CITY OF VANCOUVER

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

 

Date:

November 20, 2003

 

Author:

M. D'Agostini

 

Phone No.:

873-7716

 

RTS No.:

03717

 

CC File No.:

1611/8104

 

Meeting Date:

December 2, 2003

TO:

City Council

FROM:

Director of Current Planning and the Community Project Manager for the Downtown Eastside

SUBJECT:

Allocation of Capital Plan Funds in the Downtown Eastside

RECOMMENDATIONS

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On July 28, 1998, Council confirmed principles to provide general guidance to actions and planning in the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown and Strathcona, which include encouraging legitimate commercial activity, improving conditions at the street level, improving existing SROs, reducing crime, and helping community people find allies and seek a common future.

On October 1, 2002, Council approved a funding allocation of $2.5 million toward Downtown Eastside revitalization initiatives in the 2003-2005 Capital Plan.

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council approval to allocate a total of $368,000 from the Downtown Eastside (DTES) Revitalization Capital Funds toward a number of projects to facilitate economic development in the area. Approval of the funding will secure an additional $986,000 from the Federal Government through Western Economic Diversification (WED), $30,000 from the Provincial Government, and $149,000 in community/business contributions.

BACKGROUND

The initiatives proposed for funding are being developed under the Vancouver Agreement (VA) which is a five-year agreement between Canada, the province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver to work with the community and businesses in support of sustainable social and economic development. Its components include community health and safety, economic and social development, and community capacity building. The Vancouver Agreement intends to promote community economic development to bring back vitality and prosperity to the DTES.

In the past the Capital Plan funds have assisted in a number of projects including the redesign of Hastings and Main and the lighting of Victory Square Park. In these projects City funds were also used to leverage additional public and private sponsorship. The funds proposed in this report would result in public realm and streetscape improvements that would contribute directly to business enhancement.

DISCUSSION

Working with community leaders and colleagues from other levels of government, staff developed a list of projects for funding consistent with the objectives of the Vancouver Agreement and the emerging Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Plan. A funding proposal has been submitted to Western Diversification Canada requesting $986,000 of federal funds to compliment City capital investment in the following projects:

The total City funding request is $368,000.

Other projects, including additional public realm enhancements, business improvements and business/community outreach, are proposed as part of a larger group of complementary economic revitalization initiatives in the DTES. These will be supported through an additional $420,000 from WED.

Approval of the City's contribution through Capital Plan funds will secure another $1.25 million from project partners including almost $1 million in total from WED.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Funding for these projects is available in the 2003 Capital Budget earmarked for Downtown Eastside Revitalization.

For the Gastown Lighting Improvements there will also be ongoing energy and maintenance costs which are estimated to be $8,300 per year. This report recommends approval of an increase to the Electrical Operating budget for these expenses. No additional costs are anticipated for the other projects.

CONCLUSION

Support for the economic development initiatives in the Downtown Eastside is an important part of facilitating revitalization of the area. This report proposes that Capital funds, identified specifically for use in this area, be approved by Council to support significant public realm improvements. Approval of the City's funding will lead to substantial financial contributions from Vancouver Agreement partners and the community. Jointly these funds will serve to enhance the Downtown Eastside for tourists, residents and businesses.

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