1. BIAs in the Downtown Eastside An introduction to Strathcona and Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Areas Joji Kumagai, Executive Director, SBIA Wes Regan, Executive Coordinator, HXBIA
Wes: neighbourhood was vibrant, iconic shops, neon signs – a destination. Seeing a return to that but with a social awareness that has helped to drive innovative business.
Labour movement, Strathcona residents fighting the freeway Plan 200, Oppenheimer Park – soapbox, the only place where protests could be held
Wes: example – Save On Meats. Woodward’s – mix of housing, socially inclusive; return of two anchor businesses, return of a major Canadian bank, relocation of a major post secondary institution
Wes: artistically driven and creative neighbourhood. One of the highest concentration of artists in Canada.
Wes: SoleFood Farms – food security; bridges economic and social inclusivity; employs locals; healthier community, economy and local food system Joji: in SBIA area, parking lot of Astoria Hotel – aesthetically unpleasing, now a greenspace that generates green jobs, economic activity