City approves intersection changes for downtown grocery store

Upgrades to the intersection at Idylwyld Drive and Auditorium Avenue will go ahead after Saskatoon’s city council voted in favour of adding traffic lights.

Arbutus Properties wants to develop a Pitchfork Market + Kitchen grocery store at the Midtown Plaza shopping centre, its second in the city, and asked for the changes.

Coun. Cynthia Block has been supportive of a grocery store downtown since the developer first approached council.

“The concept of having a grocery store in the downtown has been a goal of this council long before I was elected and has been a constant mantra from residents downtown and even close to downtown,” said Block. “I wholeheartedly support the recommendations. I think that we are planning to do this work anyway.”

The upgrades will cost $220,000. The developer is also requesting a tax abatement, which is still under review.

Arbutus Properties said its store should be up and running early in 2023.