Farnam Block project is ‘short-sighted’: ex-planner
Developer says two-storey plan scrapped because of market conditions and costs
The developers planning a onestorey building to replace the historic Farnam Block will regret not building bigger, the city’s former chief planner says.
Alan Wallace, the former director of planning and development for the City of Saskatoon, calls the plan to build a one-storey building offering leased commercial space “short-sighted.”
“Just down the road, they’re going to wish they built higher,” Wallace said in an interview on Thursday. “It’s a shame that it’s not a more substantive building.”
The iconic 103-year-old Farnam Block, home to the beloved Lydia’s pub, was demolished in March 2015. Many people anticipated a two-storey building would replace the historic structure when a rendering of a bi-level replacement surfaced online in 2016.
Wallace said the smaller structure is a shame given the work that went into establishing the Broadway 360 plan when he was the city’s top planner. That plan suggested a strategy for growth that included restrictions to maintain the character of the Broadway business district.
Wallace noted out the city has mandated two-storey buildings in another historic neighbourhood, the warehouse district north of the downtown.
Construction on the new building on Broadway could start in April. The corner lot at Broadway Avenue and 11th Street has served as a parking lot since the old building ’s demolition, but Wallace pointed out the original twostorey plan for the new structure would have included underground parking.
Gaby Akl, president of Enzogroup Realty Corp., which is developing the site, said the original plans for a two-storey building were scrapped for various reasons, including the market and the cost of building.
“We are very thrilled and proud of the quality, features and design of the retail building coming on the corner of Broadway and 11th St.,” Akl said by email on Thursday.
Mayor Charlie Clark, who represented the Broadway district for a decade as a city councillor, said it’s great that the developer is building a new structure on Broadway. He said it’s a sign of faith in the district.
Clark said the owners of the site are proceeding with a development they think the market will support, but he does think the site lends itself to greater density.
“Ultimately, you want a building and a property that’s going to add to the character of the neighbourhood and the city, and I think that’s still possible, even with a one-storey on that site,” Clark said in an interview. “Ideally, I would like to see something that’s two to four storeys to achieve some of those density goals.”
Coun. Cynthia Block, who now represents the Broadway district, said she’s “a little disappointed” with the plan for the site, but stressed it’s a business decision for the owners. “Whoever’s making that investment has to make a return on that investment.”
The city needs to provide incentives for builders to help achieve the goals of the growth plan, Block said. The centrepiece of that plan is a bus rapid transit system (BRT) and greater density along the BRT routes, one of which includes Broadway.
“I don’t think it’s a great way to support the growth plan,” Block said. “It’s unfortunate, but I think we can do better going forward.”
Clark said the city is engaged in discussions on how to encourage more infill development in the core neighbourhoods.
City council unanimously approved a seven-storey condominium project near Broadway in November, despite what appeared to be mass opposition, because it achieved density goals.