BROADWAY BUS LANES

No clear answers

A survey of more than 150 businesses in the Broadway district could resolve a mixed message over whether the idea of bus-only lanes is supported or opposed.

Deeann Mercier, executive director of the Broadway Business Improvement District (BID), said in an email Friday that such a survey is under consideration.

Saskatoon city council held a meeting on June 20 to listen to feedback on a proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) style upgrade to the city’s transit system.

Mercier presented on behalf of the Broadway BID, suggesting general support for the proposed transit revamp, including controversial bus-only lanes on Broadway all along the business district.

“The BRT route continues to polarize businesses with the biggest worry being around the dedicated bus lane and the construction needed to change the traffic patterns,” Mercier said in an email. “And there remains a lot of questions.”

Debbie Taylor, owner and manager of the Hats & That store on Broadway, presented a petition at the June 20 meeting with 487 signatures.

The petition opposes the busonly lanes on Broadway and suggests an alternative route over the Senator Sidney L. Buckwold Bridge. The survey claims to speak on behalf of businesses, customers and the BID.

The city’s Brt-style plan includes bus-only lanes along College Drive, Broadway and Third Avenue downtown. The Downtown Saskatoon BID has suggested moving the bus-only lanes to First Avenue from Third.

Mercier said the Broadway BID represents about 160 businesses, including some individual professionals like massage therapists.

Taylor said she would like to see the results of a survey, although she acknowledged not all businesses have the same stake as the merchants located directly on Broadway.

The Broadway BID represents businesses on Broadway between Eighth Street and the Broadway Bridge, but also extends a block east to Dufferin Avenue to include businesses like Amigos Cantina.

“Then I would shut up if everybody wanted it,” Taylor said of possible survey results. “We’re certainly not against improving transit, just about destroying our street and taking out our median to do that.”

The city’s proposal for bus-only lanes would place them in the centre of the street in each direction. That would appear to run contrary to the city’s Broadway 360 plan, which aims to preserve the heritage of Saskatoon’s oldest business district, as well as the walkability of the area and the centre median.

Taylor said she has not spoken to a single retail outlet on Broadway that supports the bus-only lanes.

“It’s the major players that are opposed,” Taylor said, citing several well-known Broadway outlets.

Bulk Cheese Warehouse owner Scott Bartlett also appeared before council to speak against the bus-only lanes.

The Broadway BID is governed by an 11-member board representing a cross-section of district businesses, and Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block. Only two current board members represent merchants located on Broadway — Calories Restaurant and Nosh Eatery & Tap.

Taylor said any survey might be more effective if it is conducted when more details are known.

In general, it’s believed the plan will eliminate two lanes for vehicle traffic as well as parking stalls between Main Street and Eighth, where a station would be located.

No final decision on bus-only lanes will be made until the fall.