Members are frustrated with the Downtown BRZ

Editor:

The recent letter from Sarah Amies regarding the efforts of the BRZ on behalf of the downtown small business community is the same old rhetoric.

The Herald opinion piece questioning the value of the Lethbridge Downtown Revitalization Zone was spot on. Here are some reasons why members are frustrated:

• What is the organization doing for their clients throughout the whole zone?

The constant use of the Galt Gardens and the Festival Square site limits most of the retail benefits to a small area. If your motives are truly in support of your all members why bring in food trucks so the people stay in that area?

• Why did the BRZ not educate its members about the construction that would upset the whole area during peak retail season? Why did they not advocate for a more reasonable time frame?

The fact that the BRZ advocates for snow removal in the bike lanes brings into question where they were when the whole mess started.

The traffic congestion speaks to the lack of forethought.

The fact that the organization is proud of the results of its advocacy regarding parking is ludicrous!

This parking issue is what is killing downtown business. The rates should begin at the half hour.

People should not be forced to pay a three-hour surcharge to simply pop in to an establishment.

This garbage about how lucky we are to be able to wander about for hours applies to very few people. This seems to be the

BRZ feeding us what the people at City Hall want us to accept whether we like it or not.

The effort of the BRZ regarding the Clean Sweep Program are necessary and appreciated.

It must be kept in mind that although most members support this and other community efforts it is the responsibility of the government.

Members of the BRZ are paying this additional tax to promote their interest, not to take on the duties of City Hall.

I do not claim to speak for all members but can speak of my own experiences. I agree with the editorial questioning “what are tax levies doing for downtown businesses?”

It is time for a new approach that will encompass all of Lethbridge and have better operational guide lines.

The the time has come to fold the BRZ.

Bernie Pigeau Lethbridge