SLIDE 1 Mayor’s Downtown Revitalization Task Force: Final Report and Recommendations
Presentation to Committee of the Whole October 20, 2014
SLIDE 2 Background
- Task Force established by Council in April, 2014
- Mayor selected Mark Dickinson as Chair and Brian
Losie as Vice-Chair
- Committed Task Force Members – first meeting
- ccurred on April 14th
- 14 official meetings
- countless hours between meetings
SLIDE 3
Primary Objective:
Identify and evaluate the current, controllable factors
affecting the economic viability of downtown and formulate achievable actions and strategies to improve business and foster a revitalized town centre.
Background
SLIDE 4 Background
- Early in the process - Task Force developed and approved
Terms of Reference and Communication Plan
- Two Interim Reports to Council
- Final Report and presentation is the culmination of the
Task Force’s work over the past 6 months.
SLIDE 5
Revitalization Action Ideas List (RAIL)
Community was asked for input and ideas Established a document to track and capture ALL
ideas – called it the RAIL
A total of 108 ideas compiled
SLIDE 6
Revitalization Action Ideas List (RAIL)
Prioritized each idea according to Strategic Priority
and Level of Importance
Only those ideas which scored a 2 or better were
brought forward for consideration at this time
RAIL ideas organized according to perceived
“responsibility” – Town, SBIA, Chamber or combination.
SLIDE 7
Revitalization Action Ideas Listing (RAIL)
SLIDE 8
Overarching Goals (or BHAGs)
Four overarching goals (or BHAGs) were
established as a way to measure performance
What is a BHAG? – Big Hairy Audacious Goal
SLIDE 9
Overarching Goals (or BHAGs)
1.
Increase gross retail sales by seven percent per annum
Secure an effective measurement tool
2% is anticipated inflation
5% is business growth
SLIDE 10
Overarching Goals (or BHAGs)
2.
Increase the Town’s population to 15,000 by 2025
Increase density - idea mentioned several times
Downtown residential - supported by OCP and LAP
Represents 2.5% growth per year
Consistent with long-term OCP projections and infrastructure capacity
SLIDE 11
Overarching Goals (or BHAGs)
3.
Achieve and maintain the lowest commercial/retail vacancy rate in the Capital Region
Currently the 2nd highest in CRD (Colliers)
SLIDE 12
Overarching Goals (or BHAGs)
4.
Achieve an “A” rating in the “20 Ingredients of an Outstanding Destination”
Currently have a “C” rating Goal is an overall “A” rating within 5 years
SLIDE 13
Two separate surveys:
Shoppers Downtown Property Owners and Business Owners
Interviewing from June 18-27, 2014 Completed a usable 1,424 interviews with shoppers.
Surveys
SLIDE 14 Shoppers’ Survey
- According to shoppers, things are pretty
good just the way they are.
SLIDE 15 Why do people shop in downtown Sidney, what are the most compelling reasons, the best features?
The Shopping Experience
because it’s convenient 51% to support local businesses 15% general ambiance of downtown (almost as important as second reason) 14% also the unique shops, walkability, good variety of stores * Note: downtown ambiance and the unique shops are of particular importance to out-of-area visitors
SLIDE 16
Suggested improvements are all at minor levels, suggesting a very high level of satisfaction with the shopping experience. Primary mentions (all 6% or less) are:
later openings more stores geared toward youth lower prices more variety of stores/merchandise
The Shopping Experience
SLIDE 17 We also asked if there is any store or type of store they would like
to see in downtown Sidney
The only suggestions of note:
The Shopping Experience
asked for chain/big box stores 17% more clothing stores 12% specialty restaurants 10% stores that cater to youth 10% All other mentions are lower
SLIDE 18 Mail-out of questionnaires to all downtown property
- wners and/or business owners
Poor response – only 50 returns (10%) Due to such a low response, analysis can only be on an
Business Survey
SLIDE 19 Tax Rate Impacts Commercial Tax Rates within CRD – All “Non-Provincial” Taxes
4.00000 6.00000 8.00000 10.00000 12.00000 14.00000 16.00000 18.00000 20.00000
SLIDE 20 Tax Rate Impacts Change in Tax Multiples since 2007
1.0000 1.5000 2.0000 2.5000 3.0000 3.5000 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 1 - Residential 5 - Light Industry 6 - Business/Other 8 - Recreation/Non-profit
SLIDE 21
Task Force Key Recommendations
Four key recommendations for a resilient
and vibrant downtown Sidney.
SLIDE 22 Task Force Key Recommendations
- 1. Town of Sidney to take on a more active role
in a formalized Economic Development function.
SLIDE 23 Task Force Key Recommendations
- 2. Town of Sidney to review key policies that
may inhibit, or further enhance, Economic Development (i.e. Downtown / Waterfront Local Area Plan, Official Community Plan, Parks Use Policy, Revitalization Incentives, Taxation, Parking, Amenities, etc.)
SLIDE 24 Task Force Key Recommendations
- 3. Town of Sidney to support the Sidney
Business Improvement Area (SBIA) in its efforts to market Sidney as a destination.
SLIDE 25 Task Force Key Recommendations
- 4. Town of Sidney to undertake planning and
physical improvements that will positively impact Economic Development.
These would include, at a minimum: gateway and wayfinding signage; additional downtown revitalization; leveraging Beacon Wharf and other seaside gateways.
SLIDE 26
Recommendations to Council
1.
That the final Task Force Report be received for information, and referred to the future Council for consideration
2.
That all the Key Recommendations of the Task Force be considered as part of the Town’s upcoming budget process, and incorporated into the Town’s Action Plans for 2015
3.
That the Town continue to act on high-priority RAIL items referred by the Task Force.
SLIDE 27
Questions?
