The City of Prince George and Downtown Prince George are developing a downtown “placemaking” and marketing strategy, and are looking for the public’s input.
Residents can have their say by filling out an online survey at www.princegeorge.ca/getinvolved until Feb. 7. Survey participants can enter to win a downtown experience package worth $300.
Once complete, the plan will include recommendations on how to make downtown a more desirable location for businesses, residents and visitors.
“Maintaining a stable workforce and attracting people with the right skills has been identified as a major barrier to growth by many residents and businesses,” city manager of economic development Melissa Barcellos said in a press release. “Having a vibrant city core and a high quality of life will help employers to attract and maintain qualified staff. Many people look for the types of lifestyle offerings a city has when choosing where to live and work.”
The city has hired Resonance Consultancy to help develop the strategy at a cost of $65,000. An advisory committee made up of four city representatives and four representatives from Downtown Prince George (including two downtown business representatives) is being consulted throughout the process.
The results of the survey will be reviewed and communicated to survey respondents in March.
“The opportunity to work on this strategy in collaboration with the City of Prince George and its citizens fulfills our vision of supporting and growing the economic vitality and energy of Prince George’s downtown,” Downtown Prince George executive director Colleen Van Mook said in a press release. “Considering the challenges of the last year, this is a great time to rejuvenate our efforts with tangible marketing tools and placemaking concepts that will support and encourage more people to live, work, spend time and open businesses our downtown.”
