A new governance committee for Capstone, Railyards, Parkvale and the Historic Downtown will soon get down to work to support the broader downtown area.
A call for applicants to join the new Downtown Governance Collaboration Committee recently closed. Members are currently being notified and will meet later this month.
"What we're looking to do is ensure better co-ordination, leadership and sustainable funding models for the needs of business, residents and the broader community," said Bobby-Jo Stannard, the city's community development superintendent.
"It's time for us to take a look at how we address some of the larger conversations that are happening in all of those neighbourhoods that now form a larger downtown than we have ever had before."
Since 1983, the Business Improvement Area (BIA) has been in place for businesses in Historic Downtown to work together, with initiatives and projects funded by an annual levy on the businesses and managed by Red Deer Downtown Business Association.
Stannard said the current funding model is not sustainable and what the BIA may look like in the future needs to be determined.
Membership on the new committee includes a Historic Downtown business owner, a Capstone business owner, a Railyards business owner, a greater downtown resident, an employee of the greater downtown, three community members at large, a member of the Downtown Business Association board, a member of the Chamber of Commerce board, and a member of the Red Deer Tourism Board.
She said processes are already in place to address immediate issues that arise, like crime, and the committee will be involved in broader conversations that affect the entire area.
"It's time to look at what a downtown of the future needs."
Stannard said the committee is made up of a wide range of individuals, and there will be opportunities for community input. An update on the committee will be sent to city council in the coming months.
"We're excited to get going."
