Dewdney Avenue businesses say they're struggling during long-term construction project

The City of Regina's revitalization project for the Dewdney Avenue corridor is now well into its second phase of construction, but the completion date still feels very distant for some businesses who say they're struggling along the strip.

With both lanes of traffic closed on the section of Dewdney between Albert Street and Broad Street, there is no road access to storefronts for many businesses.

Kurtis Dmuchowski, the owner of The Break Pool Hall, opened his Dewdney Avenue business in August 2024, in the midst of the avenue's first full street closure.

"It was a really tough start, and fortunately they … stopped for the winter, so we got a bit of a foothold then," said Dmuchowski.

"[But] here we are again with the street completely closed, which has now forced us to close a couple of days a week just because people cannot access our property, and they have nowhere to park."

According to the city's website, the cost for the Dewdney Avenue corridor revitalization project is $32 million, funded through a tri-level agreement between the municipal, provincial and federal governments.

It's part of the broader $67.5-million Regina revitalization initiative, which also includes the Yards neighbourhood revitalization plan — focused on the wedge-shaped chunk of property between downtown and the Warehouse district.

The current phase of the Dewdney project started on April 7, and will take approximately two to three months, according to the site.

Now, in mid-June, the avenue is still lined with equipment and trenches nearly 10 metres deep.

The Morning Edition - Sask9:57Construction closes Dewdney Avenue, local businesses are feeling ignored

Have you been to Dewdney Avenue in Regina lately? Did you have any trouble reaching your destination - with all that construction going on? As road work continues into its second stage, local business owners are feeling the strain. 

The Break owner Dmuchowski said the city also informed him that most of the parking his customers would have previously used, in the railyard area, was actually illegal.

"I understand as of yesterday everything is going to be eliminated. And to add insult to injury, all of the parking in front of my building from Lorne to Cornwall, after 8 p.m., it's a tow-away zone, and it's taxis only," he said.

"We're trying to establish a clientele, and if the streets are blocked, people can't see my signage and can't navigate the street, it's pretty hard."

Work needed, says Warehouse BID

Lance Donison, the executive director of the Regina Warehouse Business Improvement District — which acts as a liaison between the businesses and the city — says the work is needed.

"Not only is [the revitalization project] necessary for the existing businesses in the warehouse district, but they're putting in all the infrastructure to ensure that they're able to supply the Yards with the infrastructure it needs for its upcoming development," said Donison.

But he also said the Regina Warehouse BID "will do everything they can" to advocate on behalf of the area's businesses, "to make sure that these businesses stay viable and are successful."

"Hopefully they can survive long enough to see the value increase in their businesses and the property, especially when Dewdney is completed, but also with the development of the Yards in the future," said Donison.

The extensive work will replace underground infrastructure that the city says is past its life expectancy. Water, sewage, and storm drain systems will be upgraded, but more visible changes to the historic area are coming as well.

A new road, sidewalks, lighting, patio space and landscaping are projected to be in place before 2026, according to the city.

But Mark Heise, president and CEO of Rebellion Brewing on Dewdney Avenue, is asking the city for more support during the construction work.

"The biggest challenge is just getting people there, and we've tried to put out the message.… We've had people that have come from out of town that have turned around and gone home, which frankly breaks my heart," said Heise.

"They threw seven million bucks to Costco, and we didn't get nothing … but really bad water and no road access. So not sure how that's fair," he said, in reference to city council's decision to provide Costco with a $6.78-million incentive to build a second local location in the city's Westerra area.

"I think the finish line is somewhat visible right now for us at least. So we are very excited," Heise said.

"I do believe it'll be worth it in the end, but it's pretty tough going. And like I say, there is absolutely zero support from the city."

Asked to address concerns surrounding business access, water shutoffs and parking problems, the City of Regina provided a statement saying it understands the impacts the construction has on local businesses.

"We have provided numerous consultation and engagement opportunities related to the Dewdney Avenue Revitalization over the past decade, starting with the conceptual design phase in 2014," the statement said.

It pointed to information sessions held over the past two years, and meetings with landowners in February 2025 to get feedback on last year's construction and provide an update on this year's.

The city said it will continue to consult with the BID and property owners as the project continues.