Regina’s business community is expressing excitement, and concerns, about the city’s revitalization project along Dewdney Avenue.
“We’ve been huge advocates of this project, you know, since they were first talking about it probably 10 years ago now,” shared Mark Heise, CEO and president of Rebellion Brewing.
However, with Phase 2 of the project expected to start this spring, Heise said he worries if people will know his business is open – as construction will completely block vehicle access to part of Dewdney Avenue north of downtown.
“Our number one concern is just making sure people know how to get to our business. It can get very confusing,” he said.
“There’s a lot of changes, different phases of the project and so you may have gotten to the brewery one way one week, and then you find out that there’s a dead end or a road closure the next week.”
The $32 million project aims to replace century old infrastructure in Regina’s Warehouse District, repave Dewdney from Albert Street to Broad Street and create more accessible pedestrian pathways.
Throughout construction, sidewalks will be available for people to use on Dewdney.
However, by blocking vehicles from driving on the street, some businesses are also concerned with the possibility of less pedestrian traffic.
“The entirety of Dewdney [around us] is going to be shut down. It is going to be a little difficult and these businesses are going to have to do the best they can to manage that,” voiced Lance Donison, executive director of Regina’s Warehouse District.
“But we want to make sure everyone understands that the businesses are open and that the sidewalk will be fully accessible.”
Donison added that the district is working with the city to provide additional parking in The Yards which is located across the street.
“I think everyone understands that this is a long overdue project and it’s going to be one that’s hopefully going to revitalize, a key artery for Regina,” Donison said.
“[Businesses] are looking forward to that and looking forward to the additional traffic and business that it will hopefully provide. As well as providing the needed infrastructure for The Yards project.”
By publishing deadline Wednesday afternoon, no one from the city was available for comment, but told CTV News they will release further details about the project later this week.
