Downtown Sydney focus of revitalization proposals
Cape Breton Regional Municipality staff make four recommendations
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality wants to redevelop Sydney's downtown core.
Planning staff have made four recommendations to encourage new business startups and to attract residential development on the Esplanade and in north-end Sydney's heritage district, which is within walking distance of the downtown commercial blocks.
The plan also includes creating a single commercial tax rate for Sydney, the development of a parking strategy and a plan to improve the Charlotte Street landscape.
Vibrant downtown
"The tax rate in downtown Sydney is higher than it is in the suburban areas immediately outside Sydney, so we were looking at harmonizing that rate," said senior planner Rick McCready. "One tax rate for the whole area."
He said recommendations are meant to address issues so that Sydney has a vibrant downtown core in the future, something essential to economic development.
The executive director of the Sydney Waterfront District, Michelle Wilson, said the proposals are positive for those who work in the downtown core.
Wilson said encouraging private developers to build apartment buildings or condos could prompt people who have been hesitant about opening a business to take the leap, if they can live close to where they work.
Cape Breton regional council will revisit the proposal and related costs during municipal budget talks scheduled for May.