DOWNTOWN VANCOUVERT H E D O W N T O W N V A N C O U V E R B U S I N E S S I M P R O V E M E N T A S S O C I A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R | S P R I N G 2 0 1 9

S AV E T H E D AT E ! A G M J U N E 1 8 ( PA G E 3 ) | S TAT E O F D O W N T O W N R E P O R T | Y E A R - E N D H I G H L I G H T S

MissionConnection

DVBIA 10-Year Mandate

Renewal

That new office space will bring with it an influx of 20,000 new employees–and with them, an unprecedented opportunity to real-ize the culturally-dynamic, people-focused future collectively imagined by thousands of dreamers through the Re-Imagine Down-town Vancouver visioning process that the

DVBIA completed in late 2015. Through Re-Imagine, which had feed-back from over 11,000 people, and a recent member engagement survey that solicited feedback directly from the DVBIA’s member base, the DVBIA has learned that business owners, employees, and residents want

a more progressive, community-oriented downtown. It is through these listening exercises that the DVBIA has decided to focus the next decade of programs and activations on the three pillars of place-making, festivals and events, and clean and safe initiatives. Continued on page 2…

With three million square feet of new office space coming online in the DVBIA district over the next four years, the timing couldn’t be better to embark on the DVBIA’s mandate renewal.

IMPORTANT

NOTICE FROM THE CITY OF VANCOUVER:

See page 3 for information about the Business Improvement Association’s (BIA) proposed renewal, which, if approved,

would continue to assess a BIA levy for a

future term.

2 downtown vancouver

Continued from the cover…

These three pillars represent the core values of our downtown community, but they also have a considerable impact on the health and prosperity–and the bottom-line–of any downtown. Placemaking initiatives, large festivals, and smaller community events have a very real return-on-investment when it comes to attracting people to visit and spend time in the downtown core. The same can be said for maintaining the cleanliness and safety of a downtown; these basic foundational elements make a significant impact on visitations and tourism spending. Through a progressive approach to placemaking–think interactive alleyways and free outdoor concerts–the DVBIA has already embarked on a path to make downtown a place everyone wants to be. “We’ve been listening closely to how mem-bers want downtown to grow and evolve in a way that puts people first,” says Charles Gauthier, President & CEO of the DVBIA. “They want us to make public spaces more vibrant, exciting and engaging, and we’re answering that call. The Re-Imagine process showed us how people want downtown to look, feel, taste and even smell. We’ve done so much to further that vision, but there’s much more work to be done.” Once the current DVBIA mandate expires on March 31, 2020, the new term will run

from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2030, if approved by DVBIA members and Vancouver City Council. Members can have their say at the upcoming June 18th AGM, where they’ll vote on renewing the DVBIA’s mandate for another ten years, the first-year budget, and the maximum amount of money the association can receive through the levy over the next decade of operation.

In keeping with member feedback, the DVBIA has mapped out how it plans to allocate those strategic investments. Placemaking, which is a clear priority, will see a six-fold increase in funding, and will see additional projects come on stream, including ten new laneway transformations throughout the ten-year mandate. Sponsor-ship funding of festivals and events will be tripled, allowing for more large-scale events to stay viable and grow their footprint, and the Downtown Safety Ambassadors and Clean Team budget will increase by 1 ½ times, which will go directly towards adding

more staff members to patrol the streets and keep them clean and safe. The DVBIA will also continue its advocacy and partnership efforts in the important areas of homelessness, increasing and diversifying the supply of housing in the city, childcare and transportation. Increases to program budgets will be implemented in a phased approach, over a five-year period, to coincide closely with

the influx of new office inventory that will contribute its share to the total levy. As a result, the levy paid currently by all businesses in the DVBIA’s 90-block district is expected to increase by only a few cents per square foot from the exist-

ing median of 8 cents per square foot. In the vast majority of leases for downtown busi-nesses, the current levy is less than 1% of the total rent and operating costs combined, and will continue to be so going forward. “With so many new workers coming down-town, now is the time to invest in our future, in the key services and amenities that make us a world-class city,” says Gauthier. “We’re being both practical and strategic, so these boosts to priority programs won’t have a significant financial impact on our valued members. We’re stepping up our services to meet a growing need, and we’ve

