Demolition of Regina houses for new parking lot has former resident upset – Regina

New plans approved by the Regina city council to demolish a pair of Scarth Street homes for new parking are receiving opposition from a former resident of one of the homes.

Kim Sakundiak used to live in one of two houses along Scarth Street between 13th and 14th Avenue. In the ’90s, she said the house was full of high energy, but now it’s on a covered street surrounded by office buildings.

“I think people will probably think, ‘Oh, that’s ridiculous, it’s sad that this little house is run down,’ but to me, it’s not just that house, it’s about the community, the whole downtown. ,” said Sakundiak. “For me, every time I go downtown, I drive past my little house and I say to myself, ‘Oh, my house is still there,’ and now it won’t be.”

Earlier this month, the Regina city council approved the demolition of the homes to make way for a new parking lot for an office building across the street. The parking lot will be used exclusively by the office building.

Ben Mario, city planning manager for Regina, said: “The applicant’s estate has submitted an application to have a 13-room car park in place of those two homes.

Sakundiak lived in this house as a young adult for 15 years in the 90s and early 2000s. It was her first home to live independently and she said the planned demolition was really hurt.

She said she had some of her best memories in that house and her attachment to it was high. Her mother even commissioned a picture of the house for her.

“At the time, the city center was a community, it wasn’t as disjointed as it feels now,” says Sakundiak. “A lot of my early memories are just working downtown and then staying after work and going to different clubs or restaurants and meeting friends who also live downtown. city.”

1:54
Regina City Council considers trio of sports facilities for city center

She even misses the house and the neighbors next door. That house will also be demolished.

“There were other friends who lived in the house next door and we were pretty secluded. I remember one time our house was broken into and the neighbor came home while it was happening and she literally kicked them down the street and got our stereo back, so people really paid attention. mind each other. “

Some residents, like Bici Pierno, feel that more parking is definitely needed in downtown Regina.

“There is definitely not enough parking and the spots are very small,” says Pierno. “I think the city needs different solutions on where parking can be found for people with meetings or appointments.”

But Sakundiak feels differently about parking. She said that the city already has a lot of parking and it has lost sight to develop properly.

“They have allowed the city center to become a dead space where nobody wants to be, there is no character left, the city center has nothing to attract people,” says Sakundiak.

Sakundiak mostly recalls the feeling of community when she lived there. Now, she says it was just a shell of its former self.

“It was just another time. When you look around now it’s just nothing but vacant lots and shacks…. I don’t think there needs to be more parking in the city center.”

The city says it is aware of the discussions when it comes to parking lots, but they are necessary.

“Parking is a fact of life, you need to accommodate it somehow,” says Mario. “Most business owners will tell you that their customers ask for it…, In the city center, that is certainly a controversial topic because the purpose of a good urban environment is real. consistent and dynamic urban façade.”

Although there is no expected date of demolition, the applicant’s estate said it wants it done “immediately.”