Lyonel Doherty

Times-Chronicle

Not everyone on Oliver town council believes that the Business Facade Improvement program will revitalize the downtown core.

That was evident during a debate on October 12.

The program guidelines have been amended to target businesses with a storefront on Main Street. The program, funded through business licence fees, provides a 50 per cent reimbursement grant up to a maximum of $2,000 per building owner to renovate, restore or redesign their storefronts.

The minimum cost to qualify is $500.

Councillor Aimee Grice said she believes the program is a good investment to enhance Main Street with more aesthetic façades.

Fellow Coun. Petra Veintimilla agreed, saying any incentive the Town can provide business owners shows that council cares about Main Street revitalization.

However, Mayor Martin Johansen said he is struggling to see the merits of the program. While he thinks revitalization is very important, it should be driven by the economy, not by aesthetics.

“I don’t agree that just fixing a few façades is really going to make a whole lot of difference as far as revitalization goes on Main Street. I don’t think it’s going to increase foot traffic, I don’t think it’s going to increase profits for the businesses that are there.”

Johansen said sprucing up façades is going to look nice as people drive through town, but when they’ve seen it, they will simply move on.

The mayor said what Oliver needs is foot traffic – a reason for people to stop here. “I just do not agree that fixing a few storefronts and a little bit of paint will do anything significant for revitalization.”

Councillor Dave Mattes, as a business owner on Main Street, said he views the incentive program as a subsidy, which the Town is not allowed to provide.

“We are subsidizing select business owners by paying for their improvements; I don’t think it’s the right move.”

Mattes said he favours improving the downtown core, but he doesn’t think local taxpayers should be footing the bill.

Fellow Coun. Larry Schwartzenberger said he doesn’t view it as a subsidy because it’s open to everyone.

“Other municipalities have done that and haven’t run into any problems.”

Schwartzenberger said it’s the small incremental details that make the downtown more interesting, such as the freshly painted fire hydrants.

Veintimilla agreed.

“I don’t think anybody is under the illusion that a couple of painted buildings or new stone will totally change the face of Main Street, but it all helps.”

Council will revisit the matter during 2022 budget deliberations.