Downtown Regina condo-hotel still a go, developer says

The developer of a 26-storey condo building and hotel in downtown Regina says the project is still on track, despite an expired development permit.

The City of Regina saysbecause the two-year permit for the $70-million Capital Pointe project has expired,the company will have to go back to the planning commission and city council to get things moving again.

BrightStar Corp. senior vice president ofproject development Greg Black said it's just a minor delay.

Construction atthe site of the former Plains Hotel on the corner of Albert Street and Victoria Avenuecould begin before the end of the year, he said.

Black said part of the delay isdue toa need toredesign the building.

"This is all part of an effort to try and cut our construction costs a little bit," he said. "I think as everybody's probably aware the cost of construction in Regina is a little bit different than it is in many Canadian cities."

Once the redesign is complete and the engineers and architects finish their drawings, the company will be going to the city to get a new development permit, he said.