Council OKS Broadway brew pub, Willowgrove project

Live music could one day play on at the former site of Lydia’s Pub.

Saskatoon city council unanimously approved a request to establish a brew pub by Prairie Sun Brewery on the prime corner where the historic Farnam Block building stood for 103 years.

The approval of a licence for a brew pub does not mean live music will be allowed right away, but Prairie Sun co-founder Heather Williams told council performances are part of the long-term plan.

Williams said the company is discussing its licence with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority with the intent of trying to get approval for live music. She noted Prairie Sun hosts live music at its current location on the cusp of an industrial area in Saskatoon.

City hall would also need to approve a change that would allow live music, just like a public hearing is necessary for approval of a pub.

Margi Corbett, who has lived two blocks away from the site for 32 years, was the only speaker who showed up to voice concerns about the brew pub.

Corbett cited parking and the lack of live music at the location as her concerns. She also criticized the decision to demolish the Farnam Block building three years ago. “We chose to live there because of (the neighbourhood’s) heritage and it’s an artistic neighbourhood,” Corbett said. “I’m very discouraged and I hope that one day I can be proud of (the neighbourhood) again.”

Deeann Mercier, executive director of the Broadway Business Improvement District, said she thinks the brew pub will be a welcome addition to the area.

“This corner’s history is of a pub and a community gathering space,” Mercier said.

Council heard the one-storey building with a mezzanine level that is under construction will be much smaller than the Farnam Block — 6,330 square feet, compared to 10,500 square feet.

Williams said the brew pub will function like a restaurant and will serve as a tourism attraction.

“I feel like Broadway’s kind of been waiting for us,” Williams said.

Council also delivered a final verdict on an unpopular low-cost townhouse development in the Willowgrove neighbourhood.

As expected, council voted 8-2 in favour of allowing the 70-unit project by Innovative Residential to proceed.

It proved to be a quiet decision, given the opposition the project drew from residents.

Coun. Zack Jeffries, who represents Willowgrove, and Coun. Troy Davies again voted against allowing the development to proceed, as they had last month to delay the final vote.

No members of the public were allowed to speak Monday night. Concern has been expressed about the lack of information available to nearby home buyers, who were sold their lots by the city’s land branch.

A sign had stood on the property for years saying a church would be built there.

Residents turned out at two public meetings in June and September to express their opposition.