DOWNTOWN 2030: VIBRANT, EXCITING, ENGAGINGDVBIA seeks a 10-year mandate renewal from the City of Vancouver

“This is our boldest plan. It has strong support because of the significant investment we’re planning in the three pillars of placemaking, festivals and events, and clean and safe initiatives. We’ve never had an opportunity like this, where we’ll be experiencing unprecedented growth in job space, new businesses and employees in our BIA district. The timing is perfect for us to move forward.”

– Charles Gauthier

The placemaking initiatives, especially the laneway projects, have made

downtown more vibrant and welcoming.– Member

PH

OTO

BY

KE

N O

HR

N

downtown vancouver 3 downtown vancouver 3

got a clear plan to implement those changes–sustainably, over the long term.” The DVBIA has undertaken extensive consultation to engage members about the renewal process, including 14 engagement sessions in the fall of 2018. That feedback, along with key takeaways from Re-Imagine, was incorporated into the renewal proposal that was favourably received by the Board of Dir-ectors. The association has leveraged all of its communi-cations channels–e-newsletter,

Twitter, LinkedIn, and good-old-fashioned email–to gauge members’ level of support for the renewal process. Out of a scale of five, member support netted out at a positive 4.66. The unprecedented increase in job space coming online next year through to 2024 will provide a ripple effect that will boost the vitality of downtown, provide options for companies who are currently squeezed for space, and give the DVBIA an even bigger role to play in making downtown a sought-after neighbourhood to

both live and work. “This is our boldest plan,” adds Gauthier. “It has strong support because of the significant investment we’re planning in the three pillars of placemaking, festivals and events, and clean and safe initiatives. We’ve never had an opportunity like this, where we’ll be experiencing unprecedented growth in job space, new businesses and employees in our BIA district. The timing is perfect for us to move forward.”

Planning, Urban Design & SustainabilityCity-wide and Regional Planning

BIA Program

VanRIMS No.: 11-2000-14May 9, 2019

Property Owner or Business Tenant

Dear Sir/Madame:

RE: Renewal of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Area (BIA)

You are receiving this letter because you are an owner or business tenant in the Downtown Vancouver BIA, which is now commencing the process to renew their mandate and funding.

The BIA movement in the City of Vancouver has a very long history starting with the first associations being formed in Gastown and Mt. Pleasant in 1989. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution that your BIA and the many other BIAs located across Vancouver have made to the continued success and sustainability of our City and its business districts.

The BIA board will be coming to you, the stakeholders, for approval to renew the BIA mandate, including continuance of an annual BIA levy collected by the City and granted back to the BIA. The levy–calculated on the basis of property value - appears on the tax bill of each commercial property owner. For business tenants, the levy is generally included in your lease payments. This levy, currently representing approximately 1.25% of the property taxes, generates the funds needed to deliver promotional, enhancement and other activities undertaken by the Downtown Vancouver BIA. The funds are managed by the Board of Directors made up of elected business and property owners within your BIA.

I encourage you to involve yourself in the process of renewal. You can do this by reading the enclosed materials about the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and BIA renewal, and by attending the Downtown Vancouver BIA AGM on June 18, 2019. All property owners and business tenants are eligible for voting membership. The AGM is the first step toward BIA renewal: If the membership votes to pursue a renewed mandate, the BIA will apply to the City of Vancouver, which then delivers formal notices to all commercial property owners and business tenants, with instructions on registering objections.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Peter Vaisbord, BIA Program Coordinator with the City of Vancouver at 604-871-6304 or Charles Gauthier, President & CEO of the Downtown Vancouver BIA at (604) 685-7811.

