It appears city council isn't letting its latest foray into downtown revitalization languish.
The formation of a Downtown Working Group is one concrete sign council is taking serious recommendations made by Christopher Doll. Doll's Nuguru Consulting conducted a survey on the state of the city's core business district last fall. His report paints a dismal picture of not only the physical aspects of the area, but of residents' attitudes about it.
Doll holds out hope, however, citing success stories in Moose Jaw, Ladysmith, B.C. and other communities.
Success here won't come without hard work, however. Shopping malls and big box stores draw shoppers away from downtown cores, but with a bit of creativity and support from the community that trend could be reversed.
If downtown can become a unique destination offering niche shops, places to eat and other reasons to go there, life could return.
In the meantime, put your support behind the working group members. Serve them up your creative ideas and let's all get behind a vision of a downtown that makes us proud, not discouraged.
- Becky Doig, Editor
