Downtown Enhancement Committee

The City of Yellowknife Downtown Plan was approved by Council on July 22, 2002.  The Plan outlines policies and actions to enhance the Citys downtown area over the next 10 to 15 years.  One of the key actions outlined in the Downtown Plan was the creation of a committee of Council to recommend to Council ways to implement the Downtown Plan.  For more further information, you can also consult the Downtown Plan Background Report, September 2002.

To initiate this action, the Terms of Reference for a Downtown Enhancement Committee were prepared, outlining its purpose and composition.  The general purpose of the Downtown Enhancement Committee was to make recommendations to Council on the implementation, promotion, and monitoring of the Downtown Plan.  The Committee was composed of representatives from specific interest groups, the public at large, one Council Member, and the Mayor.

As part of the 2002 Budget process, Council created the Downtown Improvement Reserve.  This reserve was created to provide financial support to implement the actions outlined in the Downtown Plan.  Funds were directed to the Downtown Improvement Reserve through the reallocation of 25% of downtown parking meter revenue.  Funds have been directed into this reserve since June 1, 2002.  It is estimated that approximately $70,000 annually will be directed to the Downtown Improvement Reserve.

For 2010, City Council approved a budget of $78,000 to fund a number of initiatives outlined in the Downtown Plan.  Funding was approved for the following items:

1. Facade Improvement Program - $45,000;
2. Mural Program - $15,000;
3. Downtown Streetscaping - $16,000; and
4. Downtown Enhancement Committee Operations - $2,000.

Litter Free Yellowknife Subcomittee
 
The Smart Growth Implementation Committee was established by Council in October 2010.  This Committee assumed the responsibilities of the Downtown Enhancement Committee.