The following article appeared in the September 7 edition of the Guelph Mercury:
City councillors have committed up to $175,000 for a promotional shot in the arm for downtown businesses impacted by five years of construction.
Council endorsed a staff report Monday night establishing a promotion program for businesses on Wilson Street and portions of Carden and Wyndham streets.
Coun. Jim Furfaro, who first floated the idea of a campaign to recognize the suffering of businesses closest to city hall, called the program “the honourable thing to do.
“It was this side of Carden Street that made decisions over the last five years that impacted the lives of those on the other side,” he said in urging his colleagues to support the initiative. “We’re acknowledging that our decisions have had an impact.”
In July, council directed staff to develop a promotional campaign to recognize the struggle of approximately three dozen businesses surrounding the so-called Market Square area in front of city hall.
During the past five years the area has seen major construction projects, including the building of the new city hall, the renovation of the old city hall into a courthouse, replacement of infrastructure and the ongoing construction of Market Square and the nearby transit terminal.
“This is not a precedent-setting motion,” Marty Williams, executive director of the Downtown Guelph Business Association, told council. “This is a response to a situation that is without precedent.”
The association will work as a liaison between the city and the 34 impacted businesses.
Williams said while the initial proposal would have seen the city purchase vouchers for each of the affected stores and then distributing them in the community, that is not necessarily how the money will be used.
“The program is evolving,” he said outside the council chamber. “We have to be flexible and responsive and recognize there are 34 unique businesses with unique needs.”
Not all councillors were sold.
Coun. Leanne Piper said while she supports the idea behind the proposal, she is concerned it sets a precedent and noted there are other large capital projects proposed for the downtown core which will have an impact on businesses.
Only Piper and Coun. Ian Findlay voted against the promotion program.
“Effectively we have frozen that space for five years,” Coun. Lise Burcher said in support of the program. “I don’t think any business plan could overcome that.”