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By Lola Ilelaboye

"D". D is for downtown, delicious, delightful, watering holes...okay, so watering holes is two words and begins with a 'W' but you get the picture. Oh wait, do you get the picture? How about I just paint it for those of you still wondering what I'm talking about!

Picture this: A Friday afternoon. It's cold outside; the snow is blowing around your downtown office window like jack frost is having himself a grand soiree. It's almost lunchtime and you're hungry. You didn't bring (read: purposely didn't make) your lunch. You now have options...

Option A: Secretly hope your coworker will offer you a portion of the scrumptious deli style gourmet sandwich they learned how to make "from scratch" at their upscale cooking class (not a chance) Option B: Tough it out until day's end. I mean, you have a lot to do anyway, I'm sure you can "busy" away your growling tummy...*grooooowl*. (Ugh, maybe not). Option C: Head to one of two eateries that encompass the "3 Ds" of lunchtime cuisine: Eat Bistro and Kraut King both conveniently located on Garry Street downtown.

Options C it is. Why the 3 Ds you ask? Simply, Delightful Dining Downtown.

Kraut King: Upon walking into the Bavarian diner you immediately sense the unique warmth of the space. Tucked away under the urban setting of a parkade entrance, colourful blue, white and yellow painted brick-lay adorns the outside – you enter. A staff member greets you and encourages you to have a seat in one of only about 15 swiveling chairs gracing a counter that acts as both the serving station and your lunch table. A space so quaint, you hang your coat on the wall anchoring the narrow pathway behind your stool. Don't be misled by this seemingly David-esque diner in an area full of Goliaths, Kraut King packs a delicious punch! Serving up giant portions of Bavarian wares – bratwursts, and sauerkraut, and schnitezels OH MY – for gaspingly inexpensive prices, you'll walk away with a full belly, a less than dented wallet, and a smile. As the owner thanks you for coming in today and asks you to come again really soon you'll think to yourself, "take that jack frost".

Eat Bistro: Has there ever been a better lunchtime pairing than that of books and food? I think not! Quarky and unapologetic Aqua Books' café, Eat Bistro, is a feast for your mind and belly! As soon as you walk in, pre-owned but no less fabulous books garnish unique shelves creating an almost "Saturday afternoon at the lake" like feel. You're instantly transported into what seems like a cozy summer getaway during cabin season. Enter "grandma's cottage kitchen". The dining area, with its mismatched furniture and table dressings, floral accoutrements and wall papering, pays homage to the timelessness and retro feel of a plot passed down from generation to generation. And the food, ooooh the food! An assortment; from dips to dessert, you'll walk away feeling as sunny as California on even the bitterest of cold winter days! Everything is made with care, much from scratch, ranging from veggie, vegan, celiac and gluten-free options to delectable chicken dippers (in-house crafted chicken fingers to die for) for the meat lovers at heart. Oh and did I mention the dipping sauces?! Choose from about 20 flavor-bursting sauces for your dippers or home made pommes frites or tempura onion rings or to eat by the mini-bowl full... oops, that last one was an inner thought! And the desserts – cupcakes flavors like "root beer float" in mini sizes or the full monty! Footloose and Nut-Free, Eat Bistro serves up delicious fare that'll rejuvenate your senses and get you ready to face those last few hours of work.

So, after my slightly lengthy campaign for lunch, what comments am I able to leave with you regarding these two downtown gems?

Simply, the 3 Ds of lunchtime cuisine, Delightful Dining Downtown...but as our good friend LeVar Burton has taught us, you don't have to take my word for it.

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Who says we have to sit inside like a bunch of sad sacks for 4 months every year? Last Sunday, my husband and I decided to peel our hibernating butts off the couch and head outside for some good ol' fashioned Canadian winter fun.

We found ourselves at the River Trail at The Forks. The hubby brought along his skates and I rented a pair from the Mini Donut Shop (naturally!) for a mere $4, only $2 for the kiddies. We laced up and were gliding down the frozen river in no time.

You can skate, walk, run or snow shoe down the trail any day of the week. If you go this year you'll catch The Warming Hut: An Art + Architecture Exposition on Ice, featuring stunning huts designed by prominent artists and architects. Check out some of the photos I took of the huts below.

