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Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Woodstock Streetscape Phase 1
'I am super-excited.' Those were the first words out of the mouth of Mayor Jerry Acchione when asked how he felt about the progress on the first part of the city's downtown revitalization project. 'To see it come from talking about it 10 years ago to what we have today, I am pumped. I am excited to see how clean and accessible it is, and I can't wait to see the stamping and the sealing. It will make it all just pop and finish it off nicely,' he added. The Echo has talked to some business owners and residents alike to get their thoughts on how Phase 1 measures up in their minds. The answers range from underwhelming to not bad to amazing. Acchione said he has heard nothing but positives. 'Not a single person has come out and said I don't like it and I wish it was more. A couple of questions on did we chose the lighting, why did we choose the parking, but nobody saying they don't like it.' While the asphalt stamping will add a different look to Phase 1, it is also the main reason why the project will likely wind up about five weeks behind its original completion date. The city's Business Improvement Area (BIA) sent an email to affected businesses last Friday. 'As you may have heard, there was a delay in getting the stamp for the patterned asphalt from the US manufacturer. The stamp was ordered in March of 2025, however, due to layoffs at this supplier our stamp was not manufactured. Unfortunately, this only came to light when the contractor arrived in Woodstock to complete the work,' said Kerry Baird, Downtown Development Officer with the organization. The barricades west of Riddell and east of Wellington will be removed temporarily on July 18 for Streetfest. Dundas Street could best be described as a ghost town during construction, but Acchione said the event couldn't come at a better time and he's confident the community will be there in big numbers. 'The amount of interest, how many people are asking when downtown will be opened up. There is a lot of excitement from residents in Woodstock in general, just to get down and see it.' The mayor added now is the time for Woodstock and area residents who have never been downtown to make it a habit and get to know the businesses. 'Get down, take a look and check out all the businesses. The number of times I hear businesses comment that they get asked if they just opened, and they've been here for years, means people are not coming downtown as much as we'd like. It's going to be bright, safe and accessible and we have lots of parking.' Many businesses on Dundas have seen a drop in sales, be it minor or in some cases considerable, something Acchione is confident will turn around beginning this weekend, but the main complaint from several shop owners was the lack of communication regarding updates on construction. For example, stores were told the sidewalks in front of their businesses would be closed to foot traffic the same day they were shut down. Acchione said he too was concerned and changes will be made going forward. 'We've certainly learned from some of the lack of communication that was transmitted over the different levels. We were going out a lot in social media and putting it on our website. Unfortunately, some businesses weren't connected with us through the website or our direct email campaign, only through the BIA.' Acchione said it has been a learning process but is confident businesses will be in a better spot for Phase 2. Colleen Collins is the city's manager of communications and said there was a plan that identified several tactics, all of which were completed. 'While we were pushing out the updates through the website to the people who subscribed to the page, we didn't realize that many of the businesses weren't subscribed to the page for updates and we have started sending them directly via email as of late June. We will continue to improve this for future phases.' The BIA sent out another update on Monday, saying Phase 1 is expected to be completed by July 17, just before the Echo's release date. 'The project was ahead of schedule until we had quite a few rainy days and a supplier issue, which came to light very late in the project. The current road closure for Phase 1 will be reopened after Streetfest, allowing for local traffic just like the rest of Dundas currently is.' Phase 2 will close to all vehicle traffic shortly after Streetfest until the fall and the start date for it could be between July 21 and August 6. The affected area is Dundas Street from west of Graham to west of Light. 'We have learned some lessons from Phase 1 with regards to marketing efforts to support the entire downtown which will be implemented for Phase 2,' added the update. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
4 days ago
- Entertainment
BIA performs 'We On Go' on 'GMA'
Rapper BIA performs her hit WNBA anthem, "We On Go,' at the 2025 "GMA" Summer Concert Series.
CTV News
12-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
ADVERTISEMENT Northern Ontario Watch Downtown Sudbury businesses aim to combat homelessness stigma Downtown Sudbury businesses aim to change perceptions of the area. Owners like Nickesha Simpson say stigma deters patrons, but advocates stress safety concerns are often overstated. A recent report lists 304 actively homeless, with 268 chronically so. Simpson's restaurant offers pay-it-forward meals, while the BIA praises local compassion as businesses hope efforts rebuild downtown vibrancy. Madison Marier has more.
Northern Ontario Watch Downtown Sudbury businesses aim to change perceptions of the area. Owners like Nickesha Simpson say stigma deters patrons, but advocates stress safety concerns are often overstated. A recent report lists 304 actively homeless, with 268 chronically so. Simpson's restaurant offers pay-it-forward meals, while the BIA praises local compassion as businesses hope efforts rebuild downtown vibrancy. Madison Marier has more.
