DKA makes pitch for higher business fees

Don Plant 2008-07-30 Kelowna Courier

Downtown property owners will pay for cleaner surroundings, more security and a higher profile if the Downtown Kelowna Association has its way. The business association, which represents 280 property owners, is asking members to spend nearly 60 per cent more to fund its operation over the next five years. An open house at The Grand hotel on Tuesday drew several property owners to learn more about the plan. “Initially, when I read about it, the increase seemed to be very high,” said Shabbir Dhalla, who owns the Royal Anne Hotel. “After hearing the reasons for the increase, I feel a lot more comfortable.” Revenue from a special property tax collected from the property owners is set to rise to $679,000 in 2013 from $428,000 this year. In contrast, the DKA‘s operating levy has risen less than five per cent since 2004, to $428,000 from $411,000. “A $17,000 increase over five years isn‘t enough. That‘s what our members are telling us,” said the association‘s president Tim Brown. “People expect more and better things downtown.” After a flat few years in the mid-2000s, the downtown economy is improving, said DKA executive director John Perrott. Developers are constructing new commercial and residential buildings. Owners are improving building facades. People are moving downtown.

“That‘s attracting new retailers and restaurants to downtown,” Perrott said. “People expect a cleaner, safer downtown. They expect a downtown with more life, more events, more activities … a more diverse mix of restaurants.” Accordingly, the DKA has set out a plan to improve the look and feel of Kelowna‘s central core. Right now, a worker operates a Zamboni-like street-sweeper that scrubs the sidewalks during the summer tourist season. The association wants to buy a pressure washer and vehicle, and hire two full-time workers. The DKA wants to expand its Downtown on Call program, which provides five security staff who walk people to their cars, escort staff making bank drops and remove unwanted people from businesses. The association plans to broaden the Biz Patrol program, which employs young ambassadors to help tourists and remove graffiti. Another goal is to help organize more community family events like the July car show and Mardi Gras. Unless more than half the downtown property owners object to the spending plan, it will be implemented early next year.