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Downtown London’s business district will get some extra money for street cleaning and graffiti removal, but not for property damage or enhancing security, city politicians decided during 2025 budget talks on Friday.
Politicians voted 11-3 Friday morning to provide the Downtown London business improvement area with $300,000 per year for next year and 2026 from the community improvement reserve fund.
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Referencing how recently approved homelessness and pandemic-related financial supports to downtown merchants will soon end, Coun. David Ferreira, who represents downtown, said continued support is needed as the city prepares to undertake a new downtown master plan.
“The way I see it, is the downtown is in the ICU,” he said. “I fear as that ends and we don’t fill those gaps that are going to open up at the end of the year, we are not going to like what we see.”
Councillors Anna Hopkins, Corrine Rahman and Susan Stevenson voted against the move, Coun. Hadleigh McAlister was absent, and all others voted in support.
More businesses in the downtown have been closing year-over-year, Ferreira said, adding that all councillors have a stake in the “heartbeat” of the city. Several politicians agreed.
“It’s the city’s core, and it’s a very public space,” Coun. Steve Lehman said. “A healthy heartbeat is needed for a healthy city.”
Ferreira’s motion was one of three to support the downtown business area, and the only one approved by his colleagues.
A motion seeking to draw $265,000 per year for three years from an economic development reserve fund to fund more security and property damage grants for businesses failed in an 8-6 vote. Mayor Josh Morgan, and councillors Hopkins, Ferreira, McAlister, Elizabeth Peloza, and Sam Trosow voted in support, while Lehman abstained.
Councillors refused to support tabling Ferreira’s third motion, providing $95,000 per year for three years for marketing and promotional supports.
London’s proposed property tax hike for 2025 remained at 7.4 per cent as of Friday morning. That would add $265 to the property tax bill of an “average” London home — “average” being one assessed at $252,000.
Budget talks continue Friday afternoon.
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