Downtown Marketing Implementation Plan Taking Shape

Thursday, January 05, 2006 04:00 AM

The work towards developing a Downtown Marketing Implementation Plan continues, with another round of stakeholder consultations set for later this month. “We are hoping to follow up that round with a web survey” says Harris Consulting Chief Gordon Harris. “We would like to have an investment strategy developed by mid February then have a final plan ready for presentation in mid March” says Harris.

According to Harris there haven’t been any surprises in the information they have gathered so far “What we hear is a keen interest in attracting investment and a feeling that Prince George still needs a good downtown, whether it be through public or private investments. Of course the community also needs to invest in the downtown and I don’t think there has been any hesitation about that.”

Harris heaps lots of praise on City Hall for its downtown revitalization tax exemption bylaw which gives major tax breaks to those who make significant improvements to downtown property “That’s a bold move which sends a clear signal to investors that they will be supported” says Harris.

He says companies which have, for example, invested in shopping centres in Prince George need to see that those investment dollars could go straight to downtown development. Harris wants to make sure developers looking to make investments in Kelowna, Victoria and Nanaimo are also given the benefits of making those development investments in Prince George. “First we have to introduce them to Prince George, and then get good solid information into the hands of those who make those (investment) decisions.

Harris says there is also a need to review public project investments already being considered to see if perhaps they wouldn’t make a better fit in the downtown area.

Harris Consulting heads a consortium of consulting firms including Eric Vance & Associates, Van Struth Consulting Group and SmashLAB . The consortium is working under a $145,000.00 contract by City Centre Ventures (an arm of Initiatives Prince George) to develop the marketing implementation plan.
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Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 04:00 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: owl on January 5 2006 9:40 AM

$145,000? ........

Posted by: admin on January 5 2006 10:22 AM

Clarification...the contract is not to go over $145,000.00

Posted by: diplomat on January 5 2006 12:19 PM

Perhaps those who are putting together a marketing plan for the city can tackle the issue of undeveloped lots adjacent to downtown area which were re-zoned by City Hall for specific purposes but nothing has ever been done to them - weeds have taken over.

I am thinking about a large lot next to the Public Library: re-zoned years ago after an application to build a hotel on it.

NO action. Only weeds and garbage.

There is re-zoned a lot on Victoria Street, fenced in and sporting a large sign for over a year featuring a mixed office/retail proposal.

NO action.

Wouldn't it be better if the City placed a time limit on commencement of construction which, if exceeded would automatically revert the re-zoned lot to its former zoning?

Why are these applicants allowed to waste the time of the city planners and the city council?

Posted by: Gofaster on January 5 2006 12:59 PM

Who wants to go downtown and pay 25 cents for 15 minutes of parking. Not this boy. So why would businesses want to go there if the customers don't. And as usual the city is paying for another consultaion, maybe if they did something instead of sitting on the fence paying for opinions, I would give mine for free.

Posted by: owl on January 5 2006 1:11 PM

Diplomat ...

Look at the hole in the ground for gravel mining next to the Casino. I believe that is unsold provincial or civic property at the corner of a major intersection looking like an open pit mine. No sign, no explanation .... nada ....

Waiting for someting to happen .... are we going through another tourist season looking like that?

Posted by: Gofaster on January 5 2006 1:44 PM

Hey Owl, as long as the Casino is filling city pockets they can do pretty much what they please. After all they got a left turn off of 97South and no one else could, and oh yes, they bought that corner when no one else could as it was supposed to have been park land. So we see what money does. It makes mining pits.

Posted by: gypsy on January 5 2006 2:57 PM

Anybody know who supposedly received an expensive all expense paid trip to Mexico for that sweet deal where the Casino sits????
I will give you three guesses, and the first Two do not count!!!!!
The info came from a very close friend of the owner-but everyone knows how gossip is?????
Where there is smoke-I only assume now there is fire.
Let's see who benefits with the next "gaming" project!!!
Maybe shares will be the incentive???
No you say??Don't bet on it!!!!

Posted by: diplomat on January 5 2006 8:32 PM

Owl said: "Look at the hole in the ground for gravel mining next to the Casino. I believe that is unsold provincial or civic property at the corner of a major intersection looking like an open pit mine. No sign, no explanation .... nada ...."

Thanks for pointing that out! I was wondering for how long this unsightly mess of a hole would be allowed to exist! What about the Native Interpretative Centre that was supposed to be part of the Casino development? And why wasn't the Casino built according to the drawings submitted for approval, meaning a large covered outside area in front so vehicle and bus passengers can get on and off out of the rain and snow?

Certainly some real landscaping must be done soon by whoever is responsible for it! Why isn't the city enforcing landscaping and cleanliness?

Posted by: owl on January 5 2006 9:57 PM

Diplomat. There are 5 legal properties on that corner. Four of them have a zoning designation of "C-G4" on them. That zoning designation says:
The intent of the C-4G District is to accommodate the demand for tourist accommodation and gaming facilities, as well as related convenience retail, service, and First Nations interpretive facilities, in order to provide a wide range of services for tourists, visitors, conventioneers and highway travelers."

Sofar the "wide range of services is gambling, sleeping, pub crawling, and the occasional cabaret evening.

I guess it takes time.

Yes, teh building was to have a "porte cochere" and the footings are in place for that - that is what the cube black covers are on the island between the parking lot and the casino.

Let's just call it a labour of love. That always takes a bit longer.

;-]

Posted by: diplomat on January 6 2006 8:24 AM

Owl says: "There are 5 legal properties on that corner. Four of them have a zoning designation of "C-G4" on them."

Thanks for the info!

Still, if I was the owner of the Casino I would get together with all the other property owners to improve the surroundings!

Vacant lots shouldn't be allowed to look that bad
at the junction of 16 and 97, the busiest and highest visibility area in the whole city!

:-)