Programs

Parking Tokens
DCI is happy to present our new “Parking Token” program for downtown Charlottetown. Reward your valued customers when they visit your business! Tokens can be used in either meters or any of the three Parkades for 1 hour free parking. If you already participate in the Parkade Validation Sticker program, you can now also provide this valued service to your customers who prefer metered parking. Tokens can be purchased at any of the Parkade booths; Queen, Pownal or Fitzroy.

The Award Winning Adopt a Corner Project (winner of the 2009 IDA award of Distinction).
This program is a great example of the benefit of partnerships. We can it the little program with the big impacts. Local businesses can take ownership of their part of the program and are rewarded with a since of pride at having contributed to the beautification of the City. Each year DCI puts all the corners within the BIA up for adoption. Local business requests their space. . .the city crews dig and prepare the beds, the businesses plant the gardens using their staff and the material are purchased at their expense. The City crews maintain the gardens throughout the summer. The results are wonderful blooming gardens all over the city. No two are alike. We receive 100s of comments on this project every year and every year it just gets better. More. . .

Clean Sweep
The event serves as an opportunity for business members to get outside and contribute to a cleaner, more beautiful Downtown Clean Sweep is a fun way Downtown business, to show they care about living and working in a clean and well-maintained community it is our hope that this event inspires people to keep our streets clean year-round.”

Coats for Kids Every October – a way to give back
The collection of new or gently used winter coats, snowsuits, snow pants, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and boots for families will soon get under way This Coats for Kids 2009 event is organized by Downtown Charlottetown Inc and sponsored by The Confederation Court Mall, The Guardian and Sterns Dry Cleaners.

Donations can be dropped off October 26th to November 6th at our Drop off Depot in provided by our partners the“Confederation Court Mall”.

The items will be cleaned by Sterns Laundry and distributed by the Salvation Army.
Program details can be found in The Guardian, our sponsor.

Winterdine, Charlottetown dining festival
Downtown Charlottetown Inc. has organized this annual event for four years now...Winterdine is a dining festival that takes place the first weekend in February in participating restaurants in downtown Charlottetown. This event is price driven - All meals will be $25 or $35 each and include at least 3 courses. This is a great time to plan a social event, meet up with some friends for a fabulous meal or plan a romantic dinner and all at an exceptional value. 18 participants this year.

The Downtown Value Card Program
A discount card which encourages shoppers to purchase downtown and in doing so receives a discount up to 20% off. Cards are sold for $5 at participating merchants. Participating stores are listed on www.liveitupdowntown.ca.

Eckhart in the City Scavenger Hunt
Downtown Charlottetown inc. has created, based on author David Weale’s little mouse explorer “Eckhart in Charlottetown” a sort of scavenger hunt. It is a permanent interactive fun attraction for families and children of all ages. Nine of our little bronze mice were installed in their “hiding places” around the City.

Co op Marketing Campaign
Downtown Charlottetown “Make it Your Own this Christmas”, TV ads with tag reimbursed (25% of advertising cost reimbursed to a maximum of $1000).

Heritage Wayfinding Project
This project saw new street blades (Issues have been resolved), information kiosks, gateway and directional signage placed throughout the core. DCI contributes over two years in partnership with TCI, ACOA and the Province.

Christmas lights and window decorating project
These programs, managed by DCI with the participation of downtown merchants go a long way to enhance our downtown for the Festive time of the year. Starting Mid November business are decorated with pine bow and white lights. Retailers decorate storefronts as part of the program and a change to win prizes and a certificate of appreciation from the City.

Contact Mark Blanchard – 393-4120

The Annual Downtown Barbeque
This program is a great way to thank downtown workers who support our businesses all year round with free food and fun. DCI partners with the City and local business to provide a huge Barbeque complete with all the fixings. We send invitation to all downtown employees to come join us. City Councilors and local celebrities help serve.

Clean Team
Clean Team Members will create and maintain a clean, welcoming and safe environment for the Downtown Charlottetown core area Municipality residents, visitors and tourists. The Clean Team Members will work cooperatively to maintain streets and sidewalks, remove graffiti, paint public realm items, and assist with poster removal and kiosk duties as required within the defined area of the Downtown Charlottetown Inc. While working at assigned tasks, the Clean Team Members will project a positive image of the Downtown Charlottetown Businesses, and will provide information and assistance to the residents, visitors, and tourists in a friendly helpful fashion.

Special Project - Design Charrette
How best to create a new vision for an old street? You put some of the best Architectural minds your city has to offer in one room for one day with a common purpose. The results; a new vision for a redesign on the Historic portion of University Avenue which we hope to see it become reality in the near future.

Special Project – Light and Sound Show
This project also sponsored by ACOA, TCI and Homburg was extremely successful last year.

Business Development - Recruitment
Our recruitment team has chosen to focus on Financial Institutions. Yearly this dedicated group travel to Toronto to meet with a group of CEO and sell the benefits of living and doing business in Downtown Charlottetown. So far our successes include AimTriMark, Ceridian and Data Shapers. Our efforts are ongoing.

Parking
The Parking Committee participates yearly with “Park Free” ads to encourage shoppers over the Christmas shopping season. Support the Second Hour Free and Validation programs with CADC. This year they took on the “Park and Win” in Pownal Parkade project.

Streetscape and Capital Projects
This project is set to see the redevelopment of University Avenue, Euston to Grafton. We hope to see progress on this project this year without Partners The City of Charlottetown and ACOA.

Marketing Campaigns
The Spring and Fall Marketing Campaigns primarily purchase and produce TV commercials which highlight features of our downtown. “What Brings you Downtown?”

Sponsorships

Part of the DCI mandate is to encourage new events in the downtown – in hopes that these functions will encourage visitation and retail/dining sales. Here are events we sponsored over the past couple of years:

Festival of Lights        
Diverse City 2008, PEI Assoc. for Newcomers to Canada  
Fall Flavours
Les Eloizes Event, Atlantic hosted at Carrefour de I’lsle
Jazz and Blues Festival
Always on Stage
PEI International Shellfish Festival
PEI Music Awards
Savour PEI
Gold Cup Parade
Couple Golf PEI
Fringe Festival
Savour Food and Wine Show

Proposed New Projects

Buy Local Marketing Campaign
Colour ads, B/W ads and product labels.
Text statements; Why Support Locally Owned Businesses?

Charlottetown Market
DCI hopes to see a proposed Old Charlottetown craft and produce market become a reality for this year. This Market will resemble “Farm Days in the City” which is an event produced by TCI during Fall Flavours.