After, we warmed up with a tasty mate latte from the Human Bean and finished off a lovely wintery afternoon with warm cinnamon buns from Tall Grass Prairie.

- By Jolene Olive

The situation described in Murray McNeil's article on the lack of market demand related to building a new downtown office tower has further implications for the future of our city than just what it means for the bottom line.

It's true that lower land and construction costs, along with ample parking, makes building offices out in the suburbs attractive. The basic principle of market economics says the trend of building outside downtown will continue unless there is a reason not to.

The further reality occurring in the office market today is that more and more office tenants are moving into industrial-type space, which allows them brand new the space at office prices much less than downtown, plus the parking is free, and taxes are less. Downtown can not compete, yet City policy dictates that Downtown needs to be the primary employment centre of the City.

Once our city understands this, it must then realize that without a significant shift in city policy, creating a world-class downtown will be difficult. The future of a strong, thriving and growing downtown is threatened by this trend.

There are many examples of progressive downtown policies: For example, London, Ontario prohibits office development greater then 40,000 square feet outside downtown.

Over the last 50 years, study after study has shown that a sprawling city spends 25 to 30 per cent more in operating costs than a city that encourages development inwards. During this time of municipal fiscal restraint, perhaps better directing land use is a viable way not only to reduce the budget, but also create a vibrant and sustainable city for generations.

Encouraging office development in downtown--an area extensively connected to public transit--puts more money in the pockets of Winnipeg citizens while reducing carbon footprints. With the continued increase in transportation costs, the next generation of office workers see the benefits of living and working downtown. They can leave their cars behind altogether, walking, biking or using transit to get around.

Today's workforce spends the bulk of their lives at the office, so it's no surprise that a healthy, positive work environment is vital. Trends show young people are putting more and more value on a good office environment. If you're spending 40 hours a week at work--often logging more hours on the job than with your family--sitting in an isolated building in a far-flung industrial park , with no where to go for a walk or a bite to eat, does little to encourage a positive work life.

Downtown Winnipeg offers a dynamic, diverse and stimulating atmosphere that provides value-added benefits for employees that can't be found anywhere else in the city. Downtown's rich surroundings provide a venue to celebrate diversity and culture--ideal for broadening perspectives and providing a strong foundation to nurture the leaders of tomorrow.

Almost 90 per cent of downtown employers will tell you the same thing.

Letting the market dictate what our city will look like is far less advantageous to the future of Winnipeg than pointing the market in a direction that creates a vibrant and sustainable city to meet the needs of future generations and the market demands of tomorrow.

Like most major cities across Canada, downtown Winnipeg deals with a perception problem when it comes to downtown safety. The perception is, people are sometimes afraid to come downtown because they must face its poverty. They might be asked for change by a panhandler something that can make people uncomfortable. These situations can lead to a perceived threat or danger for those visiting downtown.

But the reality is downtown's isn't a safety issue, it's a social one that is related poverty, addiction, mental health etc. We need to combat poverty and quality-of-life issues through a collaborative approach. If you give money to a panhandler, there is a 70 per cent chance that money will go to furthering addictions. Walking by someone in need on the street is a missed opportunity to help "give a hand up". We need your assistance to help provide a better quality-of-life to those in need.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ continues to promote the fact that crime rates are low in our downtown (only 4-6 per cent of crimes that happen in the city, happen downtown). The BIZ also addresses the perception problem by developing or supporting programs to help address social issues. In 2006 the BIZ, in partnership with the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement, launched a 10-person Outreach Patrol program. A few of the main objectives of this program were to improve perception, expedite the transfer of intoxicated persons to a safer environment and to help link at-risk people to appropriate resources.

The BIZ also realizes the importance of linking those at-risk to key resources and employment programs. In partnership with Siloam Mission, the BIZ supports the Mission Off The Streets Team (MOST), which is an entry-level employment program that takes into consideration the dysfunctional work history of those who have faced poverty, addiction and homelessness and allows them to transition back into the workplace at their own rate or skill level. This program has already developed a proven track record and has even had a number of the participants graduate on to full-time employment with a number of organizations.

We also can't overlook the need to house the homeless and the BIZ is currently working with the Province of Manitoba on this. The research demonstration project on mental health and homelessness will help link up to 300 people to housing. Our Outreach team will help identify potential candidates through their work at street level.

