Social issues, perception of safety among keys to improving Saskatoon's downtown, panel says

Crime, poverty and empty storefronts in Saskatoon's downtown were some of the issues that leaders of the Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Tribal Council, and Downtown YXE discussed during a Wednesday afternoon panel.

The event, titled A Downtown at the Tipping Point, focused on the state of the city's downtown and how to improve it.

"I don't know that it's necessarily at a tipping point for the downtown community," police Chief Troy Cooper said at the event, hosted by the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

"I think our social issues, the social service providers in our community are at a tipping point…. Until we find some solutions to that, our downtown is where it manifests."

Downtown YXE executive director Brent Penner said he was also concerned about the commercial vacancy rates in downtown Saskatoon. 

The office vacancy rate downtown sits at 22 or 23 per cent right now, said Penner.

"That's certainly on the high side," he said.

"Probably one of the single biggest issues downtown … is just with people not at full office capacity."

Masking and vaccine policies have also shown that staff can return to their offices, Penner said.

While it's great that big companies like the tech company Vendasta decided to stay in Saskatoon, the retail industry overall is facing challenges, he said, pointing to Birks jewelry store as an example.

The business has operated downtown since the 1920s but will close its storefront by the end of December.

Perception of safety downtown is another important factor, according to Penner.

But the police chief said crime is actually down in the city, particularly in the downtown core.

But Penner said people make their decisions about downtown Saskatoon based on what they perceive to be the case, even if the reality might be different.