REGINA — The City of Regina has taken steps towards compensating business owners near the new emergency shelter for one-time payments for security upgrades.
Last September, city council approved a new emergency shelter at 1600 Halifax St. Part of that approval was implementing a neighbourhood maintenance compensation program for businesses near the shelter. This has led to several back-and-forth dialogues between stakeholders and councillors.
Most recently, city council directed administration in April to develop a neighbourhood maintenance compensation program, determine eligibility for compensation options for expenses experienced by businesses in the area, and develop eligibility requirements for surrounding businesses; and financial parameters to balance support for businesses.
On Wednesday, the executive committee presented several options, including redirecting $200,000 in funding allocated to paving the alleyways to fund a one-time grant for businesses while directing city administration to develop eligibility parameters.
“We do require enhanced support for the beneficiaries of the shelter, the residents and businesses,” said David Froh (Ward 3), who outlined the steps in an amendment.
This grant would help cover one-time costs for security cameras, surveillance and more.
Another part of the amendment is advancing the construction of an outdoor patio.
Delegates told the executive committee that an outdoor area at the shelter would reduce loitering and give shelter residents a place to enjoy the outdoors.
In their report, city administration outlined zero funding to support an outdoor patio.
Bobby Krznar of LK Auto Collision said he was told the cost was too high for security because people at the shelter would need to be re-searched after going outside, as this would endanger the people and workers inside the shelter.
”May I remind this council that we are the businesses on the outside of this fence.”
Froh’s amendment acknowledges the benefit of the space and how city administration would engage with the shelter operator Regina Treaty / Status Indian Services Inc. (RT/SIS) and provincial government on completing the project.
His motion also addressed support for shelter beneficiaries, including implementing the Regina Street Team (RST) overnight in Heritage and downtown through funds associated with the Community & Social Impact Regina (CSIR).
The CSIR was dissolved back in February, and any leftover money from the $1.6 million given to the organization through their 2025 budget allocation would go towards the Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB).
The executive committee voted 6-3 on the amendment, with Shobna Radons (Ward 7), Jason Mancinelli (Ward 9) and Clark Bezo (Ward 10) voting against. Sarah Turnbull (Ward 5) and Shanon Zachidniak (Ward 8) were absent from the meeting.
As for the Good Neighbourhood Plan (GNP), the city plans to finalize it at the June 11 city council meeting.
The GNP “will ensure ongoing communication and co-ordination among partners and ensure a collaborative approach to addressing any issues that may arise in the neighbourhood,” per the report.
It will encompass a 250-metre radius around the shelter.
The emergency shelter is on track to open July 31 once the lease agreement with the Nest expires. The city then plans to close the temporary shelter.
