The DVBIA and five other participating BIAs continue to work towards meeting the conditions for a dumpster-free alternative as per Vancouver City Council's unanimous support in principle late last year for the initiative.

A number of bids were received in late January in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Streets and Alleys Cleanup Strategies (SACS) program and are currently being reviewed. It is still hoped the new dumpster-free waste collection and disposal system will be implemented this year.

SACS impacts the 320+ dumpsters currently on city property within the DVBIA area plus hundreds more in other BIAs areas, including South Granville, Robson Street, Yaletown, Gastown and the West End.

In addition to meeting the objectives of cleaner streets and lanes, reducing waste, integrating partnerships with social enterprises and reducing waste hauling traffic and congestion, SACS is intended to be a cost-effective alternative for our members. Our research suggests dumpster-free alternatives will be the same or cheaper than current dumpster costs over the long-term as users become accustomed to sorting and recycling. The cost to the user for this dumpster-free alternative is a factor in the DVBIA's decision-making process. The DVBIA will either modify the initiative or defer it if it is too costly. 

The DVBIA and City staff are expected to go before the Standing Committee of Vancouver City Council on Planning & Environment this month to get approval to enter into a contract to expand the Downtown Ambassador® program in our 90-block area to a 24/7 service starting in July. This report is a follow-up to the green light Council gave the expansion proposal in late 2007.

Mayor Sam Sullivan further endorsed the proposal and advocated for its quick implementation last month when he held a media briefing at the Helly Hansen store on Granville Street. The store recently had some stolen merchandise recovered and the thieves apprehended in a joint effort between the Vancouver Police Department and the Downtown Ambassadors®. This business is just one of many that have formally endorsed the expansion over the past few months.

"Expansion of the Ambassadors program both meets the goals of the DVBIA and the City's Project Civil City in helping address homelessness, panhandling and the open drug market while taking the bigger picture perspective that many organizations have a role to play in keeping our streets save and inviting for all," say Charles Gauthier, Executive Director of the DVBIA.

The Downtown Ambassadors® are one of the most recognizable and highly rated programs the DVBIA offers according to our independently conducted member and general public surveys. The Ambassadors offer a broad spectrum of services from crime prevention, hospitality, community safety, to a regular presence on our streets.

The process for implementing the Downtown Ambassador® program within other BIA areas is still being worked through by City staff.

Good news for Vancouver businesses. By a close 6-5 vote last month, Vancouver City Council voted to accept the Property Tax Policy Review Commission's recommendations for a tax shift of one per cent per year in each of the next five years until the commercial class pays 48 per cent, instead of its current share of 53 per cent.

The DVBIA-supported Vancouver Fair Tax Coalition applauds Council for recognizing the property tax share paid by businesses is unfair and unsustainable.

"Supporting a tax shift is always hard to do in an election year, but Council has done the right thing for the future of the city," says Ed Des Roches, co-chair of the Vancouver Fair Tax Coalition. "The Mayor and Councillors who voted in favour of the shift understand the need to fix a long-standing inequity. They are clearly thinking about the value businesses bring to Vancouver - jobs, unique goods and services and a sense of community."

This tax shift will provide some relief for businesses in the next five years. The average homeowner, with a property assessed at $700,000, will see a minimal increase of $36 per year. 

However, the fight for fair taxes is ongoing. The Coalition will continue advocating Council enact a permanent policy in the event of a change in government and its directives during the November election. 

The Vancouver Fair Tax Coalition, a volunteer group representing more than 43,000 local businesses, works to ensure businesses pay a fair share of property taxes and contribute to the sustainability of Vancouver.

The DVBIA-sponsored Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival continues in full bloom through April 20 with activities for everyone. Check out the Plein-Air Blossom Painting Classes at VanDusen Botanical Garden. It's a unique opportunity to paint en plein-air under a canopy of cherry blossoms with other artists. Or enjoy a series of free guided Tree Talks & Walks and the Cherry Trolley Tours that run each Sunday.

New this year is the Bike the Blossoms on April 19 presented by Slow Food Vancouver and the Festival. City bike route maps will highlight boulevards of peak cherry blossom viewing and selected SlowFood refuelling stops at eateries, bakeries and coffee/tea shops featuring Fraser Valley farmers.