9 North Downtown Master Plan & Saskatchewan Polytechnic

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1 9 North Downtown Master Plan & Saskatchewan Polytechnic Overview The area south of 33 rd Street (across from Kelsey-Woodlawn) will begin to see significant changes in the future. The North Downtown Master Plan will guide redevelopment of the area around the current Canadian Pacific rail line once the City Yards relocate to the Civic Operations Centre on Valley Road. The Plan recommends the area develop into a mixed-use area with residential, commercial, and greenspace uses. Saskatchewan Polytechnic will also be expanding their educational facilities in the area. The redevelopment of the north Downtown area, across 33 rd Street from Kelsey-Woodlawn, will have a significant impact on adjacent neighbourhoods in the future. The LAPC is supportive of North Downtown redevelopment and of Saskatchewan Polytechnic s growth as they will benefit the Mayfair & Kelsey- Woodlawn neighbourhoods. 1 Page

2 Goals The Mayfair & Kelsey-Woodlawn LAPC would like to ensure communication continues between neighbourhood stakeholders, the City of Saskatoon (responsible for the North Downtown Plan), and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Goals on this topic are as follows: 1. Ensure the neighbourhoods of Mayfair & Kelsey-Woodlawn are kept informed of North Downtown Master Plan progress as the area begins redevelopment. 2. That traffic and parking impacts on Mayfair & Kelsey-Woodlawn from the development of the North Downtown and expansion of Saskatchewan Polytechnic are managed. North Downtown Master Plan Scope and Purpose The North Downtown plan area is bounded by 33rd Street to the north, 1st Avenue to the east, 24th Street to the south, and Idylwyld Drive along the western edge. The plan area covers approximately 240 acres, of which, the city owns 43 acres of land which includes the site of the Saskatoon Police Services Headquarters. Railroad lands are included in the study. The purpose of the North Downtown Master Plan is to create a framework that will guide civic and private development and set the groundwork for land development and marketing the neighbourhood. The Master Plan will create a vision for an integrated community which is compact, diverse and walkable on an underutilized site in the north end of Saskatoon s downtown. The Plan will create a new neighbourhood which is ecologically sustainable as well as a vibrant and liveable place a demonstration project for a bold new direction in the Saskatoon s planning, policy and urban development that is part of the Growth Plan to 500,000. The need for a comprehensive plan is due to the numerous projects that have been completed or are underway in the area, including the 25 th Street extension, the Police Services Headquarters, the relocation of the City Yards, and the 2 Page

3 proposed re-use of the John Deere Building. The vision for the project is founded upon the City's Growth Plan, the Strategic Vision, Saskatoon Speaks and the Warehouse District Local Area Plan. It has been proposed as: The North Downtown is an environmentally sustainable, complete community. It is a vibrant, people-friendly neighbourhood that is easy to get around, supports living and working for people of all ages and enhances the city's green space network. The built heritage of the site, dating from Saskatoon's inception, provides the foundation for this new, unique and desirable district within the city. North Downtown Master Plan Relevance to Mayfair & Kelsey-Woodlawn While the study area for the North Downtown Master Plan is not within Mayfair or Kelsey-Woodlawn, the redevelopment of this area will have an impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods. The LAPC is supportive of the renewal of the North Downtown area, including the City Yards and related areas once they are vacated. In addition to residential and commercial development, the North Downtown Master Plan recommends a continuous north-south park space (greenway) that stretches from 25 th Street to the intersection of Warman Road and 33 rd Street. This park space will also connect to the 33 rd Street Multi-Use Corridor. With the recommended improvements to the entrance of Woodlawn Cemetery, it is important to ensure this link continues from the North Downtown, across 33 rd Street, and into the Cemetery area. Because Warman Road and 33 rd Street is a busy intersection, a key objective is to minimize the challenge of crossing the street as a pedestrian or cyclist. Recommendation: That City of Saskatoon Corporate Initiatives consider measures to maximize pedestrian and cyclist safety across 33 rd Street at Warman Road, between the North Downtown greenway and the Woodlawn Cemetery entrance to the north. 3 Page

4 Traffic and circulation are important considerations in Mayfair & Kelsey-Woodlawn, especially with regards to main corridors such as 33 rd Street and Idylwyld Drive. Neighbourhood stakeholders raised concerns about traffic impacts from the North Downtown area once redevelopment is substantially complete. To ensure connectivity to and from the area, the Master Plan proposes roadway connections at key intersections, including Idylwyld Drive and 29 th Street, Idylwyld Drive and 31 st Street, and Quebec Avenue and 33 rd Street. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is also examining options for expansion within their own site and possibly in the North Downtown area. There is concern that the addition of thousands of residents and commuters to the North Downtown areas will spill over into the Mayfair, Kelsey-Woodlawn, and Caswell Hill areas, and increase traffic congestion at major intersections. In addition, the LAPC would like to ensure parking impacts from the redevelopment do not spill over into adjacent neighbourhoods. As such, it is recommended that further study into the traffic and parking implications of the North Downtown neighbourhood is completed in the short-term. Recommendation: That City of Saskatoon Corporate Initiatives conduct a parking and traffic impact study to ensure impacts on the Mayfair, Kelsey-Woodlawn, and Caswell Hill neighbourhoods are managed as the North Downtown redevelops and Saskatchewan Polytechnic considers expansion options. 4 Page

5 The North Downtown area will have major streets connecting to surrounding areas, including Idylwyld Drive at two locations and Quebec Avenue at 33 rd Street. A traffic impact study (including parking) is recommended to ensure the impacts from redevelopment on surrounding neighbourhoods are managed. 5 Page

6 Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly SIAST) Saskatchewan Polytechnic has its main Campus on the southeastern corner of 33 rd Street and Idylwyld Drive, and a secondary location in Kelsey-Woodlawn on Ontario Avenue. In 2014, the organization changed its name from Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology to Saskatchewan Polytechnic to reflect its expanding educational role. Stakeholders in Mayfair & Kelsey-Woodlawn view Saskatchewan Polytechnic as a significant asset to the area which increases the amenity of the neighbourhoods. Saskatchewan Polytechnic has seen continuous growth in enrollment and programming in recent years; as a result space outside of the main Kelsey campus has been obtained. Currently, expansion plans for the Polytechnic are south of 33 rd Street; there are currently no plans to expand north (across 33 rd Street). Expanded program offerings and enrollment at the main Campus may contribute to increased parking and traffic pressures in the surrounding neighbourhoods, including Mayfair & Kelsey-Woodlawn. To reduce these impacts, Saskatoon Transit should work with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to explore the feasibility of a reduced-rate Eco-pass program for students (and potentially staff) to encourage transit use. Recommendation: That Saskatoon Transit begin discussions with Saskatchewan Polytechnic Main Campus regarding the potential for a student and/or staff Eco-pass transit program. 6 Page