Downtown Partnership Quarterly Report Notes Progress

By 250 News

Downtown Partnership  marks  locations where there are renovations or  development planned in the downtown

Prince George, B.C.- In its first quarterly report, the Downtown Partnership ( formerly the Mayor’s Task force for a better Downtown) is  pointing to plenty of activity  in  what is now referred to as the City Centre.

As the green dots   on the map above  mark spots where there has been development, or  projects planned since August of  2010.

1.       Telus announces $1.5 million  to expand Prince George call centre and create 100 new jobs ( includes #17 which is $972,858  in renovations)

2.      Terasen Gas (  now Fortis BC)  established in house customer care centre, with $4million in renovations and upgrades

3.      Keg Steakhouse $3 m in renovations set to reopen this fall

4.      BID Group   announces purchase and plans to renovate Post Office Building and establish its corporate office here

5.      Downtown District Energy System  building  at 2^nd and George Streets

6.      RCMP Detachment building

7.      Scotia Bank Building façade improvements ($2,000,000.)

8.      Four new townhouses

9.      Exterior  renovations, P.G. Coliseum

10.   Tenant improvements,  Commonwealth Medical building

11.   Ramada Hotel improvements $1.8 million

12.   Tenant improvements Commonwealth Medical building $224,000

13.   Renovations Human Resources Canada  $528,000

14.   Northern Health tenant improvements $300,000

15.    Pharmasave tenant improvements commonwealth medical building $360,000

16.   36 unit seniors housing Commonwealth Financial $4,883,036

17.   Interior renovations Telus Communications $972,858

18.   Interior Renovations Bowladrome $200,000

19.   Northern Health  Tenant Improvements $300,000

The  report also  notes  several projects which  are meant to encourage or enhance  development in the downtown,  those projects include,  the City Centre marketing program which was launched in  January,  the endorsement of a new  Downtown incentive program which  will enter the public consultation process  this  month and next,  and  a Downtown implementation team that  will see top priority  given to  processing development applications for  downtown.

Councillor Cameron Stolz questioned why the report includes a call for a $17 thousand dollar contribution for the flower basket campaign for downtown.  That amount is matched by the  DBIA.  Council approved that request unanimously. There was also a request  for $10 thousand for the publishing and distribution of 4 quarterly reports.  Stolz said he felt they could find better uses for that money.  The funds would come from the  Council contingency fund.  Councilor Shari Green says a printed report can be added to the prospectus which is being  distributed and  would help to keep that prospectus "up to date". The  request was approved, with Councillors Brian Skakun and Cameron Stolz opposed the move.

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