SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Twenty-five per cent of the money plugged into downtown parking meters will continue to be used to improve the city's downtown, despite the amalgamation of the Downtown Enhancement Committee with the Smart Growth Implementation Committee.

Eric Pasquayak feeds a parking meter on Franklin Avenue Thursday. Twenty-five per cent of his meter money will continue to go toward downtown enhancement. - Nicole Veerman/NNSL photo

Jennifer Marchant, who chairs the enhancement committee, said the money will be "designated for the development of the downtown area, so it won't get lost.

"It will be concentrated for all of the projects and all of the objectives of the Downtown Enhancement Committee."

The amount from meters going to downtown improvements is about $70,000 a year. The remaining 75 per cent goes into the Municipal Enforcement Division's budget.

She said there is a possibility the designation will change with time once there are parking meters in other parts of the city.

The enhancement committee formed in 2002 after the Downtown Plan, a document outlining policies and actions to enhance the city's downtown area over the next 10 to 15 years, was passed by council.

Their last meeting was held Tuesday to tie up loose ends, said Marchant.

"(We discussed) all of the outstanding issues, all of the things that we know are either in limbo or must be considered or must remain as priorities," she said.

The purpose of the committee, which was composed of representatives from interest groups, the public at large and council, was to make recommendations to council on the implementation, promotion and monitoring of the Downtown Plan.

Marchant said the merging of the two committees will be beneficial because there will be more people, so there will be more strength behind the projects. The new committee will consist of 13 members from organizations and representatives from the community at large.

"From my perspective, it's the way to go," she said.

Marchant said she isn't sure if she will be on the new committee. Either way, she said, she's confident the goals of the enhancement committee will be met.

In 2010, the committee had a budget of $78,000 to fund initiatives like downtown streetscaping, murals and facade improvement.

The new Smart Growth Implementation Committee will incorporate the budget and responsibilities of the enhancement committee.

"That means we'll be able to focus on the whole city instead of just downtown," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem, who sat on the downtown enhancement committee.

The Smart Growth Implementation Committee was formed after extensive public consultation with more than 2,000 residents, resulting in the Smart Growth Development Plan.

The plan, which cost the city $175,000, lays out long-range growth and development strategies for the city.

Van Tighem said over the eight years that the enhancement committee has been working together, they went from being "very active to asking themselves why they're there" because they had already accomplished so many of their goals.

"With the Smart Growth Plan that's been done, the (enhancement committee) see themselves as very much a part of that."

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