It seems like 11th/12th/Rose/Broad is the block everyone's leaning to, but alternatively I would see them considering:
- Demolition of Canada Post Building & Place on Sask Drive
- 11th/12th/Osler/Broad
There are many benefits to the Sask Drive option: Direct connection to Casino & Show Lounge, Creation of a 2nd story jump point for the pedestrian overpass to the Railyards, Creation of the "Entertainment District" that REAL speaks of, Hides the ugly rail lines from downtown visitors.
My concern would be the stadium would have to be a unique, skinny design with steep seating in order to fit on the lot. I could see the sidewalk and the parking lane along Sask Drive needing to be removed in order to make this happen. Is it out of the range of possibility? I don't think so. Just some unique challenges.
The benefits I would see going for the second option: Possibility of a pedway connecting the stadium to the Double Tree via the Path cowork building. The Hilton group would gain a clear advantage as the hotel of choice for out of towners & visiting teams coming to play in Regina. As they did with the Police HQ, 12th could even be permanently closed and the two lots connected to create a continuous block of buildings from 11th to Vic. This block is also less likely to be developed into anything, anytime soon. The city artificially removes an undevelopable eyesore.
The 11th/12th/Rose/Broad block, being more 'true' downtown core, could be left for business redevelopment that would be spurred by the stadium construction.
Just random thoughts on a Thursday morning.