Some participants at a recent workshop voice strong opinions against creating a business improvement area
By Howard Nason
Residents and business owners on Elgin Street are one step closer to finalizing an Elgin Street revitalization plan.
About 20 people, including councillors Elisabeth Arnold and Diane Holmes, attended the latest workshop of the Elgin Street Study on Oct. 8 at St. Bethel Field House on Frank Street.
A six-point proposal plan was discussed. There was spirited, but constructive, debate on the issues.
“I was generally happy with it,” says John Smit, the study’s project leader. “I think right now that we’re getting closer to actual discussion on proposals. There seems to be greater interest and there’s a lot of good suggestions that are coming out.”
Smit works in the department of economic planning and housing for the Ottawa-Carleton region. He says the recipe for success lies in communication.
“The intent is to go out and try and connect with the business community along Elgin Street – the owners and merchants in particular – to try to get them onside with what we’re trying to do.”
The six points focus on land use, the creation of a retail strategy, strategic intervention – such as city sponsored redevelopment projects – a business improvement area, streetscape improvements, and cash-in-lieu of parking.
“At the end of the process we will have not just a zoning study but, really, a strategic plan for Elgin Street that will have a number of different ways to achieve the goals that were articulated,” says Coun. Arnold.
Despite the fact the meeting was only a discussion, the issue of a business improvement area (BIA) brought out a strong reaction in some people.
“We’ve lost our hardware store, we’ve lost our theatre,” says Abby Evenchick, an Elgin Street property owner. “The mix (of stores) has degenerated to a point where the people who need exposure go out and advertise for themselves, like restaurants.”
Recent legislation changes could see missed fee payments by business owners default onto property owners, which most see as a big deterrent for a BIA.
But the absence of a BIA has always been the norm.
“Elgin Street has always been resisting to a BIA,” says Smit. “Every other commercial street in the downtown area – Sparks Street, Bank Street, Somerset Street – they all have BIAs. A lot of that has to do with the inability of the merchants to come together, they don’t see that there’s value in it.”
But for Evenchick and others, a stronger reason against a BIA can be found in their light wallets.
“The property owners along that street have had a rough go of it in recent years,” he says. “I don’t think they should be off-loaded another fee or charge. All it is, is off-loading.”
Evenchick is more concerned with issues like customer parking, which is in short supply, and stricter enforcement of zoning bylaws. But to discuss these issues, he’ll have to wait until the next workshop. Nevertheless, those who have participated in the past three years of workshops are pleased with the progress to date.
“I’ve been on a lot of planning studies, and nothing moves swiftly,” says Evenchick. “I think this one is going along quite well. It’s slow, but…I can see the end of the tunnel.”