The South Caswell Concept Plan (SCCP) will be making it’s ways to the next City Council Meeting on March 22th, with a quick stop (hopefully) at the Planning and Operations Committee meeting on March 16th. The ultimate outcome of the SCCP is the removal of the current Saskatoon Transit Bus Barns and the complete redevelopment of a 2×3 block area.

A brief primer (gleaned from the SCCP blog, and website)

Moving of the bus barns has been a distant blip on the City’s radar for a number of years. In the 2001 Caswell Hill Local Area Plan (LAP), moving of the barns was identified as a key long-term component. The LAP suggested that should the barns be removed that park space and a community centre be part of any redevelopment. In 2005, the City Council approved zoning changes within the South Caswell area that would see a phase out of industrial and a transition to a mixed-use (residential/commercial) zoning plan. In 2008, funding was allocated to undertake the SCCP and a RFP was issued in early 2009. A consulting company was hired soon after to guide the SCCP process, which involved input from a Steering committee consisting of key stakeholders and Caswell residents.

In June 2009, a design workshop was held and 7 different concept plans were constructed by participants (see them here). Those seven plans were than merged into a final concept plan that was presented to the Caswell Hill community in September 2009 for input. A final revision of the SCCP was undertaken based on feedback received and a final report completed. That final report is what will go before the P&O committee on March 16th.

What does the plan look like? Here is a visual representation (a larger version can be found here).

The SCCP calls for the development of significant park space (with a potential off-leash area a possibility), mixed density residential (townhouse, medium density, mixed use), adaptive re-use of some existing transit buildings, commercial, and green space. In addition, the plan includes room for significant improvement of pedestrian and cycling corridors, as well as street and intersection improvements. One of the more appealing suggestions is for the creation of a pedestrian walkway on 24th St. W. between Ave D & C, coupled with adaptive re-use of some of the brick built transit barns.

Of course, all of these plans hinge on funding being secured by the City to relocate and build a new transit facility. Indications are that the removal of the bus barns are still 5-10 years away and will likely occur in phases. An additional appeal to the SCCP are the current plans identified for the 25th St. W. extension between 1st Ave and Idylwyld that should be occurring this summer. While not finalized, plans presented to City Council in mid-2009 indicated the restriction of thru-traffic on 25th into Caswell, as well as restricting access to Idylwyld to right turns on and off the major street only (a contentious issue being challenged by the Holiday Inn and a few City Councillors). Coupled together, these plans will dramatically alter South Caswell Hill and inject additional beauty, functionality, and character into Saskatoon’s oldest neighbourhood. A definite plus to the continued enhancement of Saskatoon’s core neighourhoods, and hopefully a precursor to the removal and development of the current downtown rail yards that lie just to the east of the SCCP area.

In the interest of full disclosure – I have an obvious vested interest in the successful implementation and completion of the SCCP, as my home lies on the NW edge of the plans area (on the north side of 25th, just to the east of Ave E N.). I am really looking forward to these improvements to an already great area, filled with strong community minded neighbours!