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Downtown Victoria Business Association members approve another five-year mandate

The Downtown Victoria Business Association has another five years to work on improving and promoting the downtown core after its members voted to approve its third mandate.
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The Downtown Victoria Business Association has another five years to work on improving and promoting the downtown core after its members voted to approve its third mandate.

The Downtown Victoria Business Association has another five years to work on improving and promoting the downtown core after its members voted to approve its third mandate.

According to DVBA chairwoman Fran Hobbis, the membership of more than 1,500 downtown businesses and 775 property owners voted overwhelmingly in support of another five-year term for the organization, run by general manager Ken Kelly.

“It’s a big step to know we have the confidence of the members,” Hobbis said. “This gives us the opportunity to continue our strategic planning.”

Hobbis said the next term will see the organization focus on downtown safety, renewal of the retail mix in the face of competition from suburban malls, and pushing for improvements in the city centre. “If we don’t invest in our downtown, why would we expect anyone else to?” she said.

Hobbis envisions improvements to the sidewalk and some building facades on Douglas Street, landscaping, signage, public spaces and lighting.

She said the focus on safety is essential. “Some of the street issues have escalated a little bit. We feel that has to be a focus for police and the new city council,” said Hobbis, adding that kind of work and capital investment could help curb a high downtown vacancy rate.

“We want to emphasize that a healthy downtown is critical to a healthy region,” Hobbis said.

The organization has a budget of about $1 million annually, raised by a levy on downtown property and business owners — as well as a $5 annual membership fee.

This year, the DVBA allocated $273,000 for cleaning, safety and beautification initiatives, $341,000 for marketing and events, $39,000 for networking and partnerships and $322,000 for administration.