If we want to improve the image of our downtown then it's incumbent on the community, not the police, to step up and play a major role in addressing the social issues. There's no doubt the BIZ is actively involved but we are looking to the rest of the community who want to take action and help.

What we are currently doing to improve safety conditions downtown:

The BIZ is home to over 150 volunteer Downtown Watch Ambassadors, who act as extra eyes and ears for our police. The SafeWalk program introduced in 2004, has provided over 4,503 SafeWalks to downtown patrons with over 1,000 completed in 2009 10 Outreach Patrol workers, who have special constable status, deal with intoxicated individuals. Since the program's inception in 2007, this team has assisted over 8,000 intoxicated individuals, saving lives and reducing the load on our fire and paramedic service. In December, 2008 the BIZ launched the new Downtown Security Network (DSN), which currently has over 170 members. The DSN helps improve networking and communication between members, with the goal of reducing crime and creating a safer downtown.

The DSN hosts bi-monthly town hall meetings for its members to network with one another and ask questions to Winnipeg Police representatives directly The BIZ also offers safety presentations to businesses and residence in the downtown offering tips on how we can all better protect ourselves

You can help in the following ways: Don't give to panhandlers. Instead, give to a social agency such as the Change for the Better Program. Report safety issues when you see them happen by contacting the Downtown Watch at 958-SAFE (7233) or #SAFE, a free call from any MTS cell phone or payphone. The Downtown Watch will notify the WPS when necessary.

By Rick Joyal & Michelle Golebiowski

Have You Heard ...?

The BIZ is Going to the Worms – Red Wriggler Worms To be Exact!

As part of the Downtown BIZ's ongoing wellness program as well as being a Workplace in Motion and watching our physical and emotional wellbeing, the BIZ is also concerned about the environment and our influence on it.

In order to minimize our personal carbon footprint, the BIZ is embarking on an internal environmental adventure. One of the areas of concern is the food waste a staff of 50+ healthy eaters can accumulate each day, week, month and year. We needed a small solution for the remnants of all our "healthy" eating habits. There is a lot of fruit and vegetable waste at the BIZ. As we swat at the fruit flies between garbage trips, a great idea has been hatched, namely, to bring in the worms! Perhaps they can handle this buggy problem that pours out of our garbage bins, soon to fill the dumpsters.

The BIZ is entrusting our waste to the worms – red wriggler worms to be exact! We received one pound of hungry worms from the Red Wriggler Haven and are depending on them to eat our leftovers. The BIZ mixes fruit and vegetable matter with used printing paper, feeding it to our new "pets" and in return we get nutrient rich vermicompost to use in our spring plantings.

In addition to vermicomposting, the BIZ has signed up for a monthly recycling pick-up service. What do you do with your recyclable business waste?

Another area in which the BIZ is environmentally prudent is transportation, specifically how the BIZ employees get to work. We are proud to report that almost two-thirds of the BIZ staff walk, cycle (seasonal), and bus to work. The BIZ supports the Winnipeg Transit Eco Pass program and participates in a cost-sharing program with the staff. Did you know that Stefano Grande, the BIZ executive director, bikes to work all summer from East St. Paul? No wonder we can't keep up with him as he runs from one meeting to the next!

Talking about meetings, BIZ business and committee meetings will see an environmental change as well by reducing the amount of paper being used for copied materials. The new initiative will see presentations done through PowerPoint, flipcharts, and conference calls. The fewer copies being printed means less paper being thrown out. Did I mention how much BIZ information is printed on recycled paper?

And how about the committee lunches! The BIZ is now a Styrofoam-free zone, so no Styrofoam plates, cups or fast food containers are allowed. We use permanent glass dishes and cutlery to decrease the disposable waste and are implementing a "no canned drinks" policy at our meetings. The number of drink cans flowing out of the board room garbage can was a real eye-opener. Large tetra packs of juice and filtered water will always be available.

The whole staff at the Downtown BIZ is making an effort to be environmentally responsible and hopes you will join us in changing your own habits. Just think of the healthier environment we are creating if we all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint. Get on board and join the BIZ environmental initiative! By the way, do you want to know a great place to pick up some of the hungriest worms...Red Wriggler Worms to be exact?!

Deb Tomiski January 2010

This week the value of the BIZ's Downtown Security Network (DSN) shined, demonstrating how our downtown members can take ownership of their neighborhood by working closer with Winnipeg Police when it comes to crime and safety.

