Redeveloping downtown to its historical greatness
ALEX MCCUAIG M
Over 25 years in the heart of Downtown!
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edicine Hat hasn’t been spared from the urban sprawl that has resulted in city centres across North America being gutted of ma and pa specialty stores in downtowns and replaced by big-box stores on the outskirts of municipal boundaries.
But this city — like others — is re-evaluating the importance of traditional downtown cores, taking into account their social value as public areas able to bring citizens face-to-face through walkable, livable spaces.
Wayne Smith, City Centre Development Agency (CCDA) executive director, said a city’s core is its heart with the health of the community dependent on the vitality of its central organ.
“The downtown small business owners are a hardy bunch,” said Smith, also stating the current economic climate is putting a strain on all commercial enterprises.
And there are supports available through CCDA and city initiatives that are aimed at pumping new blood into the city’s heart.
The city is currently offering a range of grants under its Downtown Development Incentive Program (DDIP). That programs offers financial assistance for city centre property owners to renovate or build new developments for either commercial or residential use.
But Smith also highlighted CCDA’s joint incentive for new businesses to fill those revitalized buildings.
In conjunction with Entre-Corp, the CCDA offers an incentive program in which loans are available for new downtown businesses with a portion of that loan acting as a grant.
“What that does is it helps the business owner access up to $15,000,” said Smith.
That program works by having the business apply for a loan with Entre-Corp for up to $15,000 with the CCDA funding up to $3,000 (or 20 per cent of the loan amount)
of that amount in the form of a grant, as well as paying the interest on the remaining principle to be paid over 36 months.
And while the downtown may currently be facing challenges, Smith says the tide has turned, pointing out the revitalized Second Street as an example.
“When you consider four or five or maybe six years ago, there was actually distant rumblings of maybe flattening Second Street altogether,” said Smith.
“When you consider now with the redevelopment, the streetscaping programing and the investment — look at the turnaround. And this is what we're hoping for the whole of downtown.”
Smith said despite the current climate, downtown has a bright future in front of it and, “Second Street is a great example of what can be done with a little faith, patience and sticking to the plan.”
For Valhalla Pure owner Michael Harrington, incentives are fine but for his outdoor outfitting store, “The single
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41189930 • 03/31/15 41249696 • 02/29/16
41249981•03/29/16
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