City of Saskatoon details plans for half-a-million people

The City of Saskatoon is holding a public consultation today on the latest details of its plan to grow to half-a-million people.

Options for a new core bridge, transit improvements and major corridors to be developed have been short-listed.

The city is gathering feedback from the public before finalizing the plan by the end of next year.

The short-list of seven major corridors for redevelopment and rapid/frequent transit are: 22nd Street, 2nd Avenue, 8th Street, Central Avenue, College Drive, Idylwyld Drive and Confederation Suburban Centre.

The plan for improved transit includes two bus rapid transit routes: one running east to west linking Blairmore with University Heights and Holmwood, the other running north to south through downtown connecting Nutana with Lawson Heights. There were be more frequent service (every 15 minutes or better) connecting higher demand areas, a community shuttle connecting low demand outer areas to the main corridorsand a regional service connecting with surrounding communities.

The plan also includes four alternative options for river "crossing strategies." A new bridge could be built either at 33rd Street or 24th Street. Bus rapid transit lanes are also being considered for the new bridge as well as University Bridge.

People attending the session this morning broke off into small groups for half-hour discussions on these details.

Positive review for transit improvements

The transit improvements drew enthusiastic approval from Jelyssa Luc.

"For me, it takes me an hour to get to school even though it would take 15 minutes to drive," Luc said. "So I really like what they're proposing with the rapid transit routes and having community shuttles within your neighbourhoods, which will get you to the rapid transit routes. And then it'll just cut time a lot."

Murray Scharf also liked what he heard. He was there representing the Council on Aging.

In particular, he liked the plan for increasing density along certain corridors.

If the taxes go up then the ability of people to stay in their homes would be reduced- Murray Scharf, Council on Aging

"It increases [seniors']mobility and increases their services that are available in their community," Scharf said.

But he's concerned about the potential cost and impact on property taxes, something that was not spelled out in the material presented today.

"If the taxes go up then the ability of people to stay in their homes would be reduced," Scharf said.

The feedback gathered today won't be the final word on the plan.City staff will work on further revisionsand take it back to the public for more comment. People who can't get to a consultation session can also submit their comments on the City's Growing forward! website.

City staff are aiming to have a final plan ready by the end of next year.