On January 17, two incidents in downtown involving robbery and a weapon occurred and police issued a description of the suspects. An e-alert was then sent to the 170 members of the Downtown Security Network asking them to check their security camera tapes for the suspect.

The Convention Centre revealed they had caught the suspect on tape and the Downtown Watch were then shown the video. Later that evening, two Downtown Watch Ambassadors were patrolling the walkway system when they caught sight of the suspect. They followed him, alerting police who were waiting for the suspect when he we went outside.

These 170 downtown owners are talking to each other through the DSN. They share photos and videos, communicating about safety trends and coordinating their security staff and video cameras as part of a broad community-based approach to working with Winnipeg Police to make our downtown safer. This suspect has been one of several that have been caught this last year because the DSN and police are working closely together.

However, I am always torn when I hear the DSN has done its job or that our Watch Ambassadors have foiled yet another potential crime. We have put criminals on notice, and if someone commits a crime downtown, they will be caught. But the reality is that only 4-6 per cent of all the crime that happens in the city, happens downtown. It's not much when you consider that well over 100,000 people come and go from downtown everyday and 14,000 people make downtown their home. So promoting the success of the community working together to make the downtown safer, is always a double-edged sword. How can it be safe when the BIZ always says their programs are working and criminals are being caught?

What we hope the public hears is that despite the fact that crime statistics are actually fairly low downtown, we will remain vigilant in making it even safer. This is one of our top priorities. Unfortunately, this success feels empty because it means a 13-year-old boy was arrested--and the other involved in this crime are kids too.

There is no collective success kids are out bullying and robbing people. This could have happened anywhere, in any mall, on any street in the city--and it does.

The BIZ's safety programs are focused on enhancing safety while managing the social issues that are a part of our downtown. The programs have been effective and recognized for that across Canada.

But there is a deeper problem at work. Some of these kids are lost--spiritually and ethically. There are so many of them living throughout the city. These kids lack the love, support, discipline and guidance that come from having a strong family unit. What I've seen in my time downtown, is that there is a lot of intolerance and racism among these kids and it's all fuelled by rage.

We need to invest more dollars into social programs run by dedicated community leaders that truly understand what needs to be done to fix these problems. What we have isn't working. It's time for us all to work together beyond just the issue of committing crimes, it's time to work on finding a solution for something that runs much deeper.

I think I can say without exaggeration, that 2010 is going to be Winnipeg's biggest and most spectacular year ever--and the best part is most of the excitement is going to be happening downtown.

There's Manitoba Homecoming 2010, which no doubt you've already heard of. Television, radio and newspaper ads have been running non-stop here at home and across North America for months, touting this year-long party meant to draw Winnipeggers back home. Have you thought about who you're inviting back to Manitoba yet?

In the next few months, Homecoming events will celebrate the winter months and come summer, there will be a major concert at The Forks--the details of which still are still being kept under wraps. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

This year, we also have the distinction of being named the Cultural Capital of Canada. We already knew Winnipeg was home to some of the best theatre and art institutions in the word (the majority of which are located downtown), but it is certainly nice to get the recognition from others as well!

Plans from the Cultural Capital team include an amazing River Barge Music Festival, set to take place at The Forks this summer. Huge barges floating on the river will support musical acts and bands as they serenade people strolling along the river walk.

The Downtown BIZ has big plans for 2010 as well, building on the success of an event we held last year, called Ciclovia. For an entire day we shut down the north side of Broadway to traffic and opened it up to cyclists, joggers and walkers. We included food, entertainment, a market and kids activities along the route and celebrated the benefits of healthy living and active transportation.

In 2010, we're going even bigger with Lights on Broadway--an event supported by Manitoba Homecoming. During four weekends in August and September, we plan to close Broadway and light up the trees with a spectacular light display the likes of which have never been seen in this city. We'll also be providing tons of fun to go with it. The Cultural Capital of Canada team is helping up throw a huge dance party complete with hundreds of disco balls, and we've got plans for a scrumptious food and wine event and, of course, there will be lots to do with the family.

I hope you're as excited about these events as I am, and might even forgo that trip out of the province this summer. Take your vacation right here at home during one of the most exciting times our city has ever experienced!

