PROGR1ESS [lil)l'1ION. WllIIBl't H -IZ['l-*RLS NINFIAY A Y ô.i 9 I.l>;11 Area Imp rovement Board working towards revitalizationof Whitby's core By MICHIAEL KNELI, Free Press Staff The heart af the business cammunity is generally ta be found in the downtown care of the municipalîty that is served. Whitby is no exception ta this rule. Downtawn Whitby boasts a wide range of goods and services for the con- sumner from groceries ta clothing ta hardware ta automative sales and ser- vice ta restaurants and en- tertainment. Hawever, the develop- ment of the shopping centre and the concept of one-stop shopping under one, usually air conditianed, roof, the downtown cores of many communities, including Whitby's, have been on the wane. The Province of Ontario and the Town af Whitby recognized this particular problem realizing that the downtawn core often provides the spirit af the community and is a primary factor in determining its character and its direction af development. Under authority given it by the province, Whitby Town Council passed a bylaw in 1979 establishing the Whitby Central Business District Improvement Area Board. According ta the baard's chairman, Michael I. Burgess, "the purpose af the board is ta provide through promotion, beautificatian and improvement a down- town business area that at- tracts consumers and builds prasperous businesses."' Burgess, publisher and managing editar af the Whitby Free Press, said that the board tries ta accom- plish this with a $10,000 a year budget. These funds are raised anly from the downtawn business community. It is, essentially, an extra tax levy on top of their usual property and business tax. The follawing people serve on the board (ail without any remuneratian>: Lynda Buf- fett of Hair bines Ltd.; Sharon Hewson of Fashians 126; Tony Martin of Whitby Dominion Hardware; Ed- ward Przybylski of Cedrick's Dining Lounge, and Brian McNarry of Perry House Day Care Centre. Centre Ward Cauncillar Barry Evans also sits on the board as the mayor' s designate. Burgess is careful ta point out that the board's money is only spent on public proper- ty and said that its first full year of operation. 1980, was highly successful. The WCBDIAB installed flower planters on many of the downtown streets as well as holding a sell-a-thon and a Christmas promotion. The downtowfl businessman claimed that the most successful event of last year was the day-long street maIl that was held during the County Town Carnival., "That was aur' most suc- cessful undertaking sa far," Burgess said. "Althaugh we did nat know exactly haw many thousands of people attended, the board and the downtown merchants were sa impressed that plans are currently being finalized for G as cars may soon be extinet, Men zies believes Grant Menzie's Mtors Ltd. wvas faunded on May' 5, 197 1 and spent eighl years in Wihitby befare maving ta its present lacatian at 1430 King Street East in O)shawa, The dealership features the sales and service of ail American Malars a nd Reu- uault cars. Accarding ta awnei' Grant Menzie, the camnpany deals in the sale of new and used cars, leasing and parts and serv ice. «*1 would say that we are fair and hanest and wve lfinI after the custarner after the sale," Menzîe says helie vïng Ihal considering loday"s general econornic climate il is quite an accarnplishrnent ta have slaved in business for 10 yea rs Despîte the concern aver whal îs acknowledged as the decline ai the North Amerîcan automobile in- dustry and the predomt)ninail ce af foreign-made vehicles, Menzie is confident that the future looks good for darnestie cars. "l'm very optirnistic aboaut the car business," he says pointing ta the recent technalogical advances that are making the North Anwericaf car more fuel ef- ficient, srnaller and mechanically bel ter. Hie is alsa ai the opinion that gasoline powered cars will soo)n becarne a thing of the past G;rant Menzie's Motars Ltd. will prabably seil 17.5 new and 300 tised cars thîs y'ear, ils awner says. -The messaîge that 1 want la gel ar"s it ha IGrant MNenzue-. \1'iîars bas heen serviîu, wople in the l)urh.. itegian fo>r 10 vears witti irnlegrity and I want ta continue this service for iir. %,earsýta came. a second mail ta be held this sua-i-mer. " The board also purchased the services of the Whitby Transit Service several times during the last year ta provide free public tran- sportation ta the downtown core on Saturdays. Burgess also claimed that these events were ail worth the effort with one Saturday bringing over 400 people ta the downtawn core. However, there is one im- o- j provement ta the downtown that Burgess would like ta see implemented. "The board would like ta see ah aof the businesses using the same hours of business," he said pointing out that many local merchants are clased either Manday or Wed- nesday afternoan or some Saturdays.. The board is presently en- couraging the dawntawn retail community ta aperate from 9 a.m. ta 6 p.m. Mon- day ta Saturday, except Friday when the board recommends that the stores remain open until 9 p.m. Burgess is confiîdent that if these haurs of business were adopted more people could be attracted ta the area because of the fixed hours. "The average consumer would know that ail of the stores and facilities that he or she wanted ta use would be available during these hours, encouraging him ta corne downtown more of- ten. " He also said that because of the general economic climate, businesses in the downtown area should band together on issues like this in order for everyone ta get the maximum benefit. Burgess also has high hapes for the board's upcoming year saying that he anticipater the board wiil be planning and undertaking many new projects. Grant Menzies Motors is holding their 1 Oth Mr. Grant Menzies, and his staff, cordially invite you to corne in during their lOth Anniversary and Iook at the fulll une of quality vehicles t ram Arnerican Motors. Eagie Jeep Spirit- cJ-5 cJ-7 Concord Wagoneer Sorambler R18 MR. AIl of us at Grant Menzies Motors are very proud of the reputation we have earned in the 10 years we have been serving the Durham Region. Our policy has always been to provide the motoring public with top quality vehicles, whether new or used, and to follow up every sale with courteous, dependable service. Corne in and take a look at pleasantly surprised. Jeannie 8eiliveau what we've got to ofter. We think, t - Morley Raines Dwight Westlake Stan Aldsworth John Lyzon -W Lee Brunton Bill Mc0ueen Grant Menzies Motors (1976) Limited 571-3600 Oshawa Pick-up Cherokee Renault R5 1430 King Street East lm f 1