Delta residents will finally see some action by this time next year when it comes to revitalizing Ladner Village and the harbour.
Mayor George Harvie made that promise during his presentation at the annual economic business breakfast last week.
Harvie noted the appointments of veteran councillor Bruce McDonald and newcomer Dylan Kruger to head the new Ladner Village Renewal Advisory Committee. The committee will provide advice for the best utilization of Delta-owned buildings in Ladner Village, possible streetscape and harbour waterfront design concepts, ideas for banding/communications and marketing, as well as strategic incentives to attract development. The committee will also provide a list of measures and actions that can be undertaken to improve Ladner Village within one year of its inaugural meeting.
The mayor also resolved to solve the water lot lease issue in order to encourage development. Currently, the province is only providing short-term leases.
It’s been over a decade since the municipality conducted a major cleanup of Ladner Harbour, including getting rid of derelict boats and giving net shed owners new standards of occupation. The goal was to eventually encourage redevelopment of the area.
A previous the Downtown Ladner Waterfront Redevelopment Advisory Committee had similar goals. Formed in 2009, that committee met on several occasions with property owners to see what can be done "to achieve a vibrant, people-oriented environment, with strong linkages to the waterfront reflecting and celebrating the historical roots of the community."
The new committee will meet at least six times a year. At the end of each calendar year it will present council with a report that includes a summary of annual achievements and a proposed work program for the coming year.
