As our organization is fully engaged in our 2025 planning and strategy, we wanted to take a moment to look back at 2024 and some of the highlights from our organization and also the Downtown district itself.
In June we saw the Library break ground on their new Downtown Central location, scheduled to be completed in 2027. The Downtown district also saw 92 new businesses open. 17 new food options joined the district with 21 new retail destinations now calling Downtown home. 33 new health and beauty businesses also joined the district as well as 21 within the service and organization field.
The district saw amazing turnouts for multiple events and festivals, including Show and Shine, Rock the River, Pride, Nuite Blanche, Canada Day Celebrations, Ukrainian Day in the Park and our very own Movies in the Gardens and Downtown Sidewalk Sale.
As an organization, Downtown Saskatoon BID was able to additionally bring another instalment of Alley Gallery. 15 new art installations were installed in the alleyway between 2nd and 3rd Ave S and 20th and 21st St E. Additionally to help with beautifying our district, we also elevated our Downtown Frame across from the Bessborough Hotel with four new seasonal decorations. We wrapped three traffic boxes with artwork from local artists and incorporated a 9-foot lit-up star into the Meewasin Skating Rink experience. Our Facade and Security Grant was used to help 18 Downtown businesses with their property improvements, and Legends Downtown celebrated all that Butler Byers Insurance has done for Downtown Saskatoon as a whole.
As much as we are proud of all we accomplished in 2024, we are already working towards making 2025 even better for all that is Downtown Saskatoon.
