More young people, entrepreneurs choosing to live and work downtown
With 3,000 businesses downtown and 35,000 residents making their way into the core each day for work and play, the importance of Regina’s downtown can’t be understated, according to David Froh, vice-president of Economic Development Regina.
“The downtown is the heart of our city and our economy,” he said. “The more residents that we have downtown, the more ability we have to support those cafes, restaurants and galleries. The density from a residential perspective is linked to our ability to sustain and create new commercial opportunities.”
The demographics of downtown are also changing, according to the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District’s impact report. Currently, 10 per cent of the city’s population lives downtown, with a median age of 36.2.
This figure is a drop of 1.1 years since 2011, and contrasts heavily with the national average age of 40.5.
“What we have seen is more young people are choosing to live and build their future in downtown, and it has been increasingly a choice for young people to live and enjoy the Regina advantage,” Froh said.
The growth of downtown is also linked to the entrepreneurism that many of the young residents bring to the core.
“All one has to do is look at new restaurants and new destinations that are popping up in our downtown,” Froh said. “Many of which are owned by entrepreneurs. It shows why it has become a destination for young people, who want to live close to those community assets.”
According to Froh, the health of downtown goes beyond the businesses and residents in the area, and extends to the cultural options that are provided.
“In our downtown, we see not only key head office locations, but the centre of our cultural and service-based industry in the city,” he said.
There are more than 70 cultural organizations located downtown and in adjacent neighbourhoods in Regina, which employ 7,900 people in the tourism industry. One notable example of a successful organization, according to the report, was the Regina Farmers’ Market, which has 115 members and saw 11,020 visitors last year.
“You don’t want your downtown to only be a draw for commerce. You want it to be a draw for quality of life,” Froh said. “People can leave work, shop and experience cultural assets. You can afford to enjoy great quality of life in our city.”
As for what sets Regina’s downtown apart from other cities in Canada, Froh says it comes down to the unique options that exist within the core.
“You have density, you have history and you have green spaces working together to create a vibrant and accessible environment.”