Yours truly,

Peter Vaisbord, Coordinator BIA Program

tel: 604.871.6304 fax: 604.873.7898 peter.vaisbord@vancouver.ca

M A N D AT E R E N E WA L L E T T E R

AGM NOTICENotice is hereby given that the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association will be held at 4:00pm on Tuesday, June 18 at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s Spanish Ballroom for the following purposes:

Review the DVBIA’s activities for the past year

Receive and approve the Auditor’s Report for the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2019

Appoint an auditor for the coming year

Renew the DVBIA’s mandate for a further 10 years commen-cing April 1, 2020

Review and adopt the proposed 2020-2021 budget

Approve a ten-year BIA levy funding ceiling of $64,109,527

Elect eight Directors Transact such further and other

business that may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof

SCHEDULE3:15 – 4:00 pm Registration

4:00 – 6:00 pm AGM Business and

Awards Presentation

For more information, please visit dtvan.ca/agm

RECEPTION SPONSOR

VOTE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSIt’s that time of year! The following individuals are endorsed by the DVBIA Nominating Committee for election to the Board of Directors:

Vera Liu, Pacific Reach Properties (OR*)

Christopher Lythgo, BDC (TR*)

Lorenzo Pederzani, Westmount

Wealth Group (TR*) Gary Pooni, Brook Pooni Associates (TR*)

Dani Pretto, Vanterre Projects Corp. (TR*)

David Roche, Bentall Kennedy (OR*)

Chris Stokes, QuadReal Property Group (OR*)

Chuck We, Oxford Properties Group (OR*)

*OR-Owner Representative | TR-Tenant Representative

4 downtown vancouver

Emerging Leader Award: CityHive

On a mission to transform the way youth are engaged in civic processes, CityHive co-hosted the 30Network on Civic Engagement, which brought together the top 30 young urban influencers under 30 in Metro Vancouver to address civic disengagement in the region. Co-founders Veronika Bylicki and Tesicca Truong are passionate about making our city more sustainable, vibrant and liveable.

“When we first started CityHive two years ago, the DVBIA stepped up as one of our first sponsors. They understood the need to bring young people together to help tackle social challenges like housing affordability. The DVBIA has a care and love for the area, and have brought little moments of magic through their public space activations. Their quiet leadership provides a strong foundation for downtown to grow and thrive.” – Tesicca Truong,

Co-Founder and Co-Director

30thAWARDS & AGM

Outstanding Organization: Vancouver Symphony OrchestraThis year marks the centennial anniversary of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, which attracts an annual attendance of 250,000–including more than 50,000 children and youths–with one of their primary venues being the iconic Orpheum Theatre. The VSO collaborates with youth bands and orchestras from the North Vancouver School District and the Vancouver Youth Sym-phony Orchestra, and supports fundraising efforts by donating tickets to local charities for auction.

“I’m thrilled the VSO has won the DVBIA’s Outstanding Organization Award, especially as we celebrate our 100th anniversary season. We take great pride in making music accessible and affordable, and look forward to expanding the number of music performances and experiences for our community. We are truly grateful, and share this award with the entire organization and the many partnerships that have made this possible.”– Kelly Tweeddale, VSO President

Sustainability Award: Hives for HumanityA non-profit that encourages community connections through beekeeping, Hives for Human-ity supports at-risk populations through the therapeutic culture of beekeeping. They started in 2012 with a single beehive in the Downtown Eastside, and now manage more than 200 hives throughout Vancouver and Delta–including one of the DVBIA’s Perch spaces, Cathedral Square.

"Our City Parks are some of the few remaining places where people can seek respite in this homelessness crisis. The DVBIA is supportive of revitalizing public spaces in inclusive ways, asking people in as opposed to moving them along. Together we offer an opportunity to learn and share skills through our gardening and beekeeping workshops. People and pollinators share parallel needs for shelter, food and a sense of community.” – Sarah Common, Co-Founder and CEO

Outstanding Individual: Darren Entwistle, TELUS

President and CEO of TELUS for nearly two decades, Darren Entwistle is a champion for diver- sity and gender equality in the workplace. His philanthropic con-tributions include serving on the boards of the 30% Club Canada, the Gairdner Foundation and the Canadian Board Diversity Council. Entwistle received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2003) and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for community contributions.

