More than half the property owners in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter are on board with paying levies to a new business improvement association, according to a relieved Eric McLean, Old City Quarter Association president.
“It’s great,” he said, adding it’s a “big relief” because with the petition process people have to take action and vote. “It’s like any vote, the danger is apathy or complacency.”
Last month, Nanaimo city council agreed to have staff members work with the Old City Quarter Association toward an Old City Quarter BIA, which would be in place for five years beginning in 2017. The boundaries of the BIA would mimic what was previously in place for the Old City Quarter and the improvement area would be administered by the association. No matching grant, however, will come from the City of Nanaimo.
In order for the BIA to be established, at least 50 per cent of parcels in area, representing half the assessed value of land and improvements, had to sign a petition in favor of a local area service tax. Fifty-five per cent signed by last Friday’s deadline.
Nanaimo city council voted Monday to adopt a bylaw to create an Old City Quarter business improvement area. McLean said his association will get together to figure out when to begin funding and how best to serve those in the new area.
Like the DNBIA, which has been dissolved, the association would have responsibilities like improving, beautifying or maintaining streets and sidewalks, conserving heritage properties and encouraging business, a city report shows.