The following editorial appeared in the January 4 edition of the Guelph Mercury: When council’s finance, administration and corporate services committee directed city staff last June to come back with options on how to recoup the costs of policing, cleanup and garbage pickup downtown, we thought action was finally in the offing in an age-old […]
Category: Going Downtown
No downtown cleanup tax in 2008 budget
The following article appeared in the December 28 edition of the Guelph Mercury: At least two downtown bar owners say they pay enough tax and don’t think the city should impose a “bar-stool levy” as a way to recover costs associated with late-night policing and garbage collection. Mike Hauser, who owns Doogie’s and Pablo’s, said […]
Snow Removal
Kudos to the city for the timely and efficient removal of snow from downtown Guelph after Sunday’s snowstorm. Two years ago we had a storm just a few days before Christmas and the city’s centre was left virutally untouched. All of the plows were busy in the south end. Of course, this made it difficult […]
Memo on 2 hour free parking pilot
This communication is intended to clarify the 2 hour free pilot project as it is currently being administered. At the Council meeting of June 25, 2007, the following resolution was passed: “THAT staff from Economic Development and Tourism, Operations and Finance be directed to work with representatives of the Downtown Board of Management to develop […]
Visiting Downtown Guelph tax proposed
The City of Guelph is considering a tax targeted at visitors and shoppers to Downtown. The plan being examined is primarily focused on locally owned businesses and will exclude virtually every regional and national retailer in Guelph. The City of Guelph has suffered from the downloading of responsibilities by it’s provincial parent, without the requisite funding. […]
24/7 public washrooms: stylin’ design
So let’s push the design envelope a little with these provocative designs for outdoor washrooms from Texas. Thanks to Councillor Piper for forwarding these images. Outside in Inside out
Two councillors want to put brakes on Baker Street library proposal
City staff will discuss plans for the new central library today after city council voted earlier this week to name the Baker Street site as the preferred location. But at least two councillors want to halt the project out of concern taxpayers may end up footing much of the bill.
24/7 Public washrooms in Downtown Guelph
One of the problems in having a vibrant entertainment scene in Downtown Guelph, is the lack of public washrooms. When you gotta go, you gotta go. This has been expressed by many customers, merchants and visitors to Downtown over the years. Two solutions to this problem are being considered:
Library construction cost estimates
At Council last night (November 19), staff were asked about the $33/$40 million cost estimate for the library listed in Attachment 1 of Report 07-107, Guelph New Central Library Site Assessment. For your information, the Monteith-Brown/Walter Fedy study from May 2007 lists the following; the actual library alone on the Baker Street site was estimated […]
Library, museum and parking structure
I have been thinking about the location for a new Main Library and would like to offer a few comments. The current building could be a good place for the Civic Museum. It would probably need a minimal amount of renovation, has parking and the building could probably accommodate other volunteer community organizations.