Work Program of Vancouver Economic Development Commission...

REPORT TO STANDING COMMITTEE
ON COMMUNITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

VANCOUVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

July 9, 1999

1. Work Program of the Vancouver Economic Development Commission

Pertaining to the Economic Revitalization of the Downtown Eastside

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the appended status report* on the Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Program be received for information.

B. THAT the following principles be adopted 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.

C. THAT the Vancouver Economic Development Commission (VEDC) be requested to take a lead role on behalf of the City in working with the three levels of government and the public to develop and begin implementation of a Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Strategy over the next eighteen months;

AND THAT $25,000 be allocated from Contingency Reserve for this purpose for the period July to December 1999;

AND FURTHER THAT the VEDC report back as part of its 2000 budget on its funding requirements to undertake this as a priority project.

D. THAT the VEDC be requested, in consultation with the three levels of government and the public, to prepare terms of reference for an Economic Capacity Study and other research needed to develop a Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Strategy and to report back on timing and funding requirements before October 1999.

*Limited Distribution - on file in City Clerk's Office
PURPOSE

This report transmits a status report on the Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Initiative and seeks the authority and funding required to allow the Vancouver Economic Development Commission to take a lead role in working with the three levels of government and the community to complete the first phase of this work and to determine the research necessary for developing a comprehensive Economic Revitalization Strategy.

BACKGROUND

The eastern area of the downtown, including the Downtown Eastside and the surrounding and overlapping neighbourhoods of Gastown, Chinatown and Strathcona, once contained the vibrant commercial core of the city and has for many years suffered from serious economic decline related to structural changes in the regions economy and the impacts of the illegal drug trade.

Working closely with the City, the Vancouver Coalition on Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment, the Downtown Vancouver Association and with staff seconded from Western Diversification Canada, the VEDC has taken a lead role in identifying projects that can be developed in the short term and on beginning to build the relationships which will be critical to the economic revitalization of the Downtown Eastside.

Since October, 1998 dozens of meetings have been held with community groups, business leaders, service providers, financial institutions and other corporate interests, real estate developers and property owners, film and television executives, educational institutions, arts and culture groups, aboriginal associations, business associations and residents of the Downtown Eastside, Gastown and Chinatown.

From these meetings, several specific projects have been identified for new business activities which offer solid prospects for jobs and employment generating opportunities in this community. A number of these are being further developed, involving project proponents, business interests (providing mentoring and expert advice), and City of Vancouver officials.

A comprehensive report outlining what the Commission has achieved to date, as well as proposals for all subsequent phases of the Downtown Eastside economic revitalization initiative is attached in support of this submission (Limited distribution - on file in City Clerk's Office).

DISCUSSION

The Economic Revitalization Initiative is working to a five-phase Action Plan:

Identifying New Projects and Partnerships
Developing Terms of Reference for Economic Research
Carrying Out Economic Research
Developing an Economic Revitalization Strategy
Implementing the Economic Revitalization Strategy

Phase I: Identifying New Projects and Partnerships
[October 1998 - December 1999]

Phase I is well under way. More than forty meetings were held with various interest groups including arts and culture, low income serving agencies, Gastown businesses and home owners, Chinatown merchants, educational institutions, high tech businesses, and tourism. This culminated in a half-day combined workshop attended by over 100 people where more than thirty proposals for new businesses and projects were identified. These include:

Examples include:

- Laundromat - to provide an additional service outlet and local jobs
- First Nations Theme Village - a long-term project; celebration of native culture, an employment generator and a tourist attraction
- Phantom Art Galleries - to improve storefront appearances
- Bakery/deli - to provide employment and a needed retail outlet
- Power washing - to cater to the film industry and related industry needs
- Summer Street Market - to increase legitimate street level commercial activity
- Native carving/arts centre - to supply the theme village and related craft outlets

The objective is that at least three projects will be operational or well underway by the end of 1999. In addition, a registry of volunteers from the business community and post secondary institutions has been established to ensure than any proposals for new businesses can get access to expert advice and assistance.

Phase II: Developing Terms of Reference for Economic Research
[August 1999 - October 1999]

This report recommends that the Commission take a lead role in working with staff from the three levels of government, community leaders and business people to develop the terms of reference for research that will be needed to develop a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The major project is an Economic Carrying Capacity Study. Its purpose is to identify the business opportunities in sectors of the economy which are likely to be successful in the eastern area of thedowntown over the next decade. Sectors which have been identified for further analysis include: tourism, arts and culture, support services for the area's educational institutions as well as for the nearby central business district, high technology, television and film, and retail services for existing and new residents.

Other studies which may be required include a review of economic revitalization strategies, special economic zones and community development corporation models which have been undertaken elsewhere as well as an analysis of existing economic development organizations and financial institutions currently active in the area.

Remaining Phases
[October 1999- December 2004]

It is anticipated that much of the research will be able to be completed by the end of 1999 and that this will be used as a basis for developing a preliminary Economic Revitalization by the spring of 2000. However, it will not be possible to predict the scope or timing of the research or the specific roles of key actors including the Commission, senior governments, and the private sector in this work until the Terms of Reference are adopted. Implementation, including ongoing evaluation will likely take place over at least a five-year period as part of the Downtown Eastside Community Revitalization Program and the Inter-Governmental Agreement. Funding the Commission's role in these phases will be reflected in the annual budget submissions, beginning with that for the year 2000.

Surrounding Communities

While the "Downtown Eastside" Community Revitalization Program and the Economic Revitalization Initiative cover the entire eastern area of the downtown, including Gastown and Chinatown, the detailed strategy on which the Economic Development Commission will focus its energies relates primarily to the Hastings Street Corridor. Council will be asked to consider the merits of having companion detailed economic strategies for Gastown and Chinatown developed in cooperation with local business groups, including merchants and property owners.

COUNCIL POLICY

In November 1999, Council adopted Council adopted the terms of reference for the Downtown Eastside Community Revitalization Program and a Program of Strategic Actions, which included these goals:

to reduce the number of problem premises and to fill vacant storefronts with legitimate businesses;
bring about the comprehensive economic revitalization of the area without causing the displacement of existing residents;
and to generate employment and wealth creating business opportunities for those Downtown Eastside residents most in need.
CONCLUSION

The Vancouver Economic Development Commission, in cooperation with the Vancouver Coalition for Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment, the Downtown Vancouver Association, the City and Western Diversification Canada, has demonstrated considerable leadership in initiating the development of an Economic Revitalization Strategy for the Downtown Eastside.

The first phase - generating preliminary ideas and supports for locally based new businesses - is well underway. This report requests the funding and mandate to complete these efforts an and to work with local residents and business people to develop the Terms of Reference, including scope, timing, supervision, and funding requirements for the research needed to develop an Economic Revitalization Plan by the second quarter of 2000.

The Commission is also requesting that it be mandated to take a leadership role on behalf of the City for at least the next year and a half. This will help ensure the program has strong leadership. If approved, this leadership mandate will be reflected in the Commission's budget submission for the year 2000 and. The mandate can be reviewed as the program emerges and as the senior levels of government decide the roles they would like to play in this initiative.

Barb Crompton
Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The staff and volunteers of the Vancouver Economic Development Commision have demonstrated significant leadership in working with City staff, community representatives, and business people, and to initiate a Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Program.

The City Manager RECOMMENDS the above to provide the Commission with the resources and mandate to continue this work over the next 18 months. This role will be reviewed, and if necessary adjusted, as part of the emerging Downtown Eastside Community Revitalization Program and the Intergovernmental Agreement.

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