Originally Posted by Rabbit Fighter '77
In regards to the possibility of the second fcc tower kicking out greenspot and the other business in that building, I begin to have a problem with this so called "development". I have just recently went to Saskatoon for a concert at the Odeon, and I was very impressed. Not only with the terrific venue, but the prime location downtown. Restaurants, pubs, and a movie theatre were all within close walking distance. Even their broadway area, with a nice old theatre and unique stores lining both sides of the street was really nice. I did not feel in any danger walking around both downtown and the broadway area, as they were both well lit, had people around, and had clean looking stores lining the streets. I'm from Regina, so this is hard to admit, but their downtown simply puts ours to shame. Our city seems to have been designed wrong. We have virtually no nice shopping areas, albert street is quite dumpy looking, and the civic pride is relatively non existent. We don't have as many nice locally owned shops, and as a city we are bullied around by whoever does us the favor of setting up shop here. The hills have done great things for this city, and responsible for much of the citys image. However, they don't seem to care about a vibrant city, as much as they do to add to their collection of downtown buildings. A handful of people seem to own downtown, and this is why we have such lifeless streets with no street level retail. Saskatoon seems to have recognized the importance of keeping old facades, and turning them into a vibrant downtown. All of our shiny glass towers do not add to a nice downtown. I was also very excited about hill tower 3. That has since turned into disappointment, as the previously lively corner, which was to destroyed to make room for another tower, is now lifeless. The Hills paying a fine to avoid making the ground retail, and instead put up a "public gallery" is a joke. Once again, the city doesn't seem to care. why are there fines for not following the downtown plan? it should be mandatory. If there is in fact a subway going into tower 3, that will be the last straw for me supporting this city. Canterbury commons, has a subway, regina centre crossing has a subway, and if tower 3 gets a subway, that would be ridiculous. Where is the love for the city? the pride to put a local store into these locations? I don't see it. The most exciting development in the city IMO is at the corner of albert and 11th. Those are the buildings we need, our city will never be able to compete with saskatoon for retail, without more developments like that. Our last hope is the cp rail yards. That HAS to be developed into a live music venue, a movie theatre, and shopping. It is our last opportunity to improve this city. I think honestly in a way maybe regina would have been better without the hills. I hate to say that as they have done so much, but have they not destroyed a movie theatre, and possibly two strips of retail for towers?...Believe me this was hard to write. I really hate people who come on here to rant and only point out negativity. I have been following this forum since elementary school (I'm now in University) and respect all of your opinions. I don't want to be all negative, and I do believe the city is making strides. However development does not equal improvement, and I hope we don't find that out the hard way.
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