Town offers cash for downtown property improvements

Posted By Nick Gardiner, Staff Writer

The cash climate is getting better for downtown landowners considering property improvements in 2009.

Town council began a process Monday to set aside $32,000 under a new Community Improvement Plan for upgrades to as many as four properties in the downtown core.

Council gave first and second reading to a bylaw to provide 50 per cent of the costs up to $1,000 for architectural designs to upgrade a storefront, up to $5,000 for exterior and interior renovations to vacant commercial space and upper level floors and up to $2,000 for the purchase of heritage signage.

In addition, a five-year property tax freeze is being offered for renovations to existing properties or to build on a vacant lot, increasing the local assessment value.

CAO Robert Haller calls the plan "one of the more exciting documents" instituted by the town in recent years as a method of spurring revitalization in the commercial area.

"It's been a long process through two councils and several years to get to this point," Haller said as he introduced the plan during a public meeting preceding the regular council session.

Haller said the CIP is cited in the official plan of 2006 as a way to incorporate a vision of Prescott that, among other elements, recognizes the town's history, protects heritage buildings, promotes tourism and economic growth.

"Now it's time to put the community improvement plan in place," he said.

The program will be ongoing, with council setting a budget as warranted each year, said Haller.

In some years, council could decide no funding is needed. At other times, it could decide to target a specific area anywhere in town for the funds, he added.

Haller said the province wants a final look at the plan and he expects it will come back for a final reading of the bylaw on August 17.

There was little public reaction to Haller's report. One resident, however, noted her concern about the stalled development of an Irish pub at the corner of King and Edward streets and asked if it would be eligible under the plan.

Mayor Suzanne Dodge said renovations done to the property before the CIP takes effect aren't eligible.

Haller noted, however, that the owners could apply for other elements of the CIP funding for subsequent work.

In a separate interview later, property owner Patricia Lindsay told The Recorder and Times renovations have been temporarily halted while a new plan is developed to satisfy municipal concerns about the building code.

Meanwhile, council members lent the CIP their backing at Monday's meeting.

Councillor Ray Young, who operates a store downtown, said the plan has the potential to be an important catalyst for downtown development.

"It's like our own stimulus package," added Councillor Brett Todd.

Added Dodge: "It's a tremendous idea and it has worked well elsewhere."

She said council has to promote the plan and work with downtown landowners to ensure the funds are utilized this year and in the future.

During an interview later, Dodge said the CIP is a good measure to pursue the vision outlined for Prescott in the official plan.

"It's really the only way we as a council can encourage the store owners to fix up their properties," she said.

Article ID# 1669632