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Maple Ridge council looks at downtown shop front program

Funding could be used for other projects
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Facade improvement program is up for review. (THE NEWS/files)

Maple Ridge’s downtown business assciation is asking the city to chip in for another three years into the facade improvement program to help shops and businesses improve their curb appeal.

However, while the program has been running for 10 years, a staff report recommends only contributing for one year, 2019, and then calls for the city and BIA to review the program.

Under the program, the City of Maple Ridge has been contributing $25,000 a year. The Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association puts in the same amount to create a pot of $50,000, that is allocated via small grants to allow businesses to renovate their store fronts.

Council will look at the options at its Tuesday meeting. If the facade improvement program isn’t funded, other projects identified by the BIA could use some help, such as creating welcome to downtown signs onn Lougheed Highway and Dewdney Trunk Road, at either end of the downtown, improving pedestrian signage, extending free WiFi service in the downtown and installing speakers for musical events in Memorial Peace Park.

Alternatively, the city could end the contributions or keep going for another three years.

So far, 92 businesses have improved their premises in the past decade by getting small grants. The city’ contribution during that period has been $185,600.

However, about $38,000 currently remains unallocated because of a lack of applications or suitable programs.

The money can be used to help businesses install awnings, upgrade lighting, re-do their store fronts or just put on a fresh coat of paint, as part of the long-term goal of improving the downtown.