Leavenworth's gone Bavarian. Vulcan's beamed in the Trekkies. And Squamish?
Although the District of Squamish may not want to go to the same lengths as the aforementioned Washington or Alberta towns to draw people downtown, officials want to know what makes Squamish well, Squamish, Mayor Rob Kirkham said. It's all a part of the municipality's downtown transformation plan, an initiative that calls upon residents to help brand the community's heart.
I am really looking forward to the community's involvement in this, Kirkham said.
With the help of branding and product development experts Destination Development International, district officials aim to create an action plan to attract people to the Cleveland Avenue area. With the help of stakeholders, such as the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association (BIA) and Squamish Chamber of Commerce, the plan will include a set of 2013-'14 objectives and a collection of initiatives to be carried out over the next 20 years, Kirkham said.
Initially, it won't be narrowing the field, he said.
The action plan will align with a number of district plans already in progress, Kirkham said, noting the downtown incentives program and Squamish Oceanfront which is for sale.
Connectivity to the water is a key component to the plan, Kirkham said. District officials have moved on that front, having recently secured a four-acre waterfront property east of Loggers Lane, Kirkham noted. Municipal employees are continuing negotiations with the former landowner, CN Rail, to allow public access across the rail lines.
The downtown transformation project is in its brainstorming phase, Kirkham said. There's no defined direction and everything is on the table, he said. Municipal staff are kick-starting the process with a public webinar on Monday, May 13.
Starting at 6 p.m. in the Garibaldi Room of the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co., the community is invited to join district staff in watching 20 Ingredients of an Outstanding Destination.
Having lived in Squamish for 25 years, Kirkham said he's watched downtown simply maintain itself. It's time to turn that around and add vibrancy to Squamish's heart, he said.
This focuses on people; what will make it a people place? he said.
For more information visit www.squamish.ca.
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