Work to begin soon on Regina hotel-condo project, developer says

The on-again, off-again saga of a major condo and hotel development in downtown Regina appears to be on again.

The people behind theoft-delayed Capital Pointe project at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Albert Streetannounced Friday they expect ground will be broken early in 2013.

"I think all of us are tired of waiting," developer Brightstar Corp. vice president GregBlack said.

"I know people have been involved as purchasers for a couple of years now and the only news we can give them is good news at this point. We are finally moving forward and while there have been delays, things are going to happen."

In its original incarnation, Capital Pointe was supposed to be a $70-million, 26-storey skyscraperthe tallest building in Regina. In addition to condos and retail space, the project was also toinclude a nine-storey hotel.

The original plan called for it to open in 2013.

However, the developer's two-year development permit expired earlier this year.

At the time, a Brightstar spokesman said the company would apply for a new permit and construction could begin before the end of the year.

The hotel and condo portion is now scheduled to open in 2014, with the rest of the complex opening in 2015.

The company said it's been talkingwith SaskPowerabout having amajorelectrical line removed and that will happen over the next few weeks.

The development isgoingon the site of the old Plains Hotel, which was demolished more than a year ago.