Downtown Sydney focus of revitalization proposals

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality wants to redevelop Sydney's downtown core.

Planning staff have made four recommendations to encourage new business startups and to attract residentialdevelopment on the Esplanade and in north-end Sydney'sheritage district,which is within walking distance ofthe downtown commercial blocks.

The plan also includes creating a single commercial tax rate for Sydney, the developmentof a parking strategy and a plan to improvethe Charlotte Street landscape.

Vibrant downtown

"The tax rate in downtown Sydney is higher than it is in the suburban areas immediately outside Sydney, so we were looking at harmonizing that rate," said seniorplanner RickMcCready. "One tax rate for the whole area."

He saidrecommendations are meant to address issues so that Sydney has a vibrant downtown core in the future, something essential to economic development.

The executive directorof the Sydney Waterfront District, Michelle Wilson, saidthe proposals are positive for those who work in the downtown core.

Wilson saidencouraging private developers to build apartment buildings or condos could prompt people who have been hesitant about opening a business to take theleap, if they can live close to where they work.

Cape Breton regional council will revisit the proposal and relatedcostsduring municipal budget talksscheduled for May.