Summer 2024 Update
A tower proposal for Nutana and a funding strategy for downtown
After two years of public engagement and numerous meetings with stakeholders, City Council is being asked to make some decisions about the Active Transportation Plan to support the City’s overall plan for growth. The goal is to increase the number of people who walk, cycle or and/or take the bus, in order to leave more room for those who choose to drive their own vehicles, especially as we grow into a larger city.
*Note: There are NO funding decisions happening at this time. All projects are contingent on programs from other levels of government that are specifically targeted for active transportation. Also, BRT construction would not begin until 2022, at the earliest.
Here is the link to the City Council agenda, including the BRT and AAA reports, for Monday, April 29th.
BRT: Downtown has options for 1st and 3rd Avenues. Nutana routing has options for Broadway and Sid Buckwold Bridge. Evidence shows that successful BRTs are designed to be where the people are. Our administration has chosen Broadway as the most appropriate route to downtown, with a phased-in approach that would defer dedicated running lanes and major construction.
In the downtown, our administration has chosen 1st Avenue in consideration of future city-building initiatives such as a downtown entertainment district, including an arena.
AAA cycling network: Our administration’s preferred routing is: 3rd Avenue, 19th Street and 23rd St.
I continue to support the growth plan as the best way forward for Saskatoon. We need to be efficient, affordable and provide more options for people to get around. How we do that, is not as straight forward.
Bike Lanes:
I have been disappointed in the 4th Avenue bike lane project, and believe we can do so much better. Have you seen the active transportation showcase on Victoria Avenue and the Traffic Bridge? Enhancements to the overall public realm are a testament to what is possible when we view change through a lens that improves life for all of us. Urban landscaping, pedestrian improvements, raised cycling track and space for vehicles provide a win for everyone. It makes sense to carry on this seamless traffic flow from the Traffic Bridge, down 3rd Avenue. However, it must include the same standards and consideration. The current options do not.
BRT on Broadway:
I live near Broadway, and have been a supporter of this cultural gem my entire adult life. We must ensure that the character of Broadway and the viability of merchants are protected. I want to see Broadway grow and flourish as our city grows, and I don’t want it left behind. While there are risks to routing BRT down Broadway, there are also risks if it is by-passed. Imagining a city that includes many more of us using public transportation may not be easy today, but what will Saskatoon look like if BRT is faster and more convenient than a car? Do we want Broadway to be bypassed when an entertainment district and arena are built downtown?
We need to build the BRT project with a strong focus on the future, and it must address the legitimate concerns of merchants and patrons. The report going before Council addresses technical elements and phase-in considerations but does not address business, culture or the environment – all vital to the preservation of this historic area.
All of this will be top of mind for me in listening to the debate in Council Chambers. Whatever happens, we need to ensure that these changes provide a clear benefit to the areas where they are built.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
A tower proposal for Nutana and a funding strategy for downtown
Zoning Changes and Accelerating the Housing Supply