The Value of Investing in Canadian Downtowns - International ...

Context Map: Key Assets and Features in the Downtown
Warehouse District (refer to legend)
The north-west corner of downtown has many
underutilized sites, with several empty parcels that
were formerly associated with railway functions. The
City is removing its maintenance facilities from the
area and constructing an extension of 25 th Street
through the site. It has implemented a very
permissive zoning bylaw in the area to encourage
private development.
Heritage Preservation
Saskatoon’s built heritage will be an important feature
to strengthen. Laudably, some private developers
have taken the lead in converting old buildings to
modern uses. The King George Hotel, for example,
was given new life as a mixed-use building, while the
Rumley Building (1), a former showroom and
warehouse for agricultural machinery, has been
converted into loft condominiums.
City Hall (2)
The Saskatoon City Hall is surrounded by gardens,
public open space and several important civic
functions.
TCU Place (3)
The convention centre was expanded in 2006 in order
to hold multiple conferences simultaneously, and
attracts thousands of people at a time to the
downtown. The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra also
frequently performs at this venue.
Midtown Plaza (4)
Saskatchewan’s largest mall is Midtown Plaza,
located on the west edge of downtown Saskatoon.
The mall was constructed in the 1960’s on land that
was formerly used as rail yards. It is widely credited
with sustaining the retail prominence of the downtown
over the intervening decades, unlike many other midsized
cities in Canada.
The Delta Bessborough Hotel (5)
“The Bess” is one of downtown Saskatoon’s historical
landmarks. It was built by CN Rail in 1932 and
anchors the east end of 21 st Street opposite Midtown
Plaza.
South Saskatchewan River (refer to legend)
The river defines the city’s topography and is one of its
most popular recreational spaces. It is also one of
Downtown’s greatest assets because it is easily accessible
on foot from most points Downtown.
Galaxy Theatre (6)
The downtown’s multi-screen cinema was recently
built thanks to the City’s leadership and supportive
zoning bylaws. It is an important hub of after-hours
activity.
Post-Secondary Education
University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan
Institute of Applied Science and Technology
campuses are near the downtown. The University’s
business school opened a satellite campus (7) in a
renovated building downtown in 2009. The University
is working towards the creation of an architecture
school and hopes to locate in the downtown.
Frank & Ellen Remai Arts Centre (8)
One of the first pieces of the River Landing project to
be completed; the Arts Centre and its theatres were
constructed in 2007 at a cost of $11 million. It is
intended to crystallize an arts cluster, with the Remai
Art Gallery of Saskatchewan to follow.
Focal Point
Downtown is very much the centre of the city. All river
crossings but one provide access to the downtown,
and make it the largest transportation hub in the city.
A revitalized downtown would, ideally, also help
bridge the psychological barrier between the east and
west sides of the river.
River Landing (refer to legend)
Led by the City with private-sector participation, this
major redevelopment project is intended to mix
residential, commercial office and retail development.
The City, with assistance from the provincial and
federal governments, has invested relatively large
amounts of capital and effort in making River Landing
a reality.
The Partnership
The Downtown Business Improvement District, The
Partnership, has been in existence for 25 years and
played an important role in downtown development
for more than two decades. Including the initiation of
downtown studies, the drafting of downtown policy,
and sitting on a committee that administers the
Streetscape Reserve for improved urban design.
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