Article content

Saskatoon city council granted a five-year tax break worth about $5.8 million to the group of developers planning to build a much-delayed complex on Parcel Y at River Landing.

While several council members said the tax break on office space only gives the developers the same advantage as elsewhere downtown, Coun. Charlie Clark voted against it.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Council grants tax break for Parcel Y project Back to video

Clark said the developers of the property are already benefiting from more than $90 million in spending by all levels of government to rehabilitate the River Landing area.

Coun. Randy Donauer and Coun. Pat Lorje said city hall has meddled too much with the site and that has impeded development. Clark disagreed.

“We’ve kind of done the opposite of meddling,” Clark said. “I believe what we’re being asked to do is always be more flexible.”

The $300-million project got approval to proceed in stages a year ago. The first stage would include a 155-room hotel and condo tower with 80 to 100 units, plus a parkade on the west side of the property.