I was thinking it would be nice to be able to park along 11th Avenue in front of Avenue/Lululemon/Hudson’s Bay etc. Even Lorne Street between 12th and 11th would be a good strip to have the busses stop.

Buses can turn right or left at 11th Avenue once stopping at Lorne Street terminal...
It’s also would be closer to the City Plaza (events, farmers market), Central library, Victoria Park yet still close enough to Hudson’s Bay and the Cornwall Centre.



Maybe the City of Regina could give Alt Hotels a tax incentive or push to build their Regina hotel on the Namerind spot? Close to Stadium, Park, Cornwall Centre, Globe Theatre, etc.

[McBean]

Downtown Regina is dead for the past year. I can't see Hudson's Bay company staying off the national chopping block. Scarth St was dead and so was the square in 2020.

[StealthGirl]

Originally Posted by McBean

Downtown Regina is dead for the past year. I can't see Hudson's Bay company staying off the national chopping block. Scarth St was dead and so was the square in 2020.

COVID took a good chunk of traffic out of downtown, but your point isn't a new one. The city really shot itself in the foot when it priced out the food trucks and jacked up the rates. The plaza would've been better as a north/south Vic to 11th corridor but too late now. The downtown is all parking and that didn't change during the so-called boom years in the last ten so nothing is likely to change going forward.