Masters calls downtown vibrancy initiatives ‘a really good first step’

Regina’s downtown could be getting a bit more support from City Hall.

The city’s executive committee voted unanimously in favour of downtown vibrancy initiatives this week. Those include a one-time grant of $500,000 to the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID), and waiving permit fees for temporary outdoor street use.

If approved by council next week, restaurants in the RDBID and the Warehouse District could find it easier to set up patios.

Judith Veresuk, the business improvement district’s executive director, spoke in support of the measures at Wednesday’s meeting. She said downtown faces an uphill battle as businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the area deals with ongoing construction for the foreseeable future.

“It is essential that we collectively work together to ensure downtown continues to be a place of gathering, of unique, positive experiences, and of investment,” she said.

Veresuk said it was a “tough hit” to lose both the Regina Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and the Regina Folk Festival in summer.

“The downtown vibrancy grant will allow RDBID to make investments in downtown that can help offset some of what we see today,” Veresuk said.

“Having a clean downtown helps improve the perception of safety. Increasing the number of lights in our park, plaza and pedestrian mall will increase safety and make the area more welcoming.

“Investment in art and place-making in downtown creates beauty and interest in spaces that can be very corporate and boring.”

Veresuk said the RDBID would move quickly to ensure the investments and improvements could be enjoyed this summer.

Mayor Sandra Masters told reporters that one of the goals is to draw more people towards downtown – something Masters has consistently advocated for.

“If this is step one, we’ll be looking for a future investment as we continue all manner of incentives and revitalization and all those other things, but this is a really good first step,” she said.

Although the measures include a one-time grant, Masters said she anticipates this type of investment will continue into the future.

Masters said the city previously had complaints about how long the approval process is for requesting patio permits, which led to the vote in favour of removing the fees.

She said more patios and lights will help make downtown feel more lively.

“Overall, we think it’s really good for downtown, and that feeling that there is life after dark in downtown,” Masters said.