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To some, it’s the Transition Area. To others, it’s just “downtown.”
But a new report says it’s an area valued for its location, walkability, and history.
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The City of Regina has been talking with residents of the community officially known as Centre Square, located between Victoria and College Avenues and Albert and Broad Streets, as it looks ahead to developing a long-term planning strategy.
The public engagement report just released by the city identifies several strengths of a neighbourhood described as “one of Regina’s most urban and mixed-use environments, with significant unrealized potential.”
That potential could include infill housing and higher-density mixed-use projects, along with adaptive reuse of heritage buildings.
“I think what we heard from people wasn’t surprising, which is sometimes encouraging, that you kind of understand that overall the neighbourhood is very attractive for its location. It’s a very walkable neighbourhood, it’s got a lot of historic character that spans multiple decades, which is kind of unique,” Laura Pfeifer, manager of city revitalization, said in an interview.
“It’s got, like many of our older neighbourhoods, a mature tree canopy, and proximity to destinations like the downtown and Wascana Centre, and so a lot of people saw those as strengths and things that can be used to leverage making it an attractive space.”
But possibly holding that back is the perception of safety.
“Concerns related to disorder, visible substance use, and evening comfort were consistently linked to business performance, housing stability, public space use, and investment confidence,” the report says.
“People pointed to small improvements,” Pfeifer said. “Things like improved lighting, and overall making sure that the public realm like the streets, sidewalks, park spaces generally feel welcoming and safe to kind of encourage more people to be there.”
The report also suggests the area lacks a consistent identity, with people often thinking of it as part of downtown.
“It’s got a little bit of a different character to it, and that it’s a little bit more of a residential neighbourhood, as opposed to kind of a business district,” Pfeifer explained.
“But certainly we heard from people that regardless of where you draw the lines and the names that you put on things, a lot of people see this area as being an extension of the downtown.”
Business owner wants to see more people living in area
To Chris Perentes, it’s just downtown.
Perentes has owned Lorne Drugs at Lorne Street and 14th Avenue for 32 of its 98 years in business, and has seen many changes over the years.
“Definitely used to be a lot of just residential homes, and now there’s more businesses and high-rise, seniors condos or apartments,” he said in an interview.
For him, the key to the neighbourhood’s success is people.
“I think it’s important to get as many people coming downtown as possible to keep the downtown core vibrant,” he said.
“From my end, from my business, I’ve seen just steady growth, which is fine, but it would be great to see more people in the area, more foot traffic, that sort of thing.”
Perentes says the lack of a grocery store in the downtown or Centre Square is one of the things holding back residential growth. He recalls there was a grocery store right across the street from the drugstore for many years.
“When that closed, there really hasn’t been any other option, unless you go on the other side of Albert Street to 13th Avenue Safeway, that sort of thing, so I think that would be a big, big bonus for the downtown,” Perentes said.
As for safety, Perentes believes crime was worse 20-25 years ago compared to now.
“Of course, the drug problem has grown all over the city, in the downtown area it has grown as well, and I think that’s a bit of an issue,” he said.
“Social issues, poverty, very low income, homeless, that sort of thing has been a problem, and I mean, obviously that’s a multifaceted solution, it’s not one easy fix, but doing something to help help the downtown be a little more vibrant and have people feel that they can be in the downtown safe and secure, I think would be a big help for that.”
The report identifies Central Park as a popular place in the summer but lacking in activity at other times of year. (Geoff Smith/980 CJME)
Another area asset singled out in the report is Central Park. Pfeifer explained that the park is well-used in the summer, but lacks year-round purpose.
“Certainly trying to find ways to make that space a bit more active in all seasons is important, because in the winter time it can be a challenge to make sure that those spaces are providing some level of attraction to have people there.”
In the end, Perentes still likes the neighbourhood.
“It’s a good business,” he said. “I get lots of good support from all over the city, and I do like the area, the people around here are really good, and I just haven’t had any concern.”
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