There has been noticeable activity downtown of late, with new businesses moving in and various façade improvements coming to a number of businesses downtown.
According to BID executive director Lisa McEachern, "a number of buildings have been sold to new owners and new businesses opening up, and they are doing major renovations."
The recent quarterly newsletter of the Downtown North Battleford BID states widespread renovations are happening in the core right now.
They include renovations to buildings such as the TD Bank, the SaskTel building on 100th Street, the Kee's Tae Kwon Do building, the former Linda's Pawn building and Rae's Jewelry buildings. The latter two buildings are both undergoing major interior renovations, according to the BID, and will become home to the Hosana Life Centre and Reis Wealth Management, respectively.
The ARC - Artist Run Centre is set to occupy the Kee's building. SaskTel, meanwhile, has set up at a temporary location further up 100th Street while their renovations are underway.
Also seen downtown are improvements to the Craig's building and the adjoining Speedy Cash location. Workers have been noticed on the roof of the Craig's building on 101st street in recent weeks doing roof renovations. McEachern said the plan is to put a new business in there as well.
The organization also cites work done by the City of North Battleford on the sidewalks and streets.
The downtown BID is noting the renovations are the reason why people are seeing dumpsters located on parking stalls outside of downtown businesses this summer, being used by businesses as they proceed with their upgrades.
The BID is also touting a number of façade improvement grants with over $11,000 granted to six downtown businesses including the Mennonite Community Closet, Royal Canadian Legion, Ironclad Safety, Lifetime Fitness, Speedy Cash and Reis Wealth Management.
Banners with the logo "Downtown NB" have been up on light posts downtown for the last couple of months. The Downtown NB organization also expects new benches and garbage cans soon as well, thanks to a donation from the BATC Community Development Corporation. Also, the Clean Team is back in action downtown.
With the International Street Performer Festival now wrapped up, the BID's focus turns to other events. McEachern said the focus now is on the two Live@Lunch series performances in August.
As well, "we are going to be doing our Fall Festival again" on Sept. 20. A car show will be included with that event.
The Big Bike Ride fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation is also happening later in August. McEachern said they are looking to get a team together of either downtown businesses or those who want to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation for that event.
The Turkey Day 5K and Food Drive will happen again in October on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
All the events and renovations are leading to an improved view of the downtown core, McEachern believes.
"I think we're starting to see a lot more positive reaction coming from the community as a whole in terms of downtown," said McEachern.
She noted that when they first started doing the events in the park, people were somewhat skeptical. That has turned around, she said.
"Now we're seeing a couple hundred people attending a live concert in the park at lunch, because people are enjoying it, they're having fun, they're starting to see what downtown has to offer, which is great because it's also generating business for the existing businesses downtown."."