“On behalf of the 85,000 members of the TELUS team around the globe, including the 20,000 who call B.C. home, it is an honour and a privilege to accept this award from the DVBIA. TELUS has been a part of the down-town landscape for almost 125 years, and we are proud of our rich history of technological and social innovation, and investment in our great city. As a reflection of the synergistic relationship between what we do in business to drive positive outcomes for our customers and what we do socially to drive positive outcomes for our communities, our economic contribution to Vancouver is matched only by the TELUS team’s collective desire to give where we live.”

PH

OTO

MO

NIC

A L

OV

DA

HL

DOWNTOWN APPRECIATION AWARDS

SPONSOR

SPONSORSPONSOR

SPONSOR

downtown vancouver 5

DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION P R O P O S E D B U D G E T F O R A P R I L 1 , 2 0 2 0 – M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 2 1

REVENUES

B.I.A. levy $ 4,881,000

Membership Events 30,300

Other revenue 30,300

Interest 14,643

TOTAL REVENUES $ 4,956,243

PROGRAMMING EXPENDITURES

Retail Districts 262,650

Enhanced Experience

Downtown Ambassadors 1,482,351

Communications 195,019

Public space/Placemaking 430,200

Sponsorships 386,200

Vibrant Economy

Policy Development & Advocacy 38,265

Economic Development 28,303

Liveability

Programs/Advocacy/Research 47,205

Sustainability

Programs/Advocacy/Research 63,867

Organizational Effectiveness

Membership Events 63,243

Board and Nominating Meetings 6,120

Member relations & recruitment 21,016

TOTAL PROGRAMMING $ 3,024,439

Administration

Operations $ 490,086

Wages & benefits 1,374,866

TOTAL ADMINISTRATION $ 1,864,952

TOTAL EXPENDITURES (Programming + Administration) $ 4,889,391

EXCESS REVENUES (EXPENDITURES) 66,852

PROJECTED OPERATING FUND, BEGINNING OF YEAR $ 205,510

Legal Defence Reserve Allocation* $ 24,405

PROJECTED OPERATING FUND, END OF YEAR $ 247,956

* This .5% contribution from the levy would bring the Legal Defence Reserve total to $78,366 by the end of 2020-21, if there are no expenses incurred.

Lifetime Achievement: Brandt Louie

The DVBIA wishes to recognize the amazing work Brandt Louie has done through HY Louie Co., the London Drugs Foundation, and the Tong and Geraldine Louie Family Foundation. Through the London Drugs Foundation, Mr. Louie has generously supported local health and wellness organizations, plus innovative medical research, education and the arts. Born in Vancouver, he has received numerous honours and awards, including Honorary Doctorates from Simon Fraser University, UBC and U Vic. He is a member of the Order of British Columbia, and has a long history of serving on a variety of boards, in both public, and not-for-profit organizations.

“I am deeply honoured to be recognized by the DVBIA with this award. It is particularly meaningful for me as my grandfather, Hok Yat Louie, founded the HY Louie Company here in Vancouver 116 years ago. In fact, the company recently adopted the name Georgia Main Food Group for its grocery division, as an homage to those early beginnings. London Drugs began its own journey almost 75 years ago, right here, at the corner of Granville and Georgia. We have been part of the fabric of the downtown area through much of its history and plan to remain a very vital part of its future. The downtown core of Vancouver is diverse and vibrant; a place where business, the arts and community groups all coexist and thrive, thanks in large part to the work done by groups like the DVBIA.”

SPONSOR

6 downtown vancouver

DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION A U D I T E D F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S – S TAT E M E N T O F F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N

AnnualReport

These statements for fiscal year 2018-2019 are only excerpts from the DVBIA’s audited statements. A copy of the full audited financial statements and notes are available online at www.dtvan.ca or contact the DVBIA for a copy.

