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A VISION FORDOWNTOWNVANCOUVER:A LOOK BACK AT ’S WORKSINCE 2010
DVBIA Renewal 2020Since 2010, the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association has done somuch important work. We advocate in a purposeful way for the issues that matter most toour members, support the work of our expert partners in sustainability and liveability,and contribute critical seed funding to festivals and events that take place in our BIA.We also have our own initiatives and programs in areas such as placemaking, communitysafety, and economic development, among others.Our Reimagine Downtown Vancouver consultation process in 2015 showed us how peoplewant Vancouver to look, feel, taste and smell in 2040, and since then we’ve done so muchwork to help further this vision. But there is still work to be done. We need your supportfor our 2020 mandate renewal so that we can continue to make this community one of thebest in the world in which to live, work, play and learn. Here are just a few examples ofwhat the DVBIA has achieved since 2010.What we’ve Advocated for Advocated for GranvilleStreet streetscape re-design.y Npij kgtwProvided a letterof support for newexelectronic videoscreens at 798 Granville Street(Winners/Best Buy).“The projects we support aretransformative to the downtown core.”Pilot late entry program for Granville EntertainmentDistrict establishments postponed indefintitely; reversal ofdecision not to allow patios for liquor primaries in the GED.Our lobbying late fall 2016 and the early part of 2017 resulted infavourable exemptions for Granville Street and the Central BusinessDistrict related to signs on the second storey not having to be turnedoff between 11 pm and 7 am or when the business is closed; and a pilotproject for electronic signs, at street level, for businesses alongGranville Street, and the area bounded by Georgia, Robson, Burrardand Richards.
Late nightSkyTrain serviceon weekends which is currentlybeing explored by TransLink.Advocacy for the transformationof the 800 block Robson Streetinto a people place.Assisted the International JazzFestival with its relocation to theVancouver Art Gallery. Thisinvolved getting the supportof the Mayor and senior Citystaff, plus successfullyadvocating for quick approvals atthe City Large EventOrganizing Committee(CLEOC). Economicbenefits to our membersare in the millions ofdollars.Provided input to the City onhow to assist small businesses;dissuaded the City fromconsidering commercial rentcontrols since this would put ahalt to new developments.2-HOUR T03-HOURThe DVBIAsupported thereplacement ofthe viaducts.PThe change for on-street parking alongSeymour and Richards Street with thesupport of The Vancity Theatre andSupport for the elimination ofThe ScotiaBank Dance Centre.the minimum off-streetparking requirements for newdevelopments and to increasethe number of transportationdemand management toolsFederal Government agrees to pay its available to the City.“Advocacy withpurpose”share of the DVBIA levy for buildings itowns within our district via a Paymentin Lieu Of Taxes (PILT) resulting in areduction for all commercial buildingowners and business tenants within ourdistrict. 213,500,000The amount saved since 2006for downtown commercialbuilding owners and businessowners due to the reallocationof property tax.Input into the City’s regulatoryframework formedical marijuanaretail establishments.Seat on the Block 51Stewardship AdvisoryCommittee that influencesthe direction and stewardshipcomponents of North Squareand 800 Robson.Successfully advocated the City forthe addition of three block faces ofon-street parking for Hastings West.VanPlay external advisorygroup for Vancouver Board ofParks and Recreationadvocating for cleaner andsafer parks and green spacesdowntown
The official unveiling of the newThe square footage of new developmentsnorth plaza of the Vancouver Artto the downtown core since 2010 thatGallery with City of Vancouverofficials after five years of advocacy the DVBIA helped bring through letterswork at the City and provincial levels. of support and speaking at publichearings.Provided content for cityfunded wayfinding signsthroughout downtown.Installed prior to the 2010Olympics.How we keep Downtown Clean and SafeGraffiti abatement project withEmily Carr, WRAP program .Cigarette butt recyclingprogram on Granville;partnerships betweenTerracycle, City ofVancouver, DVBIA.We advocated for newFederal legislationmaking it a criminaloffence to wear adisguise/concealingone’s identity during a protest or riot.Supports the city opening ‘HEAT’homeless shelters during wintermonths, supportive housing andtemporary modular housing.Ambassador & Clean Team1,200 garbage bagsdisposed of.1,378 hours ofmicro-cleaning47,000 memberinteractions1,400 Person, Business,Medical or PoliceAssistance1,600 sharps reportedand disposed of.22,000 parkingpatrolsPSince 2017Since 2014The Ever-Clean Program is a collaboration betweenthe DVBIA and Goodbye Graffiti. The Programconsists of at least four patrols per month, where anygraffiti between the 800-1100 blocks of Granville Streetis immediately removed. On average this agreementmeans that over 100 tags are removed every month.Implementation and sponsorship of VancouverOperation Cooperation, which is a partnershipbetween Law Enforcement, Private SecurityOrganizations and Downtown Businesses.
Our SponsorshipsDVBIA’s 2018 project ,called Summer Movie Nightson the Square, activated thenorth plaza once a weekfor nine weeks this year.Sponsorship of beloveddowntown festivals, like StreetFood City, Jazz Fest, the BMOVancouver Marathon, NewYear’s Eve, and the ship of the Good NightOut Street Team to increasesafety and reduce sexualharassment inthe GranvilleEntertainment District.Founding member of theVancouver New Year’s EveCelebration Society.Bringingpeople to thedowntown core in 2017110KOur PlacemakingPerch program successfullyimplemented across thedowntown core withcurrently 13 perches!Our Community168168 MediaMediahits in the past year alone, with hits T Vfrom top outlets like the Globe and Mail,Daily Hive, Vancouver Sun, Global BC,and more.“CREATINGMEMORIES”Alley-Oop and Ackery’s Alleylaneway projects completed in2016 and 2018, turningunderutilized public spaces intofun, vibrant community places.The DVBIA holds quartlyRoundtable events with keyinfluential guest speakers.The events are free formembers and provideopportunities to discuss toptrends through variousindustries.Input to the West End CommunityPlan, and allocation of CommunityAmenity Contributions to theAlberni Street public realmimprovements, helping to shape theway downtown looks and feels.Letters of SupportHelped to make precedent-settingchanges to the sign varianceapplication process for our memberbusinesses, including Debeers,Prada, Versace, Brunello Cucinelli,WeWork, and Cadillac Fairview.
Our Reimagine Downtown Vancouver consultation process in 2015 showed us how people want Vancouver to look, feel, taste and smell in 2040, and since then we’ve done so much work to help further this vision. But there is still work to be done. We need your support for our 2020 mandate renewal so that we can continue to make this community one of the best in the world in which to live, work .
