PUBLIC – Minutes of the Gatineau City Council committee of the whole meeting held in the committee room of the Maison du citoyen, 25 Laurier Street, Gatineau, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 9 a.m., at which were present

Downtown Work Plan 2024

1. Current situation report;
2. Opportunities and challenges;
3. Desired outcome;
4. Timeline / Work plan.

RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the downtown work plan, which provides for municipal actions in 2024 supporting the revitalization reflex and prioritization of actions in the downtown area, and mandate the administration to propose, as part of the 2025 budget study: priority actions favoring economic diversification, indicators, investments, and governance.

A question and comment period took place. Mayor Daniel Champagne questioned the 78% figure for government buildings presented in the downtown area. It was mentioned that this statistic refers to the classification and use of a governmental nature, and not necessarily buildings owned by the federal government. Councillor Olive Kamanyana expressed surprise at the title of the presentation, "2024 Integrated Downtown Action Plan," when what was presented was a work plan. She asked for the difference between the two. Mr. Leclerc explained the distinction, noting that the work plan is what was presented today, while the integrated plan will be presented during the budget study. Ms. Kamanyana asked about the difference between the two amounts presented. She also noted that the teams presented a governance model and proposals for new structures. There is a proposal for a commercial development corporation, and she wondered how all these bodies integrate with one another. Finally, she wished to know how it would be possible to evaluate and measure the initiatives.

Regarding the $7M, these are essentially grants assumed by the City. Regarding the $69M, these are investments in municipal infrastructure. As for the governance question, the working committee will be ad hoc to work on prioritization and will not be permanent. The City's finding is that we are not using the right vehicle to "lead" downtown development and we must be well-equipped. We must develop an "organizational downtown" reflex. The administration wishes to obtain clear alignment from the municipal council to be able to properly meet the council's needs and meet the standards of the 4th largest city in Quebec. We have commercial arteries and commercial hubs elsewhere in the city that must be considered. Currently, no one is handling the issue of vacant office buildings in the downtown area. We need a team dedicated to downtown development. As for measures, the business assistance program that could be put in place was mentioned.

Councillor Steve Moran mentioned that the Office has built the foundation to move forward with a team dedicated to the downtown area. He insisted on the fact that we are pivoting toward a living environment and the creation of housing. This will also encourage the installation of new local businesses to serve the downtown population. Finally, he insisted on the importance of leveraging the contribution of the UQO institution and implementing the consultation for the site Guertin.

Councillor Louis Sabourin questioned the conversion of federal buildings in the downtown area and the fact that this subject returns to the table cyclically. At the time, he felt a bit "alone" in discussing it. He was surprised to hear that such a proposal was difficult to achieve. He reiterated the importance of dealing with the buildings and taking action. Representations must be made to the federal government, but he questioned what can be done immediately by the City. Mr. Simon Rousseau added that the City has regular exchanges with the federal government regarding these buildings. The City expected to obtain a list of available buildings for the next 10 years. When the city has obtained this list, it will be easier to work on these opportunities. Mr. Sabourin emphasized the importance of political leadership in this file.

Councillor Marc Bureau represents 250-300 merchants in the downtown area. He does not find it clear in the action plan that there are measures in his district. He wishes to know if a reflection is being done to this effect. Mr. David Leclerc mentioned that this is part of the reflections regarding project prioritization. As for the PPU (Special Planning Program), there is a reflection on the area covered by the PPU and discussions will be initiated with the population, notably regarding boulevard Saint-Joseph.

Mayor Daniel Champagne declared that he believes in the downtown area and its development. We must be active and more energetic in this file. There are essential hubs elsewhere in the City; these hubs must complement downtown development. We must stop placing development hubs in opposition to the downtown area. Federal buildings need a conversion plan; beyond political commitment, we need resources and to equip the General Management. He finds the principle of a social and cultural destination for the downtown area very interesting. A downtown is an atmosphere, a place where one wants to be. He raised that we must identify the person responsible for this file who will ensure leadership for the downtown area.

