'Let's get this done the right way': Saskatoon city council mulls downtown library redesign
Christina Martens-Funk has used a wheelchair for nearly 30 years, where getting around Saskatoon streets can be a chore no matter the time of year.
The library board is aiming for the new central library to become the first library to receive Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification. Martens-Funk says she hopes the city council doesn't introduce a new obstacle.
"These days if I want to go anywhere, I have to plan for supports for the poorly designed infrastructure," Martens-Funk, an employee of Inclusion Saskatchewan and member of the accessibility advisory committee for the new Saskatoon Central Library, said.
"It's 2023 and we all know better, so please, let's get this done the right way."
Saskatoon Public Library approached the city Wednesday to try and redesign the new downtown library's plans.
The problem for city councillors mulling over the ask from the library is not to meet or exceed accessibility at a building that's expected to be used more than SaskTel Centre -- councillors are in agreement there.
However, rebuilding the street infrastructure is not part of the library's budget, meaning the money must come from somewhere, and Coun. Randy Donauer says that's the problem.
"We can't just say yes to everything, and this is not our project. I'm sorry, but if any another builder came in and said 'We want this, but we want you to modify the street and pay for it,' it would be a non-starter,'" Donauer said.
The library wants to redesign the area outside of the library building to include barrier-free access as well as two dedicated accessible parking stalls and dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones for school buses and Access Transit. To do so, crews would have to rip up the sidewalks and perhaps some of the street adjacent to the new library on 2nd Avenue between 24th Street and 25th Street.
With many major downtown projects on the horizon for the city over the next 10 years, some councillors are seeing it as a chance to reshape downtown, while others are seeing it as a late add-on to a project that's been in the works for years and is now just a few months away from construction.
"It's about an opportunity to take a first step in acknowledging and embracing the fact that our downtown is not accessible," Coun. Hilary Gough said. "Taking the opportunity to dig into the public realm at this site can be a first step in making sure we know how to get it right for future redevelopments in our downtown."
The city administration has some concerns of its own, like rebuilding just one block along Second Ave between 24th Street and 25th Street. Administration also has an eye on the City Centre Plan, a four-phase project planning for downtown as the city looks to grow to a population of 500,000.
The City Centre Plan has identified 2nd Avenue North between Spadina Crescent East and 26th Street East as a "pedestrian priority street," according to a report from administration.
The administration also highlighted the potential loss of driving lanes, down from four to two, and the possibility that drivers might be confused by a road design that applies to just one block.
"We have budget consideration at the end of the year and it's only January 25, and we've already put quite a few things to our budget at the end of the year," Coun. Bev Dubiois said.
"It's going to be a nightmare for us at the end of the year."
No matter the concerns, Coun. Sarina Gersher feels the city is being given an opportunity, not a problem.
"I don't want the city to be the reason that folks have barriers for access," Gersher said.
Council ultimately voted to study a redesign of the street with SPL covering the $175,000 cost, but further debates about the redesign are expected at budget deliberations at the end of the year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.