The Riversdale Business Improvement District was created through a City of Saskatoon by-law establishing it on February 12th, 1990. Business Improvement Districts in Canada were originally developed to assist businesses within a district with organizing events, cleaning streets and sidewalks, providing security, making capital improvements, construction of pedestrian and streetscape enhancements, and marketing of the area. BIDs in Canada have also become a powerful lobby group, lobbying government for improvements such as new sidewalks, trees, park benches and other restorations. BIDs can also lobby different levels of government for significant changes to their area if they feel it is necessary to improve business.
The Riversdale Business Improvement District is the largest BID in Saskatchewan containing 59 city blocks within its geographic footprint. The boundaries of the Riversdale BID are Idylwyld Drive to the east, 22nd Street West to the north, Avenue P to the West and 17th Street and the South Saskatchewan River to the south.
For over 30 years The Riversdale Business Improvement District has acted as the voice of the community, working to revitalize the area and reimagine its future. Riversdale is now a destination for all visiting Saskatoon, with its eclectic shops, restaurants, and rich cultural history. Located beside the beautiful South Saskatchewan River and steps from the Downtown business area, Riversdale and Pleasant Hill have exploded with a renewed vigor of the likes never seen before in Saskatoon. Riversdale has seen tremendous growth and transformation, increased property value and incomes, and improved opportunities for all.