No parking: Former Capital Pointe site still not developed

It seems like it’s back to square one when it comes to the infamous former Capital Pointe property in Regina.

The location at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Albert Street remains undeveloped.

In September of 2020, Regina city council approved an application by the property owners to create a temporary parking lot on the site at 1971 Albert St., while they planned their next move for the site’s development.

The temporary lot, which was slated to have 87 parking spots and eight stalls for motorcycles, was approved for just one year.

More than two years later, the parking lot’s development still hasn’t happened.

According to an email from the City of Regina, the zoning amendment and agreement to allow for use of the former Capital Pointe site expired Dec. 2, 2021.

The city said it couldn’t comment on the reasons for the site’s lack of development, but noted a new application and decision would be needed to move forward with plans to build the parking lot.

The property where the Plains Hotel once stood was supposed to be turned into a 27-storey hotel and condominium complex — Capital Pointe — by Westgate Properties Ltd.

The lot sat empty between 2011 and 2015 before excavators finally began to dig a hole for the foundation.

After numerous delays and setbacks, the project fell through, leaving an enormous pit on the site.

In the spring of 2018, the city ordered Westgate Properties to fill the hole. When the company failed to comply, the city was authorized to do the work instead.

In February of 2019, the Saskatchewan Building and Accessibility Standards Appeal Board ruled the hole had to be filled by March 30 of that year.

Westgate Properties was told to do the job, but the City of Regina was given permission to fill the crater if the developer didn’t. In June of 2019, after the city took control of the hole, crews started the process of filling it.

In February of 2021, Regina-based Smith Street Lands Ltd., completed a deal to buy the property.

The City of Regina’s email said it wasn’t aware of any changes in ownership over the past two-plus years. 980 CJME reached out to several members of the ownership group about the property’s current ownership status and also to see if there were any new developments.

Smith Street Lands declined to comment. In an e-mail, that company said it may provide an update as things progress.