FACE OF DOWNTOWN

A REPORT FROM THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

QUARTER 2 - STATUS REPORT EDITION 3

CHANGING THE

Concept of new RCMP Headquarters

A SHARED VISION

IS DRIVING CHANGE
DOWNTOWN
Prince George is creating a renewed downtown that embodies the collective vision of the community. This vision was developed throughout the Smart Growth on the Ground and is being implemented by the Downtown Partnership that includes: City of Prince George Downtown Business Improvement Association Initiatives Prince George Lheidli Tenneh Prince George Native Friendship Centre Prince George Chamber of Commerce RCMP Northern Health Beyond Homelessness Standing Committee

Lheidli Tenneh

THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

The Downtown Partnership meets four times a year to report on, and monitor progress in each of the targeted areas for improvement. The following is a summary of progress between April and June of 2011:

Improving Investment Climate

City Centre Marketing generating leads and prospects for new investment:
Initiatives Prince George and City of Prince George have been actively engaging with developers to promote the new vision for downtown through meetings and conferences in Vancouver, Toronto and in Northern BC. There has been an expressed interest in commercial and residential projects that continue to be advanced.

Building permits for 5 projects valued at $1.1 million were issued in the second quarter of 2011.
In the first six months of 2011, building permits for a total of 13 projects and $8 million were issued. This quarter projects include The Keg Renovation on George Street, and renovations to buildings on 3rd, 5th and 6th Avenue. This month began the demolition for the new RCMP detachment, and the erection of seniors residential housing units on 6th Avenue. Brick faade work was completed on four new townhouses at 1480 - 2nd Avenue.

Downtown Incentive Program public consultation period complete.

Many presentations and meetings were held in the second quarter explaining the new proposed Downtown Incentive Program around Prince George. The new program includes a more aggressive Revitalization Tax Exemption (RTE) that will exempt city portion of taxes on commercial and residential projects for 10 years, include land values for residential developments in target areas, and faade improvements for lower threshold values of investment. The Program also is proposed to include a residential housing bonus of up to $10,000 per unit that can be used in combination with the RTE. Also a new early benefit option is proposed that will provide developers with the opportunity to take the entire value of the ten year exemption up front instead of over 10 years. The new Program is expected to be in place by the fall of 2011.

The Downtown Business Improvement Association announced a new Board and plan to support downtown revitalization starting with more flowerbaskets and the return of Summerfest in 2011.
The Downtown Business Improvement Association (DBIA) elected a new Chair and established a slate of volunteer committees that will pursue business improvement initiatives over the coming year. Committees include: Best Practices & Administration Beautification Communications Crime Reduction & Social Service Events, Promotions & Marketing Infrastructure Development and New Business Attraction

Summerfest Street Festival will be held in the city centre on Sunday, August 21st. Please contact the DBIA for more details at www.downtownprincegeorge.com

Downtown Design Guidelines are under development for new construction and renovations, to foster a culture of wood through architectural expression throughout the downtown.
Draft guidelines will be presented to City Council in the near future, with public consultation to follow. New design guidelines will help foster a vibrant, compact and walkable downtown with a high quality of urban design. The guidelines will shape the evolution of active, pedestrian oriented buildings and open spaces.

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Building Cultural Vibrancy

Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre moves another step forward as a downtown catalyst project.
Feasibility reports including a needs assessment, physical and business plan, all provide scope for a regional performing arts centre application that the City of Prince George is submitting to P3 Canada. The application is premised on exploring possible private sector involvement. The project is proposed as a centennial facility project in recognition of the Citys 2015 birthday.

New entertainment in downtown Prince George to showcase local talent.

This past month the City of Prince George issued two liquor primary licenses offering greater night-life options in the city centre. One of the licenses was issued to Nancy Os, currently operating as a restaurant on 3rd Avenue. Owner Garrett Fedorkiw says this will allow Nancy Os to bring in local artists and grow evening patronage. The second was issued to the Learn to Earn Bartending School.

