City Council has voted to close out the books from the now-dissolved Lloydminster Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). An audit by Leckie & Associates LLP found $179,144.01 remaining in a BID-managed account which will be transferred into a reserve for the DARP.
The BID was originally created in 1989 to improve, maintain and beautify the downtown area. The BID voted to dissolve last spring in favour of new ways to revitalize downtown. The money was paid to the city on behalf of downtown businesses to be provided to the BID. Upon its dissolution, that money returned to the city from the BID’s account.
The DARP is going ahead as the city’s main focus to improve the downtown area. Mayor Aalbers thinks the money has the potential to improve the impact the DARP leaves behind. Aalbers says that money was intended for the improvement of downtown, and that’s why it’s being set into a reserve for the DARP.
“So once the DARP is done, we can allocate that money with cooperation and input. That’s what the DARP is all about is getting input from the downtown and residents so that we make improvements to the city that are well worth their effort,” says Aalbers.
The DARP is currently in Phase 3 with O2 Planning and Design refining the plan based on public input. Engagement sessions were held around the city and a survey was featured online to get feedback on proposals made by the DARP. A finalized version of the DARP’s plan is expected to be presented in the summer.