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Brandon Stuff
5/8/2007 at 10:41 PM
I haven't been following thigs THAT closely but noticed on Global tonight covered Gerard's Brandon specific platofrm today. I know the Jets story had people crying perimeteritis so, what about
"Liberals pledge greener, more livable downtown for Brandon: Wheat City to benefit equally from Liberals urban renewal agenda"
BRANDON – Liberal Leader Dr. Jon Gerrard was in Brandon Tuesday to announce that a provincial Liberal government will provide assistance in revitalizing the city’s struggling downtown core after years of neglect under both Conservative and NDP governments.
Joined by Brandon East Liberal candidate Cheryl Burke, the Liberal leader said many of the ‘smart growth’ policies for urban renewal announced last week in Winnipeg will apply equally to Brandon and other urban centres outside of Winnipeg.
“Unlike the NDP and Conservatives, Liberals understand that urban revitalization is not just a Winnipeg issue but a Manitoba issue,” Dr. Gerrard said. “Under a Liberal government, fostering smart urban growth will be a priority for cities like Brandon and Dauphin, and we will ensure that downtown revitalization for the City of Brandon will get the same attention we will give to Winnipeg.”
Dr. Gerrard said his party’s urban program of improved transit service, promotion of multi-family and mixed-use developments, green initiatives, and high-tech development is the real prescription Brandon needs to rejuvenate its downtown area.
“Making downtown Brandon a destination is about a lot more than just building a casino,” Dr. Gerrard said. “It’s about creating a place people want to visit, live and work – in short, a vibrant neighbourhood that is really alive. Our Liberal team is offering all Manitoba communities an equal opportunity to reverse years of ‘dumb’ growth under the NDP and Tories that has focused exclusively on ‘mega-projects’. We will give the kind of support Brandon wants, which is a community-driven, community-responsive approach to reclaiming our urban centres.”
A Manitoba Liberal government will:
* Commit additional provincial funding for improved transit to downtown Brandon based on discussions with the City of Brandon and Brandon Transit in the first 90 days of a Liberal government;
* Increase transit ridership by further reducing fares for seniors and post-secondary students;
* Put a priority on provincial incentives for urban ‘infill’ developments, especially multi-family developments and mixed-use developments where appropriate;
* Place a priority on adequate funding for urban green spaces, community gardens, and alternative green space designs that quiet and beautify communities;
* Improve safety and security in all Manitoba Housing units located in downtown Brandon;
* Explore the option of working with the City of Brandon, Brandon University, Assiniboine Community College, Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and Westman businesses to turn the former ACC site into a business incubator and ‘virtual marketplace’ in support of Westman area commerce;
* Work to establish a tri-level governmental agreement (federal, provincial, municipal) similar to those in Winnipeg for downtown revitalization.