Council Puts Money Into Downtown

Thursday, February 25, 2010 04:43 AM

Prince George, B.C. - While the RCMP's request for additional staff members was voted down, Prince George Councillors did approve five other service enhancement items that had been deferred from earlier budget meetings...with the biggest ticket item aimed at improving the downtown core.

They are:

$28-thousand dollars for the PG Public Library
$250-thousand dollar increase to the snow control levy
$58-hundred dollars for Communities in Bloom
$7,000 for the city's Heritage Commission to begin a registry of local heritage sites
and, the largest item, the creation of a $350-thousand dollar reserve fund for projects to improve the downtown

It was the $350-thousand dollar commitment to a downtown reserve fund that created the most discussion...

Councillor Cameror Stolz says he supported the decision because it's time for council to move beyond studies, and start taking action, which requires money.

Councilor Deborah Munoz, who voted against the fund, says the city should consider exploring existing resources before going to the taxpayers. Although she voted against the proposed amount of the fund, Munoz is in favour of creating the Downtown Clean Team, as she has seen its success in other cities.

Stolz says 69 items have been identified by the Mayor's Downtown Task force as immediate priorities for the downtown, with 19 of those ready for immediate
action.

He says the money set aside in the reserve fund could be used towards those getting started on those top priorities.

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Posted on Thursday, February 25, 2010 04:43 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Brian Skakun on February 25 2010 7:19 AM

I also voted against adding another 350K to the tax levy for the downtown task force. I stated if council was consistent with asking all groups and staff that come before council for funding requests that they do more with less, then this group should do the same. Brian Skakun

Posted by: IMO on February 25 2010 7:58 AM

I do not go downtown to shop or otherwise. Until they sort our the badgering street people things will never change. Put as many flower pots you want down there but it will still be the ugliest place in BC. Take my 8 dollars if you must.

Posted by: MrPG on February 25 2010 8:21 AM

This is the ultimate make-work project that will never die. Forget about the downtown. It is dead and has been for some time.

Time for everyone on city council to realize this and adjust their priorities accordingly.

Posted by: mikmak on February 25 2010 8:55 AM

thanks for posting on this site, brian. it's nice to know that someone at city hall has some idea where to find and share ideas.

Posted by: shesmiles on February 25 2010 9:16 AM

I don't enjoy going downtown, it's depressing and clusterf*&K of nice places and dodgy places...it makes no sense. But there are some good things downtown that I enjoy...
Homework: Great store!
N. Hardware: also great
Plateau Clothing Co. Great store
Dandylines
McInnis
Grey Goose
Achilllion/Mychanos
Speedee
Ruins
Lacinda (no idea how to spell)
Ric's Grill
The Keg
Frameworks
Tops & Bottoms
Cimo's (my personal favorite)
And I think there is probably more, but see, there is a reason to go downtown...I wish, like all respectable citizens in PG that a visit downtown didn't create feelings of frustration at the state of it...new paving stones and trees are NOT the answer...I say go to Kamloops and have a meeting w/ their city council because they figured it out and cleaned up their downtown...you could even Video conference it...w/ today's technology you don't even have to leave PG!

Posted by: who? on February 25 2010 9:36 AM

i gotta agree with mikmak, i was very surprised to see Brian Skakun post here and was impressed, thanks Brian.

Posted by: maddog on February 25 2010 9:52 AM

This downtown issue has created tunnel vision for alot of people mostly the people making these decisions.

To councillors who think throwing money at the situation is the answer so you can say well atleast we are doing something is crazy.

Thumbs up to Mr. Skakun for using reason when voting on these issues and not just trying to create the illusion that you are doing something .

Posted by: mythoughts on February 25 2010 9:54 AM

Yes, I agree, it's nice to see Brian's comments on this site. Wish other politicians would do the same and respond to our comments, suggestions, etc.
I too love many stores & restaurants downtown, but hesitate to go downtown because of all the badgering street people. If I can't get a parking spot right near the door of the businees I'm going to, then I won't go. I used to regularly shop on George Street, but not anymore. I do not feel safe. If the city could fix that, I'd go back to regular shopping downtown. It's certainly not the flower pots that are going to bring shoppers downtown.

Posted by: acopolympics on February 25 2010 10:28 AM

When you see the incompetence in our elected officials, it makes it really hard to want to be a part of the solution, when ultimately the final decision is made by a bunch of morons.

Posted by: Simon on February 25 2010 11:50 AM

and when can we expect to see these changes happen?

Posted by: metalman on February 25 2010 12:19 PM

"thanks for posting on this site, brian. it's nice to know that someone at city hall has some idea where to find and share ideas"
DITTO.
Thanks, Mr. Skakun, I don't know you, but people say you are the one councillor who is down to earth (I think Stolz is too)
metalman.

Posted by: Mr. PG on February 25 2010 3:59 PM

Brian Skakun, your comments are sincerely appreciated. At least you appear to understand the concerns of the average taxpayer. We do not need "yet another" tax increase at this time.

How come the so called "business people" on City Counicl (Stolz, Frizell, and Wilbur) do not understand that they have to make City Hall more efficient and cut costs .... not INCREASE TAXES! If Stolz, Frizell and Wilbur, they ran their own businesses, the way that they run City council, they would be bankrupt!

Posted by: Stompin Tom on February 25 2010 4:57 PM

350 grand eh'

Should be enough to knock down another building and plant a veggie garden, then the veggies can be donated to the poor. Kind of an interesting circle isnt it.

A feel good story all around.

Posted by: wantsfun on February 25 2010 5:58 PM

shesmiles...its White Goose......lol

Posted by: shesmiles on February 26 2010 6:46 PM

hahahahahahahaah...yes Grey Goose is Vodka! Thanks for correcting me!