In 1981, City Council created what is now called the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District pursuant to Bylaw 2003-80. The purpose is to promote and enhance the City’s downtown for businesses operating in the district and improve the quality of life for those who use and visit downtown. Regina Downtown’s activities are guided by a board of directors according to the responsibilities and obligations in Sections 25 and 26 of The Cities Act and Bylaw 2003-80.
Section 9 of The Regina Downtown Business Improvement District Bylaw, 2003-80, indicates that on or before May 1 of each year, the Board of the business improvement district will submit its annual report for the preceding year to Council, together with a complete audited and certified financial statement of its affairs with balance sheet and revenue and expenditure statements.
As Regina Downtown is a Business Improvement District of the City of Regina, the audited financial statements have been consolidated into the City’s 2020 Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements.
None with respect to this report.
Regina Downtown’s 2020 Annual Report will be posted on the Regina Downtown website.
Section 9 of The Regina Downtown Business Improvement District Bylaw, 2003-80, requires that:
· On or before May 1 in each year, the Board shall submit its annual report for the preceding year to Council together with a complete audited and certified financial statement of its affairs, with a balance sheet and revenue and expenditure statements.
In May 2020, City Council approved the Regina Downtown’s 2020 Budget. The financial and non-financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020 are presented in the Regina Downtown’s 2020 Annual Report and included as Appendix A of this report.
2020 Annual Report
Highlights from Regina Downtown’s 2020 Annual Report, attached as Appendix A, include:
· The December 31, 2020, audited financial statements reflect a surplus of $20,765 in revenue over expenses.
· Prior to COVID-19, the district held:
o Regina Restaurant Week: 12 downtown restaurants offered an affordable fixed price menu. Members saw increased traffic and media promotion for the event.
o The Rink at City Square: Was one of the District’s greatest successes of 2020. The six themed skating events brought over 350 participants downtown. Members saw increased traffic downtown during the winter season.
With the onset of the COVID-19, Regina Downtown shifted focus to supporting members through the pandemic. A sample of the initiatives launched through the pandemic include:
· “Reconnect at the Heart” Marketing Campaign: The campaign informed Regina residents when Downtown businesses were open and advised on shopping options.
· “Heart of the City” Podcasts: Regina Downtown’s Marketing Manager held 10, 25-minute audio interviews with Regina Downtown members.
· Member Instagram Takeovers: Regina Downtown worked with members to take over the Regina Downtown Instagram account for a day, allowing members to share content on their business with the Regina Downtown audience.
A full listing of the initiatives delivered through the pandemic is captured in Appendix A.
City Council approved the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District’s 2020 Budget on May 27, 2020 (CR20-41).
Respectfully Submitted, Respectfully Submitted,
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