Then City of Lacombe has completed their Downtown Area Redevelopment Survey noting a couple interesting results. The City has dedicated $1.7 million over the course of the next ten years in order to revitalize the downtown area and wants to ensure that they addressing the current needs and recommendations of their residents.

Community and Economic Development Manager, Guy LaPointe says maintaining a pedestrian friendly downtown area and maintaining Lacombe’s historical building continues to be very important to Lacombe’s residents. 53 per cent of those who completed the survey selected walkable and accessible streets as a top priority.

The City of Lacombe conducted the survey in order to reevaluate where residents top priorities are for the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP).

“In the plan, there was ten scenes that the plan focused on and what we were actually going back to the public to find out if those ten were still relevant and if there was new ideas. The ten still pretty much resonated with people in the top three,” said LaPointe.

Phase one of the DARP was includes determining priority areas of the city. Now, the city will enter phase two of the plan with the DARP advisory committee.

“We're going to take that information into phase two where the advisory committee will basically have discussions about what projects might best align with those priorities afterwards. Then they'll make recommendations to counselors as to what steps should be taken afterwards,” said LaPointe.

He says many residents desired to be a part of the DARP committee and take an active role in the enhancement of the down town area.

The DARP survey results have been posted online and can be accessed here.

File photo.

City continues to offer the Downtown Storefront Enhancement Program

Additionally, the City of Lacombe and Echo Lacombe Association continue to offer the Downtown Storefront Enhancement Program and are now accepting applications until April 9, 2021 which will further enhance the downtown area. Those who apply may receive a $2,000 grant in order to improve the look for their storefront.

“It is meant for exterior improvement, so anything from paint, to windows, to lighting, even landscaping as well. For the most part, it could be anything that sort of improves the exterior of your building,” said LaPointe.

He says businesses are able to reapply for the grant as well. Generally, the ECHO Lacombe Association selects eight to twelve projects. The area of eligibility is quite substantial outstretches Old Town Mainstreet.

Screenshot courtesy of the City of Lacombe website.

“That program has always been very popular and I think it will continue to be popular. If anything, because of COVID, some people have some additional time to take on some of this work. I expect it will be as popular if not, more popular this year,” added LaPointe.

He believes the downtown area is very important to Lacombe residents and looks forward to seeing great ideas and projects put to action.

“I think that's one thing that really resonated from the survey is that there was lots of interest. You know there was a number of a positive comment about the downtown. People are really keen on seeing our downtown survive and really thrive.”

For more information on the Downtown Storefront Enhancement Program, click here.