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HomeNewsPrince George art gallery closing, calling for improved downtown zoning

Prince George art gallery closing, calling for improved downtown zoning

Zoning in the downtown core
Zoning in the downtown core

Culture in Prince George is taking a blow, and another downtown Prince George business is closing its doors while it’s owner is voicing frustration with the city’s planning department.

Melanie Desjardines has owned and operated the Groop Art Gallery on 3rd avenue for six years.

She says the area has been in a steady decline since the Farmers Market moved on, and says she is frustrated with the city’s zoning that allows something like a needle exchange next door.

“You can’t expect tourists, families and shoppers to frequent an area where they are afraid to leave their vehicle. There has to be some planning that goes into the locating of certain types of operations.”

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Currently all of downtown west of Queensway is zoned C1, which allows almost any business or service to move in. She hopes the city will consider rezoning sections of 3rd and 4th avenues to protect business owners and allow retail to flourish.

“So at least you have those zones, where people can shop in… because if people are going to invest, they have to be protected that they’re not going to have a soup kitchen, or a homeless shelter or another needle exchange pop up right beside them.”

She says that the Canada Winter Games was another big blow against her drive to keep the gallery open.

“I just can’t fight it. Rather than the city cleaning up that area, volunteers, people that work at the hotels, people that were working with the games, everyone said; ‘oh don’t go over there, its dangerous’

Mayor Lyn Hall says he and council remain committed to cleaning up the downtown core, citing the city’s recent remedial action against two dilapidated buildings.

“I’m certainly hearing from the downtown community that they want us to take a closer look a zoning.” Hall said “Particularly around an entertainment zone, where we would prefer to see all sort of entertainment.”

“It’s all one package, and how do we make that work… we are certainly going to be in conversation with the Downtown Business Improvement Association about what that looks like for them.”

Hall says the city “needs to make a move, and do something about it” when it comes to organizing businesses and services.

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Desjardines, who also owns Groop Gallery’s building, isn’t giving up on the downtown core.

“The reality is, I just have to stand back and wait until the city does something before I take another stab at anything in the downtown. Because my time and investment dollars are just wasting.”

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