Ken Achs says something needs to be done about the state of sidewalks in downtown Saskatoon.

In a letter to Saskatoon city councillors, the veteran downtown land owner said many landlords don't shovel their sidewalks for days at a time, and it's becoming a problem.

"Some never do it," said Achs. "Just drive down the street after a good snowfall, a day or two later, and you'll see people haven't done it."

While city bylaws order businesses to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours, Achs said there aren't enough bylaw enforcement officers to properly enforce the rules.

As a result, Achs wants the city to subcontract all snow clearing to one company. Saskatoon businesses in the downtown would be billed by the city through a tax surcharge.

"Right now, you've got a mishmash of unsafe, ugly looking sidewalks," he said. "If we had a good-sized snow removal company, they could buzz through the downtown so fast, it wouldn't be funny."

Downtown sweeping

Brent Penner, executive director of Downtown Saskatoon, said the business association hires staff each winter to clear crosswalks and intersections in the area. It has also bought a sidewalk snow sweeper in an attempt to keep the area clean.

While Penner is intrigued about the idea of having one contractor clear snow, he isn't totally sold on the idea's practicality.

"You would need a very large team of people doing that," he said. "Would any one company have enough staff on hand to do that work?"

Meanwhile, Ward 6 councillor Cynthia Block said she hadn't heard sidewalk clearing was a problem in the downtown, but is willing to hear more.

Mid-West Development President Ken Achs wants to see one contractor clear the sidewalks in downtown Saskatoon. (Rosalie Woloski/CBC News)

"I think having safe access on city sidewalks during all seasons of the year is important," she said. "I would be happy to listen to what Mr. Achs has to say."

Achs is concerned that the downtown will lose businesses to suburban centres if the problem isn't resolved.

"The downtown core needs to do everything in its power to keep businesses viable," he said. "I guarantee you, in every suburban mall, the sidewalks are clean the moment the snow falls."

Achs will speak to councillors at the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation Monday morning.