TRANSITION AND REVITALIZATION ARE COMING - REGARDLESS

I asked a well established businessman, one day, a decade ago, what he thought a developer would have to pay, in order to purchase every main street building. I didn’t include the churches or the Opera House out of respect, of course.

He was admittedly caught off guard. We had been chatting generally, about needed mainstreet improvements. What I asked, is if, under the right economic conditions, a developer, or many, could realistically, or in the vein of the fantastic, purchase an entire block of buildings. Or more. Then tear them down and re-build an entirely new urban / commercial mall. I asked how far 20 million would go, to encourage landowners to jump at the chance. He seemed uncomfortable with the concept, although he did concede the money could buy up a fair bit of real estate. His lingering doubt was that a developer(s) would have that much to spend on acquisition, to then have the expense of removal and re-development.

If you appreciate what developers can do, and how much time and money they are prepared to invest, you might also appreciate that as regards global investment, in worthwhile properties, 20 million isn’t an outrageous acquisition fund. What could happen, is that a developer buys up property in a zone, over years, with a long range plan for urban / residential purposes. It’s more than just possible, that a developer will eventually turn-on to the outstanding commercial potential, of Gravenhurst’s main street.....the potential we sometimes feel has diminished before our eyes! But before you shoot the messenger, consider how many properties in the BIA zone are for sale, and that are owned by investors who would be at least receptive of a significant offer to purchase. Some in large scale real estate development, might look at such major acquisitions, at this time of economic concern......in a wonderful town like Gravenhurst, as an interesting long term investment. They will appreciate that the future of tourism and greater influences from growth in Toronto, Barrie and Orillia, will arrive here with greater substance and investment than we can imagine today.......as we try to figure out what will boost the economics of mainstreet this year.

As a reporter / editor / historian serving Muskoka for decades, I have witnessed many profound development changes that seemed ridiculously out of place here in the hinterland. I didn’t think it possible, fiscally, to remove the entire top of a rock hillside, in South Gravenhurst, to build a commercial node. Looking out at The Wharf, few of us could have imagined the kind of development we have now, or that we’d have a new museum, hotel, condominiums, golf course, and a still operating steamship, plus a mate. Consider the massive new resort developments around Muskoka that have popped up in the last decade. If you look at what has changed, and how much money has been invested here, the idea that our mainstreet could be re-developed on a similarly large scale, isn’t far fetched at all.

Sometimes change is heralded by fire or natural disaster, such as the fate of the Empire Hotel in Huntsville. Consider what happened in Windermere, when its landmark resort was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt with respect to its original architecture, and modernized to last another century. I was a reporter covering the massive four store fire, in Bracebridge, back in the early 1980's, when the Thomas Company block was destroyed. Only to be built back, modernized, and set down for another century of service to the downtown. We’ve seen it in our own town with the White Pine fire. One day it will also be built-upon, as part of the renewed mainstreet business corridor.

The question of survival as a business community isn’t hard to answer. The only way it will change is if the town ever decides to remove, at a developer’s request, the commercial zoning on a main street property (or grouping of lots). It’s not to say a future council may have a different plan than we do today, but by and large, as commercial designations are hard to achieve, it’s unlikely to happen. While it’s not what people may want to hear.....the “being patient” part, there is little to do now..... but encourage a new and upbeat business co-operation between the town and the BIA, as never before in our history; and foster good relations up and down the street. The short term benefits of improved relations.....where today there are hard feelings (regardless of what you hear otherwise), is that we embrace special events with vigor, plan new events with a higher level of cooperation between all partners, and possess a future-mindedness about those investors, business people, who are willing to assist in the transition.......between what is currently viewed as a down period, toward what can be anticipated as an exciting, amazing age of urban / commercial renewal. Obviously, investors are looking for a community willing to entertain new ideas, and a town council that works as a partner to the business community.....not as its arrogant overseer.

The Town needs to understand, first of all, what corrections must be restored with BIA directorship, to improve its relevance to the rest of the BIA membership. The membership needs to be asked, by an independent enquiry, if they believe in the potential and work of the BIA, and support its mission. Whether it should be overhauled and re-structured. Each should also be asked whether or not, if given an opportunity, and a tax saving, they would choose to opt out of the association entirely. At the present time, I believe there is a group of businesses that would opt-out, in a heartbeat, to leave the umbrella group, and save the money they are required to pay, as part of the BIA / town levy. This is, of course, a pivotal issue, whether the town wants to acknowledge it or not, as relations with the BIA over time, have not been without problems.

There are those who would argue that losing the BIA would be a disaster. I might agree in part. The only way to save the BIA from continuing irrelevance, is for the town to be far more pro-active in its management. When problems arise, and there appears to be a growing disharmony with directors and membership, the town must be able to intervene to help resolve the logger-head. The BIA can have a great future role to play but first it has to unify, to the best of its ability the membership that remains. This will be a huge challenge, because for many, the rift requires substantial bridging, across a divide which has expanded unchecked over the past decade.

The town, for its contribution, must recognize surely, that the BIA area itself, is unfairly limited, and should be extended.....if they want the BIA to survive financially. This has been a subject approached and avoided by council for a considerable number of years. But it is impossible to revamp the BIA without looking at a larger main street involvement......a common economic area with similar issues, should be included under the BIA umbrella. Those businesses, at least to the rail tracks, to the south, will undoubtedly detest the idea but I think it’s more a case of the BIA’s history of disharmony they’d worry about. Every member should benefit from BIA affiliation, and wish to see it do well. Or, it should be disengaged in favor of an enhanced Chamber of Commerce role......or a more loosely based business network.

The Opera House, and the Carnegie Building, are two important town facilities, located in the heart of BIA territory. I think it’s high time, the mainstreet merchants, the BIA, worked with the town to better utilize one of the most under-utilized town resources.....that could be, with a new cooperation, one of the shining lights of commercial revitalization. If its in the BIA catchment area, then by golly, here’s all the reason in the world, to take another look at an entertainment venue, with amazing and diverse potential, that is just sitting there, empty.....most of the time. It could be a brilliant first step, as a sign of goodwill, and shared interest in building a strong new relationship, for council to find a way to encourage the BIA and Chamber, to play a more active role in Opera House activities.....and use the site for a discounted rate over the long term. Not just on an event by event basis. It may seem like a good idea for the town to beg rent reductions from landlords, to help future mainstreet tenants.......but how about cutting the rents for community groups who want to bring some life back to a pretty much abandoned Opera House......and a mainstreet wishing to help themselves out of the recession. Refute this? Go ahead.

Gravenhurst is going top have a prosperous future. It has a lot of commercial potential to offer and when the recessionary aura diminishes, you will see the influences of Southern Ontario roar back here, looking for opportunity. It’s a twenty year or more, revitalization. But it will happen.