The City of Owen Sound invited downtown business owners and stakeholders to a meeting last night on creating a vibrant River District.
The closed door event was limited to stakeholders and business owners, and media was permitted to conduct interviews after the event ended.
The about 100 attendees gathered at the Harmony Centre to take part in a facilitated discussion, which included topics ranging from being optimistic or pessimistic about the downtown core, and the challenges these businesses face.
Some business owners expressed frustration about the current state of the River District, as well as concerns about its safety and cleanliness.
Mayor Ian Boddy says, “Some expressed concern and it is something we see every day. We are looking for how we can make it better, how can we work together.”
Event Facilitator Joel Pennington adds the participants want to see supports in place for those struggling with addictions and housing in the downtown, as well as see businesses thrive.
“The common theme was, we are not there yet. There was definitely some differences of what the trajectory is, is it getting better or is it getting worse, who is responsible, and we kind of explored, I think in a respectful way, those differences,” says Pennington.
Pennington says his goal for last night’s event was for business owners and stakeholders to come together and talk about the downtown area.
“I think it is unrealistic to say in two hours we are going to solve all the problems of downtown, but it is realistic in two hours to give some hope, to see that we can work together and reach a goal together. There was some tangible suggestions that came out tonight, bathrooms downtown, a campaign to show that downtown Owen Sound is safe and thriving to try and change that narrative,” says Pennington.
Boddy says he feels hopeful from seeing all of the stakeholders and business owners gather to try and find a way to improve the downtown.
Almost all the participants identified they would be open to further discussions.
Owen Sound Council will receive a report from the event in September.
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