Gerry LePage has headed the Bank Street BIA for more than 20 years.
With his sleek appearance and cool demeanor, Gerry LePage emits an intimidating air of power. Sporting a pin stripe suit, with his hair combed back, LePage is confident and comfortable with his voice.
Seemingly carefree, LePage has dealt with significant issues and initiatives regularly for more than 20 years as the executive director of the Bank Street Promenade Business Improvement Area. Rather than allowing his enthusiasm for the area to wane, experience has brought LePage a respected community profile.
Instead of fearing what tasks or problems might arise tomorrow, LePage embraces the unknown of each day that characterizes his position.
“It’s probably one of the best jobs in Ottawa,” raves LePage. “Rarely do you do the same thing twice.”
By his own admission, LePage was “bit by the old BIA bug” more than 20 years ago after being asked to take over the Bank Street Promenade. He had previously worked with the association through his advertising agency. Since then the area has been through a myriad of changes.
“Twenty years ago [Bank Street] was still recovering from the Rideau Centre,” says Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes. She says that when the Rideau Centre went in, it sucked retail from Bank Street, Sparks Street and Rideau Street.
“It has really taken that amount of time to have businesses come back to Bank Street. It’s a much healthier street now,” she says.
Coun. Holmes has worked quite closely and consistently with LePage for more than 20 years because of the deep involvement of Bank Street in city business.
“He is very helpful. Lots of energy, lots of good ideas and works closely with his businesses,” she says.
In turn, LePage listens to their needs and concerns.
“It is imperative we understand the pulse of small business,” he says.
LePage says that with the internet, “we are starting to bring about more of an international, global flavour to how we approach businesses.”
“We’re starting to see universities now take retail seriously,” says LePage. “Fostering that kind of entrepreneurial spirit is very important.”
LePage’s experience in his youth shaped the way he approaches various topics and issues. Born in Paris, LePage traveled extensively in his early life and spent some time in California where he says he “took away a sense of non-conventionalism”.
“[California] allows you to think in perspectives that a lot of other places do not necessarily encourage or embrace,” he says.
Brian Roberts is a managing partner at Epic Realty Partners, a Canada-wide real estate managing company, which houses its Ottawa branch on Albert Street.
Roberts has been a member of the BIA since the early 90s. He praises LePage’s endless commitment to the neighbourhood.
“He lives and breathes the BIA and the interest of the street.”
From LePage’s second-floor office on Gloucestor at the corner of Bank, the sounds of Bank Street filter in. Construction, police sirens, people. It truly is a hub of activity and continues to improve.
However, for some, the construction has some businesses hit hard.
LePage says that because of the intrusive nature of this infrastructure project, “a lot of the weaker businesses have been… marginalized and simply couldn’t take the reduction of business.”
Combined with the building collapse at Somerset and Bank streets in Oct. 2007, some Centretown businesses have had an extra difficult year. Coun. Holmes says that both the City and the BIA have been supportive during this time.
Sharon McKenna, executive director of the Sparks St. BIA, also praises LePage’s support of businesses.
“He’s right on top of the re-development that they have right now. He’s always fighting on behalf of his merchants. He’s always on top of things, knows everything that’s going on and when it comes to his area, he’s there,” says McKenna.
LePage says that the construction in Centretwon is the “last peg” of development.
“We had fallen to the lowest population in Centretown…in 1984,” he says. “I’m happy to say that the latest census says we’ve never had so many people working in Centretown, never had so many people living in Centretown.”
The street will only get better, according to LePage.
He raises the importance of a healthy downtown to the overall betterment of the city.
“We try to keep the growth within the urban boundaries,” he says, adding that many of council’s strategies and bills have supported this. He says he thinks the current city council has more global perspective on the city.
“If you have a healthy core, you’re going to have a healthy city.”
Roberts agrees with this concept.
“A healthy downtown overall is good for me and people like me and organizations like ours in the downtown core,” he says. “Some initiatives the BIA has spearheaded have been to the betterment of the core which is ultimately good for my business and my clients.”
Roberts stresses the importance of a good relationship with City Hall.
“When it comes to business, nobody works in a vacuum. Politicians and businesses are both there to do something. It’s not just about short term money,” he says.
LePage sits on various committees at City Hall and has a keen sense of political dynamics from international to regional- right in Centretown
Along with neighbouring BIAs, LePage and his staff have worked on various initiatives, such as joint parking committees.
McKenna says she often goes to LePage for advice.
“His knowledge of city bylaws and policies is amazing,” she says. “His input is invaluable.”
“Will you see a new Bank Street in the next couple of years? Yes. There’s no question about that.”
Roberts shares LePage’s commitment to revitalizing the Centretown area.
He says the BIA is working on giving the street “a consistent feel and look” so that the promenade will become recognizable to people.
Not only optimistic about the future of Bank Street, LePage expresses his view on the potential of the city of Ottawa. He wants to see it take more initiative.
“We should be leaders of the environment, we should be leaders in business, we should be leaders in other areas where innovation is required. The rest of the nation should be looking to us for those cues.”
He has an idea of what Ottawa residents can look forward to.
“It’s a very exciting time in Ottawa. I think a lot of things are going to converge at this point in time, in the next ten years, that are really going to bring the city into its own light.”
Without a doubt, LePage will not be waiting idly for action to occur. He is a leader in the neighbourhood and an important, significant and prominent member of the widely expansive Ottawa community.
“While we might be in charge of Bank Street, we need to initiate things for Centretown or the whole city,” says LePage. “The best way [local businesses] benefit, is for us to ultimately add that market base.”
His passion for Centretown and its changing dynamics is incredible and does not go unnoticed by those around him.
“I love working with him,” says McKenna. “He’s one of the good guys.”
LePage himself identifies his passion for his role in the community.
“I still enjoy it,” says LePage. “Still find a sense of renewal everyday because [with] the job, you get the gratification that you are really trying to contribute positively to the individual business owners.”