Fundos 0141 - Downtown Business Revitalization Zone of Grande Prairie fonds

When the City of Grande Prairie updated its General Plan in the early 1970s, the conclusion was made that "the downtown area was threatened with serious deterioration and unless this trend was stopped, it would result in major losses to those who were located in the area...." In response to this concern, the Central Business Association was formed in October 1974. In December 1983, City Council enacted by-law C-801, creating The Downtown Business Revitalization Zone and funding became available for the organization through a business and property levy imposed on all members and through conributions from the City. This eventually allowed the group to hire a manager and an administrative secretary. The long-term goals of the organization were "to make the downtown a destination place rather than store specific, to increase retail sales, to encourage new business into the zone, and to educate the members on all the benefits that derived from the association." Over the years the same goals were furthered by an increasing number of community activites such as Seretaries Thank You Luncheons, the Christmas Tree of Hope and Santa Claus Parades, and Summer Festivals, all with the aim of making the downtown a more exciting place to be.