Mr. Will George, Tourism & Economic Development Manager presented to Council the 2005 City Centre Improvement Plan which was updated in 2008.
The discussion was for Council to determine whether the plan could be modified and updated to meet the current Council's needs, or whether a new plan is required.
Mr. George reviewed all the Action Items within the plan with Council.
Comments from Council during the presentation included:
- window dressers
- heritage buildings
- mural tour being launched by the Hall of Fame in the near future
- façade program
- the fact that partnering groups are no longer functioning
- traffic flow in the downtown
- a summary of the action items that have been completed
The following are the priorities Council wishes to see staff address first:
- sign for Spirit Square
- communication board for community events
- Claybanks Park
- public washrooms
- traffic study
- pedestrian mall
- off road vehicles licensed for use on City streets
- Youth Advisory Council
- promotion of a downtown Business Improvement Association
- review of bylaws to allow RV parking for visitors
- recognition program
- Communities in Bloom
- Community Policing Office should be located in the downtown not in Spirit Square
- pedestrian RCMP presence in downtown
- blade signs
- address the at risk population downtown as well as the theft and vandalism
These priorities need to be linked with other current plans.
Council has determined that the current City Centre Improvement Plan is a great start and that the City Centre Board needs to be resurrected.