Last week, we released some information on the Downtown Retail Retention and Recruitment Strategy. The Free Press ran a great story on Saturday and today, another one outlining some more great information on downtown development. You can find these stories here:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/rescue-plan-for-retail-in-core-recommendations-for-three-main-areas-81060287.html

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/Incentives-seen-as-key-in-core.html

One of the places we posted the information was on the forum called "The Winnipeg Sandbox". With many people having thoughtful discussions about Winnipeg, we thought it seemed like a good place to get some feedback. And we did!

See the link here: http://kwdc.forumn.net/local-f4/downtown-wininpeg-retail-strategy-t4281.htm

There were some good questions asked and we would like to respond to some of them.

If there ever was a silver bullter to stronger retail downtown, more residents would be it (more office workers near existing retailing would help too). If our downtown could realistically absorb one thousand housing units per year, in ten years, the downtown population would almost double. This would radically transform downtown retailing.

Thankfully, with the arrival of the new provincial TIF plan, the BIZ believes downtown housing development will now move much quicker. If downtown could realistically absorb 1000 housing units per year, in 10 years, the downtown population would almost double and would transform downtown retailing.

In the interim, there is a general feeling that current retailing could be developed further to better serve the current market, attract more shoppers, and prepare for future developments and changes.

More police presence is needed downtown period. This is something we have been pushing hard for, while investing our own dollars through our Watch and Outreach programs. Not because downtown crime is rampant--crime happens everywhere in the city, in fact, only 4-6 per cent of the city's total crimes happen downtown--but because there are serious issues related to poverty, mental illness, homelessness, panhandling, public intoxication etc. We know that a strong police presence provides comfort and better manages these issues.

In 2009, the police chief and mayor committed over 200 new cadets to the BIZ that will eventually be stationed at the new Public Safety Building on Graham Avenue and will supplement community police patrols. These extra eyes and ears will bring with it the downtown comfort level the BIZ has been advocating for.

Also with the announcement of the new Public Safety building, 2000 police officers will work in the heart of downtown, strolling the sidewalks and weather protected walkway system.

Over the last three years, the BIZ's Outreach Program, a joint effort undertaken with the city's police and fire paramedic departments, and the Province of Manitoba, has puts ten trained individuals on downtown streets to help deal with an important social issue facing downtown--public intoxication. The program has helped relieve some of the pressure on the city's emergency services, and has helped move those at risk into safer environments--with a response time of 10 minutes or less upon a public complaint.

You can call 958 – SAFE (7233) (a free call from any MTS payphone or cell phone) anytime you come across a safety issue.

All combined, these initiatives will help to significantly address the negative perceptions of downtown safety, and of course, decrease crime even further.

To help combat poverty issues downtown, a serious and informed effort to help the homeless off the street has been announced through a housing first model, spearheaded by federal and provincial governments. A pilot project, now in effect, will permanently help over 200 people off the street with the sensitivity and leadership of our Aboriginal community.

The BIZ agrees that we cannot completely and appropriately revitalize our downtown until there is a long-term strategy to address homelessness and those at risk. This type of initiative has been proven in other jurisdictions. But it will be a long time until 1000s of people are helped off the street permanently--this will be difficult and costly, but will result in one of the greatest improvements for downtown.

We know there are numerous tasks to accomplish to create the vibrant downtown we all want to see, and the retail strategy is only one piece of the broader plan. We thank you for your feedback and want you to know your concerns are not going unheeded. There are a lot of people working very hard to address these concerns and numerous others.

I spend most of my life downtown. Working, going to endless meetings and attending events--and that includes weekends.

Me and my family also spend a lot of time downtown, taking in entertainment and doing our shopping. We do this firstly to support the downtown business community, which in in-turn, supports me and my organization, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. But we also do it because downtown offers everything my family needs.

I have three kids, and we're never at a loss for things to do. Whether it's a Disney show or Moose game at the MTS Centre or a Goldeyes game, my boys truly enjoy downtown. We always come early to enjoy one of the 200 restaurants or to just take in some of the incredible landmarks, parks or historical buildings. They especially love seeing where mom and dad lived before the kids arrived! I believe it's important for my kids to learn the importance of downtown and why their dad is always working late promoting and trying to improve it.

