Kincardine’s downtown Business Improvement Area has some suggestions for council to consider.
BIA member Jacqueline Faubert says Council must move forward on adopting the Bruce County signage strategy so visitors can be made better aware of what the lakeside downtown area has to offer.
She says with no direct access from the highways — it’s easy for people to think a community with businesses, restaurants, and shops actually exists.
Faubert also wants downtown parking problems to be addressed.
She notes BIA observations show some business owners and employees are keeping their cars parked in spaces longer than the two hour limit.
44 businesses were surveyed on parking.
Cleanliness of the downtown is the BIA’s biggest concern.
Faubert says they think the overall tidiness of the area suffered this summer, with more garbage in the streets, and weeds growing between cracks in pavement.
She’d like council to consider increasing the budget for street cleaning and hiring a summer student to serve as a “cleanliness ambassador” for the downtown.
That position would cost six thousand dollars and the individual would be responsible for ensuring the area was kept attractive and welcoming to visitors.
Faubert says it’s all about perception, ownership, and guardianship, and that everyone want to live in a clean environment.
She says a well-maintained neighbourhood shows people care, that there’s a sense of community, and that people in it are watching out for each another.
Councillor Mike Leggett however doesn’t think the municipality should have to shoulder full responsibility for keeping the downtown area clean.
He says if there’s weeds for examples business owners should take care of them on their own — and they can clean cigarette butts outside restaurants.
Councillor Guy Anderson says downtown upkeep seemed to get away on the municipality this year, and acknowledges it isn’t as good as it could be.
As for hiring a summer “cleanliness ambassador,” Mayor Larry Kraemer isn’t sure that is the best solution.
He’d like to see renewed interest in the Communities in Bloom beautification program, which the municipality once participated in aggressively.
The mayor believes the competitive spirit encouraged business owners and residents to keep properties looking as good as possible.
Kraemer also suggests hiring a full-time horticulturalist to be in charge of public gardens.
As for the signage program, Kraemer says it will likely be adopted soon.
The issue had been sent back to a committee for further discussion amid concerns the signs for the former Bruce Township would have been removed.