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BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolan@yrmg.com Whitchurch-Stouffville staff have proâ€" posed another downtown improvement plan to help bolster the former economic. centre of town, which would expand beyond the tradiâ€" tional commercial core. Under the plan, the downtown area would be expanded to include the approaches into Grants, loans would help owners improve buildings New plan would help downtown 'IHURSDAY, MAY21,2009 I SERVINGTHECOMMUNWYOFWRCHâ€"STOUFFVIUE I 24 PAGES/$1 INCLUDINGGST downtown along the Ninth Line to theâ€"east and west, and key properties along Market, Commercial, Edward and Somerville streets. “We do want to increase the boundaries. When you hit the Ninth Line, you really are hitting the downtown," said Ruth LeBlanc, manager of Stoufiville Business Improve- ment Area. “It’s a wonderful gateway because you have all those beautiful homes," some of which have businesses in them. The Community Improvement Plan is designed to provide downtown businesses with financial assistance in two areas -â€" redevelopâ€" ment/nehabilitafion and building/facade/sig- nage improvement. The plan also includes a fee grant program and the municipality’s ability to sell or lease its buildings or land holdings. The redevelopment/rehabilitation grant program was created to promote the redevel- opment and rehabilitation of sites deemed appropriate by the town. The money granted would not exceed the total value of the work to be completed and it would be based on the construction and Merchants received news of the plan at a meeting yesterday. STAFF PHOTO/BILL ROBERTS “Under the program, the town would perâ€" mit 21 phased-in collection of the local por- tion of any tax increase resulting from the building improvements," according to Mr. McNeely, the town's director of planning. improvements to the building/property. The building/facade/signage improve- ment loan program is designed to encourâ€" age the buildings appearance and function within the area. But it must also be consistent with the municipality’s vision. The loan would match the amount spent 2mm Sunday male whik m' ban-109 18w Adult size, 20" aluminum frame, Shimano drivetrain Soc DOWNTOWN, page 18 STOUFFVILLE saga-mam Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services Captain Trevâ€" or Wawryk examines an ATV that rolled off a pickup truck follow- ing a motor vehicle 001â€" lison on Aurora Road at McCowan Road Satur- day. A Iaguar X16 and Ford F150 pickup truck can'ying an Arctic Cat ATV collided. Occupants of the two vehicles suf- fered minor injuries and were out of their vehicles by the time firefighters arrived. [ONE WEEKEND CRASH 905640-4646 6312MdnSt or“: Reg. $100"" *229