Councillor Gilles Chagnon questioned the City's commitment and what will happen with the "other" downtowns in the territory.

Mr. Rousseau mentioned that there is no formal resolution on the presentation, but the point is to allow the team to get to work. If we wish to move to another level, the team will take the necessary steps to propose an alternative that meets the demands of the municipal council.

Councillor Mike Duggan indicated that the Hull sector presents several advantages to be considered as a downtown. We hope it becomes more of a destination and not just a place of passage. He asked if the PPU could address the diversification of the sector. Ms. Bellemare highlighted that in programming planning, a special effort is made to target all types of clientele. For flexibilities, we wish to offer more specific support to merchants. She added that economic impact studies will be carried out for certain programs. Mr. Leclerc mentioned that data is also needed to be able to define the right mix in the downtown area and meet missing needs.

Councillor Jean Lessard believes that downtown development should go through ID Gatineau and that we should go further in this file. He is also of the opinion that we must prioritize the downtown area through this organization. Then, he highlighted that there is a confusion of roles for everyone. Ms. Bellemare returned to the commercial development strategy and the fact that ID Gatineau does not do commercial development, but rather supports commercial associations.

Councillor Anik Des Marais noted the consensus on the location of the downtown area and that we must shift into high gear, especially for federal buildings that are empty. We must act quickly in this file. She agrees that there are other economic development hubs; however, we must send the message that we must prioritize the downtown area. She is ready to put the focus and necessary resources to make the shift that will bring us significant revenue. She also highlighted that we must not abandon boulevard Saint-Joseph in this exercise.

Ms. Bellemare returned to the conversion of federal buildings. We must see the private sector's interest in this development. She added that she likes the complementary role of the downtown area. Prioritizing the downtown area should not have an impact on the assistance programs of the City's other hubs. We also wish to increase partnerships with the musée de l'Histoire, notably within the framework of the Sentier culturel.

Councillor Denis Girouard mentioned that we talk a lot about development, but he highlighted that it is not complete. He sees several possible corridors in this file. The city is in the process of acquiring an identity and this is a start for something else. He believes that this will create something concrete that will benefit other development hubs. He welcomed the work done so far in this file.

Councillor Steven Boivin understands the ephemeral and temporary actions of the downtown area. Today, we must see the ins and outs for the downtown area. First of all, he is still waiting for information for the downtown area, notably the MEI grants. He understands the difference between rue Principale in Aylmer and the Hull downtown; it has the potential that other "downtowns" do not have. The downtown area is important, but we must not forget the other sectors. We have an annual plan from the Bureau du centre-ville and we could have this same exercise for the other development hubs in the other sectors of the City. He cannot move forward without knowing what will be done for the other sectors. We must seize the opportunities of the PPU Aylmer to benefit the other sectors. Ms. Bellemare mentioned that this was one of the mandates of the BREM for each of the sectors.

Councillor Olive Kamanyana understands that we want an integrated plan for the downtown area, but we are also studying the commercial development support framework and the PPUs in the other sectors. The integrated action plan should take into account all these tools. We need a vision for the downtown area that demonstrates that its development links with the other arteries that exist elsewhere. The downtown area must be a core that allows for the diversification of the other sectors. She also highlighted the importance of putting in place measurable targets.

Mr. David Leclerc mentioned that the administration is aware of the challenge of having structuring and measured actions that will allow for convincing results. In parallel, the administration will present, during budget discussions, what is being done in the other sectors.

Councillor Steve Moran specified that what is requested is strong municipal leadership. The complementarity of our other urban centers is important and the development of the downtown area will be able to help the latter. The specificities of the downtown area must not harm the other particularities of the other development hubs.

Councillor Edmond Leclerc needs more proof that the development of the Hull downtown will have a positive effect on the other hubs located on the territory. He mentioned that the work plan for the downtown area is good; however, he needs more information as to whether other projects can be worked on in parallel. We must also meet the crying needs of the other sectors by taking into account the morphology of the City. These recommendations will return to the municipal council meeting in May for adoption.