March 31 2019 2018

Assets

Current

Cash $ 1,682,423 $ 9,325 Term deposits and GICs 831,767 1,250,000 Accounts and interest receivable 24,827 13,615 GST receivable 46,874 41,054 Prepaid expenses and deposits 69,823 46,530

2,655,714 1,360,524

Capital assets 144,705 146,803

$ 2,800,419 $ 1,507,327

Liabilities

Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 60,981 72,677 Accrued vacation pay 13,909 23,595 Deferred assessment levy 1,600,75 -

1,675,644 96,272

Net assets

Invested in capital assets $ 144,705 $ 146,803 Hastings West voluntary improvement levy 142,030 137,478 Alberni voluntary improvement levy 217,524 174,042 Granville Street voluntary improvement levy 3,430 98,483 Legal defence reserve 38,118 66,132 Unrestricted 578,968 788,117

1,124,775 1,411,055

$ 2,800,419 $ 1,507,327

S TAT E M E N T O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S

Balance, April 1, 2017 $ 98,593 $ 148,998 $ 126,526 $ 29,867 $ 54,440 $ 589,136 $ 1,047,560

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses (38,155) (11,520) 47,516 68,616 11,692 285,346 363,495

Interfund transfers 86,365 - - - - (86,365) -

Balance, March 31, 2018 146,803 137,478 174,042 98,483 66,132 788,117 1,411,055

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses (61,682) 4,552 43,482 (95,053) (28,014) (149,565) (286,280)

Interfund transfers 59,584 - - - - (59,584) -

Balance, March 31, 2019 $ 144,705 $ 142,030 $ 217,524 $ 3,430 $ 38,118 $ 578,968 $ 1,124,775

For the years ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

INVESTED INCAPITALASSETS

HASTINGS WESTIMPROVEMENT

VOLUNTARY LEVY

ALBERNIIMPROVEMENT

VOLUNTARY LEVY

GRANVILLESTREET

IMPROVEMENTVOLUNTARY LEVY

LEGAL DEFENCE RESERVE UNRESTRICTED TOTAL

downtown vancouver 7

DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION S TAT E M E N T O F O P E R AT I O N S

AnnualReport

For the year ended March 31 2019 2018

Revenue Assessment levy $ 3,002,538 $ 2,832,582 Assessment levy and contributions - legal defence reserve 15,088 14,234 Hastings West improvement voluntary levy 119,143 135,424 Alberni improvement voluntary levy 76,646 76,646 Granville Street improvement voluntary levy 116,930 226,004 Other contributions 27,441 61,436 Membership events 31,235 19,000 Interest 24,440 13,612 Public Space - 36,500 3,413,461 3,415,438 Expenses Sustainability and livability 44,579 37,349 Vibrant economy 186,857 73,257 Administration 782,173 715,635 Hastings West improvement voluntary levy 114,591 146,944 Alberni improvement voluntary levy 33,164 29,130 Granville Street improvement 211,983 157,388 Membership and governance 292,086 252,679 Placemaking and marketing 912,131 706,218 Safety and security 1,122,177 933,343

3,699,741 3,051,943

Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses $ (286,280) $ 363,495

S TAT E M E N T O F C A S H F L O W SFor the year ended March 31 2019 2018

Cash flows from operating activities Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses $ (286,280) $ 363,495 Item not involving cash Amortization 61,682 38,155 (224,598) 401,650 Changes in working capital items Accounts receivable (11,212) (13,615) GST receivable (5,820) 3,857 Prepaid expenses and deposits (23,293) (17,911) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (11,696) 34,859 Accrued vacation pay (9,686) 16,607 Deferred revenue 1,600,754 -

Net cash generated from operating activities 1,314,449 425,447

Cash flow from investing activities (Increase in) redemption of term deposits, net 418,233 (299,800) Purchase of capital assets (59,584) (86,365)

Net cash used in financing and investing activities 358,649 (386,165)

