The Red Deer Downtown Business Association will hold its Annual Meeting next week.  Business Revitalization Zone ratepayers and those interested in the Downtown are invited to attend.

The meeting will be held at Monsieur Wong’s (5004 48 Street) on Wednesday, November 26th beginning at 6:00pm.  Those in attendance will have an opportunity to network, learn about the activities of the association and meet the newly elected members to the Board of Directors.

The event will include a presentation by the lead consultants of the Greater Downtown Action Plan update, Lorne Daniel of Grandview Consulting and John Hull of John Hull Architects.

A crew and truck have just begun the installation of new banners downtown.   The new banners reflect the variety of things to see and do downtown and will add a splash of colour to the streetscape.

Working in partnership, the Downtown Business Association and The City of Red Deer have introduced a number of projects to help beautify downtown.  Over the past two summers, new street furniture, including planters that have been adopted by downtown businesses, new street sign blades, wrapping of parking meter poles, the sidewalk patio program, Scenes on a Box (the wrapping of utility boxes with historic photos) as well as initiatives to address graffiti - mural projects and the Graffiti Hotline have been introduced to make downtown more attractive.  Now more than 300 banners will be installed along Ross and 49th Street, Gaetz and 49th Avenues and at the gateways to downtown.

"Much has been done recently to beautify downtown; these colourful, vibrant banners are like the icing on the cake," says Laura Turner, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association.  This project is another example of the many great things that result from the close working relationship we have with The City, she added.

In 2003, the Downtown Business Association first installed banners along Ross Street and 49th Avenue and another 50 on the North and South thoroughfares as part of the Experience Downtown branding campaign.

The Downtown Business Association has been actively involved in the process to update the Greater Downtown Action Plan.   Board members Al Gamble and Duane Smethurst along with Executive Director, Laura Turner, are members of the Steering Committee that guides the work of the consulting team.

The community has shown a strong interest throughout the process.  Hundreds of people have attended public forums and took the opportunity to provide input and feedback.  The updated vision and action plan will guide future development within the greater downtown.  The final report is expected to go to Council early in the new year.

The plan recommends that downtown remain the focal area for offices, commercial and public buildings.  Neighbouring districts - Railyards and Riverlands - are seen as mixed use areas with medium to high density residential and a diverse riverfront with visitor and convention facilities and attractions.  Each district would have a distinct and complementary character.

It's not looking a lot like Christmas just yet, but businesses and community groups that want to be part of the 2008 Santa Claus Parade on November 18 should apply now.

After a year’s absence the Santa Claus Parade is coming back to Red Deer as part of the Biggest Tree Festival.  “We’re excited to have the Santa Claus Parade kick off the evening’s festivities,” said Charles Strachey, Biggest Tree Festival Chair.  “The parade has become a tradition in our community, and we think it is a great addition to the Biggest Tree Festival.”

The Parade will start at 5:30 pm from the Downtown Co-op and travel down Ross Street. Anyone who is interested in participating in the parade should visit www.reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca for a comprehensive registration package.

For more information, please visit the Red Deer Festival of Trees Web site or call Lindsey at 403.304.4761.

The Downtown Business Association seeks members who are willing to make the commitment to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for a three-year term January 2009 through December 2011.  There is one position with a one-year term.

Role of Directors
Supported by staff, the Board is responsible to set policy, review progress and provide direction for the association.  Directors are expected to participate in monthly board meetings, the Annual General Meeting, as well as other events and committee responsibilities as required.

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the 2007 Annual Report and 2008 Strategic Plan.  (See links under About Us).

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS - October 27
Nominations can be made by returning a brief (50 to 100 word) outline, consisting of nominee's name, business, position and reason for seeking election to:
Nominating Committee
Red Deer Downtown Business Association
111A, 4818 50 (Gaetz) Avenue
Red Deer, AB T4N 4A3
Fax 403.340.8699
Email info@downtownreddeer.com

Candidates must be Downtown Business Association members who pay the Business Revitalization Zone levy.  Nominations must be received not later than 5pm, October 27, 2008.

Red Deer’s fourth annual Earth Dance will be held on Saturday, September 13.

The annual celebration will again join with people in communities around the globe to work toward a future of hope and peace.  We are please to invite the community to downtown Red Deer to celebrate peace, people, and the planet.

At twenty-three downtown locations, Earth Dance happenings range from demos, displays and merchandise specials to interactive art making, film and open-mike music events.

The attached list features the many exciting opportunities for people of all ages.

Earth Dance details at http://earthdancereddeer.googlepages.com

The Downtown Business Association in partnership with Steve Woolrich, Director of SeCure Consulting Solutions Inc. is gearing up to complete two Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) audits of two downtown community blocks.  This pilot project is intended to assist business owners and operators reduce opportunity for crime and nuisances through basic design principles.

Donating his time and expertise, Mr. Woolrich will be interacting with business owners and operators in the downtown area during the next few weeks, specifically looking at symptoms of misuse such as graffiti and other forms of vandalism.  Steve will also be analyzing pedestrian activity and lighting as they relate to crime prevention.

CPTED is a means to apply a proactive, common-sense approach to deter crime and nuisances.

Natalie Turner, Graffiti Program Coordinator says the pilot project “is an investment in our downtown, which is all part of an effort to preserve our downtown community by facilitating positive change”.

There is no cost to downtown businesses for these audits.  This project supplements the CPTED Incentive Fund project introduced this spring. For more information about the program that provides matching monies to business and property-owners, visit the Opportunities page at www.downtownreddeer.com.

Once again downtown – the four blocks where Ross and Gaetz intersect – will be the site of CentreFest 2008, Red Deer’s annual street performers festival.

If wonder, magic, crowds, tasty treats, intriguing vendors, childrens’ activities and art and artists are your thing, you’ll find it all at CentreFest.

It’s a show without walls, like no other.  CentreFest takes place July 26th and 27th.  The festival runs from 11am to 8pm on Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.  Mark your calendar and join us on Wednesday, July 23rd at noon in City Hall Park for a sneak preview of the festival performers.

Now, in it’s seventh year, CentreFest has grown to become Red Deer’s largest festival and a one-of-a-kind celebration in Central Alberta.  More than 15,000 people attended the festival last year to enjoy the unique and diverse entertainment of international street performers.

In addition to buskers, festival-goers can enjoy the offerings of street vendors and food and beverage vendors.   Interested vendors have until July 1st to submit their application. See the CentreFest website at www.centrefest.ca for the Vendor Application and Information and for details about CentreFest 2008.
 

The Downtown Business Association is pleased to announce that Janice Shimek has joined the DBA as Promotions Director.  Janice brings several years experience in marketing, member relations and event management to the organization.

"We're thrilled to have Janice join us and to have created a new position that is a better fit for our members and the organization," says Laura Turner Executive Director.
 

New Offices at the Scott Block

Effective June 1st, the Downtown Business Association offices will be located in the Scott Block at 111A, 4818 50 (Gaetz) Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4N 4A3.