A new Official Community Plan (OCP) incorporates policy that recognizes heritage in downtown Prince George.
In June the new OCP was presented in draft to Mayor and Council. It officially designates four heritage sites, three in the City Centre. These include 1294 - 3rd Avenue (old Post Office), 1188 - 6th Avenue (old Liquor Store facade), and 1627 - 7th Avenue. The Heritage Commission is also requesting support for additional signage in the downtown to recognize historic sites.

Building a Clean, Green & Safe Downtown

George Street lighting project completed.
The official unveiling of the new George Street lighting project was held in May. New ornamental lights have been installed allowing for safer streets in the downtown and will showcase flower and banner brackets to beautify George Street.

Clean streets in the citys downtown.

The downtown cleaning program was enhanced last year at the urging of property owners, and continues to be in effect. The cleaning program includes mechanical sweeping Thursdays and Sundays; flushing every second week, and vacuum cleaning through the week.

A concept for a Green Corridor connecting the Rivers and the City Centre was presented at the June meeting of the Downtown Partnership.
A scope of work, public engagement strategy, timeframe, and costs will be presented to City Council for consideration in next years budget.

THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

$8 MILLION IN BUILDING PERMITS IN 2011

Last quarter $45 million of announced investment over the past year was presented and now it is construction season in Prince George. REVITALIZATION IS TAKING PLACE HERE AND NOW take a tour through Prince Georges city centre to explore the construction projects underway this spring:

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Google Maps 2009

1340 - 6th Avenue: TELUS announces $1.5 million investment to expand Prince George call centre and create 100 new local jobs in 2011. Total jobs for TELUS in Prince George will grow to 392. 1190 - 2nd Avenue: Terasen Gas (now Fortis BC) establishes in-house customer care centre. Three Prince George companies awarded contracts for $4m in renovations and upgrades, following LEED principles. New call centre will employ workforce of 100 effective January 2012. 582 George Street: The Keg Steakhouse & Bar confirms $3 million renovation and establishes re-opening date for fall, 2011. 1323 - 5th Avenue: The BID Group begins renovations on newly acquired Post Office Building. 2nd and George: Downtown District Energy System building to be developed in 2011, sited on 2nd and Historic George Street. Building will feature wood faade and street level commercial/ retail. 1488 4th Avenue: Exterior faade improvements, Scotia Bank Building, $2,000,000.

5th and Victoria: RCMP Detachment facility with construction value of $25m by 2013. Initial contracts to be issued in 2011, facility built to LEED standards. 1480 1492 - 2nd Avenue: Four new townhouses, Northern Linen Supply Ltd., $400,000. 888 Dominion Street: Exterior Renovations, Prince George Coliseum, $355,040. 1302 - 7th Avenue: Tenant Improvements, Commonwealth Medical Building, $235,000. 444 George Street: Interior Renovations to 144 rooms, Ramada Hotel, $1,800,000. 1302 - 7th Avenue: Tenant Improvements, Commonwealth Medical Building, $224,000. 1363 - 4th Avenue: Interior Renovations, Human Resources Development Canada, $528,000. 300 - 299 Victoria Street: Tenant Improvement to Northern Health Authority Office, $300,000. 1302 - 7th Avenue: Tenant Improvements for Pharmasave, Commonwealth Medical Building, $360,000.

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1373 - 6th Avenue: 36 Unit Seniors Housing, Commonwealth Financial, $4,883,036. 1340 - 6th Avenue: Interior Renovations, Telus Communications Inc, $972,858. 1241 - 5th Avenue: Interior Renovations, 5th Avenue Bowladrome, $200,000. 299 Victoria Street: Tenant Improvements, Northern Health Authority, $300,000. 177 Victoria Street: $45,000 Commercial Renovation. 1209 - 5th Avenue: $1,300 Commercial Renovation 1523 1505 3rd Avenue: $22,000 and $60,000 Commercial Renovation. 1399 - 6th Avenue: $24,100 Commercial Renovation. 582 George Street: $1,000,000 Renovation (The Keg).

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For more information, please contact: City of Prince George, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9 | Tel: 250-561-7784 (or) 250-649-3201 Email: DowntownPartnership@city.pg.bc.ca | www.princegeorge.ca

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