Several SGBIA members have called in the last few days, hoping I can help them sort out the tax assessment notices and perhaps project what sort of impact they might expect on their property taxes. If anyone ever said property tax calculations were easy—they were lying. In fact, I have a conspiracy theory that suggests it is purposefully clandestine to avoid honest and loud scrutiny.
Here is what we know:
There is no real way to look at your assessment notice and be able to determine what your tax bill is going to look like in July. The best you can do is determine how much your particular property has increased/decreased compared to the entire commercial property class roll within the city. I am being advised that on average, properties have increased 11% this year. If your assessment went up 12-15% that would suggest (as best as we can speculate at this point) that your taxes will not change significantly from 2010. Read More
South Granville
takes customer service to the next level
We started out with a great shopping district with products and services for every taste and budget – that’s us, right? Add in an online holiday gift guide at www.southgranville.org, showcasing some of the best things South Granville has to offer this holiday season. Then make sure people know we are THE place to shop this holiday season – we have that covered too with a large print and 500,000 impression online campaign. Throw in great window displays (some of your windows are amazing!) and a little entertainment on weekends and we are ready for a good season of retailing. Read More
A celebration of the Season became official on South Granville late last week with the installation of our Holiday Banners splashing the street with festive reds and whites, images of snowflakes, and the announcement of White Christmas soon to be on the marquee at the historic Stanley Theatre.
Our friends and family VIP Shopping Night held last Wednesday November 3rd, was only a preview of the Holiday excitement building in the air and in our South Granville shops. Thank you to everyone who participated. We hope to be able to plan more unique shopping nights as the season unfolds. Read More
Parking on South Granville just got a whole lot easier!
South Granville has been selected to test drive 100 new parking meters for the City of Vancouver. These are no ordinary parking meters… they are the first of their kind in Canada—solar powered, with multiple payment options, virtually indestructible, and totally programmable.
These new meters will accept credit cards, coins, and pay by phone options. According to city staff, the days of suggesting you did not pay because the meter was broken is simply not going to fly any more.
The part we are most excited about… these machines can be programmed to allow different time limits depending on the day of the week and time of day. This is GREAT news for the Stanley Theatre and its patrons who have been struggling with the meters being active until 10pm and a 2 hour maximum stay. Now, customers will be able to buy up to 4 hours of time after 6pm. No more watching the clock, no more dashing out at intermission or between your entree and dessert—you can simply relax and enjoy your evening. It gets better. Monday to Friday daytime parking will remain at a 2 hour maximum for now but the City has agreed to our request of allowing 4 hours of time to be purchased on weekends. Now you can shop, grab a coffee, and not have to worry that you have to be back at your car within the 2 hour time limit. We think this is great news! Read More
What:
South Granville VIP Hospitality Shopping Night
When:
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Time:
5:30pm – 8:00pm
To Participate:
- you must be committed to be open until 8:00pm
- be willing to distribute an electronic invitation to your customer database that will list all retail participants
- offer a 15% discount to all customers for the evening
You may have already noticed, but we’ve moved our online digs to a much more modern and comfortable space. Over the past few months we’ve been checking out new CMS accommodations at WordPress.com and liked the place so much, we decided to build a whole new home for ourselves and the neighbourhood. Read More
- Today I have learned from City Engineers that our persistent lobbying has paid off. South Granville will be receiving 2 new pedestrian activated crossing signals at 6th Avenue and 15th Avenue. We can expect installation before the end of the year.
- There was a plan to extend the truck route that terminates at Broadway to be extended north across the Granville Street Bridge – That plan has been scrapped.
- Consideration is being given to the restoration of left turns along Granville. We have presented an alternative that would involve the restoration of parking on the west side of Granville after 3pm. That alternative is under consideration.