Extra.ie
11-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Major row dividing the coalition over income for artists
A major row is simmering in the Coalition over plans to abolish a scheme that provides a guaranteed income for artists. understands that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), led by Fianna Fáil's Jack Chambers, and the Department of Culture, led by Fine Gael's Patrick O'Donovan, are at loggerheads over plans to scrap the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme. Under the scheme, initiated by former arts minister Catherine Martin, of the Green Party, the State pays €325 a week to around 2,000 artists to address the financial instability faced by many working in the sector. Successful applicants were notified in September 2022 and the pilot runs over three years from 2022 to 2025. Media Minister Catherine Martin was first told of a potential golden handshake to RTÉ's head of content Jim Jennings at the end of May. Extra has learned, however, that the scheme barely escaped the budgetary knife during a DPER review of spending in the Culture Department. As part of the build-up to the revamped National Development Plan (NDP) and Budget 2026 – which the Government has warned will be a difficult one – DPER have been reviewing the spending of all departments. One minister noted: 'It is like a home invasion. They [the DPER] are going through everywhere like a dose of salts; a lot of ministers are feeling very bruised.' This is especially the case within the Department of Culture, where sources told Extra: 'The artists scheme barely survived; the minister had a battle to get a six-month extension.' One senior figure noted: 'The DPER accountants were not impressed. They were using phrases like 'strong reservations' on any future schemes.' A departmental source added: 'The suggestion was made was that it was a measure that doesn't need repeating. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos 'That's civil service speak for taking the scheme to the vets to be put down.' The DPER accountants are believed to have met stern resistance from Minister O'Donovan. One Government figure noted: 'The minister has strong personal views on this: he will not accept losing a penny or a single artist. The minister will react very vigorously to any attempts to trim this scheme.' They added: 'There has been significant research into the operation of this project. There is a comprehensive report. All artists were, as part of the process, questioned over its impact.' One furious senior Fine Gael figure lambasted the move, noting: 'It's politically stupid. You would think we would have far better things to be doing than taking on a few starving artists.' They warned the Government is 'kicking over a whole series of hornets nests' to save money for the budget, alluding to the ongoing row over whether to scrap a €1,000 reduction in student fees that was introduced as a cost-ofliving measure. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. Pic: Fran Veale Another Fine Gael source warned: 'Jack [Chambers] would want to be very careful. 'Culture is a small department but sometimes in these matters it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the size of the fight in the dog that matters, and Patrick likes fighting.' They warned that the Fine Gael TD for Limerick County would not 'tolerate any incursions like this on his patch'. Another Fine Gael source noted: 'It is a classic example of Fianna Fáil knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing. 'All these words by Micheál Martin and others about the value of and pride in Irish culture sound very hollow. Pic: Shutterstock 'Pride has to eat, you know.' Responding to queries on the issue, the Department of Public Expenditure said: 'Any matters relating to decisions for Budget 2026, including the below mentioned scheme, will be considered as part of the normal budgetary process.' Given the perceived success of the scheme, Culture Minister Mr O'Donovan received some criticism when he announced a short six-month extension of the current arrangements. Labour arts spokesperson Rob O'Donoghue sharply criticised the scenario where artists had been left with a 'six-month Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads'. Pic: Shutterstock Mr O'Donovan has already signalled that he expects a full renewal of the scheme in Budget 2026, noting at the announcement of the six-month extension of the current scheme: 'I intend to bring proposals for a successor scheme to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026.' He added: 'The extension I am announcing today will provide time to finalise the research programme and to undertake stakeholder engagement, which will provide the Government with a comprehensive evidence base upon which to base future policy decisions about the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA).' Mr O'Donovan added that evidence collected to date indicates 'the BIA payment is having a consistent positive impact across almost all indicators'. Cairn Community Games ambassador Jack Woolley with children Helena Casey and Joseph Farrell at the launch of Cairn Community Games in the Gate Theatre. Pic: Julien Behal He said artists in receipt of the support are typically able to 'devote more time to their art, produce more pieces of work, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction, experience reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support'. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme was launched in 2022 with two funding streams: one for newly qualified artists and one for more established ones. Some 2,000 eligible applicants were chosen through random selection, having met the criteria. No means test was applied to applicants.
Hamilton Spectator
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Stephen considers downtown facade improvement program
The downtown core of St. Stephen could benefit from a new program that enhances business facades. Jeff Renaud, the chief administrative officer for the Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS), said he's been working on this project in collaboration with the Southwest New Brunswick Regional Service Commission (SNBSC), adding it is very much a 'working draft.' 'The discussion around the downtown facade program has been around for a long time,' he said. 'It used to live on the fringes of the Business Improvement Association (BIA), but quite frankly that wasn't the right place for it to try and live.' Renaud said it also isn't part of their mandate. Any draft policy discussed at the Committee of the Whole does not take effect as a standing policy until it is formally brought before the council for debate and a vote. 'What we've discovered and what we're proposing is that it be run from the municipal district itself,' he said. They set a maximum rate of about $7,500 per project, he explained to the council. The municipality has also identified partnerships with the Canadian Business Development Corporation if needed. A business could apply to the program to give much-needed upgrades to the facade, or front-facing area, of a business in the downtown. An example in the presentation includes a variety of things that could be done to improve the look and feel of the downtown. Each project would be brought before the council for a vote and approval. Properties within the Downtown Business Zone are eligible, but those that fall under the New Brunswick Register of Historic Places are not. Renaud said the proposal plan would be presented to the BIA membership to get feedback. Mayor Allan MacEachern asked whether there could be control over facade colours, allowing for depth in the range of storefront colours. Meanwhile, Coun. Wade Greenlaw questioned what area would encompass the program. Renaud explained it would be the area under the BIA, but also the historic district of Milltown. 'To try and rejuvenate that area as well,' Renaud said. Renaud said waterfront properties, the side facing Calais, ME, could also be eligible under the program. 'We're doing some stuff that is outside the box for facade improvements but I think with the nature of our community, they are attempts to do interesting things,' he said. Coun. Emily Rodas asked about buildings that are rented. 'Would the landlord be able to apply for the $7,500 for each unit, or would the tenant be applying for the funds with the landlord's permission?' she asked. Renaud said multi-unit buildings may need further consideration within the policy, but a tenant could apply with the landlord's permission. He said he would take it back to the working group for consideration on how it might handle large multi-unit businesses, like the ones nearest the border on Milltown Blvd. Coun. Joyce Wright said it could consider allowing one facade improvement per address, to avoid impediments to future owners of multi-unit businesses. Council has sent the proposal off to the BIA for consideration. The Courier reached out to the BIA, but did not receive a response by publication time. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
