DV2020 Annual Report 2006


Home	About	Archives	2010 Report	2008 Election
DOWNTOWN VICTORIA COMMUNITY ALLIANCE June 2006 President's Report No. 2 City Council has embraced many of the initiatives that came out of the Downtown Victoria 2020 Conference, but the challenge we have faced over the past two years has been to develop an effective working relationship with the City. The city has limited resources and the pace of development in our city during the past few years has put Council and staff under tremendous pressure. Our efforts to assist often go unheeded, simply because they have no time to organize or participate in a cooperative, community-based effort. As a consequence, our progress is frustratingly slow. On the encouraging side, the arrival of the new city planner in January, and her declared interest in working with us, both on specific initiatives and the Downtown Plan Review, is a positive sign. Here then is a report on progress in the last year. Downtown Residential---The residential building boom continues, and much of the new development is in and around the downtown core. Increasing the downtown residential population was a significant theme at the 2020 Conference, and in the last year 2100 residential units have been completed, approved, or are under construction. Of particular interest is the number of heritage buildings that are being revitalized. 524 and 534 Yates Street (former CRD buildings)---This project by Chris LeFevre will create 30 condominiums on the upper floors and retail on the ground floor, and is one of several potential buildings on Lower Yates identified by the working group examining the rehabilitation of heritage buildings. The Vogue, 1450 Government Street---is nearing completion. The 1892 Wilson Dalby Block and the Mc&Mc Block are being redeveloped for 42 new suites on the upper floors. Mountain Equipment Coop is now open on the ground floor and will be a welcome boost to revitalization on Government Street. Buildings on two of the other corners of the intersection of Government and Johnson Streets have either been completed or are in the process of renovation. New Residential Construction---is continuing at a steady pace around the perimeters of the downtown core. The Corazon and Astoria are completed, and The Belvedere, The Wave, and Parkside Spa are under construction. The learning Commons---The Mayor’s Task Force completed a report to Council last August. Martin Segger was the DVCA representative on the Task Force. In the meantime a core group has been working with Councillor Hughes and 4 UVic School of Business students developing a business plan for a series of Community Learning Festivals to start in the fall. ABC Consulting (Gretchen Brewin, Laura Acton ) have been commissioned by the Victoria Public Library under a Literacy Now Province of BC grant to map the learning agencies in Victoria and recommend a program structure for the advancement of a Learning Commons. The Downtown Plan---The Steering Committee appointed by Council is nearing the end of its mandate, which covered the first of 3 phases of the Downtown Community Plan Review process. The committee expects to report to council by the end of June with a Vision Document for Downtown. The next phase is the technical phase, during which policies and benchmarks will be articulated. If Council endorses the principles and goals emerging out of the first phase, they will be asked to approve the engagement of two outside consultants, one to do the necessary Economic Analysis, the other to work on the Urban Design issues. The consultant doing the economic work will be expected to report in September. The third and final phase of the review process is implementation. This is scheduled to begin in early 2007 after adoption of the new plan by Council. We have assisted the Urban Development Institute in preparing a submission to the Planning Department outlining our shared views on a number of downtown issues and commenting on the process being followed. The Harbour Pathway---received approval in the 2006 budget, and should be back on track by July 2006. The City is still working on the application for a grant through Western Diversification to support this project, which when completed will continue from Fisherman’s Wharf to Rock Bay. Six First Nations Interpretive sites are also being planned, with funding through the Cultural Capital Grant. The Downtown Victoria Business Association---is now in it’s second year. The proposed budget for 2006/2007 is $1,225,976. This includes $441,350 for Marketing and Events, $393,736 for Clean and Safe Beautification, and $36,640 for Networking and Partnerships. Under the leadership of Matt McNeil, the BIA is proving to be a significant force for positive change in the downtown core. The Victoria Urban Development Agreement---the first draft is now being reviewed by legal counsel for each of the three levels of government who are signatories to the agreement. The city has received public input through focus groups on the proposed governance structure. Work is being undertaken to develop the action tables to define their respective roles and mandates. The goal is to launch both the Economic and Social Initiatives in the fall. The city is still waiting to hear back from senior governments regarding the level of financial support. The Belleville Terminal---The Downtown Network, made up of the DVBA, DVCA, UDI, Tourism Victoria, the Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Provincial Capital Commission, Victoria City Police Department and the City of Victoria has had several meetings amongst themselves, and have met with the Minister responsible Olga Illich to discuss the Belleville Terminal. There is an obvious need and widespread support for a new terminal facility and the hope is that we can bring an end to the talking and get on with getting it done. That concludes my report. We welcome your feedback.. We are very fortunate in our city to have so many knowledgeable people that are willing to work toward a vibrant Downtown. Downtown Victoria Community Alliance Bob Cross, Chair
info@dv2020.ca