On other weekends, I might start off at the downtown YMCA, perhaps one of the best facilities in Winnipeg. Here my boys can swim and climb on the play structure, while I squeeze in my once-a-week workout. Afterwards, it's usually a trip to the IMAX for larger-than-life 3D film or a walk to the Millennium Library, where they can pick out books in a building that is the envy of many. One of the best parts is during the winter, all these attractions are connected by the weather protected walkway. I don't even put on the boys boots or parkas. We park in an heated-indoor parkade and off we go.

While we come downtown to explore and enjoy all it has to offer, I think the most important reason I bring my kids downtown is to teach them about life. There is no better place to expose them the various people that inhabit our city and to teach them about compassion and tolerance.

Downtown there are all walks of life. Rich and poor, old and young. When we are downtown, we come across panhandlers and homeless people, and I remember a day when we were approached by a panhandler. My oldest son was definitely scared, and I remember him grabbing my leg in fear. His eyes we like a deer's caught in the headlights.

But he witnessed how I handled this situation, acknowledging the person, politely saying "no", and wishing him a good day.

Later, I talked to my son about how he had felt. I explained to him that some people are sick and need help, while others have chosen a different path in life, one they probably didn't choose. I explained that some people have a hard time feeding and taking care of themselves for many reasons. I told him that not everyone is fortunate to have a good job and can afford to buy nice things. I told my son that we were very blessed with everything we have, and that includes our health and the parents who guided us. This of course unleashed a flurry of questions, but we were able to discuss it and now he knows something a child who has never been downtown might not.

I think bringing my kids downtown allows them to experience and understand life, while also having a great time enjoying all it has to offer. I think you'd be hard-pressed to duplicate this kind of experience in a suburban mall.

I want to raise my kids to be respectful and compassionate. I want to teach them not to fear people who are different to them in race, colour or income status. I think they will become better citizens, contribute to our community more, learn tolerance and not be quick to judge. These are things that are important.

Perhaps the best thing we can all do for our downtown, and for the next generation, is to take our kids (and grandkids) downtown for a weekend and show them all that is great about life.

We held the 20th Annual Downtown Winnipeg BIZ AGM this week, and I am more confident than ever about the important role the BIZ has played in the growth and promotion of downtown.

The BIZ unveiled its 2010 plan, a budget of over $2.8 million, with over 50 programs and initiatives to deliver on our motto –"we are the host" of downtown.

Our success has been in growing our programs through partnerships. We are stronger today in every sense of the word, because of the commitment of our business community and the help from our partners.

Improving safety and cleaning up downtown are our two most important priorities at the BIZ. Over 60 per cent of our budget is dedicated to these two areas. Marketing our downtown is our third biggest line item.

Seven short years ago, the BIZ had two full-time staff and little equipment to clean downtown in addition to what the city does. Today, the BIZ employs almost 30 people, a fleet of small vehicles, that operate for the greater part of the year, and the city is doing even more. And our downtown is looking darn clean. Yes, we know this must continue and we need to do more. But for the first time, we are encouraging citizens and our members to be part of the solution, because we now have the resources to respond and to do it quickly.

Our safety programs have exploded with over 25 Watch, including a 10-unit bike patrol, an evening patrol, 150 volunteer Watch, and 10 Outreach workers with the power of arrest under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act. Our Downtown Safety Network (DSN) is now challenging all downtown security providers to communicate more and exchange information to reduce crime. Crime is down again--21 per cent this year. Of all crimes that occurs in our city, only 4 per cent occur downtown. We have provided the community with the 958-SAFE number to call for any safety issues downtown.

Forty-eight other program are undertaken annually. These too are important and are making their mark. If you are really interested and have some time, click here to view our PowerPoint presentation highlighting all we do. These are the core areas we try to excel at in delivering our services.

The BIZ champions for continued growth and revitalization. Our advocacy and conviction is straightforward as well. Things we advocate for include:

1. More community foot patrols to help us address the awkwardness and fear some feel when they come downtown

2. A long-term solution to the social issues that create that fear and uncertainty

3. More development and re-development activity within the context of placemaking and urbanism principles, especially housing.

Creating more reasons for people to live, work and be entertained downtown is THE most important element in bringing more people to the core, enhancing safety, increasing sales, and leading to more retail development to service these people. The success of the last five years and over $1.2 billion in re-development downtown is a testament to this goal.