The Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee (DARC) continues its work to better downtown.
Read more: Lloyd pitches in for downtown garden
Lloydminster council heard a public presentation from DARC chair Ben Harrison on June 16.
DARC was established to advise on the implementation of the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP). From construction of roads and infrastructure to public space and events, DARP outlines an action plan intended to revive the downtown and make it a show piece of Lloydminster.
Nearly $10 million in investment has been made in the downtown core.
“When we go back a little further to 2018, we’ve seen a total investment in our downtown of about $9.5 million,” said Harrison. “We really are encouraged by a lot of the different activities and events taking place in our downtown.”
A variety of grants have also been funded to improve the downtown.
“Since then, we’ve been able to support 22 grants with a total allocation of $206,946,” said Harrison. “That has gone to applicants who’ve wanted to bring forward proposal for murals, street fund improvements, lighting, signage, painting, and we’ve even had two applicants receive funding for demolition projects.”
Private-sector investment has also made an impact.
“We’ve seen the private sector participants invest for the known project costs we have, $1,631,000,” he said. “This kind of seed money helps get projects going and has had a really good impact so far.”
In total, there have been more than 23 events with over 15,000 people participating. As progress continues, DARP outlined 30 goals to work towards, according to Harrison.
“We’ve seen nine of those goals be completed, or continuing,” he said. “Seven are in progress and we have 14 outstanding.”
He said they were happy to see support improving 50 St.
“We were really pleased to see council’s support for the street improvement project on 50 St. in 2023,” said Harrison.
They also received an award for the work.
“We received the 2025 economic developers of Alberta award for economic development renewal project,” he said. “I think we’re seeing, with these kind of activities and projects, not only local recognition and encouragement, I think we’re also seeing others in the province or provinces are seeing things happen in our downtown.”
One thing Harrison wants to see is more residential downtown.
“On a personal note, I think for myself, one of the things I really hope we see in the next coming years is increased residential development,” he said. “I think that will be a really key aspect to the vitality of our downtown and economic development.”
Coun. Michael Diachuk noted he’s heard positive reviews of the downtown core.
“(I) was working Streetfest and I had some people come in and say ‘Wow, the downtown looks fabulous and overwhelming,’ that was the sentiment I heard,” he said, pointing out the work happening in downtown is a partnership between the city and downtown businesses.
“The ideas that are coming forth are coming forth from the businesses downtown and I think they’re great ideas. When you drive downtown, it looks great.”
The work downtown is important to beautifying and attracting people to it.
“The design work is important, the beautification, the infrastructure and the aesthetics of downtown is really, really important. It creates a canvas to set the stage to come there,” said Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson.
Coun. Justin Vance, who sits on the committee, had high praise for the work the group does and the passion they have.
“I have the pleasure of sitting on this committee and I just have to say I don’t think you’ll find another group of people that love their downtown as much as this group,” he said.
“It’s overwhelming of love and support and passion for the downtown. It’s great to see and it’s great to have in our community. Measuring the success of this committee is right in the numbers and seeing how little the city has had to invest and how big the investment is in return.”
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