Downtown Residential---The residential building boom continues, and much of the new development is in and around the downtown core. Increasing the downtown residential population was a significant theme at the 2020 Conference, and in the last year 2100 residential units have been completed, approved, or are under construction. Of particular interest is the number of heritage buildings that are being revitalized.
524 and 534 Yates Street (former CRD buildings)---This project by Chris LeFevre will create 30 condominiums on the upper floors and retail on the ground floor, and is one of several potential buildings on Lower Yates identified by the working group examining the rehabilitation of heritage buildings.
The Vogue, 1450 Government Street---is nearing completion. The 1892 Wilson Dalby Block and the Mc&Mc Block are being redeveloped for 42 new suites on the upper floors. Mountain Equipment Coop is now open on the ground floor and will be a welcome boost to revitalization on Government Street. Buildings on two of the other corners of the intersection of Government and Johnson Streets have either been completed or are in the process of renovation.
New Residential Construction---is continuing at a steady pace around the perimeters of the downtown core. The Corazon and Astoria are completed, and The Belvedere, The Wave, and Parkside Spa are under construction.
The learning Commons---The Mayor’s Task Force completed a report to Council last August. Martin Segger was the DVCA representative on the Task Force. In the meantime a core group has been working with Councillor Hughes and 4 UVic School of Business students developing a business plan for a series of Community Learning Festivals to start in the fall. ABC Consulting (Gretchen Brewin, Laura Acton ) have been commissioned by the Victoria Public Library under a Literacy Now Province of BC grant to map the learning agencies in Victoria and recommend a program structure for the advancement of a Learning Commons.
The Downtown Plan---The Steering Committee appointed by Council is nearing the end of its mandate, which covered the first of 3 phases of the Downtown Community Plan Review process. The committee expects to report to council by the end of June with a Vision Document for Downtown.
- The next phase is the technical phase, during which policies and benchmarks will be articulated. If Council endorses the principles and goals emerging out of the first phase, they will be asked to approve the engagement of two outside consultants, one to do the necessary Economic Analysis, the other to work on the Urban Design issues. The consultant doing the economic work will be expected to report in September.
- The third and final phase of the review process is implementation. This is scheduled to begin in early 2007 after adoption of the new plan by Council. We have assisted the Urban Development Institute in preparing a submission to the Planning Department outlining our shared views on a number of downtown issues and commenting on the process being followed.
The Harbour Pathway---received approval in the 2006 budget, and should be back on track by July 2006. The City is still working on the application for a grant through Western Diversification to support this project, which when completed will continue from Fisherman’s Wharf to Rock Bay. Six First Nations Interpretive sites are also being planned, with funding through the Cultural Capital Grant.
The Downtown Victoria Business Association---is now in it’s second year. The proposed budget for 2006/2007 is $1,225,976. This includes $441,350 for Marketing and Events, $393,736 for Clean and Safe Beautification, and $36,640 for Networking and Partnerships. Under the leadership of Matt McNeil, the BIA is proving to be a significant force for positive change in the downtown core.
The Victoria Urban Development Agreement---the first draft is now being reviewed by legal counsel for each of the three levels of government who are signatories to the agreement. The city has received public input through focus groups on the proposed governance structure. Work is being undertaken to develop the action tables to define their respective roles and mandates. The goal is to launch both the Economic and Social Initiatives in the fall. The city is still waiting to hear back from senior governments regarding the level of financial support.
The Belleville Terminal---The Downtown Network, made up of the DVBA, DVCA, UDI, Tourism Victoria, the Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Provincial Capital Commission, Victoria City Police Department and the City of Victoria has had several meetings amongst themselves, and have met with the Minister responsible Olga Illich to discuss the Belleville Terminal. There is an obvious need and widespread support for a new terminal facility and the hope is that we can bring an end to the talking and get on with getting it done.

That concludes my report. We welcome your feedback..

DOWNTOWN VICTORIA COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

June 2006

President's Report No. 2