MINUTES – PUBLIC – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – 3rd meeting — June 13, 2024 - 12:30 p.m. to 1:13 p.m.

Economic diversification of the downtown area

The document Priorités d’action pour la diversification économique du centre-ville de Gatineau was sent to members before the meeting. The goal of the presentation is to inform them and discuss short- and medium-term action priorities regarding the economic diversification of the downtown area. In February 2024, the Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais (ODO) presented the main results of a study conducted on the attractiveness and economic diversification of the downtown area to the members of the Table de concertation du centre-ville. Six areas of intervention were identified, grouping about sixty potential actions. Based on these, a working committee was mandated to select and propose the most promising actions in the short, medium, and long term. Eighteen actions were prioritized and grouped according to the following themes: entrepreneurship (8); projects and equipment (5); support and promotion (5).

All actions converge toward the following objectives: being better in the short term and improving support; focusing energy on structuring strategies in the medium and long term that will have a 'domino' effect; improving roles and responsibilities within the City and facilitating project completion; and relying on the collaboration and commitment of partners. Some prioritized actions are highlighted, including: the desire to continue a financial assistance program for downtown businesses in collaboration with ID Gatineau (a new version of the revitalization program for businesses wishing to set up or restore their commercial premises (facade or leasehold improvements, etc.)); encouraging and facilitating temporary occupancy ('pop-up') projects and using these as pilot projects for other sectors of the City; the creation of a Business Development Corporation (Société de développement commercial or SDC) by the organization Vision centre-ville in which the City is collaborating; the Centre d’innovation de Gatineau project in cybersecurity; the clarification of the global action plan for the downtown area by gathering all action plans related to the downtown area into a single administrative document; the development of a brand image, a pitch, and a visual showcasing the assets of the downtown area, versions of which could be used on commercial arteries in other sectors of the City; maintaining dialogue with the federal government to promote the consideration of needs in projects reserved for office spaces; pursuing concerted actions with the City of Ottawa to find solutions to common or similar issues; and stimulating the attractiveness of the downtown area by focusing in particular on the development of tourism and events.

Regarding the next steps, an evaluation of human, financial, and material resources is underway for the implementation of the actions. Some elements can be handled by current services; leads must be identified for missing resources. The wish is to submit a financial framework including indicators, required investments, and project governance during the 2025 budget process.

The presentation prompted the following comments, questions, or clarifications:

• A request was made to clarify if all actions were planned, if some are underway in 2024, and which ones present more challenges for their implementation. It was clarified that this is a global presentation of prioritized actions. Some actions are indeed underway (SDC, temporary occupancy, etc.) and they do not present funding issues. Other actions will require investments (for example, the establishment of a fund). An evaluation is underway regarding potential funding sources for these. Timelines will have to be established for each of the actions since they are not all at the same stage of progress. Some will have to be the subject of a municipal council resolution, such as the renewal of the revitalization program. The capacity to carry out the actions was taken into consideration in the prioritization exercise conducted by the working committee.
• A question was asked about the issue of facilitating the occupancy of premises. Is the approach purely economic or does it propose a change regarding the use of certain places? Given the current vacancy rate, it was indicated that for the moment, it is a matter of occupying vacant premises without changing their purpose. However, if opportunities arose, they could be examined. The Service de l’urbanisme et du développement durable (SUDD) is also concerned by this issue.
• It is important to ask whether it will be possible to occupy buildings in the same way as before. Residential occupancy must go hand in hand with commercial occupancy. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for many businesses to establish themselves downtown. This element should be documented with existing businesses. A resource dedicated to this project is planned in order to propose solutions to the identified needs. Other elements of response will come during the revision process of the Programme particulier d’urbanisme (PPU) for the downtown area.
• It is necessary to quickly create the necessary dynamism to prevent an exodus of businesses already established downtown. Although it is important to promote the creation of synergies for emerging sectors, it is necessary to do something for these businesses. Furthermore, to what extent are the stakeholders of the Regional Museum project, which wishes to settle downtown, consulted? It was recalled that the goal of the process is not to document structuring projects. It is undeniable that the Regional Museum is one of them, just like the Convention Centre or the future hospital. Even if these projects do not fall directly under the City, they are part of the elements of reflection. A continuum of personalized support offered to existing businesses downtown is also part of the planned actions. A communication mechanism will have to allow for the announcement of support methods as well as knowing where to go to obtain services.
• It is necessary to distinguish support for businesses to revitalize the downtown area from support for businesses to serve the Gatineau market. The success of the actions will come with the commitment of the community. It must be recognized that different projects are at different stages of development. Of the eighteen proposed actions, it is difficult to know what is short, medium, or long term and at what point as a business it will be possible to position oneself there. It would be important to share the timeline with the community. It was indicated that the 'communication' aspect will be very important. The City must be at the forefront of what is being done.
• The densification of the downtown area is directly linked to economic activity. Where does a reflection on the densification of the downtown area fit in? Are the Comité consultatif en urbanisme (CCU) or the Commission du développement du territoire et de l’habitation (CDTH) consulted? It was mentioned that the CDTH was consulted. The process surrounding the revision of the downtown PPU will allow for reflections on this subject. An increase in the student presence downtown is also targeted. Discussions have taken place with public and private educational institutions. All these elements are part of the framework of reflection.
• The City also has a role to play in favor of the downtown area; it must think about establishing its central infrastructure there. It is necessary to develop the 'downtown reflex' within the municipality itself.
• The action plan must be synchronized with the urban plan and vice versa.