Six years after it was first proposed, the District of Squamish is taking another look at a plan to erect a gateway into the downtown at Highway 99 and Cleveland Avenue.
Following a downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) Committee of the Whole presentation Tuesday (March 16), council accepted a staff recommendation to discuss spending $20,000 from the 2010 capital budget on planning for the project.
"With highway signage signifying that a historic downtown does exist, we are opening ourselves up to the world and signalling to the traffic loop leaving from the Adventure Centre that a destination is straight ahead," states a BIA document filed with the district.
According to the document, the project was initially proposed by former economic development officer Lee Malleau six years ago.
"As it stands now, down town has a total lack of connectivity the gateway is McDonalds and Starbucks so we need people to know that there is something beyond that," said BIA president Eric Armour during the BIA's annual general meeting at Grilled Fromage Thursday (March 11).
"The gateway project not only seems the most logical but also the most feasible addition of economic development to our downtown core and one the BIA wants to pursuit."
Council did not discuss the proposal at length during the Tuesday meeting since the item has been included in the planning department's budget for discussion April 6.
Armour reminded members the gateway project might require BIA members to step forward and remind the district about the significant role the core plays in Squamish.
"There may come a time soon when we need your body and your voice to stand with us collectively and let the district know that we are the backbone of Squamish. We're its uniqueness, we're its heart, we're its people, we're its workers and we're its vote."
BIA, district goals in line: planner
Community planning director Cameron Chalmers addressed the crowd.
Chalmers said he's found the district generally supports the endeavours of the BIA because of a common goal.
"We're selling the same thing. We're selling the same product," he said. "In the seven years I've been there we've spent way more money in the downtown than we have anywhere else when we think about planning."
According to Chalmers the district identified the downtown core as the heart of the community years ago and has since started to plan accordingly.
"In 2003- 2004 council said the downtown is the heart of our community. It is going to define this place. It's the only thing that's authentic. It's the only part our community that people can step back and say that building has been here for 40 years and that's where something used to happen. We're really trying to use it as the heart of our community."
Chalmers added, downtown has great potential in the future with plenty of new opportunities on the horizon.
"We've got seven projects within a five minute walk of this building that are approved, just waiting to be built. Once the economy picks up anyone with a bucket of money can come in and get those things started. As we start going forward I think we've got the major bones in place to really make the downtown pop."
Armour also gave an update on the organization's activities over the last year during the AGM, highlighting an increased online presence courtesy of the organization's website and use of social networking media like Twitter, as well as the creation and installation of downtown street signs.
He urged the 30 or so members present to continue their efforts in making the downtown core a vibrant and thriving place to work and live.
"All these initiatives are a good thing for downtown but we all know we have a long way to go."
Executive director Christine Bennett said the BIA is also in the planning stages of Canada Day celebrations, awaiting a response regarding requesting grants for the July festivities. Bennett invited local business owners to step up and help out with the Canada Day celebration planning.
"We are not able to put in on ourselves, as just the BIA so we'd like to involve more of the community, potentially have a planning group that helps make Canada Day happen again."
Attendees approved the 2010 BIA budget of $45,000 and elected several new members to the board. Former director Susan Chapelle became vice-president replacing Ben Brearley, while Mike Vivian, Colin Bush and Steve Merrick became directors.