Net increase (decrease) in cash 1,673,098 39,282

Cash, beginning of year 9,325 (29,957)

Cash (cheques issued in excess of cash), end of year $ 1,682,423 $ 9,325

8 downtown vancouver

PUBLISHED FOR DVBIA MEMBERS BY: DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Suite 325 -1130 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4 T 604-685-7811 | dvbia@downtownvancouver.net

Communications & Events Manager: Heather McKenzie-Beck Design/Production: KIMBO Design | kimbodesign.ca

COPYRIGHT 2019 DVBIA *Articles may be reproduced with a credit stating “Reproduced from Downtown Vancouver, a DVBIA publication.”This newsletter has been printed on recycled paper. dtvan.ca

Follow our online channels

PUBLICATION NO. 40110389

@downtownvan

Aeriosa: Acrobatics of downtown

POLICY & ADVOCACY Developed, communicated, and/or implemented

policies in support of more affordable housing, reducing single-use packaging strategy, adding more supervised consumption sites, supporting TransLink’s 10-Year Vision, and becoming a living wage employer

Helped major development projects like 1500 W. Georgia, 400 W. Georgia, 1444 Alberni and 1133 Melville make it through the approval process, bringing new residential and office space to our district

Provided feedback to the City’s strategy for improved permitting processing

Prevented the late entry bar program on Granville Street from being implemented, through case stud-ies that paint a cautionary tale about the potential consequences to the late night economy

Promoted Granville Street businesses and community through newsletter Spotlight features

COMMUNICATIONS Inaugural State of Downtown publication produced Website refresh to make navigation

simple and intuitive Digital dashboard for tracking ambassador activity Mayoral candidate forum, mayoral luncheon

and master talks introduced

PLACEMAKING Three new Perches, bringing the total to 13,

offering much-needed seating and gathering places for employees and residents

Themed programming (Yoga, Tai Chi, games, puzzles and buskers) in Cathedral Square and Lot 19–which now has 24/7 seating

Little Free Library program launch Off-season Rain Art project Ackery’s Alley launch First Summer Movie Nights at šxʷƛ̓ənəq

Xwtl'e7énk Square (formerly known as the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza)

Cloud Swing public art in Lot 19

COMMUNITY SAFETY Realigned the Ambassador program to

become Downtown Safety Ambassadors Expanded the Clean Team to include additional

staff and hours of operation, plus graffiti removal, pressure washing and snow removal

Supported the Good Night Out program in the Granville Entertainment District, resulting in reduced incidents on Friday and Saturday nights

Partnered with the City of Vancouver on art wraps to deter graffiti on street furniture

Supported modular housing for the homeless at Larwill Place, and participated in the Larwill Place Community Advisory Committee

Revived the Vancouver Operation Cooperation working group and information sharing website, which allows security and law enforcement personnel to share information on crime and disruptive events

Implemented a theft-from-auto campaign over the holiday period in partnership with the Granville Community Policing Centre, VPD and parking stakeholders–resulting in 747 parkade patrols by Safety Ambassadors, increased plain clothes security patrols, 141 after-care leaflets distributed to theft victims, and 141,000 impressions on social media

Conducted community safety events with the Granville Community Policing Centre, including the Project 529 bike registration promotion and distracted walking awareness

Advocated for more needle disposal options, resulting in new needle boxes in select city parks

YEAR END HIGHLIGHTS

STATE OF DOWNTOWNThink you know everything about your downtown? Test your knowledge by checking out the inaugural State of Downtown report which highlights the people, businesses and places that contribute to downtown’s economy and vibrancy, plus trends and challenges shaping the neighbourhood. Here’s a teaser: Downtown’s population growth rate is almost three times greater than that of Vancouver. With a development boom that will deliver record square footage of office and retail space by 2024, downtown is poised for unprecedented growth.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?Get your copy at the State of Downtown launch event that is happening before the DVBIA’s AGM on Tuesday, June 18th. Registration at 2pm, event 2:30-3:30pm

at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.

SPONSORS