|
CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
January 19, 2004 | |
Author: |
Nathan Edelson | |
Phone No.: |
873-7444 | |
RTS No.: |
03909 | |
CC File No.: |
8104 | |
Meeting Date: |
January 27, 2004 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
General Manager of Community Services |
SUBJECT: |
Draft Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Plan |
A. THAT Council receive the Vancouver Agreement's draft Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Plan for information (Appendix A).
B. THAT staff report back on the outcome of the public review of the draft Plan by June 2004 with recommendations on how this Plan can be implemented in cooperation with business, community and Vancouver Agreement partners.
The City Manager recommends approval of A and B.
On July 28, 1998, Council confirmed principles to provide general guidance to actions and planning in the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown, Strathcona and Victory Square which include encouraging legitimate commercial activity, improving conditions at the street level, improving low income housing, reducing crime, and helping community people to find allies and seek a common future.
On June 24, 2000 Council adopted the following principles to guide the development of an Economic Revitalization Strategy for the Downtown Eastside:
· Build from within and involve those who already live and work in the area;
· Preserve and enhance the sense of community felt by residents of the Downtown Eastside and surrounding communities;
· Listen to those most affected;
· Improve the livability and safety of the Downtown Eastside for everyone; and
· Develop and implement a well understood plan that delivers results.
This report informs Council about the Vancouver Agreement's draft Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Plan which will be taken out for public discussion to help establish priorities for implementation. It recommends staff report back by June on the results of the consultation and an Action Plan for implementation in cooperation with business, community and senior government partners.
Council approved the Terms of Reference for an Economic Capacity Study to look at the concerns of existing businesses as well as the opportunities for increasing investment and employment in the Downtown Eastside. Ference Weicker & Company completed this study for which they interviewed more than 200 business and community representatives and conducted 30 focus groups. It has served as a basis for the Economic Revitalization Plan Technical Report. Both documents are on file with the Clerk.
This research was supplemented with other economic studies and community consultations including those related to 2010 Winter Games, DESTA'NEZ (Downtown Eastside Target Area and Empowerment Zone), the Gastown/Chinatown/Hastings Corridor Heritage Management Incentives, the redevelopment of Woodwards, the Chinatown Vision, the Converge Future Search workshop, and the Vancouver Agreement's Employment Strategy.
The draft Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Plan summarizes the results of considerable discussion with business people, residents, agencies, and the organizations that represent them. It also reflects research on the community economic development of similar neighbourhoods in other parts of North America and Europe as well as the insights gained from a significant number of economic development initiatives that have been undertaken in the Downtown Eastside.
The draft Plan is consistent with Council-approved principles in that it is based on these community consultations, builds on the area's rich cultural and heritage assets and assists businesses and residents to participate in and benefit from increased economic activities and employment opportunities. It identifies three key strategies to stimulate business activity and generate local employment:
1. Increase demand for the Downtown Eastside's products and services
2. Strengthen the capabilities of local suppliers
3. Increase employment opportunities for local residents
Supported by other Vancouver Agreement initiatives, the Plan addresses the safety and security concerns that businesses identify as the primary obstacle to new investment and job creation and does so in a way that is consistent with the Four Pillars strategy endorsed by all three levels of government. It is also strongly linked to the Vancouver Agreement's Employment Strategy which is intended to focus on preparing local residents for emerging jobs.
A number of the key actions identified in the Plan have already been implemented by the Vancouver Agreement and community partners or are well underway. These include the redevelopment of Woodwards and the former parkade containing the Storeyum; strategic public realm improvements including the Carrall Greenway, Neighbours First, the Chinatown Revitalization Program and the Heritage Management incentives for Gastown, Chinatown and the Hastings Corridor.
The next step is to take the draft Plan out for discussion with local residents and a variety of business and community stakeholders. This will be a focussed process to confirm what we have heard from previous consultations, let everyone know about the progress we have made thus far and to guide the government and community partners in setting priorities for future actions and new ways of working together to achieve our common objectives.
There are no financial implications.
A communications plan is being developed in cooperation with the Vancouver Agreement partners.
The draft Vancouver Agreement Downtown Economic Revitalization Plan is based on the results of considerable research and discussion with business people, agencies and local residents. A number of actions it identifies have been completed or are well underway. Staff will be meeting with community stakeholders to finalize the overall Plan and to develop joint priorities for its implementation.
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