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City council has voted unanimously to take the next step in finding a development partner for the 17.3-acre site in Regina’s city centre known as the Yards.
Administration hopes to issue a negotiated request for proposals early in the new year, launching an extensive process that could take six to 12 months.
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“It’s extremely exciting,” Mayor Chad Bachynski said following Wednesday’s meeting, explaining he wanted to ensure that momentum carried forward following completion of the Dewdney Avenue Revitalization Project.
“We put a lot of money and work and time, and those businesses were very, very patient in working with us through that construction, waiting to get to this point where we can start talking about the Yards,” the mayor added.
“I want to see the action, I want to see what people can propose and get that ‘wow’ factor that is going to be complimentary to the businesses that endured that construction.”
With council approving the weighted criteria for judging the proposals, that choice will now be in the hands of city administration, a process meant to be fair and transparent, and one that removes politics from the final decision.
The criteria include some requirements for the New Building Canada Fund – between 150 and 2,500 homes, a public park and a tree canopy.
But during the meeting, it was stressed that while land was previously being held for a sports venue, that is no longer the case and not a requirement. A bidder could bring forward a plan for a baseball stadium during the process, however, and it’s an idea being promoted by the Regina Red Sox.
“For me, it’s knowing that we have significant interest from a few players; that’s a good thing,” Bachynski said. “That’s part of that momentum that we talk about, that people are excited about what could be in that space, and I’m glad to hear that that’s one of the potential options on the table.”
Administration will also be referring to a parking study that was recently completed. Councillors heard from representatives in the Warehouse District, who said most of the area’s visitors travel by vehicle, and they hoped that development of the Yards doesn’t overburden available parking in the district.
Plans may include underground and above-ground parking facilities, as well as a pedestrian connection across the CPKC main line to downtown, as well as enhancing the existing Albert and Broad Street underpasses.
