Community Improvement Plans: Creating walkable and liveable communities that support local business

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1 Community Improvement Plans: Creating walkable and liveable communities that support local business Kate Hall Program Manager ~ WALK Friendly Ontario Canada Walks, Green Communities Canada khall@greencommunitiescanada.org

2 This presentation will: Introduce Community Improvement Plans what they are and how they work Provide an overview of the relationship between CI planning and vibrant walkable business districts Provide a few examples of CIPs from Municipalities that have been awarded a WALK Friendly Community designation Provide an opportunity for conference participants to share their experiences in relation to CIPs and walk friendly communities

3 CIPs focus on maintenance, rehabilitation, development and redevelopment Municipal councils must adopt official plan (OP) policies and a by-law to designate a community improvement project area OP policies must specify municipal programs and incentives and their eligible works, improvements, buildings or facilities

4 Municipalities can make grants or loans within CIP project areas to help pay for certain costs, and can establish Tax- Increment-Equivalent Financing programs Allows for the registration of grant and loan agreements on title

5 Can enable municipalities to provide grants and loans to stimulate private sector investment in targeted areas of the community Can promote revitalization and placemaking to attract tourism, business investment and economic development opportunities May promote brownfield cleanup and redevelopment May make more effective use of existing community infrastructure

6 For example, Municipally-driven programs can enhance the public realm and parks, and include signage, as well as streetcape and landscaping improvements.

7 Incentive-based programs that offer opportunities for grants, loans and property tax assistance can achieve objectives around revitalization efforts in the downtown core, building façade improvements and accessibility enhancements.

8 How do these community improvements contribute to a vibrant walking environment that supports local business?

9 Walkability = the human-scale land use and design elements that attract walkers. Mixed Use Connectivity Density Walkable Community Aesthetics & Amenities Safety

10 High and medium densities with a mix of uses and access to shops & services.

11 Design elements, by-laws and enforcement practices that protect pedestrians our most vulnerable road users.

12 A connected network of walking infrastructure that is well maintained, well lit and well signed.

13 Amenities like seating & washrooms.

14 Aesthetics public art, water features, gardens & shade.

15 No matter whether you are a: Mayor/member of Council Business owner Developer Realtor Citizen Walk friendly communities are good for business and good for local economies.

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18 > $1000 $500-$999 $100-$499 $25-$99 Car Public Transit Bike Walk < $25 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Toronto Clean Air Partnership; Bloor Annex neighbourhood, Toronto 2009.

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20 Barrie, Ontario BIA Patio Program

21 Property values There is a significant market advantage to walkability and a pent-up demand for commercial and residential properties that are located in walk friendly communities.

22 Walk Score is an online tool that assigns a score to locations based on the distance from one point, e.g. your home, to amenities like shops, restaurants, etc.

23 A 10-point increase in Walk Score increases commercial property values by 5% 8% Average annual office rent in WalkUPs is $37 per square foot, compared to $21 for drivable sub-urban office rents.

24 Downtown population growth more than tripled in from previous census periods, outpacing growth in four surrounding suburban regions for the first time since the early 1970s. TD Economics, Toronto A Return to the Core

25 Pedestrian and transit-oriented environments attract creative jobs. Younger workers want to live within walking distance of work, restaurants, and shopping; they re looking for more social interaction.

26 Fewer young people want cars. In 1995 people age 21 to 30 drove 21% of all miles driven in the U.S.; in 2009 it was 14%. Living car-free in walkable areas fits younger lifestyles. Advertising Age, 2010

27 The biggest reason by far is the ability to find young talent and to retain employees it s related to the fact people aren t happy with the long commute. Young professionals want to live downtown because it s an exciting and vibrant place. David Gerofsky, President First Gulf Development Corporation

28 we decided to become part of a vibrant and up-andcoming downtown area. We wanted to be as near to as much public transportation as we could President John Guarino

29 Retail vitality would be best served by traffic restraint, public transport improvements, and a range of measures to improve the walking and cycling environment.

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31 Locally owned businesses thrive in densely-built, walkable communities... American Independent Business Alliance, 2003

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33 Walkable retail areas with unique visual, cultural, social and environmental qualities provide competitive advantage. Their place-making dividend attracts people to visit often, stay longer and spend more money. Urban Land Institute, 2010

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36 WFC is a recognition program from Green Communities Canada that encourages municipalities to create and improve the conditions for walking by awarding bronze, silver, gold, or platinum designations.

37 Silver: City of Kitchener City of Ottawa City of Hamilton City of Mississauga Bronze: Town of Smiths Falls City of London Town of Richmond Hills Town of Wasaga Beach Town of Pelham Town of Minto

38 Population: 8,334 Land Area: 301 km 2 Density: 28 p/km 2 Context: 95% rural, 5% urban

39 Incentive programs include: Façade Improvement Loan and Grant Program Signage Improvement Loan and Grant Program Property Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Program

40 Population: 16,598 Land Area: 126 km 2 Density: 131 p/km 2 Context: 65% rural, 35% urban

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42 Incentive programs include: Commercial Building Facade Improvement Grant Program Revitalization Grant Program Public Art Grant Program

43 The Urban Design and Public Realm Plan in Pelham s CIP includes recommendations for improvements to the streetscape.

44 Recognizing the importance of walkability on local economic development, it also includes recommendations for pedestrian connections.

45 Population: 519,949 Land Area: 1, km 2 Density: 465 p/km 2 Context: 65% rural, 35% urban

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47 Incentive programs include: Business Improvement Area Commercial Property Improvement Grant Program Commercial Façade Property Improvement Grant Program Hamilton Heritage Conservation Grant Program

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51 1. Has your BIA accessed incentive programs through your Municipality s CIP? 2. Has CIP improved walkability in your BIA? 3. Have you observed more people walking in your BIA after CIP initiatives were completed?

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